Concrete vs. Steel
The debate over whether or not steel or concrete is the more suitable building material from a cost and safety factor is still continuing. Before modern engineering and the technological developments in concrete and steel construction the building systems favoured were wood and brick. The components which are at the forefront of construction development today, however, are steel and concrete; both materials provide a number of added benefits.
Start with the factor of safety provided by concrete construction. The development of concrete for use in the new World Trade Center project in New York City makes a strong argument for the safety of concrete. There will be two foot thick concrete for protection of the inner core of the building against terrorist attack or fire. Reinforced concrete is very resistant to explosion and impact. Concrete can also endure high temperatures from fire for a long time without the loss of structural integrity. Concrete’s inherent mass and strength can resist extreme hurricane force winds. The proper design and construction of concrete is also highly resistant to seismic activity.
The inclusion of passive fire protection, such as spray-on fireproofing, can certainly help structures made of structural steel to sustain significantly greater fire temperatures and offer extra protection to the building. Safety is taken into account with very effective designing and implementation of steel. Steel’s strength and ductility, along with appropriate engineering and design and accurate fabrication processes, make it a very good choice for regions with seismic activity. Steel framing also performs very well under high wind conditions as a result of its propensity to bend but not to break.
The price of these two superior building materials can also be compared. The price of concrete has become reasonably steady. This is despite the spike seen in the costs of other construction supplies. Cast-in-place concrete can be pricier on the front end of a building project but the return on investment on the back end of the project can lessen the cost differential. Insurance costs can also be lower because insurance providers favour cast-in-place reinforced concrete which offers increased safety and structural integrity, thus reducing insurance premiums, in many cases. Some cast in place reinforced concrete structures can help to save over 20% annually on property insurance.
Structural steel has seen increases in prices over the last few years. But structural steel still only represents less than one fifth of all the steel used in building construction. Looking at the overall effect on building project costs, the project costs have gone up by 10% on account of increases in all types of construction materials – not just steel. The rise in cost of the steel structural framing system represents below 2% of the 10% increase in project costs. Costs are almost a wash. The costs for a concrete framing system have gone up to equal the costs of a steel framing system.
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