What are the pros and cons of steel construction?

Answer 1

Weight may be one possibility(steel usually takes less volume for beams and column which could always lighter than concrete), another may be corrosion. Certain areas where a chemical or something else might react to the steel.

Type of steel used is very pertinent. Some versions of steel like "passive" stainless steel are much more resistant to corrosive effects of air, moisture, acids, salts and electrolytes while retaining the strength steel is known for. If not using stainless steel, the steel needs to be protected from the elements, coatings used, inspections and regular maintenance performed. From an ecological green perspective, the total environmental cost of steel can be high, especially with the mild steels or plain galvanized steel. The environmental cost includes the cost of raw processing, manufacturing, installation, maintenance, re-cycling and replacement costs. Durability and longevity factor in greatly as does the initial mining and processing cost. Stainless can have very long life and is very durable and resistant to stress, in the right environment. Steel has high initial processing costs and can also be high maintenance for types other than stainless. Note: There are many kinds of stainless steel, most do not look like the polished variety commonly seen in flatware. Stainless steel, zinc and copper are probably the best green building materials in metals.

Answer 2

There are quite a few disadvantages of using steel in dam construction which have been listed below:

• The long term strength of the dam is not known. The two examples in the US still standing are not currently under significant water load
• The lightness of the structure means it is more vulnerable to wear due to water vibrations than more massive dams
• Maintenance needs are higher, rust and corrosion must be addressed
• Stresses can be quite concentrated, which could cause stress cracking as a failure mode.
• As with other dams, undermining is a possible failure mode.

Answer 3

All in all, steel is a difficult material to work with, would that be related to doors or other component. In this particular case, the two major issues are its weight (implying the need for a strong frame) and the difficulty to work with it (would that be modifying its shape for design, painting it right, or just adding some door knob). Depending on where you are meant to use it, it's also a very poor insulator, increasing even more the price of it over time when compared to other materials such as wood or a closer fitting replacement: aluminum.

Answer 4

steel in terms of a bike frame material, is more comfortable than aluminum but as strong or stronger, but is heavier and can cost more at the higher end.