Summary

Steel is one of the most versatile materials available in the construction industry and its many applications have enabled architects and engineers togo far beyond what was once considered possible. The volume documents all aspects of steel as a construction material, first looking at the historical development of building with steel. This is followed by several chapters which examine to a high degree of technical detail the physical properties of the material, the principles of construction using steel and the wide range of steel elements and their uses. The final chapter presents 54 examples which illustrate the many applications of steel in construction - from simple halls to complex multistorey buildings. These examples were selected because of their innovative use of steel, demonstrating its great potential for minimising the materials and montage necessary. For ease of comparison all the plans have been drawn to the same scale. The volume concludes with a listing of the relevant norms and standards.