Types of Steel Used in Construction

1. Structural Steel
Structural steel is durable and strong. It can be
transformed into any shape including but not limited to I-
Beam, L shape, T shape, and Z shape. This type of steel
can be constructed in no time on the construction site.

Categorization:
1. Parallel Flange Channels -These channelled beams
are U-shaped with right angled corners – a bit like a
stick of staples. They come in many different sizes,
however, the two sides are always the same length
and are parallel to each other. They also offer a high
strength to weight ratio and have similar uses to
angled sections.

2. Tapered Flange Beams – Taper flange beams are I-

shaped sections and are also available in a wide
variety of sizes. In construction, these are often used
for cross-sections of girders. Though they have quite
 high resistance ratios, they are not usually
recommended when pressure is present along their
length as they are not torsion (twisting) resistant.

3. Universal Beam -Universal beams, also known ad I-

beams or H-beams, are shaped like their namesake:
an ‘I’ when standing upright, and a ‘H’ on their side.
Universal beams are usually made of structural steel
and are used in construction and civil engineering,
among other industries.

4. Universal Column -Universal beams are also widely

used for structural purposes. They are similar to
beams and are often called I-beams or H-beams,
however, all three sections are equal in length. As
their name suggests, they are mainly used for
columns, and have fantastic load-bearing
capabilities.

5. Angled Sections – Angled structural steel sections

can either either be equal or unequal. Both are right
 angled, however, unequal sections have different
sized axis’ making them L-shaped. This kind of
section is much stronger (up to 20%) with much
higher strength to weight ratios. Angled section are
used in residential construction, infrastructure,
mining and transport. They are available in wide
range of lengths and sizes.

6. Circular Hollow Sections – Circular Hollow Sections

have hollow tubular cross sections and have much
higher resistance to torsion that tapered flange
beams. Thickness of the walls are uniform around
the entire circle which makes this beams great for
use with multi-axis loading applications.

7. Rectangular Hollow Sections -Similar to circular

hollow sections however they have rectangular cross
sections. They are very popular in many mechanical
and construction steel applications. Their flat
surfaces make them prime for use in joining and
metal fabrication.
 8. Square Hollow Sections – Like their hollow section
brothers but with square cross sections, these are
used in smaller applications such as columns or
posts. However they are unsuitable for beams as
their shapes are inherently difficult to bolt into other
shapes. They are also known as ‘box sections’.

9. Flat Sections – The most versatile steel section as

they require to be attached to another section. In
some cases they can be attached to another section
as a strengthening tool. They are also often referred
to as ‘plates’ (for example, checker plate).

Benefits of structural steel include:

 Fire resistant: It’s reliable for protection against fires.
 Customizable: Useful for designers because it has
the ability to take on so many shapes that is practical
for simple to complex designs.
  Affordable: Return of investment is closely
associated with its strength and reliability since it
will last for decades.
 Strength and durability: It has the ability to
withstand weather conditions wear and tear. It’s
stronger than most other materials including
concrete.
 Environmentally safer: It has a low carbon effect and
it’s recyclable that makes it a popular choice for
green businesses.

2. Rebar Steel
This steel is also known as reinforcing steel. Rebar is
made from different alloys and grades of steel. Stainless
steel rebar is rust resistant and used in poured concrete
driveways and construction of buildings.

It’s commonly used as a tension device for reinforced

concrete structures. Rebar steel is made from carbon
steel.
It’s also used as a tensioning device to reinforce other
masonry structures. This type of steel is durable,
resistant and stiff. Rebar is very useful because of its
recyclable tendencies.

Benefits of Rebar include:

 Easy to set into place before pouring the concrete
 Help reduce cracking and breaking common in
concrete
 Gives strength to concrete
 Saves money for purchaser because whatever it’s
used in will last longer

3. Alloy Steel
This type of steel has had small amounts of one or more
alloying elements such as manganese, silicon, nickel,
copper, chromium, titanium, and aluminum added to it.
This mix gives out properties that aren’t found in regular
carbon steel.
Alloy steel is usually more responsive to heat and
mechanical treatments than carbon steel. Alloy steel is
pretty popular because of their ease of processing, good
mechanical properties, and availability.

Alloy steels are broken down into:

 Low alloy steels
 High alloy steels

Alloy steel benefits include:

 Strong
 Hard
 Tough
 Wear resistant
 Corrosion resistant
 Hot hardness
Keep in mind some of the above benefits may require
heat treating.
Alloy steel is sometimes found in spacecraft, nuclear
reactors, and turbine blades of jet engines.

4. Mild Steel
This type of steel is also known as plain carbon steel. It’s
steel with carbon content up to 2.1% by weight.

Mild steel is also used in steel building constructions. It’s

durable and strong and makes for a sturdy
establishment.

Mild steel is also very flexible which doesn’t allow it to

crack when it’s bent. Due to its strength, it’s more
suitable for buildings. This type of steel is able to
withstand earthquakes making it very popular in
earthquake-prone areas.

5. Stainless Steel
This steel is a steel alloy but with increased corrosion
resistance compared to alloy steel. Common ingredients
mixed with stainless steel include chromium, nickel, or
molybdenum.

Stainless steel contains chromium at 10% or more by

weight. This extra chromium gives steel its unique
corrosion resisting properties. The chromium content
allows the formation of a rough corrosion-resisting
chromium oxide film on the surface.

If the film is damaged mechanically or chemically its self-

healing as long as oxygen is present.

Many kitchen appliances are made from stainless steel.

Food and handling processing, medical instruments, and
hardware are also made from stainless steel. There are
more than 60 grades of stainless steel.

Stainless steel benefits include:

  Corrosion resistance: Lower alloyed steel resist
corrosion Fire and heat resistance: high chromium
resists scaling and retains strength during high
temperature strength
 Strength to weight advantage: Its work-hardening
property results in a significant strength increase
which allows reduced material thickness in turn
saving costs
 Hygiene: Easy to clean, makes it a good choice for
kitchens, hospitals, and food processing plants

6. Tool Steel
This steel is extremely hard and usually used to form
other metal products.

Different tool applications include:

 Cutting applications
 Mold-making applications
 Impact applications (like hammers)
 Knives
Tool steel comes in various shapes including square bar,
round bar, and flat bar just to name a few.

Six groups of tool steels:

 Water-hardening
 Shock-resistant
 Hot-work
 Special purpose
 Cold-work
 High-speed

7. Light Gauge Steel

This type of steel is known to offer a range of benefits
due to its unique lightweight characteristic including:
 Faster construction
 Safe to work with
 Cost-effective
 Easy to handle during fabrication
 Highly sustainable method of construction
 Production is energy efficient
Light gauge steel is used in modular construction,
storage, light-steel framed buildings, and loads from
walls above and resisting lateral wind loads. Learn more
about where light gauge steel is used.

Sources:
https://www.rushprnews.com/2019/01/13/hard-as-
steel-the-7-types-of-steel-to-use-in-construction/

https://steelfabservices.com.au/types-steel-used-
construction/