Structural Steel Benefits
Steel is an incredibly versatile material that’s used in almost every construction project. There are plenty of benefits to structural steel:
- Prefabrication and speed of construction: Majority of structural steel work is prefabricated, meaning its fabricated off-site with precise control over dimensions using computer numerical control (CNC) machinery. It is then brought to site and promptly erected, accelerating speed of construction.
- Cost-effective: Streamlined efficiency means less time and money, resulting in a quicker return on investment.
- Strength and Durability: Steel can withstand even the worst weather conditions. It’s the most fire, termite and mould resistant material.
- Environmentally Friendly: Steel is known for being one of the most sustainable materials and is recyclable. In fact, over 80% of steel is recycled in the manufacturing process.
- Future Adaptability: Steel can easily be modified to suit changing circumstances. Whether you want to upgrade, refurbish or reuse steel for another purpose, it allows freedom and flexibility in construction.
- Aesthetically Pleasing: Steel is the perfect material as it’s both strong and lightweight. Its flexible nature allows it to be crafted into different shapes, sizes and designs to suit different buildings and environments.
Structural Steel Materials & Uses
Universal Beam
Also known as “H” or “I” beams, they serve a dual purpose by providing structural support and holding the building together under high stress. They’re often used in conjunction with universal columns.
We supply both primed and galvanised universal beams in various sizes that can be cut to size to suit your construction needs.
Tapered Flange Beam
“I” shaped beams that are available in a variety of sizes. They’re often used in construction for cross-sections providing strength to girders.
Universal Column
Similar to universal beams, they’re also called “H” and “I” beams. Unlike universal beams, their width is roughly equal to their depth. They are widely used in construction to carry bending and shear loads, thanks to its compressive and tensile properties. You’ll find universal columns across Australia in factories, commercial buildings, bridges and residential properties.
Universal columns come in primed or galvanised finishes with a range of different sizes. We offer cut to size, fabrication and installation of all universal columns to suit your project needs.
Steel Angle
Structural steel angles can either be equal or unequal. Due to their 90-degree shape, steel angles are incredibly strong along their length and are highly resistant to bending.
Equal angles have 2 axes that are the same length, and are the most common types of steel section. Unequal sections have different sized axis, giving them a L-shape and a much higher strength to weight ratio. Steel angles are widely used for frames, shelves, brackets and fabrications.
Available in primed and galvanised finishes, you can find our selection of steel angle sizes here.
Flat Bar
Like the name suggests, flat bars are a flat piece of steel with a rectangular section containing square edges. Steel flat bars are available in primed and glavanised finishes and in a variety of sizes – making it a versatile solution for different applications.
Flat Bars function in a similar way to hollow sections and play a major role in frame construction with the ability to be easily cut, drilled and fabricated.
Hollow Section
A Hollow Section is a steel tube that has a smooth, flat surface along its edges. Its ease to connect and join to other steel sections makes it a popular universal structural material.
Hollow Sections offer excellent weight-bearing properties which is why it’s used in a wide range of projects from iconic structures like the London Eye to everyday applications like fences, trailers and handrails.
Hollow Sections can be categorised into three main types: Rectangular Hollow Sections (RHS), Square Hollow Sections (SHS) and Circular Hollow Sections (CHS). All of them are available in a variety of sizes and finishes, including no coating, primed and galvanised.
Channel
Steel channels, otherwise known as parallel flange channels, are one of the most versatile types of steel beams. Often made from hot-rolled structural steel, PFC Channels come in a wide variety of sizes and finishes, including black, primed and galvanised.
PFC Channels are excellent for structural support and are widely used in bridges, wall studs and roofs and vehicle frames.
T Bar
T Bars are fabricated lintel beams that are extremely useful for structural and load bearing applications. The upper section of the T, known as the flange, bears the weight and resists compressive stress, while the lower section, known as the web, resists shear stresses and prevents the flange from buckling or bending.
T Bars are generally considered stronger than steel angles thanks to its “T” shape, and requires less material than tubes, which makes them a lighter and cost-efficient alternative.
Shelf Beam
Shelf beams are fabricated steel materials manufactured by Melsteel and can be supplied and delivered. They include combined and welded flat bars, t bars, channels, angles and universal beams to suit any structural steel applications in residential and non-residential projects.
Ideal for custom structural steel projects, shelf beams are available in both primed and galvanised finishes.
Structural Steel Prices
