Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 1: Architect’s Guide 1 - 8 2 ADVANTAGES OF CHOOSING A STEEL STRUCTURE A very large proportion of all industrial and commercial single storey buildings utilise a steel structure, which demonstrates the cost-effectiveness of a steel solution. Architects and engineers use steel not only as an economical solution but also to achieve:  low structural weight  minimum construction dimensions  a short construction time  flexibility in use  a sustainable solution 2.1 Low weight A steel structure has a relatively low self-weight compared to masonry or concrete structures. This advantage not only reduces the foundations required for the structure, but also means that the structure is lightweight, reducing material delivery to the site. The off-site prefabrication of steel construction is a significant contribution to reduced transport of materials to site and reduced site activities, minimising construction disruption and environmental impact. Figure 2.1 The relatively low self weight of steel structures reduces material delivery to site