# data[].attributes.body
Concrete: Concrete buildings are taking shape - many different shapes - everywhere. Can shape anything out of concrete.
In addition to the unique aesthetics achieved with concrete construction, buildings offer some very real space advantages.

With proper engineering, concrete building can also offer uninterrupted floorplates.

Steel: Steel has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any construction material.With new construction methods, steel buildings remain a popular choice for office and multifamily developers.
Steel can accomplish extremely long spans in structures and very open-bay footprints without intermediate columns. It’s a very flexible material in terms of different ways to address design requirements.

# data[].attributes.body
Concrete
Concrete, when it is in thick columns or cores, is sturdy protection against debris and high winds. The core, containing the elevator, stairs, and power systems, is typically encased in 2-foot thick concrete that is capable of protecting the area from fire and some explosions.

Concrete is fairly fire-proof as well without the need for additional fire-resisting materials. It can endure some very high temperatures and meet stringent fire codes. However, it can be somewhat difficult to attach fireproofing to concrete, a detriment to other materials in proximity to the hot surface.

With careful design, concrete is somewhat ductile but, overall, is a rather brittle and a concrete facility has a massive footprint.

Steel
Steel is easily fireproofed with a variety of spray on or attached materials that can be matched to the need. Structural steel is very heat resistant on its own and the added fireproofing prevents widespread damage to other materials.

Steel frame buildings have redundancy of structure that prevents the type of collapse seen in earthquakes and bombings. The facility can be designed with progressive collapse to enhance safety in the event of disaster.

Steel, known for its ductility, is also proof against high wind loads and is the material of choice in seismic zones. Steel also has a lighter footprint that doesn’t need a thick foundation.

# data[].attributes.body
Concrete allows better sound isolation than steel. You may notice that there is a demand for residential buildings to be made out of concrete than out of wood (three floor apartment) and steel on the consumer end.

# data[].attributes.headline
Sustainability of steel more than concrete

# data[].attributes.subject
Sustainability of steel more than concrete

# data[].attributes.body
environmental benefits
Steel can be multicycled endlessly with no detrimental effect on its properties. When a steel-framed building is demolished, its components can be reused or returned to the steelmaking process to create brand new components. In the UK, 96% of steel construction components are recovered in this way. Globally, recycled steel accounts for 50% of new steel production.

Composite steel floors are given the highest (A+) environmental rating in the BRE’s Green Guide to Specification[2].

Because steel structures are significantly lighter than concrete equivalents, they require less extensive foundations, which reduces the environmental impact of the build. If steel pile foundations are used, these can be extracted and recycled or reused at the end of a building’s life, leaving no waste material on site.

Long-span steel solutions provide flexible clear span spaces that future-proof a building, offering an increased lifetime. Steel structures are durable and can be readily adapted, improving their economic viability as they can easily be updated or modernised.

# data[].attributes.body
steel and reinforced concrete having their own characteristic and pros and cons too...
due to the normal construction involved,i recommended reinforced concrete frame structure,concrete own have low tensile strength and ductility,beyond the rebar add on in order to higher the tensile strength and ductility itself.

for steel frame structural,only recommend when large scale building ,coz it benefit on its longevity and durability .by the way, it's costly and it needs good insulation when construction.

On the other hand,reinforced concrete is much more low cost,fire resistance,easier to maintenance.

# data[].attributes.body
Steel frame is stronger compare to concrete frame as its both strong in tension and compression, it is lighter also, and shorter time span is need to construct it also,

# data[].attributes.headline
Steel and concrete frame construction: Onsite Risk

# data[].attributes.subject
Steel and concrete frame construction: Onsite Risk

# data[].attributes.body
By Liu Sze Yin
Steel construction:

Steel use reduces the number of workers onsite (approximately 10 to 20 per cent of the labour needed for concrete construction), reducing accident liability for builders

Preassembled steel packages can be lifted straight from the truck in sequence

Offsite fabrication relieves congested and hard to access sites

Reduced noise and dust and construction times ease disruption to current occupants and neighbourhoods

For domestic housing, steel framing, roofing and cladding offer more termite-free and fire resistant abodes than with other commonly used building materials

Concrete frame construction
- Cement comprises 7 to 15 percent of total concrete volume. As an alkaline material, wet cement is caustic, and can cause severe chemical burns to exposed skin and eyes. Thus, working with fresh concrete presents an obvious risk.

-Rotating machinery is always a potential source of injury on a jobsite. Early-entry saws, concrete/masonry saws, cut-off saws, and power trowels pose a threat to appendages when used improperly. In addition, any sustained or sudden noise above 85 decibels emanating from machinery can be damaging to the ear.

# data[].attributes.headline
Steel frame structure and reinforced concrete frame structure

# data[].attributes.subject
Steel frame structure and reinforced concrete frame structure

# data[].attributes.body
STEEL :
- Feature of steel framing is its flexibility, it can bend without cracking. As a steel building can flex when it is pushed to one side by say, wind, or an earthquake. Characteristic of steel is its plasticity or ductility. Steel in most cases performs far better in earthquake than most other materials because of these properties. And you can build faster with steel and save more money without harming the environment. But steel quickly loses its strength in a fire, at 930 degrees, mild steel can lose almost half its strength.

REINFORCED CONCRETE :
- Reinforced concrete is the most economical construction material. It has high compressive strength. It can endure very high temperatures from fire for a long time. Concrete repairs which tend to be a lot quicker, simpler and cheaper.

# data[].attributes.body
For concrete, the design possibilities can be limitless as it can take on many unique shapes and forms with the frame that been used . While steel frame structure design with affected to the sustainability of the building as it should be readily dismantled and bolted connections are preferable to welded connections.

Concrete construction gives more rentable space because of lower floor-to-floor heights. Steel framing details typically involve decking that rests on joists, joists on beams, then beams on girders.  This can mean a very thick floor.  Concrete requires only 8 inches where utilities can run.

# data[].attributes.body
Steel frame structure is strong in tension but not in compression, reinforced concrete frame is strong in both tension n compression.

steel frame structure is cheaper compare with reinforced concrete frame.

Reinforced concrete frame can last longer in time compare with steel frame structure.

# data[].attributes.body
Quality Control – Off-site prefabrication of steel members in isolated factory conditions means better quality control of manufacturing compared to pouring concrete frames in situ whilst exposed to the weather elements and with reinforcement and formwork works subject to labour intensive construction processes that may affect quality. Furthermore, offsite prefabrication increases the overall speed of construction and facilitates enhanced safety.

# data[].attributes.headline
Steel frame vs reinforced concrete frame  Construction

# data[].attributes.subject
Steel frame vs reinforced concrete frame  Construction

# data[].attributes.body
Concrete frame structures offer many safety advantages over steel frame structures. Compared to steel, concrete can endure very high temperatures for long periods and offers excellent protection from explosions.
For example Burj Khalifa, Dubai – 330,000 cubic meters of concrete used.
Building with concrete is also very fast. When time means money this makes it a particularly attractive option.
Unlike steel, it is also possible for large sections to be pre-fabricated off site. This again speeds up construction meaning less time developing and more time using the structure.
Companies also offer concrete repairs which tend to be a lot quicker, simpler and cheaper than other repairs on steel structures.
Steel on the other hand, in terms of cost, is generally a cheaper option.
However, the price of steel can fluctuate a lot more than concrete and it is also generally accepted that the cost of insuring a steel building is higher because of the differences in safety.
Steel offers architects a far greater array of options when it comes to building design. The strength to weight ratio of steel is higher than any other (affordable) construction material. Steel offers aesthetics that concrete may never be able to.

There are positives and negatives to both concrete and steel. But why choose one over another?
With two materials offering such diverse positives then it would be wrong to apply them together, right?
Wrong. Reinforcing concrete with steel has major benefits.
Reinforced concrete with steel is by far, a lot better than either concrete or steel separately. Concrete on its own has one major downfall and that is that it is extremely strong in compression but has little to no strength when there is tension.
Rebar is used within concrete to give it the ability to carry tensile loads on a structure.
To keep protecting the environment, reinforcing steel is now commonly used. In the UK rebar is 100% recycled scrap steel and at the end of its life steel can be recovered, recycled and used again.

Although some concrete buildings may not look great, who’s to say that in the future decorative coatings and innovative designs cannot lead the way in construction?
So for safety and cost effectiveness over the long term, concrete reigns supreme despite the need for on-going maintenance and repair. This is of course why it is the natural choice of many of the buildings that we work on where safety is paramount.

# data[].attributes.body
Steel Frame Structures:

Steel frame structures are way too limited to industrial structures, temporary sheds etc. and all. The other problem with steel structures are analysis and design. The curriculum in Structural Designs does include Steel Structures, though very less people are inclined towards it. Analysis of multi storey steel frame requires high amount of precision on deciding the connection type, that is simple, rigid or semi rigid. The member design for steel structures takes way less time as compared to the connection design. So, in all 70% time amounts for connection design in a project, around 30% for member design. Steel frames require skilled labour too, for erection purposes. Steel also has a high tensile and compressive strength than RC.

Reinforced Concrete Structures:

Highly used for varied purposes. Raw materials for concreting are abundantly available, leading to lesser cost than Steel. Analysis and design observes general principle. Connection design is really simple owing to monolithic behaviour of hardened concrete. Less skilled labour required for erection purposes. Abundant labour available too for RC structures.

Pros (Steel frame structures)

1. Slender members required for the same structure in comparison to RC system employed.

2. Faster erection of structure.

3. Ease of expansion of structure.

4. Ease in repair & rehabilitation or retrofitting.

Cons

1. Analysis approach and assumptions to be made quite clear and definitive prior to structural system formation.

2. Time required to design connection is more as compared to RC structures connection.

3. Cost (especially in India) is high for structural steel compared to RC.

4. Skilled labourers are required.

5. Fire protection and corrosion protection are stringently applied to design methodology, increasing design time.

# data[].attributes.headline
Steel frame structure is fast erection on site using welding methods or fastening joints with bolts and nuts. Compare to reinforced concrete frame, where the form-works and steel reinforcement need to be prepared before pouring concrete. Sacrificial probes can be integrated within concrete to provide strength determination at an early age and this is likely to help further improve construction methodologies.Steel, being fast to erect, can allow the building to be occupied sooner. In addition, reduced labour costs are possible through dryness of form in comparison with concrete.The construction of a steel framework is comparatively lightweight, as much as sixty percent lighter than a comparable reinforced concrete frame solution which might allow for a less expensive foundation system. In addition, steel framed structure is less fire resistance compare to reinforcement concrete frames, it is a non-combustible material and has a slow rate of heat transfer. Concrete ensures that structural integrity remains, fire compartmentation is not compromised and shielding from heat can be relied upon.

# data[].attributes.subject
Steel frame structure is fast erection on site using welding methods or fastening joints with bolts and nuts. Compare to reinforced concrete frame, where the form-works and steel reinforcement need to be prepared before pouring concrete. Sacrificial probes can be integrated within concrete to provide strength determination at an early age and this is likely to help further improve construction methodologies.Steel, being fast to erect, can allow the building to be occupied sooner. In addition, reduced labour costs are possible through dryness of form in comparison with concrete.The construction of a steel framework is comparatively lightweight, as much as sixty percent lighter than a comparable reinforced concrete frame solution which might allow for a less expensive foundation system. In addition, steel framed structure is less fire resistance compare to reinforcement concrete frames, it is a non-combustible material and has a slow rate of heat transfer. Concrete ensures that structural integrity remains, fire compartmentation is not compromised and shielding from heat can be relied upon.

# data[].attributes.body
The cost difference between steel frame and Reinforced Concrete frame is small.

Cost aside, we generally see faster construction times in steel frames. While the steel frame may rise quickly on site, what is not generally known, is that the procurement, fabrication, and delivery of steel may require 6 to 10 months of lead time. Concrete structures can go up without that excessive lead time and essentially start work on "day 1".

Design wise, steel is definitely lighter and more flexible. To help counter this inherent flexibilty, designers often couple the frame with concrete or masonry infill panels. Usually this works out well because most codes require some fire separation at the stairwell(s) and block or solid concrete does the job nicely.

Concrete frames really shine in super-slender structures because they can produce a very stiff system even within a small profile. Designers rejected a steel frame only because they could not get it to develop sufficient lateral stiffness. The extra mass of concrete structures also produces better damping, meaning that it adsorbs energy quicker and produces better dynamic performance. This is advantageous when controlling any movements - whether seismic or wind induced.

# data[].attributes.body
Steel frame construction helps reduce construction time with on-site erection of the steel frame. This means less overhead costs during project construction. For high-rise buildings the time gain can be considerable.Steel members can be assembled in factories providing better quality control whereas pouring of on-site concrete is subject to labor-intensive systems that may affect quality.Steel may be recycled in its original or near-original state while concrete can be reused mostly in a downgraded form such as filling material.Steel is the only material that can be recycled over and over without ever losing its quality.Concrete construction gives more rentable space because of lower floor-to-floor heights. Steel framing details typically involve decking that rests on joists, joists on beams, then beams on girders.  This can mean a very thick floor.  Concrete requires only 8 inches where utilities can run.

# data[].attributes.body
The environmental costs of rebuilding
Concrete is commonly perceived as a stone-like, monolithic and homogeneous material. In fact, it is a complex mix of cooked limestone, clay-like materials and a wide variety of rock or sandy aggregates. Limestone itself is a sedimentary rock composed of shells and coral, whose formation is influenced by many biological, geological and climatological factors.
This means that concrete structures, for all their stone-like superficial qualities, are actually made of the skeletons of sea creatures ground up with rock. It takes millions upon millions of years for these sea creatures to live, die and form into limestone. This timescale contrasts starkly with the life spans of contemporary buildings.

Steel is often perceived to be inert and resilient too. Terms such as “Iron Age” suggest an ancient durability, although Iron Age artefacts are comparatively rare precisely because they rust. If construction steel is visible, it can be maintained – for instance, when the Sydney Harbour Bridge is repeatedly painted and repainted.

# data[].attributes.body
Concrete : is a material that is often locally sourced and thus typically requires minimal energy to transport to building sites. Rebar for concrete is often produced from recycled steel. At end of life, concrete can be crushed and recycled but the recycled material cannot be used for new building concrete.

Steel:  According to the British publication Building, 85% of steel is recycled, a process made easier by the fact that magnets are used in the process to sort steel.Steel fabrication made be done at a significant distance from a building site, increasing the energy needed for transport.

# data[].attributes.body
DESIGN POSSIBILITIES

# data[].attributes.body
MATERIAL AVAILABILITY
Concrete: Concrete is a material that is often locally sourced and thus typically requires minimal energy to transport to building sites. Rebar for concrete is often produced from recycled steel. At end of life, concrete can be crushed and recycled but the recycled material cannot be used for new building concrete.

Steel:New steel made from scrapped steel uses about one-third of the energy necessary for steel from virgin materials. Steel fabrication made be done at a significant distance from a building site, increasing the energy needed for transport.

# data[].attributes.body
CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULING
Concrete:
“time is money” was never more true than when talking about construction schedules. Buildings with concrete can almost always be built faster. When compared to structural steel, sometimes twice as fast. It is not uncommon for cast-in-place reinforced concrete buildings to rise one floor every other day. Developers can finish jobs faster, earn a profit, recoup capital, and move on to the next project.

Steel:
Advancements in building information modeling have integrated the design, detailing, and fabrication of steel, which have resulted in an accelerated process.

# data[].attributes.body
Cost
Concrete: The cost of ready mix concrete remains relatively stable. Concrete price remain steady despite the fluctuating increase in other building material

Steel : Structural steel has experienced a 50 percent of price increase over mill prices since November 2003 ,however structural steel represents less than 20 percent of all the steel used in a building construction.

# data[].attributes.body
Concrete: Concrete does not need to add any fireproofing treatments to meet stringent fire codes and performs well in natural and man made disasters. The strength of concrete can resist most of the natural and man made disasters.

Steel: Steel can soften and melt with exposure to extremely high temperatures. f steels add passive fire protection, it can sustain greater temperatures, thus, provide additional safety.