Pre Engineered Steel structure vs Reinforced Steel structure support for buildings.
Most buildings in Kenya, 2 storeys and above, are supported structurally using reinforced concrete.
Reinforced concrete is composed of structural ribbed steel that is covered in concrete.
Cost of Reinforced concrete.
1 meter length of concrete contains steel worth kes 900, 4 number D16 reinforcement.
The same length contains concrete worth kes 1,000, 0.1 Cubic meters of concrete.
Total costs including labour and formwork is approximately kes 2,200.
Cost of Structural steel.
I meter length of 4inch by 4 inch gauge 16 steel tube costs kes 1400. Add labour, to bring the cost to kes 1800.
Lower Cost.
The structural steel frame for supporting a residential house is at a lower cost compared to using reinforced concrete.
Other Advantages.
Structural steel takes smaller space since for a smaller cross section than reinforced concrete, it offers same structural support strength.
A few buildings have utilized this method of construction of late.
There is one conspicuous building made of structural steel support frame coming up in Kericho town CBD. Also , in hurlingham, the office block below was done using structural steel support frame.
Architectural Design.
A4architect.com can offer architectural design that incorporates use of structural steel support which will help developers to lower their construction costs and achieve better, more aesthetically appealing buildings.
Architect Francis Gichuhi Kamau.
info@a4architect.com
0721410684
Leave a Reply