Factors to be considered in the design of steel structures

Factors of steel structure should be considered to ensure proper functioning during service life.

1. Adaptations to site:

If it is a steel structure workshop, for instance, the designer must create a plan that has suitable arrangement for production area, storage area, office area, windows, ventilation system etc and all this plan should be adapted to site so that it is feasible and accepted at a reasonable cost. This is called floor planning.

2. Structural scheme:

Structural scheme is dependent on floor planning. Structural scheme includes the location of columns and arrangement of secondary structure in the steel structure buildings.

3. Structural analysis:

Once loads are defined and design is laid out, structural analysis must be performed to determine internal forces that will be produced in various members of the framework. Assumptions must be made and it should be ensured that structure in reality also behaves as it is supposed to (and as it was assumed to behave).

4. Proportionality of members:

Members must be proportioned with factor of safety in mind.