Steel and Concrete Together: Using the Strengths of Each

Up until now the previous articles focused on buildings made entirely of steel. An important fact to remember is that the use of steel in building is not necessarily exclusive of concrete or blocks. In larger or more sophisticated projects the different raw materials and construction methods are frequently used together.

Here are some very common examples of how steel, concrete and tilt-up construction are used together to provide the best quality and value:
· A large steel office building or retail center may use tiltwall concrete panels for interior fire walls or exterior facades. The Mervyn's department store in the Dallas / Fort Worth, Texas area pictured to the right was constructed in just this manner.
· An existing manufacturing building or warehouse made of concrete blocks could be expanded by adding a steel lean-to structure to one of its exterior support walls.
· A distribution center built using the cement blocks of traditional construction will frequently use a steel roofing system and a rigid frame similar to what a metal building might use. Regardless what material is used, this combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide a large clearspan.
These are just a few situations where the best choice for a project might be a steel building with tilt-up construction components, or a concrete structure with steel framework, roof system or steel add-ons or expansions. A general contractor who is well versed in the advantages and limitations of all methods of construction can help determine what is the best approach on any given project.













Steel Buildings - The Right Choice for the Right Construction Projects

Not surprisingly, there are many factors that influence what type of building is right for any particular situation. Prefabricated steel buildings provide an excellent alternative for many applications. In general steel is a superior choice for storage buildings, shelters, work shops, garages, hangers, indoor tennis courts and other sports facilities, and a wide range of smaller structures. In specialized circumstances where a large clearspan is needed, a steel building or steel / concrete building will normally be the best solution.
For most larger buildings, and those with greater durability requirements, however, a careful analysis will often demonstrate that a concrete tilt-up building or a blend of steel systems and concrete offer the best mix of cost-effectiveness and long term value.