There are numerous industries where steel is a major benefit, and construction is perhaps the single largest example. Modern construction utilizes numerous steel alloys and materials due to their strength, durability and other qualities, and one form that’s particularly common here is carbon steel.

At Wasatch Steel, we’re happy to offer numerous steel products for construction projects, from our archive of steel railings to steel tubing and other products – plus assistance with steel services like carbon steel welding and more. Why is steel so valuable in the construction world, and why is carbon steel of particularly common use within this realm? This two-part blog series will go over everything you need to know.

Steel and Construction

Steel is common in construction for several reasons, one of which is its fantastic strength-to-weight ratio that makes it both durable and easy for contractors to work with. Carbon steel, in particular, emphasizes these benefits and more:

• It’s easy to both weld and machine, allowing for numerous processes to be carried out
• It’s cost-effective when compared with other steel alloys
• It’s highly malleable and can be customized easily, plus withstands effects of natural disasters like an earthquake due to its flexibility
• It’s a linear elastic material that’s flexible, ductile and, vital for many contractors promoting greener operations, recyclable

Steel Types

The type of steel you use for your construction project will vary based on specific needs. That said, the two most common types are:

• Rebar steel: Used for the reinforcement of masonry or steel due to its resistance and ability to expand.
• Low or mild carbon steel: Due to the strength and other qualities we went over above, these are the most common types used.

Our next few sections will go over the different types of carbon steel that can be used, plus some of the common applications each is used within.

Low-Carbon Steel

For eco-friendly contractors, the top option for construction tends to be low-carbon steel. It combines recyclability and extremely limited environmental footprint (especially when compared to certain other metals) with strong and versatile building qualities, from its excellent ductility to solid strength – it may be combined with other allows to form what’s known as HSLC, or high-strength low-alloy steel.. As a result of this combination of benefits, low-carbon steel will often be used for larger buildings with steel frames, or for various outbuildings and industrial sheds on a property.

In other cases, low-carbon steel will be used for parking garages, or even for residences. Another benefit here is the way this steel resists corrosion.

For more on carbon steel and its fantastic benefits in the construction industry, or to learn about any of our steel products or services, speak to the staff at Wasatch Steel today.