Critical Steel Standards for Heavy Industrial Construction Projects

Steel is undeniably the backbone of modern-day heavy industrial construction projects. It has the innate ability to determine if your project can stand the test of time. This unique material stands out from other industry materials, boasting the highest levels of strength, durability, and versatility available.

Using precise calculations, measurements, and projections is imperative when working with steel, a skill that the RUS Industrial team has been developing for decades. From steel selection to fabrication, using steel in industrial construction projects is a complex process. This guide will help you navigate the steps for a successful, safe, and effective steel construction project.

Understanding the Basics of Steel Frame Construction

At its core, steel frame construction is the process of building with steel beams as the primary load-bearing material. What makes steel such a versatile material is that while it is famous for being exceptionally sturdy and durable, it is also flexible and able to bend without cracking. This makes steel an ideal material for all types of heavy industrial construction projects, especially for areas that are highly susceptible to natural disasters like tornadoes or earthquakes.

Along with its strength and durability, the benefits of steel frame construction are vast:

Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Steel may be one of the strongest building materials, but it is also relatively lightweight. This helps increase the longevity of a building.
Speed of production: When it comes to steel construction, pre-assembled and pre-fabricated options allow us to construct buildings significantly faster than with other materials.
Cost-effectiveness: When compared to another common building material, like wood, steel may have a higher initial cost. However, its sustained durability, reduced pests, and resistance to fire make up for it over time.
Sustainability: Steel is an environmentally friendly building material because it’s currently the most recycled material on Earth. We can recycle and reuse it multiple times throughout its lifetime.

The Many Types of Steel Compositions for Industrial Construction

Industrial heavy construction projects use four main types of steel. While they all have similar chemical formulas, they serve many different purposes that surround and support all aspects of everyday life. The four primary categories of steel are:

Carbon steels have a much higher concentration of carbon than other types of steel, as much as 2.5% carbon content. are put into three categories: low, medium, or high. The high levels of carbon make this type of steel exceptionally strong and versatile.
Alloy steels are made when carbon steel is added to other alloying elements like titanium, copper, chromium, aluminum, or nickel. Because of its unique composition, alloy steel can be an excellent choice for projects with high corrosion possibilities, as alloy can often handle more wear and tear than other types.
Stainless steel is a type of steel alloy that contains at least 11% chromium. This fends off steel corrosion.
Tool steels are also a type of alloy steel; however, it is often heat-treated to help increase their durability. It is widely used for manufacturing or other projects where temperatures are high.

Identifying the Most Common Steel Grades for Industrial Construction Projects

Within those categories, there are thousands of different grades based on the specific chemical makeup of the beam. These grades are defined by the American Society of Testing Materials, and are used to document not only the chemical composition, but also the mechanical attributes like tensile and yield strength. Most heavy industrial construction projects rely on these four steel grades:

ASTM A36: The most common grade. We use this carbon steel for structural projects like bridges, processing plants, dams, and large commercial buildings.
ASTM A572: This is a low-alloy steel that is notoriously strong. This material excels in projects that require a high strength-to-weight ratio.
ASTM A992: A structural steel alloy that is commonly used for wide-flange and I-beams. It has impressively high tensile strength, which makes it a very durable material.
ASTM A500: This steel grade is unique because it is cold-formed welded and has seamless, carbon steel tubing. We mostly use it for hollow structural sections.

When selecting the steel grade for your heavy industrial project, the most important things we consider here at RUS Industrial are yield strength, tensile strength, elongation, and the chemical composition. When making that decision, we will look at the load requirements of your construction project, the changing environmental factors, your budget, and your blueprint. We have experience with a multitude of different industrial projects, and strive to find the right steel solution for your construction project every time.

Steel Fabrication: The Ultimate Engineering Precision for Successful Industrial Construction

Once our team has selected the ideal steel grade for your heavy industrial construction project, the next step involves turning the raw material into workable, useful building products. This process requires complete, unfailing accuracy to guarantee the structural integrity and safety of the project. This typically involves measuring and shaping the steel into exact specifications, whether that be by cutting, welding, or drilling.

Along with shaping the steel, we also prep the surface for corrosion prevention. This can involve techniques such as sandblasting, priming, galvanizing, or painting with epoxy.

Once we prep and fabricate the steel, the on-site process can begin. Our construction team will use welded “skeletons” of steel to create a foundation for the walls, roof, and overall layout of the project. Once we complete the steel frame erection process, other aspects of a construction project can follow, such as roofing, plumbing, and electrical.

By following these steps and considering the crucial preparation, you can greatly increase the success rate of your heavy industrial construction project. Our team has been in business for more than 30 years and is proud to be a top 0.25% safest contract company in Houston; because of this, we understand the immense importance of practicing safe pre-construction steel fabrication work.

Heavy-Duty Steel for Your Biggest Industrial Construction Projects

Industrial construction projects can be demanding. The accuracy and quality of their framing can often dictate the project’s overall safety and efficiency in the future. When your project requires supporting entire processing plants or a full-scale crane, heavy-duty steel beams are crucial. In the modern day of construction, bigger is sometimes better. As projects become more demanding, having steel that can fit the bill is essential. Understanding the many different variations and roles in the construction industry can help your project get off on the right foot.

Types of Heavy-Duty Steel Beams for Industrial Construction

Like regular steel beams, there are hundreds of different types of heavy-duty steel beams – all designed to maintain the highest level of strength regardless of environmental or structural pressure. This is vital for industrial construction projects as they typically require heavier machinery and higher temperature thresholds. The primary types of heavy-duty steel beams are:

Wide flange beams: This is a type of beam that has a unique W-shape and is known for having the highest possible strength-to-weight ratio. We use these most for structural beams and columns in heavy industrial construction projects.
Channels: U-shaped beams that are commonly used for support and secondary framing. We use these primarily for ladder frames and equipment skids.
Angles: We use these L-shaped beams for bracing and light framing.
Hollow structural sections (HSS): This beam has exceptionally torsional rigidity, making it a great beam for trusses, columns, and architectural design purposes.
Plate girders: These are custom-fabricated steel plates that can support large loads and span across a large amount of space.

Building the Industrial Future: One Steel Beam at a Time

When it comes to a heavy industrial construction project, steel is much more than just a framing material. Some complex categories and applications can make or break any construction project’s goals. At RUS Industrial, we’re well-versed in construction industry standards. We continuously explore new steel techniques and requirements to ensure our clients get the best results.