Rony
Moderator
Steel, on the other hand, is a relatively new construction material. It was not widely used in construction due to the complex manufacturing process.
However, technological advancements in the 1850s introduced faster and more efficient steel refining and manufacturing, making them quite popular in the construction industry. There are many construction materials available in Malaysia.
Concrete and steel are two of the most popular materials, and there are some striking differences between both of them. Let’s get familiar with all of their significant differences before deciding which construction material is better.
On the other hand, steel is not as resistant to climatic conditions as concrete because it can get soft or even melt in extremely high temperatures. To prevent this issue, you must use additional fire protection, which will make the process expensive. However, steel is a very strong and flexible material in normal conditions. With proper designing and engineering, a steel structure can be efficiently designed for various purposes.
Premixed concrete is also becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia. It has reduced the cost of labour and made concrete more cost-efficient. However, concrete needs maintenance and repair costs in the long run, which adds to the total cost.
Steel is an excellent tensile and compressive material. In fact, strength is one of the primary factors steel is used as a construction material in Malaysia. Moreover, steel can easily be adapted during the manufacturing process. For example, steel bars are often used with concrete to accentuate strength.
Reinforced concrete can easily withstand solar radiation, seawater, excessive moisture and abrasion. Steel can also withstand these conditions, but it is vulnerable to corrosion. Using additional protection measures such as paint, coating or a sacrificial layer is essential to prevent steel corrosion.
Moreover, there are different types of concretes available on the market. Ready-mixed concrete has also greatly increased the availability of concrete. During times of natural disaster, concrete manufacturing has taken a great hit all around the world. However, production has been steady for a few years now.
The availability of steel as a construction material has been discussed in great detail by many experts. There is a general perception that steel is available in a limited quantity, partially due to the fact that there are only a small number of steel manufacturing and refining industries in the world.
However, many countries, including Malaysia, are seeing a huge boost in steel manufacturing.
However, technological advancements in the 1850s introduced faster and more efficient steel refining and manufacturing, making them quite popular in the construction industry. There are many construction materials available in Malaysia.
Concrete and steel are two of the most popular materials, and there are some striking differences between both of them. Let’s get familiar with all of their significant differences before deciding which construction material is better.
1. Safety
The majority of manufacturers and experts agree on the fact that concrete is the safest construction material because it can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh climatic conditions for an extended period of time. Moreover, it does not require extra fireproofing and can resist heavy winds. However, a disadvantage of concrete is that if it is not carefully used, it can leave a significant carbon footprint.On the other hand, steel is not as resistant to climatic conditions as concrete because it can get soft or even melt in extremely high temperatures. To prevent this issue, you must use additional fire protection, which will make the process expensive. However, steel is a very strong and flexible material in normal conditions. With proper designing and engineering, a steel structure can be efficiently designed for various purposes.
2. Cost
In terms of cost-effectiveness, both steel and concrete have their own set of pros and cons. The cost of concrete remains steady, whereas the price of steel fluctuates depending on changing market conditions and the overall economy. However, steel is cheaper than reinforced concrete, which makes it a viable option for a construction project. Reinforced concrete is expensive because a lot of material and labour is involved.Premixed concrete is also becoming increasingly popular in Malaysia. It has reduced the cost of labour and made concrete more cost-efficient. However, concrete needs maintenance and repair costs in the long run, which adds to the total cost.
3. Strength
The strength of a construction material means its capacity to resist a crushing force in a structure. The compressive strength allows the material to ensure it is able to withstand vertical loads without getting damaged. Even though concrete has impressive compressive strength, it is extremely brittle and can become fractured under high tension. To mitigate this weakness, reinforcing bars are used to strengthen the concrete.Steel is an excellent tensile and compressive material. In fact, strength is one of the primary factors steel is used as a construction material in Malaysia. Moreover, steel can easily be adapted during the manufacturing process. For example, steel bars are often used with concrete to accentuate strength.
4. Durability
Durability means the extent to which construction materials can endure its surroundings. Generally, concrete and steel can last a very long time without any significant deterioration if used accurately.Reinforced concrete can easily withstand solar radiation, seawater, excessive moisture and abrasion. Steel can also withstand these conditions, but it is vulnerable to corrosion. Using additional protection measures such as paint, coating or a sacrificial layer is essential to prevent steel corrosion.
5. Availability
Both steel and concrete are very popular construction materials in Malaysia. However, there is no doubt that concrete is more readily available than steel. The reason for this is that the manufacturing process of concrete is faster, efficient and more straightforward than steel.Moreover, there are different types of concretes available on the market. Ready-mixed concrete has also greatly increased the availability of concrete. During times of natural disaster, concrete manufacturing has taken a great hit all around the world. However, production has been steady for a few years now.
The availability of steel as a construction material has been discussed in great detail by many experts. There is a general perception that steel is available in a limited quantity, partially due to the fact that there are only a small number of steel manufacturing and refining industries in the world.
However, many countries, including Malaysia, are seeing a huge boost in steel manufacturing.
