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Continuous galvanized steel for light steel frame construction
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/ Media Statement/ This content is not written by Creamer Media, but a media statement provided.
Simon Norton, Africa Division, International Zinc Industry Association
Light steel frame building (LSFB) is different from prefabricated or "kit" building in that it is a construction method. Another term is "off-site" construction, because much of the manufacturing is done in the factory, and then the parts are transported and assembled on site. LSFB is composed of structured wall panels, trusses and floor joists. They are assembled using cold-formed steel, which is made of thin-gauge high-strength continuous galvanized steel.
Hot-dip galvanized substrate is a coil made of cold rolled (thickness range 0.27 mm to <2.0 mm) or hot rolled (thickness 2.01 mm to 3.0 mm) steel substrate on a continuous galvanizing production line. Its production meets the requirements of EN 10142, EN 10147, EN 10143, ASTM A924, SANS 4998 or SANS 3575.
On the other hand, rolled zinc products such as Rheinzink and Verozinc contain the alloying elements copper, aluminum and titanium, which meet the EN 988 standard and are only suitable for building roofs and cladding. These products are made of nearly pure zinc sheets, rather than continuous galvanized sheets, which are coated with molten zinc on thin steel sheets.
Rolled zinc can be used for exterior walls, cladding, roofs, gutters and drainage pipes, as well as for decorative applications and even as a waterproofing board. Calendered zinc products have a long service life and can be recycled and reused. However, for the LSFB structure, the material of choice is a continuous galvanized steel sheet, which is then formed and formed into the elements that constitute the building skeleton.
Due to the protection provided by the elastic zinc patina formed by the reaction between the metal zinc surface, oxygen in the air and carbon dioxide, zinc usually corrodes at a low rate. This dense, cohesive and insoluble layer of patina prevents the exchange between the atmosphere and zinc. Zinc is widely used in galvanized steel to prevent corrosion. If you want to use galvanized steel or roofs near the sea within 1 km to 2 km of the high water mark, please consult an expert, because you must be careful when using it on highly corrosive coasts.
LSFB galvanized steel profiles are connected together in the factory using rivets or self-tapping screws to form structural wall panels and roof trusses, which are used for on-site installation on foundations and floors. Similar to the wood frame structure, the wall frame uses a series of alternative cladding materials both on the outside and inside of the site, and provides services such as cables, pipes and pipes, and insulation materials installed in the cavity of the wall.
Compared with traditional buildings or other frame materials, LSFB has a wide range of advantages in terms of quality, cost, durability and construction speed. Compared with traditional buildings using bricks and mortar, reducing waste, reducing logistics costs and shortening construction time can save 20% or more of costs.
When using Z200 galvanized sheet, the typical life of LSFB is 40 to 50 years. This is due to the toughness of the building envelope to resist corrosive atmospheres. In addition, LSFB complies with the design requirements of the South African National Building Code. For decades, this time-tested construction method has achieved great success in Australia, Europe and the United States.
Each structure is signed by a structural engineer, and only quality certified materials are used. The frame is assembled under controlled factory conditions. In the case of poor foundation conditions, the steel frame building can withstand some movement of the foundation without cracking. It is possible to specify insulation materials superior to traditional brick and mortar construction, and professional finishes are easy to achieve. The industry association SASFA, as a quality supervision agency, certifies frame installers and builders with system capabilities.
In terms of cost-effectiveness, compared with traditional buildings, it is expected to save more than 30% of time. In addition, the steel frame specifies the height accuracy and verticality of the building dimensions. Compared with double-layer brick walls, steel frame walls covered with fiber cement or gypsum board can save 90% of the quality. The low quality of the walls also means that lighter foundations are possible.
The LSFB construction method is suitable for column foundations and suspended floors, which reduces the construction cost on uneven grounds. Other benefits are minimal waste, energy efficiency and flexibility, as horizontal and vertical additives can be added easily in stages. Compared with double-layer or hollow brick walls, the reduced thickness of the outer wall also increases the floor space by up to 4%. The service is installed in the wall cavity without chasing the wall, which means that the building is occupied earlier to increase the return on investment and accurate cost budget.
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