Reflections on Steel Construction
by Jonathan McGaha | 31 May 2010 12:00 am
Congratulations to everyone at Metal Construction News on the celebration of your 30th anniversary! We wish you many more years of success.
When MCN was launched, the steel construction industry was quite different in terms of design practices and products. Engineers designed with 36 ksi steel for virtually all projects; today, the industry standard is 50 ksi or higher. The Allowable Stress Design Method was used exclusively; today, Load and Resistance Factor Design has found its place. New technologies and grades of steel developed in the last 30 years are allowing us to design more energy-efficient, sustainable structures.
Numerous advancements have been made over the years in the codes and standards arena, such as seismic design practices. For example, the American Iron and Steel Institute has just published an update to S110-07-S1-09, the Standard for Seismic Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Systems—Special Bolted Moment Frames with Supplement No. 1. This standard addresses the design and construction of cold-formed steel seismic force-resisting systems in buildings and other structures, with focus on the special bolted moment frame system. Widely used in industrial platforms, this system is potentially suitable for a broad range of construction applications.
Thirty years ago, there were few steel-framed homes being built. The Steel Framing Alliance was launched in 1998 to explore ways to grow this market for steel, and several innovations have resulted. Among them was the development of Prescriptive Standards, which provided a breakthrough for steel by eliminating major barriers in the competition with wood. New tools developed by the Steel Framing Alliance and its partners provided better screw guns and systems, making steel-framed systems easier to install and resulting in time and cost savings for construction crews. Design and fabrication improvements resulted in more efficient floor and steel joist truss systems. All of these factors have contributed to an increase in the number of steel-framed homes in the marketplace.
These technologies have also impacted the low- and mid-rise multifamily and commercial building market. The Steel Framing Alliance’s focus now includes both residential and commercial framing opportunities. SFA is focusing on specific technical activities to eliminate known barriers in the fire, sound and thermal areas while capitalizing on advantages in product durability and insurability.
One of the more dramatic changes in our industry over the past 30 years is in the metal buildings category. It used to be that a design engineer might consider a metal building for clients who needed a simple hangar, gymnasium or warehouse. However, advanced finishing systems, technical research on issues that confronted the industry, and improved fire resistance and thermal performance practices have greatly enhanced metal building system market opportunities, allowing them to compete on a level playing field with any other construction material in terms of durability and aesthetics.
Technological improvements have also greatly impacted the commercial and residential roofing markets. Today’s metal roof offers better weather performance and aesthetics than earlier generations due to better coatings and rollforming methods. Building owners and consumers can choose from several colors, styles and slopes, allowing architects to exercise design flexibility. Metal roofs also offer improved wind resistance and connection for a more durable surface and higher value for buyers.
While steel construction technologies and practices have evolved over the years, in today’s market economic conditions and public policy initiatives are dictating the next steps for the steel construction industry. Renewable energy, environmental technology, and infrastructure development will be the focus of strategic growth sectors. Government initiatives such as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 have the potential to fundamentally shift the traditional balance and direction of the construction market by creating new external drivers and market forces.
What do the next few years hold for the steel construction industry? Sustainable design will continue to gain momentum, leading to innovations in thermal performance and environmental sustainability. The rehabilitation and renovation of existing buildings will play an increasingly stronger role in the commercial market.
The steel industry’s investment in construction-related research will usher in the next generation of design practices and product improvements. AISI and its steel construction partners are already working together on several research projects designed to make steel even more competitive with other construction materials. The steel construction industry in 30 years will look very different than it does today, but steel will continue to provide a durable and sustainable materials solution to the design challenges of tomorrow.
For more information, visit www.steel.org or call (202) 452-7100.
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