Effectiveness of The Use of The Light Gauge Steel - myassignmenthelp

Question: Discuss about theEffectiveness of The Use of The Light Gauge Steel. Answer: Literature Review Introduction Cost, duration, safety, environmental friendliness, versatility and sustainability are some of the most essential factors that are considered when choosing construction materials. For many years, concrete and wood have been the widely used construction materials across the world but the above mentioned factors have necessitated development and use of alternative materials. LGS is one of the alternative materials that have become preferred by many stakeholders in the construction industry over the past few years(Keerthan Mahendran, 2013), in addition to hot rolled steel(Celikag Naimi, 2011). LGS is a building material made from cold-formed steel steel that is produced at room temperature, which also increases its yield strength(Lee, et al., 2014). The steel used for this purpose is protected against corrosion by galvanizing or coating it with zinc or a combination of aluminium and zinc. The coating thickness varies depending on the environmental conditions where the structure is be ing built. The popularity of LGS in construction industry is continuing to increase as the world becomes more aware of climate change impacts. However, use of LGS is still low in this industry hence the need to investigate the effectiveness of this alternative building material. This will help relevant stakeholders in the construction industry to understand the actual stability and reliability of this material and identify its potential limitations so as to develop appropriate strategies of resolving them. Background of Usage of LGS Use of LGS in the construction industry was introduced after the Second World War when countries such as the UK, Germany, France and Japan were suffering from a severe shortage of housing(Sutree, (n.d.)). During that time, LGS was used as a cladding system of prefabricated houses. However, these prefabricated houses were poorly designed and later demolished to build brick and mortar houses. Use of LGS was also minimal in those days mainly for two reasons: lack of standard design methodology for LGS and LGS had not been included in the relevant building codes and standards. It was until 1946 when the first specification for design of LGS structural members(American Iron and Steel Institute, 2010). Three years later, i.e. in 1949, a design manual for use by design engineers was made available. Since that time, a lot of improvements have been done on LGS and today this material is used not just as a cladding system but for creating a complete building. This has been enabled by modern te chnology, which has improved mechanical, physical and chemical properties of LGS making it suitable for use in creating structural and non-structural, and load bearing and non-load bearing components of commercial, industrial and residential buildings. Properties and Advantages of LGS High strength-to-weight ratio LGS has the highest strength-to-weight ratio of all building materials, making it a strong material to support heavy loads and withstand a variety of external factors, including natural disasters(Ritchie, et al., 2017). This does not only make the building strong and stable but also saves the amount of reinforcement used in constructing the foundation. It is estimated that the performance of 6 tonnes of LGS is equivalent to that of 120 tonnes of concrete(Steel Construction Institute, 2007). This makes it suitable and cost effective for different construction projects, such as buildings, transmission towers and poles, bridges, drainage facilities, highway facilities, etc. The higher strength also allows larger spacing between LGS components, which translates into reduced costs and faster construction times. Non combustibility and fire resistance LGS is generally less resistant to fire(Ariyanayagam Mahendran, 2017). However, many experimental studies have shown that if the LGS is properly insulated, its fire resistance capability increases significantly (Baleshan Mahendran, 2016). Uniform high quality Consistent high quality is another very essential attribute of LGS. LGS components are usually prefabricated in the factory, making it easy to control their quality. The strength, stiffness and quality of the LGS components can be controlled by manipulating the raw materials, production conditions and techniques(Cortes-Puentes, et al., 2016). For instance, strength can be raised by increasing the thickness of LGS component. The fact that LGS components are produced under regulated conditions in the factory makes it possible to produce uniform high quality components. There are also several techniques and models, such as stress-strain models, that have been developed to have a better understanding of the behaviour of LGS components when subjected to different loadings(Quach Huang, 2011). These techniques and models are used to determine the best combination of raw materials and manufacturing conditions to achieve specific quality of LGS components. Lightweight LGS is very light in comparison with other building materials(Tian, et al., 2007). This makes it easier and less costly to transport and erect LGS components. The components can be easily lifted by hand and they require simple tools and equipment during erection. Less manpower LGS components are lightweight and come with provisions for receiving other elements depending on the design of the structure. This makes it very easy and fast to assemble, erect and install LGS structures. As a result, less manpower is required in comparison with building structures using traditional construction materials. Construction speed It takes less time to construct a building using LGS than concrete blocks or bricks. This is because LGS eliminates the time for curing the structure (like it is the case for concrete structures), it is easy to transport and lift, does not require formwork, and mostly importantly is that LGS components can be manufactured in the factory and delivered to the site for erection. Additionally, LGS structures can be erected and installed in any weather. All these reduce construction project delivery time. Flexibility LGS can be shaped into any form, shape or size(Magnucka-Blandzi, 2011) thus giving greater design flexibility(Restrepo Bersofsky, 2011). It can also be insulated and cladded using a wide range of materials. Additionally, it can be modified, remodeled or changed easily at any point during the lifecycle of the building. Resistance to deterioration LGS is resistant to several deteriorations, including rotting, decomposing, warping, shrinking, creeping, termite attack or chemical attack. This improves the strength, stability, safety and durability of LGS components. Safety LGS is non-combustible and fire resistant (if cladded with appropriate fire resisting materials). The material performs better than traditional building materials in areas prone to natural disasters like earthquakes and hurricanes(Bitarafan, et al., 2013). Because of its light weight, LGS buildings can be designed for high wind and seismic loads. Environmental friendly All components made of steel are recyclable and therefore LGS is recyclable, making it environmental friendly. LGS is environmental friendly from the production stage, where the LGS components are produced through cold-forming process, which does not require heat or energy. During construction stage, LGS components can be fixed using pneumatic pins or screws. At the end of its service life, LGS scraps do not end up in landfills but in recycling plants. The components can also be disassembled for reuse thus reducing waste. This is very crucial in conserving the environment. Cost Many people assume that it costs more to build a house using LGS than concrete or wood. However, the opposite is actually true. Even though the purchasing cost of LGS is higher than that of concrete or wood, the total cost of building a house using LGS is lower than that of concrete or wood. Other trades associated with LGS building lowers the total construction cost. This includes: less labour requirements, less tools and equipment required, lower transportation costs, less waste because of prefabrication, reduced construction time, etc. Disadvantages/limitations Poor sound insulation LGS components allow easy passage of sound hence they should be properly insulated with sound-resisting materials. Fire protection Even though LGS components are non-combustible, they lose significant amount of strength in case of a fire event(Gunalan Mahendran, 2010). When LGS components are exposed to temperature above 400C, their strength starts decreasing(Chen Young, 2007). For this reason, LGS components must be adequately protected against fire by using fire rated drywall or sheeting cladding systems. Areas of applications LGS is used in different areas of construction, including: buildings (used to make a wide range of building components such as roof truss, structural and non-structural members, door frames, window frames, wall panels, flooring systems, etc.), railway (used for making railway coaches), highway facilities (such as flyovers), transmission poles and towers, bridge construction and drainage facilities, among others. Methods of Manufacturing LGS Components There are three main methods used for manufacturing LGS components(Yu LaBoube, 2010). These methods are as follows: Cold roll forming This is a continuous method that is used for creating smooth spiral or level sheets of LGS. In this method, even sheets of LGS are transformed into desired sections or shapes of LGS for the intended construction use. A typical cold roll forming comprises of several rollers moving in reverse direction as the even sheets of LGS are passed through them. The number of rollers used depend on the complexity of the shape of the LGS component being created. Simple sections require few roller while complex sections require many rollers. When the even sheets are passing through them, each of these rollers precisely forms modifications in sheet dimensions and shape until the desired shape and size of the LGS component is achieved. This method is used in production and fabrication of different building components, including individual structural components (such as columns and beams), wall panels, floor panels, roof panels, corrugated sheets, gutters, window and door frames, partitions, pipes, d ownspouts, etc. Press braking This method is suitable for production of comprehensive and extensive small sized products of LGS. The method does not require costly tools and equipment. Equipment used comprises of an immovable bottom bed and a movable top beam. In this method, the applicable die or mould is mounted on the equipment then LGS sheet, bar, plate or strip is placed on it. The equipment is then used to press the LGS roll or sheet until the desired section is achieved. This method can be used to produce Z-sections, channels and angles of LGS components. Bending brake operation This is the method where a metal working machine called bending brake is used to bend LGS sheet or roll into desired shape and size. The equipment comprises of a flat surface where the LGS sheet is placed. It also has a clamping bar that comes down to hold the sheet firmly in place as it is being bent. The clamping action can be automatic, manual or operated by a foot pedal. It is also worth noting that the method used to produce LGS components affects their mechanical properties. Methods of Assembling LGS Building Components There are three main methods of assembling LGS building components. These methods are as discussed below: Stick building method This method is similar to traditional construction method. In this method, LGS building components are delivered to the site in stock lengths or desired cut lengths then screwed together to form the building. Finish and sheathing materials can also be fixed using pneumatic pins or screws(Shi Yu, 2009). This method is labor-intensive and requires many years of training. Panelization This method entails prefabricating various LGS components of the building in the factory (such as floors, walls and roof) into sections or panels then transporting them to the site and fixing them into pre-developed jigs. The jigs are usually fixed with cut-to-length steel joists and studs ready to receive the panels, which are fastened by welding or screws. Exterior finish or sheathing can be applied on the panels before they are erected. This method enhances high quality and speedy construction irrespective of weather conditions. Pre-engineering method In this method, LGS load carrying components are installed at pre-determined intervals then secondary horizontal LGS members are used for distributing wind loads to columns. In other words, this is the method where LGS is used to make framing systems of the building. Once the framing system has been installed, other materials can be used to fill the remaining spaces. Research Gaps LGS is a structural material that has numerous benefits during design stage, manufacturing stage, fabrication stage, construction or erection stage and operating stage(Muftah, et al., 2015). LGS is easy to transport, fabricate, install and remodel, it is lightweight, strong, durable, energy efficient, moisture-, corrosion-, wear- and fire-resistant, and cost effective in the long run. In general, LGS has numerous benefits over traditional construction materials, such as concrete and wood. However, several studies have found that use of LGS in the construction industry has been slow despite this material having been discovered about seven decades ago. Some of the major factors contributing to slow adoption of LGS in construction industry include: lack of knowledge (many stakeholders in the construction industry are still unfamiliar with the properties and benefits/advantages of LGS), lack of training, inadequate fabrication facilities (this has led to high cost of LGS) and attitude (i t is still difficult to shift peoples mind from the traditional construction materials and believe in alternative materials). Lack of knowledge is the major factor that has the potential to resolve all other factors. One of the areas where knowledge is lacking is the effectiveness of LGS. So far, no studies have been carried out to determine the effectiveness of LGS in relation to its application in the construction industry. Therefore it is worthwhile to conduct a study that will establish the qualitative and quantitative effectiveness of LGS in relation to strength, structural integrity, safety, lightweight, flexibility, manpower, construction speed, cost effectiveness, quality, non combustibility and fire resistance, energy efficiency, and environmental friendliness in construction industry. This information will be very useful in demonstrating the benefits of LGS over traditional building materials, hence convincing stakeholders in the construction industry to embrace this alternative material and increase its use in the industry. Lack of information on the effectiveness of LGS is one of the factors that are contributing to the slow adoption of LGS yet this alternative material is potentially poised to transform and improve the global construction industry. References American Iron and Steel Institute, 2010. Cold-Formed Steel in Building Construction, Washington, DC: American Iron and steel Institute. Ariyanayagam, A. Mahendran, M., 2017. Energy-based time equivalent approach to determine the fire resistance ratings of light gauge steel fram walls exposed to realistic design fire curves. Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, 8(1), pp. 46-72. Baleshan, B. Mahendran, M., 2016. Experimental study of light gauge steel framing floor systems under fire conditions. Advances in Structural Engineering, 20(3), pp. 426-445. Bitarafan, M., Hossainzadeh, Y. Yaghmayi, S., 2013. Evaluating the connecting membersof cold-formed steel structures in reconstruction of earthquake-prone areas in Iran using the AHP methods. Alexandria Engineering Journal, 52(4), pp. 711-716. Celikag, M. Naimi, S., 2011. Building Construction in North Cyprus: Problems and Alternatives Solutions. Procedia Engineering, Volume 14, pp. 2269-2275. Chen, J. Young, B., 2007. Cold-formed steel lipped channel columns ar elevated temperatures. Engineering Structures, Volume 29, pp. 2445-2456. Cortes-Puentes, W., Palermo, D., Abdulridha, A. Majeed, M., 2016. Compressive strength capacity of light gauge steel composite columns. Case Studies in Construction Materials, Volume 5, pp. 64-78. Gunalan, S. Mahendran, M., 2010. Structural and Fire Behaviour of a New Light Gauge Steel Wall System. East Lansing, MI, Michigan State University. Keerthan, P. Mahendran, M., 2013. Shear buckling characteristics of cold-formedsteel channel beams. International Journal of Steel Structures, 13(3), pp. 385-399. Lee, Y. et al., 2014. Review on Cold-Formed Steel Connections. The Scientific World Journal, Volume 2014, pp. 1-11. Magnucka-Blandzi, E., 2011. Effective shaping of cold-formed thin-walled channel beams with double-box flanges in pure bending. Thin-Walled Structures, 49(1), pp. 121-128. Muftah, F. M., Osman, A. Mohammad, S., 2015. Mechanical Behaviour of the Cold-formed Steel Channel Stub Column Under Post Elevated Temperature. Procedia Engineering , Volume 125, pp. 1015-1022. Quach, W. Huang, J., 2011. Stress-Strain Models for Light Gauge Steels. Procedia Engineering, Volume 14, pp. 288-296. Restrepo, J. Bersofsky, A., 2011. Performance characteristics of light gage steel stud partition walls. Thin-Walled Structures, 49(2), pp. 317-324. Ritchie, C. et al., 2017. Dynamic material performance of cold-formed steel hollow sections: a state-of-the-art review. Frontiers of Structural and Civil Engineering, 11(2), pp. 209-227. Shi, S. Yu, J., 2009. Development of Chinese Light Steel Construction Residential Buildings. Journal of Sustainable Development, 2(3), pp. 134-138. Steel Construction Institute, 2007. Handbook of Structural Steelwork. 4th ed. London: British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd. Sutree, (n.d.). History and development of light gauge steel within the construction industry. [Online] Available at: https://sutree.com/history-and-development-of-light-gauge-steel-within-the-construction-industry/ [Accessed 7 October 2017]. Tian, Y., Wang, J. Lu, T., 2007. Axial load capacity of cold-formed steel wall stud with sheathing. Thin-Walled Structure, 45(5), pp. 537-551. Yu, W. LaBoube, R., 2010. Cold-Formed Steel Design. 4th ed. New Jersey, U.S.: John Wiley Sons.