Steel
Steel is an alloy of iron and a number of other elements, mainly carbon, that has a high tensile strength and relatively low cost.
Early forms of steel have existed since around 1800 BC, and it has subsequently be used through history by the Greeks, Romans, Indians and Chinese. However, British engineer, Sir Henry Bessemer was the first to develop a cost-efficient method for producing steel, and it was first mass produced for the manufacture of railway tracks.
There is an excellent, free-to-use, online encyclopedia for UK steel construction available at SteelConstruction.info.
SteelConstruction.info was created and is maintained by Tata Steel, the British Constructional Steelwork Association (BCSA) and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI).
The site contains more than 100 articles written by experts on subjects including:
- Cost planning.
- Life cycle assessment.
- Steel infographic.
- Sustainability.
- Corrosion.
- Construction.
- Fire engineering.
- Design.
- Links to more detailed resources.
- Acoustics.
- Floor vibrations.
- Health and safety.
- Fabrication.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
- Alloy.
- Cast iron.
- Compound steel sections
- Concrete vs. steel.
- Concrete-steel composite structures
- Ferrous.
- Galvanised steel.
- Galvanising.
- Installing fire protection to structural steelwork (GG 85).
- Iron.
- Metal.
- Metal fabrication.
- Passive and reactive fire protection to structural steel (IP 6 12).
- Procuring steel in major projects
- Rust.
- Specifying steel lintels.
- Stainless steel.
- Steel and Concrete – Frank Lloyd Wright and 3 of his Iconic Buildings.
- Steel Architecture: the designed landscape of modernity.
- Steel construction floor vibration.
- Steel Council.
- Steel frame.
- Steel framed rooflights.
- Steel reinforcement.
- Steel-concrete composite structures.
- Structural steel.
- The use of stainless steel in civil engineering.
- Types of metal.
- Types of steel.
- Weathering steel.
- What is causing the rise in steel prices?
Featured articles and news
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.
Functionality, visibility and sustainability
The simpler approach to specification.
Architects, architecture, buildings, and inspiration in film
The close ties between makers and the movies, with our long list of suggested viewing.
SELECT three-point plan for action issued to MSPs
Call for Scottish regulation, green skills and recognition of electrotechnical industry as part of a manifesto for Scottish Parliamentary elections.
UCEM becomes the University of the Built Environment
Major milestone in its 106-year history, follows recent merger with London School of Architecture (LSE).
Professional practical experience for Architects in training
The long process to transform the nature of education and professional practical experience in the Architecture profession following recent reports.