The best way to recognize the benefits structural steel brings to a project is to simply answer the question: "If a new material was being developed to best satisfy the requirements for building construction, what characteristics would that material have?”
That material would:
Be the benchmark against which all other materials are compared.
Be strong in both compression and tension.
Be sustainable in every sense of the word.
Be shop fabricated for enhanced productivity and high tolerances.
Allow for the opportunity to optimize cost and schedule by integrating the design and construction process.
Be easily erected allowing for straight forward integration with other building systems
Allow for the acceleration of project schedules.
Easily handle future field modifications to adapt to changing building requirements.
Be cost effective.
Drive improved industry productivity.
Be aesthetically pleasing.
Allow for ease of design, yet be able to handle innovative design approaches.
Fortunately, it's not necessary to develop a new building material. Structural steel effectively addresses each of these criteria.
