Structural Steel Failure: Causes and Prevention

Structural steel is a special type of steel that is commonly fabricated for the sole purpose of construction. Structural steel comes in a variety of different shapes while being possessed of different tensile strengths, depending on the application. While structural steel is widely regarded as one of the most effective and important construction materials in the world, it is not flawless and without a potential for failure. Today, we are going to be highlighting several of the most common types of structural steel failures that can potentially manifest.

Structural Steel Failure: Issues and Remedies

When structural engineers design their projects, their goal is typically to create something that is safe, secure and viable for the business that will be using it. Structural steel helps the construction crew to bring these designs to life by offering a durable, affordable and long-lasting building material. With that being said, structural steel isn’t invincible and issues can manifest themselves over time. Listed below, you’ll find the most common causes of structural steel failure.

1) Flexural Issues – It’s pretty easy to identify what a flexural issue is based on the root word of the issue. A flexural failure is when a girder or column is subjected to too much stress, thus causing the steel to bend and ultimately buckle. Due to how strong structural steel is, most fabrication is designed around thin columns of metal which makes them more prone to buckling when flexural issues manifest.

Solution: Use heavier and stockier pieces of steel that will be less prone to buckling. Additionally, more attention can be paid to the tensile strength of the metal and the pressure that the design will bear on the item.

2) Shear Failure – The most susceptible area of a building’s structural design will be where two pieces of structural steel connect. These connections have to be able to withstand a high level of shearing force in order to stay safe and rigid.

Solution: Engineers need to be sure not to overload their connection points with a burden that the steel cannot handle.

3) Compression Failure – Where two pieces of steel meet, such as a column and a brace, an axial force is applied. If the force is too strong for the metal to endure, you’ll see the metal begin to buckle. Compression failure can lead to huge issues so this is a serious topic that needs to be addressed.

Solution: Pay attention to the slenderness ratio of the members being used during construction.

Constructing a building with structural steel is the way to go. With that being said, structural steel can still be problematic if the conditions are right. For all of your structural steel needs, contact Ten Pound Trout!

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