Structural Steel Columns

Ultimate Guide: Structural Steel Columns

The structural steel columns are the best solution for building and structural thinness. Sunnyda is your great choice for any architectural requirement. Here at Sunnyda, we always prioritize and value our clients with big or small orders. These structural steel columns are vertical structural. It has a unique feature like fire-resistance, excellent compressive strength, and durable. Perfect for your building project.

This has a seismic design category or custom. In behalf of our senior engineers and 12 architects, they can assist you to achieve your design and meet your specifications. It can be galvanized. The thickness and thinness can depend on you. But, you can choose from 1 to 1 ½ inch. If this does not meet your demand, Sunnyda always provides the best option for our client. This can meet your requirement and achieve your specifications.

These structural steel columns are one of the ideal solutions against traditional systems. Sunnyda is your best partner and manufacturer of structural steel columns. It can be guaranteed safe, durable, and longevity. Sunnyda prioritizes the demand of the client. These structural steel columns had a reduction of the number of columns, lowering of column buckling, and reduction of floor building times of 70%.

Aside from structural steel columns, Sunnyda has fabricated lots of steel structure products. This will help you with growing your small business. Also, assist you with your building and construction needs.

Sunnyda is ISO9001 and ISO14001 factory passed. We are a trusted manufacturer in China. But, we can supply in some countries. Guarantee you to meet your various needs. We have fast delivery. Sunnyda provides good quality products and longevity. These structural steel columns have a competitive cost. Sunnyda is the trusted fabricator of structural steel columns or any steel structure products.

For more questions or inquiries, just message us now.

Structural Steel Columns

Table of Contents

Introduction
Q1: What Is A Structural Steel Column?
Q2: What Are The Applications Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q3: What Are The Benefits Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q4: What Are The Most Common Types Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q5: Does Manufacturer Provide Structural Steel Columns Design?
Q6: How Structural Steel Columns Are Protected Against Corrosion?
Q7: What Are The Finishing Types Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q8: Does Manufacturer Provide Heavy-duty Structural Steel Columns?
Q9: What Are The Sizes Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q10: What Are The lengths Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q11: Does Manufacturer Offer Custom-fabricated Structural Steel Columns?
Q12: Does Manufacturer Provide Structural Steel Columns Related Services?
Q13: Are Structural Steel Columns Made In Compliance With International Building Code?
Q14: What Are The Standards Of Structural Steel Columns?
Q15: Does Manufacturer Provide A CE Marked Structural Steel Columns?
Q16: Are Structural Steel Columns Fire Resistant?
Q17: Are Structural Steel Columns Earthquake Resistant?
Q18: How Long Does It Take To Deliver Structural Steel Columns?
Q19: How Much Cost Structural Steel Columns In China?
Q20: Why China Structural Steel Columns Are Widely Used?
Q21: What Covers The Warranty Of Structural Steel Columns And For How Long?
Q22: Why Sunnyda Structural Steel Columns Are Preferred?
Q23: Interested In Our Structural Steel Columns, Contact Us Now For A Free Consultation?

Introduction

Structural steel columns are almost used in every building in the world; it has become one of the most prevalent construction materials that support the rapid development of modern architecture. But what exactly are structural steel columns? Why do builders use it? Are they sustainable and environmentally friendly? All of these questions and more will be thoroughly answered in this frequently asked questions document.

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Q1: What Are Structural Steel Columns?

Structural steel columns  are vertical support structural members intended to carry the accumulative weight of steel structures, they are used to transfer loads from beams, floor/roof slab, or from a ceiling, to a floor or foundations. Structural steel columns are a compression members designed mainly to resist stress that comes from axial forces, bending moments, shear forces and lateral loads of wind or earthquake.

Q2: What Are The Applications Of Structural Steel Columns?

Due to its high strength to weight ratio, rigidity, versatility and cost benefits, structural steel columns are the material of choice in every construction site, they are used across a wide range of small and large construction applications including the following:

Buildings

Structural steel columns are a cost-effective building material used in all construction projects to maximize structure’s strength and durability and minimize the cost and speed up projects completion. They are widely used in different building types, ranging from low, mid and high rise buildings including industrial structures, manufacturing facilities, warehouses, hospital and school buildings, aircraft hangars, stadiums, metro stations, etc.

because of its outstanding properties, longevity and flexibility of design, structural steel columns are preferred by almost all architects, designers and contractors, its available in various grades that can offers excellent corrosion resistance even in the harshest environments. Unlike other building materials, structural steel columns are lightweight and take a little space. No matter is the overall size of the structure or floor space; structural steel columns can be designed to suit all architectural requirements in terms of size, shape and finishing.

Infrastructure

Infrastructure construction industry relies heavily upon structural steel columns more often than other materials; they are designed and fabricated with the main objective to provide high tensile strength and excellent stability, ductility and malleability that can withstand extreme loads of roads, railways, tunnels, bridges, oil and gas structures, and all other megaprojects. Because of its high level of corrosion resistance they are the most preferred building material for infrastructure applications situated over water or near coastal areas.

Ship Building

Structural steel columns are extremely useful in ship building industry; they are designed and manufactured to offer the necessary strength, weldability, and corrosion protection required to build resilient ship structures that ensure maximum safety on board and facilitate carrying precious cargo everywhere in the World. Structural steel columns can be fabricated to exact specifications, shapes, sizes and finishing to suit different ship applications including oil tankers, submarines, boats, ship loaders, etc.

Mining

Most of the mining sub-structures are built using structural steel columns wic can be designed to support mining screens, fluidized bed boilers, workshops, equipments used in the mining operations. To ensure durability and maintenance free application, structural steel columns can be protected by hot-dip galvanization or powder-coat painted to withstand mining sites abrasive conditions.

Energy

Structural steel columns are used in many energy steel structure applications including nuclear power, power plants, electric power, oil and gas infrastructures, pipelines, coal structures, transmission towers, wind turbines, catwalks and crossover bridges.

Q3: What Are The Benefits Of Structural Steel Columns?

Using structural steel columns in major construction project bring countless economic and environmental benefits; below we have outlined some of its main benefits:

Higher strength/weight ratio

Structural steel columns are designed and fabricated to be used as heavily loaded members in low, mid and high-rise buildings, towers, bridges, roads, etc. high-strength steel are used to provide high specific strength or strength/weight ratio.

High ductility

Ductility is an important factor in engineering, it’s defined as material’s capacity to absorb mechanical overload, because of its mechanical properties, structural steel columns can commonly withstand loads, sustain deformation and bending stress without failure.

High Toughness

Toughness specifies how much energy a structural steel column can absorb before rupturing and its ability to plastically deform without fracturing. In order to provide high toughness values and enable the whole steel structure to withstand high compressive stresses and strains, structural steel columns should be made from strong and ductile steel materials.

Versatility

Structural steel columns are the most versatile construction materials; they offer an incredible flexibility and freedom in designing iconic buildings, towers and bridges. Structural steel columns can be fabricated and customized at factory to suit customers functional and aesthetics requirements in colors, finishes, span, sizes, customization features, and more.

Saving space

Structural steel columns are structurally efficient, they can offer greater space saving when compared with reinforced concrete; for example, a 40×40 cm2 structural steel column can be used in similar application as a 100×100 cm2 reinforced concrete carrier. Moreover, structural steel column depths are 50% less than that of a timber column. Using structural steel columns offers high strength thinner wall thicknesses, while brick walls are space-consuming, more usable area can be achieved and less material will be used when building with structural steel columns. Thus, structural steel columns are the most cost-effective method to reach more open plans with an extended spans and a space free from intermediate columns or load bearing walls.

Durability

When wood rots, concrete cracks, a properly designed and fabricated structural steel columns can provide a lifelong durability, however, while structural steel columns do not corrode in applications which are not exposed to oxygen, water or chemicals, corrosion in other structures which are more exposed to aggressive environments can be addressed by using a cost-efficient and effective sacrificial protection techniques such as zinc coatings, galvanization or other methods can be applied to steel surface to from a protective barrier.

Cost-Effective

Structural steel columns offers more economic benefits to builders, they are pre-manufactured off site at factory and delivered ready to be erected easily and quickly on-site. Furthermore, all drilling, welding, cutting, coating, finishing work is all completed at factory as needed. This minimizes costs of manpower and materials, while it speed up construction and help meeting project’s schedule. Compared to other materials such as concrete and wood, structural steel columns are lighter in weight and require less foundation.

Environmentally Friendly

Steel is the most recycled material on earth, when building reaches the end of its lifespan, structural steel columns can be reused or circulated in the recycling system. Moreover, most of structural steel columns are prefabricated in an environmentally responsible manufacturing facility that uses advanced technology machines that consume less energy and emit less CO2, this reduce negative impacts on the environment. Lean manufacturing production methods are applied also to eliminate waste of materials, improve efficiency and add value to structural steel columns.

Also, when structural steel columns are coupled with appropriate building design and materials such as high value insulation, they provide a comfortable and energy efficient interior that uses less energy, solar panels can be added to ensure a clean and renewable power.

Q4: What Are The Most Common Types Of Structural Steel Columns?

There are several types of structural steel columns which are used in different applications; they are available either with wide flange or tubular shapes as follow:

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) columns

Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) columns are cold-formed steel tubes that are sapped in circular, rectangular, or square cross-section; they are mainly used for welded or bolted construction of various types of low, mid and high rise steel structures, bridges, and architecturally exposed buildings.

Steel Pipe columns

This type of structural steel columns is used mainly in exposed construction applications such as Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS), and for big offshore oil rigs and structures. They provide an aesthetically pleasant appearance, and high strength-to-weight ratio that ensure an excellent compression support and excellent torsional resistance.

Beam columns

H beams are widely used as structural steel columns in multi-storey buildings steel frames because of it can support axial and transverse loads, beam columns are called transversely loaded columns.

Universal Column (UC)

Universal columns are structural steel columns that are shaped as I or H capital letter; they are preferred in almost all construction applications because of its well performance under compression and buckling resistance. They are also known as Rolled Steel Joists (RSJ’s), I beams, H Beams or sections Beams.

Q5: Does Manufacturer Provide Structural Steel Columns Design?

Yes, absolutely. Structural steel columns are designed as per project specifications, they comes fully assembled so, they can be easily transported and quickly lifted and moved on site. Engineering drawings can be converted into fabrication shop drawings that include steel columns design details, materials, connections and erection. The latest computer automated design systems are used to design the required structural steel columns that suit specific project.

Structural steel columns are designed mainly to fulfill structural integrity, durability and safety, different design analysis are conducted to ensure buckling and plastic resistance factors of structural steel columns in compression are fulfilled, this involve the determination of flexural-torsional buckling and elastic critical load minimum requirements. The design values of the loads including loads acting on columns from the influence area and cross-sectional area, safety coefficients are also calculated. The limit states Design (LSD) and the serviceability limit state design (SLS) have to be checked for each column to ensure overall stability, deflection, cracking, excessive vibration and fire resistance factors.

Q6: How Structural Steel Columns Are Protected Against Corrosion?

Structural steel columns does not need to be galvanized, primed or painted when they are used in construction with concrete or enclosed by building finishes, or when contact-type fireproof coating is applied. Corrosion protection should be applied only to structural steel columns that are exposed to corrosive environments with high humidity, water, oxygen or harmful compounds such as metal oxides, sulfates, sulfuric acid, chlorides. In this case, various forms of proven protective galvanization methods, high-performance coating systems and weathering steel can be used to provide long-term durability. Selecting the right type of corrosion protection is largely dependant to the determination of exposure severity, and initial cost versus lifecycle and future maintenance cost.

Q7: What Are The Finishing Types Of Structural Steel Columns?

Structural steel columns should be finished to a high standard to eliminate any corrosion or deterioration risk, especially when they exposed to high levels of atmospheric pollution or moisture. To provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance, steel surface should be firstly cleaned from any marks and grazes that may cause rusting risk, then it should be treated against corrosion using one or two methods of structural steel columns finishing, which are outlined below.

Galvanization

Galvanising is the most cost effective and efficient protective finish that can be applied to structural steel columns, it offer a superior protection against corrosion while it ensure a longer-lasting and maintenance free application in the most challenging environments. Galvanized structural steel columns can be exposed to high temperatures (up to 275°C); they can be also immersed in sea water, salt water, hot and cold water. Galvanization is applied by dipping the steel in molten zinc in order to form a metallurgical bonded physical barrier which will corrode in preference to the steel underneath the zinc, and in the meantime it prevent the underlying steel surface from being exposed directly to the atmosphere.

Primer

Primer paint is high in zinc phosphate, due this active corrosion-resistant material it is usually used before paint to ensure a better adhesion, increases lifespan, and provides additional protection. Primer paint is applied to structural steel columns to provide additional protection to steel surfaces that are exposed to corrosion, oxidation, and moisture.

Powder Coating

Powder coating is a free-flowing powder that can be applied to structural steel columns, the process involve applying electrostatically a dry finishing under heat to form a protective finish. This type of protective coating delivers an excellent resistance to corrosion, chemicals and weather. It’s a resilient rust inhibitor that is low in flammability and low also in toxicity and can last for up to 30 years.

Q8: Does Manufacturer Provide Heavy-duty Structural Steel Columns?

Heavy-duty structural steel columns can be designed, fabricated and custom made as per project specifications to support loads over long spans in general building construction of bridges, roads, rails, low, mid and high rise residential, commercial and industrial projects.

Q9: What Are The Sizes Of Structural Steel Columns?

Structural steel columns are available in a variety of sizes dependant on their positions in the structure, the required scale of structural steel columns can be designed and fabricated to meet customers’ exact dimensions.

Q10: What Are The lengths Of Structural Steel Columns?

Structural steel columns can be designed and fabricated to any length up to 12 meter, fixed mill length and pre-cut lengths are also available, all columns comes fully assembled to project specifications and fully code compliant to support permanent building applications.

Q11: Does Manufacturer Offer Custom-fabricated Structural Steel Columns?

Yes, absolutely. Structural steel columns can be customized to suit all technical requirements for permanent building support and all structural applications including multi-storey buildings, heavy industrial buildings, infrastructure and equipment support systems. Reliable structural steel columns can be customized to fit all structural steel projects needs, high strength grade of steel are available in a wide range of profiles, shapes, thicknesses and lengths, colors and smooth finishes. In addition to that, a complete line of all fundamental parts can be provided as follow:

Column Base Plate

This item is fixed at the bottom of structural steel columns in order to overcome load which comes from steel structure to foundation concrete. Customers can choose from various types of welded plates and plates loose.

Connections

A complete line of steel connections can be provided to support installing structural steel columns including splices, spacers, steel plates and stiffeners, these connections can be either welded or bolted. A wide variety of anchor bolts, nuts, washers options are also available.

Finishes

Customers can benefit from a wide range of structural steel columns finishes that protect the steel surface from the impact of different environments and chemicals on steel surface, a cost-effective galvanization, primer paint, powder coating and intumescent paint can be used to ensure maximum protection, durability and appearance requirements.

Q12: Does Manufacturer Provide Structural Steel Columns Related Services?

Fully integrated services can be provided from the initial forming concept of structural steel columns to design, fabrication, delivery, and installation. Many services can be provided during the fabrication phase to meet customers’ specific requirements including:

Plate profiling

Complete CNC plate profiling solutions can be offered to support any structural steel columns specifications, oxy and plasma cutting technologies are used to offer a fast punching, drilling and notching service, that allow structural steel columns to be efficiently bolted.

Cutting

The most advanced cutting systems such as robotic CNC plasma cutting are used to cut highly accurate structural steel columns parts, cutting copes can be also performed at the ends of columns.

Welding

Structural steel columns can be welded to the highest industry standards using a fully automatic submerged arc welding process or tandem welding system. Column splices, welded moment connections and beam-to-column connections can be welded by certified welders.

Drilling

Drilling is an abrasive process that involves removing a circle from the steel to produce a hole that usually serves as a bolt hole. Complete drilling services can be offered to respond to project’s requirements, the latest robotic CNC drilling systems are utilized to ensure tight tolerances on all processed material.

Punching

Steel punching is a cost-effective alternative to drilling, this process uses shearing force to mechanically create a hole or slot. It is important to note that punched holes have lower strength and ductility than ones created with drilled holes.

Q13: Are Structural Steel Columns Made In Compliance With International Building Code?

Yes, definitely. Structural steel columns are designed and manufactured in accordance with international building code in terms of applicable technical specifications, design, load and seismic requirements, materials, welding, bolting, fire codes and all regulations related to public safety.

Q14: What Are The Standards Of Structural Steel Columns?

Structural steel columns are designed and manufactured in accordance with the following international standards:

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

Structural steel columns shall comply with ANSI/AISC 360-16 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings Design and Construction.

Structural steel columns should be designed in accordance with the guidelines of ANSI/AISC 341-16 Seismic Provisions Specification for Structural Steel Buildings.

American Standard (ASTM) standards

Structural steel columns should conform to the ASTM Specification A500 which covers cold-formed welded and seamless carbon steel round, square, rectangular, or special shape structural steel.

Anchorage of structural steel columns shall be made in compliance with ASTM F1554 – 20.

Galvanization and corrosion-resistant powder coating applied to structural steel columns shall exceed ASTM-B117 requirements.

European Standards

EN 10025 specifies the European requirements for hot rolled structural steel columns including welding, bolting and the general delivery conditions.

OSHA Standards

The installation of structural steel columns shall be in accordance with the requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), anchorage also, should be designed in compliance with OSHA 29 CFR 1926-755 Safety and Health Regulations standards, all structural steel columns shall be designed to resist a minimum eccentric gravity load of 300 pounds (136.2 kg), hole at the end of each column, tabs/holes for safety lines should be included.

Q15: Does Manufacturer Provide A CE Marked Structural Steel Columns?

Yes, absolutely. Manufacturer follow strict CE compliance procedures, structural steel columns are produced in accordance with the EU’s New Approach Directives. All components are carefully inspected as per CE policy.

Q16: Are Structural Steel Columns Fire Resistant?

Structural steel columns are made from a noncombustible steel material that does not burn and can achieve up to 4 hour fire-resistance rating without applying any additional fire protection materials. Structural steel columns are designed to fulfill international building code fire protection requirements, in addition to that, advanced design techniques are used to protect structural steel columns integrity when exposed to prolonged elevated fire, fire-proofing materials such as intumescent coatings, spray-applied fire-resistive material (SFRM) or boards and blanket fire protection system can be also used as a barrier to protect structural steel columns exposed to high heat.

Q17: Are Structural Steel Columns Earthquake Resistant?

Structural steel columns are designed mainly to support gravity loads and to withstand lateral loads caused by strong forces of earthquakes, high winds, or other horizontal forces that can cause bending. Structural steel columns have a good seismic performance and high shear bearing capacity; they are also inherently ductile and can flexes under extreme loads rather than crushing.

Q18: How Long Does It Take To Deliver Structural Steel Columns?

Delivery of structural steel columns orders takes 2 to 3 weeks from the date of receiving a confirmation.

Q19: How Much Cost Structural Steel Columns In China?

Structural steel columns cost ranges from $30 to $100 per square meter or from $500 to $1000 per tonne, price varies according to order size, specifications and customization requirements.

Q20: Why China Structural Steel Columns Are Widely Used?

China structural steel columns have a proven track record among the most reputable multinational construction companies, Chinese manufacturers have decades of practical experience throughout the World, they utilize the most sustainable materials, high-tech design and manufacturing techniques, all of these competitive factors enabled them to gain cost advantage. Furthermore, they are capable to provide fully integrated structural steel columns solutions that include design, fabrication and customization services that respond to all requirements and meet customers projects schedule and budget requirement.

Q21: What Covers The Warranty Of Structural Steel Columns And For How Long?

Manufacturer warrants structural steel columns to be free from any defects in material and workmanship for a period of 10 years, loads and span bearing capacity is also covered by 1 years warranty.

Q22: Why Sunnyda Structural Steel Columns Are Preferred?

Established in 2000 and headquartered in Shanghai, We are proud to be one of China’s largest Structural Steel Columns fabricators, we go beyond the ordinary services, regardless of project size, complexity or location, we provide one-stop shop service for all of your structural steel columns requirements, from start through to completion, from original concept to design to fabrication, delivery and after-sales service.

We are consistently delivering the most cost-effective and the highest quality structural steel columns, we are proud of our successful record of achievement and the ongoing customer relationships we develop with our domestic and international clients; we have worked on a huge variety of projects from construction, industrial, infrastructure, oil and gas, and more.

All structural steel columns are processed in-house in our facilities, we are well equipped with the most advanced steel mill and the latest technology machinery such as CNC drilling machinery, plasma steel plate cutting. Our highly experienced designers use Tekla Structures Detailing Software and CAD design software to deliver the most accurate structural steel columns that meet projects exact specifications. Lean manufacturing process, KANBAN and JIT planning techniques are applied in each operation to lower costs, waste and ensure quick responsiveness and competitiveness.

We recognize the importance of quality, we have earned top certifications from leading international standardization organizations, and these certifications include:

• CE Marking Certification.
• ISO9001:2015 – Quality Management System.
• ISO14001:2015 – Environmental Management System.
• Bureau Veritas Certification.

Whether you are looking for structural steel columns for a small and medium scale construction projects such as residential buildings, private houses, industrial buildings, or for heavy-duty structural steel columns for large-scale projects such as towers, bridges, railways, airports, etc. We look forward to taking care of it. Whatever are the specifications of structural steel columns required, quantity, project schedule, budget, Sunnyda can provide you with the most cost effective and highest quality structural steel columns for your entire project.

Q23: Interested In Our Structural Steel Columns, Contact Us Now For A Free Consultation?

Our dedicated team of advisors is always ready to help with your structural steel columns requirements. Contact us now.