In the construction of facilities, what are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete frames and steel structures?
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Dear experts, in the construction of facilities, what are the advantages and disadvantages of concrete frames compared to steel structures?
It can be considered in terms of investment cost, construction progress, maintenance period, and maintenance costs.
Generally, construction owners give priority to cost; in terms of advantages, steel structures are better, and the construction progress is also faster.
It is also related to the construction organization; for example, when there is heavy equipment lifting or on-site welding near a large framework, and the site needs to be occupied for an extended period, it is not suitable to use a concrete framework (as space needs to be reserved). Steel structures can be prefabricated in a factory, and construction can proceed once the site is available (the construction period for steel structures is shorter). Additionally, fire protection is also a consideration for steel structures.
Concrete is low in cost (and does not require fire protection), but it is difficult to modify later on (even adding a hanger requires the use of expansion screws and shims), making adjustments difficult at a later stage. Steel structures are expensive (as they need fire and rust protection), but they allow for relatively greater flexibility in modifications, as long as the load requirements are met. It is recommended to choose a steel structure, as adjustments are inevitable in the later stages of a project, and steel structures are relatively easier to work with. And you can sell scrap metal! (Concrete probably won’t work, right?) ) Haha, for reference only.
Investment cost: Steel is more expensive than concrete. Construction speed: Steel allows for faster construction compared to concrete. Curing time: Steel requires a shorter curing period than concrete. Maintenance costs: Steel incurs higher maintenance costs than concrete. Another point is that concrete frames appear more bulky, while steel structures help save space on site
The summaries for floors 5 and 6 are already very thorough. The biggest drawback of steel-concrete structures is that the construction time on site is too long, as separate formwork and scaffolding have to be set up. . . . . . Unless a very high load-bearing capacity is truly required, steel structures are generally the preferred choice.
In addition to what the experts upstairs have said, I think another factor to consider is the properties of the materials used. Usually, we opt for steel structures, but in projects involving polypropylene, for example, concrete frames are generally used in the manufacturing facilities. One advantage of concrete frames is that they can resist fire and maintain their strength for a longer period of time in case of a fire. On the other hand, when steel structures are exposed to fire, they soften after burning for some time; this was the reason why the buildings collapsed so severely during the 9/11 attacks in the United States – their buildings were made of steel, and their load-bearing capacity declined after burning, leading to widespread collapses.
It is mainly related to investment; nowadays, for large-scale installations, steel structures are the preferred choice, as standard components are used, and on-site construction is straightforward along with easier maintenance. Generally, small-scale investment projects use concrete structures, which can reduce costs