Steel fabrication process in construction

To construct a structure, structural steel fabrication requires cutting, bending, and welding steel. Steel fabrication, as opposed to other methods of welding in which steel alloy is mended or reinforced, is when pieces of steel are placed together to make distinct structures that are generally of preset sizes and shapes. Read the article to learn more about steel fabrication work.

See also: What are the different types of welding?

How is structural steel fabrication work done?

There are several steps to the structural steel fabrication work. This technique necessitates the use of trained and experienced experts who can turn raw components into high-quality products. Each of the steps is covered in further detail below.

Stage 1: Ideation, blueprint and shop drawings

The ideation step might be inventive depending on the need for steel components. The fabricator may create any structural steel goods that you require. Different software are used to make drawings that meet requirements, code compliances, and specifications. To finish the steel processing, it will be transformed into shop drawings that will comply with project requirements such as timelines and budget.

Stage 2: Cutting, bending and drilling

The initial step in structural steel manufacture is cutting. High-grade steel must be cut by cropping or sawing using various instruments such as laser cutters, plasma torches, or water jets, among others. This is typically done in a closed production facility, and various safety precautions must be taken. Sawing (cold sawing or band sawing), burning, and shearing are the most common procedures. Shearing is frequently limited to specific structural steel parts. It is not utilised on bigger structural pieces due to the force required and the resulting cut quality, which limits its economical feasibility and practicality.

The next step is to bend. There is specialised technology for bending structural alloy; nevertheless, many fabricators choose to accomplish it manually by pounding the alloy as well. It also depends on the sort of job; for example, if repetitive bending of steel is required, employing machines will be considerably more possible. In the industry, there are five common bending methods: rolling, incremental bending, hot bending, rotary-draw bending, and induction bending. Each strategy has advantages and disadvantages. The visual attractiveness of curved structural steel is its primary benefit. It enables architects and designers to express a wide range of shapes and makes exposed steelwork an appealing option.

The third step is welding. It entails making a range of welds with various component materials in order to design, produce, and install welded structures. Here, steel parts are combined to form entire constructions. When the steel components have been cut and formed, the welding process begins to combine them into a full framework. Structural welding has its own set of rules, designs, and weld joint types. It is used to construct metal frames for buildings, bridges, cars, and other complicated constructions. Beams, columns, and girders are also cut and repaired using structural welding. Plate Metal, Formed and expanded metal, and Welding Wire/ Rod Casting are regular steel fabrication parts.

Stage 3: Engraving and assembly

All steel pieces will be engraved with the part number and plate position, which will be used to create a final completed part on-site that is quick, straightforward, and accurate. Component assembly is an essential step in the steel production process. To prepare connections for on-site installation, fixtures and fittings must be installed. Here, steel components are assembled to form full constructions. Once the components have been assembled, they will be tested to see if they satisfy the specifications. Custom parts are occasionally created by fabricators and are useful when you require components to fit a structure or product utilised in your project.

Stage 4: Shipping preparation and component finishing

The completed components are shipped at this stage to facilitate project construction on site. Once the steel has been entirely constructed into the desired shape, it is treated with a coating to protect it against corrosion and fire.

Stage 5: Site delivery and erection

In this stage, the components are sent to their final destination. The project is then built on the construction site.

Structural steel fabrication work: Advantages

• Steel is extremely robust, corrosion resistant, and tensile. Steel’s strength is greater than its density, making it a good choice for building.
• Structural steel is often delivered in the pre-fabrication stage and manufactured on-site. Pre-fabrication minimises the amount of on-site work required, allowing projects to move more swiftly.
• As compared to other metals such as copper, silver, gold, aluminium, and magnesium, structural steel is the most cost-effective.
• Because structural steel components are simple to install after production, greater efficiency in the installation process saves money and time.
• Steel’s metallurgical qualities allow it to be easily produced in any form and size. Welding or bolting steel buildings together creates them.
• Structural steel is covered with a fire-resistant substance, making it extremely fire-resistant. It is resistant to water. If correctly constructed, it can endure hurricanes and earthquakes.
• Structural steel components are built off-site, limiting the possibility of on-site accidents. It is resistant to moulds and termites, making it an excellent choice.
• Structural steel is easily recyclable, making it an environmentally beneficial choice for metal fabricators.
• Steel offers considerable cost advantages, and the ROI for structural steel is strongly related to its strength and dependability.

Structural steel fabrication: Disadvantages

• Maintenance: Structural steel structures and machinery require regular maintenance. Repairs and tiny fixtures can be expensive.

• Steel deteriorates in high temperatures: It is a scientific truth that steel deteriorates in high temperatures. Fabricators use fireproof coating for structural steel for this purpose. In addition, sprinkler systems must be installed in all structures. These procedures are costly, and they raise the entire cost of the construction project.

• Corrosion: Steel corrodes when it interacts with ambient oxygen to generate rust. This degrades the structure’s quality. Several costly corrosion-prevention treatments are applied to structural steel, including dry abrasive blasting, water blasting, and coal tar coating.

• Fatigue and buckling: Over time, steel structures get tired. The tensile strength of the frames varies after being subjected to various types of pressures. This can cause the steel structure to buckle.

Know about: IS code for steel

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