Introduction to Structural Steel Design

- Advantages of Steel as a Structural Material: 1- High Strength

High strength of steel per unit weight means that the weight of structure will be small, which has a great importance for large structures, as bridges and tall buildings. A36 : Fy = 36 ksi = 250 MPa , Fu = 400 MPa A50 : Fy = 50 ksi = 350 MPa , Fu = 450 MPa

2- Uniformity
Uniform and consistent properties with time

3- Elasticity
Steel behaves closer to design assumption (elastic, follows Hooke's law) up to high stresses

4- Permanence
With proper maintain ace steel structures can last indefinitely

5- Ductility
Steel can withstand extensive deformation without failure under high tensile stresses. Ductility gives more warning before failure.

6- Toughness
Steel members can still withstand large forces even it has large deformations. The ability of material to absorb energy in large amounts is called toughness.

7- Additions to Existing Structures

Existing steel structures can be easily expanded both in width and height

8- Miscellaneous
- Ability to fasten members together - Ability to prefabrication - Speed of erection - Ability to be rolled into a wide Varity of sizes and shapes - Ability to form built up section from standard sections - Possible reuse and recycle after disassembling - Can be used with concrete to form composite sections

- Disadvantages of Steel as a Structural Material:

1- Maintenance Costs
Most steels are susceptible to corrosion when freely exposed to air and water, therefore it should be painted periodically, otherwise weathering steel should be used.

2- Fireproofing Costs
Steel strength is tremendously reduced at temperature commonly reached in fires; therefore steel members should be painted by fire proofing materials.

3- Susceptibility to Buckling
As the member length increases, its danger of buckling increases, therefore, steel sections need to be increased and stiffened to avoid buckling.

4- Fatigue
Steel strength is reduced when subjected to a large number of stress reversals or even a large number of variations of tensile stress.

5- Brittle Failure
Steel may lose its ductility in certain conditions, and brittle failure may occur at places of stress concentrations

6- Residual Stresses
Residual stresses occur due to; 1- Uneven cooling of room temperature of hot rolled sections 2- Cold bending of cold formed sections 3- Welding of two or more plates together