Important differences between RC structures and steel structures are explained here.

Sl.N
Difference RC Structures Steel Structures
o

The basic material used is

Steel is the material used to
1 Material reinforced cement concrete to
take the load
take up the load

In RC structures, the cross- The structural elements of

Cross-section of
2 section of the structural steel structures have small
Structural Element
elements is large cross-sections.

The durability of concrete is The steel structures are

high. High-quality RC prone to rust when exposed
3 Durability structure is less affected by to environmental conditions.
common weather and Hence steel structures have
environmental conditions. less durability.

RC structures are highly

Steel structures are ductile
Resistance to brittle in nature. These type of
in nature thus increasing
4 Earthquake/Dynamic structure have less resistance
their resistance to dynamic
Loads to dynamic loads like
loads.
earthquakes and wind.

RC structures have low load- The steel structures have an

Load Carrying
5 carrying capacity compared appreciable load-carrying
Capacity
with steel structures. capacity.

Construction of structures
with concrete consumes large
The steel, in general, has 60
amount of raw materials.
6 Self-Weight percent less weight
Hence the self-weight of
compared to concrete.
reinforced concrete structures
are high.

Reinforced concrete structure

possesses huge dead weight Steel structures do not
7 Foundation
which hence demands a demand heavy foundation. 
strong foundation to support.

8 Tensile Strength In RC structures, the tensile Steel structural elements

strength of the concrete have high tensile strength
elements is less compared to compared to RC structures.
 steel structural elements.

Construction of steel
structures requires less
The construction of reinforced
labor. Most of the
9 Labour Requirement concrete structures is labor-
components are fabricated in
intensive.
the workshop and assembled
at the site.

Construction of RC structure Construction of steel

10 Construction
is simple. structure is tough.

11 Cos of construction Economical Costly

Reinforced concrete structures

require time for concreting, Steel structures are
12 Construction Speed
curing etc. which is a slow constructed with high speed.
process.

It is tough to maintain quality Better quality control can be

13 Quality control
through concrete construction. obtained in steel structures.

The fire resistance of the The fire resistance of steel

14 Fire Resistance
concrete structure is high. structure is less.

Concrete does not have any The steel scraps have a good
15 Scrap Value
scrap value. scrap value.

A properly designed and

The steel frame structure has
constructed reinforced
16 Corrosion chances to deteriorate due to
concrete structure is not prone
corrosion.
to corrosion.

The repair and cost of Steel structures can be

Repair and maintenance of the concrete repaired very easily and
17
Maintenance structure are tough and time hence their cost of
taking. maintenance is less.