While steel fabrication companies may chuckle at the thought, many people are not aware of the differences between reinforcing steel and structural steel. As your trusted team of structural steel fabricators in Michigan, Sanilac Steel is here to provide safe and reliable services to each of our clients. We’re invested in steel structure design and erection, and we work to educate everyone on the value of our industry. Today, we’ll briefly explain the differences between these two metal applications, as well as the value that our steel fabrication can provide for your project.
Reinforcement Steel
What is It?
As the name entails, reinforcing steel is used to reinforce concrete and masonry applications. Portland cement is a versatile material for use in constructing roads, sidewalks, foundations, and more, but it can prove to be prone to cracks and failures if extra measures aren’t taken. Reinforcement steel is utilized in a wide range of concrete pours to provide tensile and shear strength to help prevent failure.
Product Descriptions
Reinforcement steel is relatively simple at heart, relying on three common product applications to provide additional strength to a variety of concrete applications:
- Rebar. Reinforcing bars are a mainstay in concrete construction, being cut and formed to meet a wide range of design specifications. On many projects, your rebar will depend on the environment and structural demands. Columns, footings, and walls can all be very complex, relying on specific lengths and diameters for an acceptable outcome.
- Welded wire fabric. This mesh consists of a square grid that relies on uniformity for reinforcement across large spans of concrete. The sizing and spacing of your wire will depend on your project’s design needs.
-
Welded fiber mesh. Often interchangeable with wire fabric, this mesh acts as a smaller screen with less spacing between threads. Another option in increasing tensile strength is to utilize a fiber mesh in the concrete mix.
Possible Applications
Reinforcing steel is versatile enough to conform to a wide range of applications. Any structural component made of concrete will require reinforcement for long-term success. Your walls, garage floor, slabs, sidewalks, and foundation all rely on steel reinforcement to help protect from a wide range of concerns.
Structural Steel
What is It?
The backbone of most modern structures relies on structural steel design, utilizing a complex framework of steel components to create a safe and sturdy framework for a wide range of applications. Not only is modern structural steel versatile enough for nearly any project imaginable, it is also more eco-friendly than ever, reaching nearly 100 percent recyclability.
Product Descriptions
The shape and size of your structure will dictate how structural steel fabrication is done, resulting in a wide range of steel shapes and designs to best fit your design demands. From the all-trusted and supportive I-beam to H-piles that support the foundation, every element of your building requires a unique format and function to ensure proper building integrity during a wide range of foreseeable concerns. Hollow steel sections, channel, angle beams, and more can be used to deliver a superior outcome that is both stable and cost-effective.
Possible Applications
Building design is very complex, relying on a vast array of structural steel components, reinforcements, and fasteners to meet the exacting standards expected in today’s industry. You have a wide range of styles and unmatchable material strengths, helping in the construction of:
- Standard buildings. From hospitals to apartment complexes, structural steel is a valuable part of providing space in a safe and practical manner.
- Stations. Airports, football stadiums, and train stations all rely heavily on structural steel fabrication and implementation to accomplish a lot with a little.
- Other structures. Bridges and other specialty projects hold unique design demands and construction methods to ensure code compliance.
Hopefully, this infographic has helped to clarify the difference between reinforcing steel and structural steel. If you’re looking for structural steel fabricators in Michigan for your project, Sanilac Steel is here and ready to help. Contact us today to learn more and to receive an accurate quote for your project!
