QUIJANO, MC EDZEL H.

ARC 155 / STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF STEEL MATERIAL IN CONSTRUCTION.

ADVANTAGES
1. High Strength -This means that the weight of structure that made of steel will be small.
2. Uniformity – Properties of steel do not change as appose to concrete.
3. Elasticity – Steel follows Hooke’s law very accurately.
4. Ductility – Can withstand extensive deformation without failure under high tensile
stresses.
5. Toughness – steel has both strength and ductility.
6. Maintain is strength indefinitely – Does not deteriorate with age like timber and
concrete.
7. Can be recycled
8. Very Strong and Flexible – Steel framed houses are ideal in cyclone/hurricane prone
regions.
9. Steel has also high strength to weight ratio as compared to concrete.
10. Structures can be prefabricated in large sections.
DISADVANTAGES
1. Maintenance Cost – Steel structures are susceptible to corrosion when exposed to air,
water, and humidity. They must be painted periodically.
2. Steel has very small resistance against fire as compared to concrete.
3. Fireproofing Cost – Steel is incombustible material, however, its strength is reduced
tremendously at high temperatures due to common fires.
4. Susceptibility to Buckling – as the length and slenderness of a compressive column is
increase, its danger of buckling increases.
5. Fatigue – the strength of structural steel member if this member is subjected to cyclic
loading.
6. Brittle – Under certain condition steel may lose its ductility, and brittle fracture may
occur at places of stress concentration.
7. Steel cannot be mold in any direction you want. It can only be used in forms in which
sections originally exists.
8. Has a high expansion rate in changing temperature.
9. Heavy and thus expensive to transport.
10. Energy intensive to produce.
QUIJANO, MC EDZEL H.
ARC 155 / STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN

TIMBER AS STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

1. Favorable strength to weight ratio.
2. Bending Strength between 1.28 to 1/23 compare to Mild steel.
3. Stiffness is low but compared to its weight, it is relatively stiff.
4. Suitable for light to medium loaded Low-rise Building.
ADVANTAGES.
1. Thermal Properties
2. Acoustic Properties
3. Electrical Properties
4. Mechanical Properties
5. Aesthetic Properties
6. Oxidation Properties
7. Working Properties
8. Variation

DISADVANTAGES
1. Shrinkage and Swelling
2. Deterioration
3. Biotic Deterioration of Wood
4. Insects
5. Carpenter Ants
6. Carpenter Bees
7. Marine Borers