Advantages of steel pipe as a structural material in construction

In the modern times, steel pipe is a versatile building material, which has led to its inclusion in nearly every stage of the construction process from framing and floor joists, to roofing materials. Furthermore, there are a few advantages of using steel pipe in construction including its strength, environmental friendliness, lower insurance premiums, design flexibility and recyclability. Other remarkable advantages of steel pipe include energy-efficiency, durability, and resistance to water, fire and insect damage.

First of all, why steel pipe has been widely used for structural steel pipe in building today is because that the steel will weigh more as the result of its density. When it comes to framing, however, the design of a steel I-beam will almost always cause it to be lighter than the lightest, structurally sound wood beam design. A steel I-beam weighs less than glulams, LVL, and Parallam beams. In addition to decreasing the labor required to build with steel, the lighter-weight advantage reduces materials shipping costs, and can also simplify the design of a building’s foundation and other structural support systems, which can further reduce project budgets.

Hot dipped galvanized steel pipe has been considered popular a lot among many users today. For one thing, the galvanization process protects the steel from rusting damage that can occur during transportation, installation and service. The zinc layer on the surface of pipe can form a barrier protection for steel products to extend the service life in applications. For the other thing, this layer is also resistant to wear and scratch, which makes the steel look more attractive. Unlike other structural steel materials, galvanized steel is immediately ready for use when it is delivered. No additional preparation of the surface is required, no time-consuming inspections, additional painting or coatings are needed. Once the structure is assembled, contractors can immediately begin the next stage of construction without having to worry about the galvanized steel materials. If you choose a galvanized pipe, you can avoid the cost of maintaining and replacing corroded pipes. With galvanized pipe, your pipes can last a lot longer than a non galvanized one, which will save you a lot of money in the project.

Moreover, steel can be recycled. Rather than paying landfill fees for non-recyclable construction waste, your will be able to recycle steel and metal building components in applications. Because steel is so durable, and requires so little maintenance, it is a more economic choice for building owners. Maintenance fees, repairs and replacements are minimal – even over the course of 50 years or more – saving building owners tens of thousands of dollars over the course of the building’s lifetime.
Innovation in steel production, combined with greater competition to meet rising steel demands, has brought steel pipe prices lower than they’ve been in twenty years. According to the American Institute of Steel Construction, “In 1980, 10 man-hours were required to produce a single ton of steel. Today that same ton of structural steel requires substantially less than a single man-hour.” Thus, these cost savings can be being passed on to the consumer.