Selecting the Right Steel for Your Project or Building

Steel is a very common material that lends itself to use in many different ways. Selecting the correct grade or shape of steel can be critical for the project you are working on, especially if the steel is going to be structural and an integral part of a building or other structure that will need to endure large amounts of stress over time. 

1. Buying Steel

One of the first things you need when you are looking for steel in any form is a supplier for the material. Often a steel service center or supplier can help you get the materials you need, but you will need to determine the steel grade and configuration that you require for your job. 

A tall structural steel girder is going to have different properties than a steel pipe that is holding up a sign or fence. Large construction projects have engineers involved in the design, and they will typically specify the material required for the job. 

If you don't have the benefit of an engineer to help you, you can talk to the steel supplier about the differences in the material and what they recommend for your situation. While they understand the grades of steel better than many people, the dealer is not going to want to make engineering recommendations because of the liability involved.  

2. Structural Versus Non-Structural Steel

Structural steel is a category of steel that has a higher carbon content, more strength, and a higher melting point. Structural steel often comes in shapes like I beams, H beams, square, round, and rectangular stock. The builder can use all of these shapes to fabricate pieces that will bear weight or strengthen a structure.

Large beams used to carry the weight of the structure above them are typically made from structural steel. Structural steel is available in several grades as well, so let the steel supplier know what grade you need, and they can help. 

The alternative material is mild steel and is used in many different ways but is not strong enough to be used structurally. Mild steel pipes or bars are often used with concrete as a support and reinforcement of the material but are never used in place of structural steel. 

Non-structural steel can be used in buildings and other areas that need support, but the way it is used is often different. In most cases, non-structural or mild steel is used as secondary support and added to more significant, more robust sections of structural steel.