Steel structures have been and continue to play a crucial role in the construction of infrastructure and economic development across various sectors. This demand has fueled the need for structural steel fabrication and the global capacity to supply structural steel.
What is a Steel Structure?
A steel structure is an assembly of steel frames, created from different steel components such as beams, columns, trusses, and plates. These are then bolted or welded together to provide load-bearing capacity and rigidity for construction projects. Due to its high tensile strength, ductility, and excellent load-bearing properties, steel can be easily shaped and flexibly designed into various forms and sizes, making it well-suited for steel projects with diverse architectural requirements.
With its durability and ease of assembly, steel structures are widely used in various types of pre-engineered steel buildings projects, including production plants, industrial warehouses, infrastructure projects, residential buildings, and energy and telecommunications structures, among others.
Common Types of Steel Structures
Based on specific designs, properties, and functional requirements, steel structures are classified into types that suit various construction needs.
· Steel frame
A steel frame system consists of steel components arranged horizontally or vertically, forming a robust framework for buildings. These structures provide stability and are commonly used in high-rise buildings and other structures that require solid foundational support.
· Steel trusses
Steel truss structures are flat steel components connected to form specific shapes, primarily triangles. They are often used for roofing and bridge spans due to their high strength and capability to cover large spans without additional support.
· Steel plate
Steel plates are flat, rectangular sheets commonly used in areas requiring flat surfaces such as walls, floors, and roofs. These plates are also found in structures that demand robustness and high load-bearing capacity.
· Pre-engineered steel buildings (PEB)
PEB structures are pre-designed steel components manufactured to meet specific load requirements. Fabricated in factories, they are then transported to construction sites for quick assembly into functional structures, making them ideal for projects with tight timelines or modular requirements.
· Arch structures
Arch steel structures feature curved steel components that effectively distribute weight, creating stable, aesthetically pleasing shapes. Due to these properties, arch structures are commonly seen in public building designs like auditoriums, stadiums, conference centers, exhibition halls, train stations, and airports.
Economic benefits of choosing steel structures
· Flexible design
Thanks to its flexibility, steel frames can be customized to meet various shape and size requirements, ranging from simple to complex. This allows for a wide variety of architectural styles and new functions.
· Time savings
Since it is produced under strict structural steel fabrication processes at the factory and only requires transportation to the construction site for assembly, it significantly reduces both time and construction costs.
· Durability and strength
This system provides the ability to withstand heavy loads, ensuring long-term stability against external forces. Additionally, its corrosion resistance helps prevent rust, which would otherwise affect the long-term quality of the structure.
· Fire resistance
With a fire-resistant coating or plaster applied to its surface, this system offers excellent thermal insulation, protecting the structure from melting or deforming under high heat.
· Sustainability
Steel is a material that is easily recyclable, helping reduce construction waste and lowering costs for new investments.
Steel Structure Standards
Steel structure standards are established to ensure that steel used in construction meets the required standards for quality, durability, and load-bearing capacity. These standards are developed by various organizations to guarantee that structural steel used in projects around the world is safe and reliable.
- AISC (American Institute of Steel Construction)
AISC 360 – Specification for Structural Steel Buildings
This is the primary standard for designing steel structures in the United States. It includes regulations for structural design, connections, loads, load-bearing capacity, and allowable strength. AISC 360 employs two main calculation methods:
– Allowable Strength Design (ASD)
– Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD)
AISC standards are widely adopted in many regions and countries, including the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Central America, Asia, Australia, the Middle East, and Africa.
- ASTM (American Society for Testing and Materials)
ASTM A36: A widely used carbon steel in structural applications such as beams, steel floors, trusses, and pre-engineered steel buildings. It requires a minimum yield strength of 250 MPa (36 ksi) and a tensile strength of 400–550 MPa (58–80 ksi).
Many steel structure fabricators in Vietnam can now produce or import ASTM A36-compliant steel from Japan, Korea, China, and India.
ASTM A572: A high-strength, low-alloy structural steel with higher yield and tensile strength than A36. It comes in several grades: Grade 42, 50, 55, 60, and 65, with Grade 50 being the most widely used in construction due to its good workability, material efficiency, and compliance with modern quality standards.
ASTM A992: A low-alloy carbon steel primarily used for I-beams, H-beams, wide-flange beams, and structural columns in modern steel construction.
ASTM A500: The standard for structural hollow section steel tubes, including round, square, and rectangular tubing.
- European Standards (EN)
EN 1993: Eurocode 3 – Design of Steel Structures
The primary European standard for the design of structural steel in pre-engineered steel buildings. It includes stringent requirements for design, calculation, safety checks, and fire resistance.
EN 10025: A standard for hot-rolled structural steel fabrication. Common grades include S235, S275, and S355, where “S” stands for structural steel and the numbers indicate minimum yield strength (in MPa).
EN 1090: Specifies requirements for fabrication, production, assembly, and quality control of structural steel. This is a mandatory standard for all steel fabricators wishing to supply structural steel fabrication services to the European market. It is typically used alongside EN 1993 to ensure consistent quality from design to construction.
- CSA (Canadian Standards Association)
CSA S16: Canada’s main standard for structural steel, equivalent to ASTM (U.S.) and EN (Europe). It covers design, fabrication, erection, and quality control.
CSA G40.21: Widely used in buildings and structural bridges in Canada. The most commonly used grade is Grade 350W, known for its excellent strength and performance in both industrial and civil structures.
- ISO (International Organization for Standardization)
ISO 630: Ensures that structural steel fabrication meets required strength and durability. Commonly used in international projects where global quality assurance is essential.
ISO 9001: Although not steel-specific, this standard ensures that steel fabricators have a certified quality management system, which helps maintain consistent product quality.
- JIS (Japanese Industrial Standards)
JIS G3101: Applied to bridges, buildings, and other structural steel projects in Japan, known globally for its high-quality steel standards.
JIS G3136: A standard for high-strength hot-rolled structural steel. It is equivalent to ASTM (U.S.), EN (Europe), and CSA (Canada) standards and is commonly used in construction and industrial applications requiring strong and reliable steel materials.
Choose a reliable steel fabricator in Vietnam
As a reliable structural steel fabricator, our skilled team is dedicated to delivering customized metal solutions that comply with AS/NZS, USA, and EU standards, ensuring affordability and quality.
We specialize in a variety of steel structure fabrication suitable for any industry, along with a comprehensive structural steel supply service to meet all your building and construction needs. Our suite of services is comprehensive, including but not limited to:
- Laser Cutting
- Forming & Punching
- Stamping & Folding
- Bending & Machining
- Welding & Finishing
- Value-Added Services such as sourcing in castings, plastics, rubber, and more.
At Newinds, your project is our passion. We invite you to experience the difference that our full-service fabricated metal solutions can make.
If you are in search of high-quality steel structure, delivered with expert consultation and industry knowledge, we welcome the opportunity to discuss your needs.
Contact Newinds today to discuss your requirements
Email: sales@newindscorp.com
Phone/Whatsapp: +84 868 482 038