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Sci-Tech
Steel
Impressive Material for
Construction Purposes
by
Tamorika Mohapatra
 Steel is the backbone of construction of physical infrastructures and barometer
of economic wellbeing of a country. Steel is a major and superior material to
any other construction materials.
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It is preferred
due to its durability, ductility, stability, safety, strength and
malleability. Steel is the only metallic item which can be conveniently and
economically produced in tonnage quantity.
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Steel has the
highest strength to weight ratio i.e. 25 times greater than wood. Steel
continues to replace timber in most of the construction activities.
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Steel is a
consistent quality product. It does not crack. It requires less maintenance.
It is resistant to termites, corrosion and atmospheric hazards.
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Steel is
non-combustible and less vulnerable to earthquakes, hurricanes and fire.
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Pre-fabricated
steel can help completion of any project in lesser time and cost without
cost and time over run. Steel increases the speed, enhances quality of work
and safety due to flexibility in design and application in construction of
residential, non-residential houses, infrastructure markets, dams and
monuments.
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Steel is
eco-friendly and 100% recyclable without loss of quality. Every ton of
re-cycled steel saves about 2500 pound of iron ores, 1400 pounds of coal,
and 150 pounds of lime stones. Usage of steel in construction conserves
precious forests and wood.
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It is energy
efficient as well. Steel industry could reduce carbon Dioxide emission by 20
% since 1990.
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Eiffel tower,
PetronasTwin tower of Kuala Lumpur, Howrah Bridge in Kolkata, Vidyasagar
SETU in Kolkata and many such aesthetic construction, bridges, schools,
churches, stadiums, etc have proved that steel is an ideal material for
constructions.
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Steel is most
compatible with sustainable economic development.
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Consumption of
steel for construction purposes increases the pace of growth of the economy
of a country.
By virtue of its advantages, the worldwide usage of furnished steel will touch
1.15 billion by the year 2008. According to International iron and steel
institute (IISI), 1/3rd of the total steel produced is consumed in construction
activities and it is expected to go higher and higher.
Growing population in India at the present rate will demand nearly 50 million
tonnes of steel every year for housing alone.
India produces about 33 million tonnes of steel whereas China produces more than
300 million tonnes of steel in a year. Steel is an ideal construction material
otherwise China would not have gone for such a huge production of steel.
The Institute of Steel Development and growth (INDAG) has been promoting the use
of steel in construction sector through typical steel intensive designs and
technical support like multi story steel framed buildings, flyovers, future
airports, construction of all 8 Railway bridges of Konkan Railways.
The Joint Plant Committee in India provides subsidy of 25% for metal bins for
grain storage and agricultural implements, cycle trolleys in rural sector where
demand is immense and un-tapped. Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) sold
more than 40,000 tonnes of steel in 2003-2004 through rural dealers and thrust
is still on.
Construction solution Group of Tata Iron and Steel Company (TISCO) in India is
providing solution in construction sector like aesthetic, low maintenance, quick
construction, steel intensive economical buildings, bins and silos in impressive
manner.
Steel is cost effective than reinforced concrete alternatives. Steel provides
best value on the basis of cost per square feet, usable space, and design
flexibility.
Steel is to serves as a spring board for reaching the national vision of
transforming India into a developed economy by narrowing the gap between the per
capita consumption level in India and the rest of the world and boost steel
usage at lower cost with least damage to environment.
In conclusion, Steel is such a versatile commodity that every object we see in
our daily life has used steel directly or indirectly. There is no viable
substitute to steel in construction activities. Steel remains and will continue
to remain logical and wide choice for construction purpose. After all there is a
bit of steel in everyone’s life. In international relation or politics, dominant
are the nations who have the steel power with them.
August 27, 2006
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