CORAL GABLES, Fla., April 7 /PRNewswire/ -- The HSS Committee of the Steel
Tube Institute of North America announced today that it is making available
materials that show the cost/weight advantages of steel hollow structural
sections (HSS) compared with other structural shapes, and in some cases,
concrete.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW041 )
The packet of materials is entitled, Less Weight. More Strength. Big Cost
Savings. It is available in print, as a CD and on the HSS section of the Steel
Tube Institute's website ( http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org ). The cost/weight
comparison materials include case studies, tables that compare the weight and
allowable load capacity of HSS and steel structural shapes, examples that
demonstrate savings on fabrication, surface preparation,
painting/fireproofing, shipping, erection and maintenance costs. The case
studies show the use of HSS as support columns, in trusses, and as framing
components in four-to-eight story multi-family residential buildings,
dormitories and hotels.
Bill Wolfe, Executive Director of the Steel Tube Institute of North
America, emphasizes that the availability of the cost/weight materials is
especially timely now because of the dramatic rise in steel prices within the
past 90 days. "Engineers, cost estimators, fabricators, contractors and
especially building owners, will be interested in the comparisons and cost
saving opportunities that HSS may provide them," he says.
The materials were developed as the result of members' requests because of
misconceptions that exist in the marketplace about the cost of various
construction materials. Mr. Wolfe explains that, "Some architects, structural
engineers, contractors, fabricators and consultants believe that HSS costs
more than steel structurals, concrete and other materials. However, we see
that as more and more engineers, cost estimators, contractors and others
involved in construction do the calculations, they find that they can achieve
significant cost savings by specifying HSS."
Chris Knox, chairman of the STI's HSS Committee, says that, "Pound-for-
pound, HSS has greater strength-to-weight ratios than other steel structurals.
HSS also has excellent compression characteristics and exceptional torsional
properties, which give it a big advantage not only over steel structurals, but
over other materials like concrete and wood. Because of the superior strength
of HSS, it takes less steel to do the same job. And less weight equals less
steel and that means less cost."
Jack Meyer, President of STI member company Bull Moose Tube, explains that
HSS provides even more savings: "Because of the weight advantage of HSS,
contractors, fabricators and erectors are finding that HSS is less expensive
to ship, fabricate and erect," he says. "With HSS, contractors are often able
to use lighter-capacity cranes and installation equipment during the erection
process. The lighter weight generally translates into faster erection. And, on
a construction site, time means money."
If there is painting or fireproofing of columns and trusses involved, HSS
offers even more time and cost savings, since it has only four sides, rather
than the six that wideflange steel structurals have. There are no sharp
corners or edges. So, there are not only savings on paint or fireproofing
materials, but on the time it takes to apply, as well as on future maintenance
costs.
HSS saves money on transportation costs, too, by minimizing the need for
overweight permits. And, if fabricators use square or rectangular HSS, they
are able to make straight, 90-degree or mitre cuts, which enable them to
fillet weld. That also results in big time and cost savings.
Recently the development of new manufactured structural systems using HSS
show that steel hollow structural sections can also provide a substantial cost
advantage over concrete. Pueblo Building Technologies, a San Francisco-based
design and consulting firm, as well as several other companies, are beginning
to build four-to-eight story multifamily residential buildings using HSS
rather than concrete.
Copies of the HSS cost/weight materials, case studies, cost comparison
tables, applications and design aids can be downloaded from the STI website
at http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org . If you would like a CD, please e-mail your
request for the STI's HSS Resource Library to cost-weight@newsanalysis.com.
Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) is high-strength, welded steel tubing
used as structural elements in buildings and other structures and in a variety
of manufactured products. It is produced in round, square and rectangular
shapes and a broad range of sizes and gauges.
Its benefits include aesthetic appeal, high strength-to-weight ratios,
uniform strength, cost effectiveness and recyclability.
The Steel Tube Institute was founded in 1930 and sponsors cooperative
efforts to improve manufacturing techniques in the welded steel tubing
industry and informs customers and fabricators about the utility and
versatility of steel pipe and tubing products. It is headquartered in Coral
Gables, Florida.
SOURCE Steel Tube Institute of North America
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Related links:
http://www.steeltubeinstitute.org
Photo Notes:
NewsCom:
http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20040407/CLW041 AP
PhotoExpress Network: PRN5 PRN Photo Desk,
photodesk@prnewswire.com
CONTACT:
Bill Wolfe, +1-305-421-6326, for Steel Tube
Institute of North America
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