In order to fully appreciate the value of steel buildings, it is important to understand what is steel and how it came into being. This short history will help you appreciate the value of steel and the role it has played in transforming our society.
Steel primarily contains iron and carbon, with the fraction of carbon varying according to the type of steel (usually between 0.4% and 2.1%). Steel is preferred over iron as it is more ductile and strong. In addition, by varying the quantity of carbon and other trace elements like tungsten, manganese, chromium, etc. the properties of steel can be greatly varied depending on the application. One property that immediately distinguishes steel from the different types of iron is the fact that steel is rust-proof, a very important property not only in buildings but also in many other applications.
The processes for mass production of steel came about in the 17th century, though steel was made much earlier too. In fact the earliest remnants of steel found in India date back to 300 BC, but these were at a small scale. The mass production of steel has helped shape the industrial revolution in which many components needed for several different machines were made out of steel. Today, there are highly sophisticated methods for steel production that ensure a very high quality without cost escalation – keeping the property of mass production intact.
Today, steel is one of the most commonly used materials in the world and also the most recycled material. This makes it ideal for the future where the world moves towards sustainability and a green future. Structural steel, used in making buildings, was recycled up to 97% in 2007, showing a very high rate of recycling and making it ideal for people who care for the environment.