Below are presented in detail the major advantages of constructing houses and multi-story buildings with a steel frame.
Cost-effectiveness. In constructions of more than 2 floors, this specific advantage becomes more significant. The economy is analyzed in separate sectors and highlights the steel frame as the leading system globally in the catalytic factor of the economy.
The individual sectors are:
The individual sectors are:
- Very low IKA contribution rate. In residential buildings, the final IKA contributions for the portion corresponding to the net floor area are reduced by a fraction of 0,54/1,35 compared to the conventional reinforced concrete frame.
- Reduced dead spaces due to load-bearing elements (columns, walls, beams, etc.). This advantage is particularly evident in multi-story buildings and buildings that require large interior openings without columns. In typical houses, the gain in floor area is approximately 5% of the total.
- High construction speed. The reduction in construction time for large foundations and superstructures, combined with rapid assembly materials for cladding and interior partitions, results in faster utilization of the property and, consequently, the avoidance of significant expenses such as additional rent.
- The frame is fully recyclable. In the event that the owner wishes to demolish it in the distant future, they will save at least the cost of demolition.
- The building is easily expandable. It only requires partially stripping the frame to add new load-bearing elements.
- The complete seismic resistance of houses and multi-story buildings makes the structure cost-effective up to 100%, as no damage is observed even in earthquakes that our country has yet to experience. On the contrary, the philosophy of conventional frame construction now follows the doctrine of "great damage, no human loss" (a doctrine successfully applied in the automobile market). This doctrine, due to the large inertial forces of reinforced concrete, causes permanent deformation in conventional structures (entirely made of reinforced concrete), especially in major earthquakes, jeopardizing the integrity of the structure, including mixed-use buildings.
- High economy in office buildings: Steel buildings, in combination with appropriate techniques, allow for the full utilization of the height between the false ceiling and the lower surface of the next level slab, where channels can easily pass. As a result, the electromechanical installations are integrated in a way that does not compromise the floor-to-ceiling height, saving both height and energy. This sometimes eliminates the need for complete demolition of the building.
- Saving money even from the foundations: The light loads of the structural system result in reduced requirements for foundation and excavation. This advantage saves us a lot of money, especially in rocky terrains where rock excavation is necessary, the cost of which is not pleasant from the initial stages of our construction.
- Practically infinite lifespan of buildings.
Conventional reinforced concrete constructions have an average lifespan of around 50 years. This is mainly due to the vulnerability of concrete and other phenomena such as creep, shrinkage, and corrosion of the steel reinforcement caused by moisture. These issues do not exist in composite constructions. A simple maintenance procedure after many years ensures a long lifespan for the building.