The Disadvantages of Steel

Structures
By Natasha Gilani ; Updated March 13, 2018

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Steel is one of the most abundantly used structural materials, owing to its strength,
scrap value and ease of transport. It is used for pipes (water, compressed air and gas
distribution), utility lines, fuel distribution structures, sewage systems, pontoon
structures, and a host of accessories such as chocks, cleats, bollards, hangers,
expansion joints and anchors. Steel structures are susceptible to various environmental
and other risks which severely compromise their structural integrity, safety and
longevity.

Corrosion
Steel is susceptible to corrosion in outdoor atmospheres. Corrosion is the destruction of
a metal due to its reaction with atmospheric oxygen. This electrochemical oxidation
produces metal oxide, or rust. Steel structures need to be adequately protected by the
application of an appropriate barrier between the metal element and the atmosphere.
Surface preparations ensure the protection and prolong the serviceable life of a steel
structure. Some common types of steel surface preparation methods include dry
abrasive blasting, water blasting, coal tar coatings, paint and substituting steel with
corrosion-resistant alloys, such as titanium alloys, nickel alloys, aluminum alloys and
stainless steel. These, and other corrosion-protecting methods are typically expensive
and are restricted by practical limitations such as accessibility, location and time.

Fireproof Treatment
Steel structural elements require expensive fireproof treatment. Although steel
elements, such as stand-alone structures, are incombustible, their strength reduces at
high temperatures due to fire or when other materials within a building burn, making
them susceptible to buckling. Furthermore, steel, being an excellent conductor of heat,
ignites materials in contact and causes fires which rapidly spread to other sections of a
building. Steel structures may require additional fireproofing, and buildings may need to
be installed with appropriate sprinkler systems, as defined by building-code
requirements of a particular locality. Fireproof coatings, such as expanded mineral
coatings, concrete and intumescent materials, ensure that the temperature of steel does
not exceed to ignition limits in the event of fire. Oftentimes, steel structures are enclosed
in gypsum block, masonry block, gypsum board and clay tile enclosures that protect
them from heat. These enclosures are typically expensive and require additional
maintenance.

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Fatigue and Fracture

According to Jack C. McCormac in the book “Structural Steel Design,” steel elements
are susceptible to fatigue. Large variations in tensile strength expose steel elements to
excessive tension, which reduces its overall strength. Steel is also susceptible to brittle
fracture when it loses its ductility. This increases its chances of buckling, which is
typically counterbalanced by adding expensive steel columns that stiffen the primary
structure.

References
 “Structural Steel Design”: Jack C. McCormac: 2008
 NASA: Structural Steel and Corrosion

 Government of Montana: Structural Steel Superstructures

About the Author

Natasha Gilani has been a writer since 2004, with work appearing in various
online publications. She is also a member of the Canadian Writers
Association. Gilani holds a Master of Business Administration in finance and
an honors Bachelor of Science in information technology from the University
of Peshawar, Pakistan.
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Adaptations To Earthquakes
By William Jensen; Updated July 21, 2017

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Implementing adaptations to earthquakes can help governments, business owners and

individuals prevent loss of life and property damage in areas prone to such disasters.
These adaptations range from efforts to secure small household items to the
reinforcement of huge structures like bridges and office buildings. Large-scale
measures often prove costly, but they have already yielded great benefits in places like
Japan.

Buildings
When earthquakes occur, structural adaptations do much to prevent the damage or
destruction of buildings. Encarta indicates that builders reinforce some structures
against earthquakes with bracing. Relatively small buildings made of wood prove less
susceptible than those constructed of rock-like materials such as concrete. It's possible
to enact structural adaptations during construction or to reinforce old buildings. Some
newer structures in California and Japan feature a flexible design which causes them to
sway during earthquakes rather than collapse, according to Public Radio International.

Small Objects
Homeowners, apartment dwellers and office workers can adapt various indoor items to
prevent them from falling long distances. It's possible to brace shelves so that they don't
easily fall over in earthquakes, according to Encarta. The U.S. Geological Survey lists
additional adaptations such as strapping water heaters to wall studs and putting latches
on kitchen cabinets. It also recommends using straps and buckles to anchor electronics
and small appliances to surfaces (such as desks and kitchen counters).

Transportation
Earthquakes sometimes threaten the safety of people in transit, with only airborne
vehicles remaining completely safe. The San Francisco Chronicle reported that
California's Bay Area established plans in 2008 for retrofitting the subway system to
resist earthquakes. Adaptations included compressing the earth surrounding a tunnel
and reinforcing some transit buildings and raised tracks. The Golden Gate Bridge,
Highway and Transportation District indicates that after an earthquake, authorities
improved the Golden Gate Bridge by installing additional bracing, boosting the strength
of bridge foundations and adding expansion joints, among other adaptations.

Hazardous Materials
In regions prone to earthquakes, it also is important to adaptations the storage and
transport of toxic or highly flammable materials. Keeping hazardous substances close to
the floor helps prevent their release during earthquakes, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey. The less distance they have to fall, the less chance that the
containers will break open. The USGS also recommends using flexible indoor natural
gas lines rather than rigid pipes, which may break in earthquakes and start fires.

References
 "Encarta Encyclopedia Standard"; Earthquake; Bruce Bolt; 2004
 San Francisco Chronicle; Bay Area Gets $52 Million in Transit Funds; Michael
Cabanatuan; March 2008
 Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation District: Overview of Golden
Gate Bridge Seismic Retrofit Construction Project

 U.S. Geological Survey: Putting Down Roots in Earthquake Country

About the Author