10 Key Considerations Before Starting Your Steel Structure Workshop Project

The rapid rise of industry has raised demands for plant construction. People want it to be faster, cheaper, more efficient, and more durable. Steel structure plants last longer and are more durable than traditional wooden ones. They are easier to build and cost less than concrete workshops.

Based on many years of manufacturing experience and in-depth communication with our clients, we have identified common issues faced by steel structure workshop owners. For example, quality of steel structure, seismic performance, load-bearing capacity, customized requirements, costs, working environments, climates, standards, etc. To better serve our future partners, this article details common issues in steel structure projects and their answers. It aims to help you understand steel structure plants in detail.

Brief introduction of workshop steel buildings

For many entrepreneurs and urban builders, steel structure workshops are the ideal solution in terms of space utilization, construction cycle, durability and environmental performance. This is because the steel structure workshop has the following advantages:

1. The steel structure plant offers a large span, ranging from 30 to 40 meters or more. This expansive interior space allows businesses to efficiently organize production processes, as well as arrange and operate large machinery and equipment.

2. Prefabricated steel components, manufactured in the factory, significantly reduce on-site construction time and workload, shortening the overall construction period by approximately 30% to 50%.

3. Steel structures are capable of supporting heavy loads, ranging from tens to hundreds of tons, while ensuring long-term stability and reliability for industrial plants with heavy equipment.

4. Steel is fully recyclable, contributing significantly to environmental conservation. Furthermore, the walls and roofs of steel structure factories can incorporate advanced insulation materials, reducing energy consumption for heating and cooling by 20% to 30% in winter and summer.

The application of prefabricated steel structure plants in modern industry

Logistics

In logistics centers, steel structures provide expansive areas for organizing goods, streamlining storage, and facilitating smooth material handling processes.

Warehousing

Similarly, in the warehousing industry, these buildings are designed to accommodate high-stacking systems, large inventories, and easy access for goods movement.

Manufacturing

For manufacturing industries, steel structure workshops enable the installation of heavy machinery and production lines in spacious, customizable layouts.

The stability and reliability of the steel structure plant is related to the smooth production and operation and the safety of workers. Its stability and reliability are comprehensively affected by many factors, among which the steel grade, welding, and connection method are the most critical and basic elements. We will analyze these three points in depth to provide you with professional and practical advice to help you fully grasp the key points of steel structure plant construction.

Steel grade options

 

ASTM A572 Gr.50, S355, Q355B grade steel can meet most steel structure factory manufacturing needs, these high-strength steel can withstand the weight and impact of mechanical equipment, to ensure the stability and safety of the plant structure.

 

For plants with requirements of heavy load-bearing, long-span structures, or the ability to withstand large dynamic forces, ASTM A572 Gr.60, S460, Q390, and Q460 steel grades are ideal choices. These materials offer superior mechanical properties, including high yield strength, tensile strength, and elongation. For instance, ASTM A572 Gr.60 boasts a yield strength of 415MPa, while Q460 (Q&T) offers tensile strength up to 720 MPa, making them highly reliable for demanding structural applications.

 

Welding technology

 

In the welding of steel structures, there is a strict set of specifications and standards for welding steel structures, such as AWS D1.1/D1.1M, EN ISO 9606-1, and AS/NZS 1554. This is because high-quality welding technology is the key to ensuring the strength of steel structures. Full penetration welding is the most common method used in steel structure fabrication, as it ensures effective load transfer between steel beams and columns. This type of welding prevents breakage under vertical and horizontal loads, offering superior strength and stability.

 

Particularly in heavy industrial steel structure plants with lifting operations, full penetration welds provide enhanced fatigue resistance, allowing the structure to withstand alternating loads from cranes and reducing the risk of cracks.

 

In the manufacturing of steel beams and columns, our advanced intelligent welding equipment (gantry submerged arc automatic welding, robot welding machine, etc.) ensures uniform, continuous welds, greatly improving efficiency and reducing labor costs. Our certified welding professionals, holding European and American welding certifications, adhere strictly to industry standards, ensuring precision when welding complex steel components.

 

Connection

 

High-strength bolts, like hex head and torsional shear bolts, along with welding studs, are essential for connecting steel structural components such as beams and columns. Unlike welding, high-strength bolts are easy to install and require less technical skill from workers. Welding studs are primarily used to securely attach steel columns to concrete, enhancing both the stability and load-bearing capacity of these columns.

 

In PEB (Pre-engineering building), the most commonly used high-strength bolts are 8.8 grade and 10.9 grade. For more details about steel structural bolts, please contact our sales engineers.

 

The design, fabrication, and accessories options of pre-engineered steel buildings are affected by special working environment. Drawing on manufacturing experience, industry characteristics and climate of different regions, we have the following customized solutions.

Tailored solutions for steel structures in specialized industries

Chemical industry

The working conditions in steel chemical plants are harsh and complex. Exposure to chemical such as acids, alkalis, and water can lead to corrosion to the integrity of steel structures. The safety of steel structure plants will be seriously threatened.

Thus corrosion protection is absolutely essential for steel structures industries like chemical manufacturing. Hot-dip galvanizing and protective painting are the most common methods of corrosion prevention in PEB steel buildings. These treatments provide a durable protective layer that helps extend the lifespan and safety of steel structures in challenging environments. Here is a table of their difference for your reference.

•  You may choose based on your specific requirements and circumstances. If you have any questions, please feel free to consult our sales engineers for guidance. 

Hot-dip galvanizing

Paint

Mining industry

Steel workshops in the mining industry are often required to bear heavy loads due to the demanding nature of the harsh environment. Mining facilities frequently involve material lifting and transportation, heavy equipment, and other operations that impose substantial loads on the steel frame. As a result, high-strength steel plates such as ASTM A572, S460, S500, Q460, and Q500 are typically chosen for their tensile strength and high yield point.

Additionally, while designing and fabricating mining equipment such as steel hoppers, chutes, and conveyor support systems, it is essential to consider not only stiffness, strength, and impact resistance but also wear resistance. Hard materials like coal, rocks, gravel, and ores can cause significant abrasion and impact on equipment during production. To minimize the risk of wear and tear, it is critical to use appropriate steel such as AR450, AR500, Hardox 450, Hardox 500, BISPLATE 450, and NM 450 during the fabrication process. This abrasion-resistant steel ensures longer service life and reduced maintenance costs for mining equipment.

Designing steel structure plants for different weather conditions

The climate in different regions can significantly influence the design and materials used in pre-fabricated steel workshops and their accessories.

For example, in countries with hot climates, steel structure buildings typically feature single-layer corrugated steel plates for roof or wall. This design promotes better airflow and heat dissipation within the building, helping to regulate the internal temperature effectively.

While, for countries with cold and harsh climate conditions, steel structure factory roofs and wall panels may require sandwich panels to provide insulation, protect against wind, and minimize heat loss.

For steel structure buildings located in coastal areas, such as warehouses, workshops, and factories, you may need to consider the impact of humid climates. To prevent moisture-related damage, it is necessary to use weather-resistant steel plates for the roof and wall. Weathering steel plats not only offer a decorative finish but also provide enhanced resistance to atmospheric corrosion, protecting long-span steel buildings from harsh marine environments.

Steel structure factories are renowned for their superior wind resistance and seismic performance, attributes that significantly enhance their resilience against natural disasters. Steel's inherent high strength and lightweight properties make it an ideal material for structures in areas prone to high winds or earthquakes.

Cost is always a key consideration in any construction project. Steel structure workshops are generally more affordable and quicker to build than concrete or wooden buildings, but costs can vary based on design, steel grade, customization, and labor. Establishing a clear budget will help guide material choices, design, and overall project scope.

The biggest advantage of prefabricated steel structure plant is that it is convenient and easy to install. Each steel structural part of the plants is manufactured in factory in advance, and only needs to be transported to the site for installation. Therefore, compared with concrete structure plant, steel structure plant greatly saves time and cost. Taking the 3000 square steel structure plant as an example, the installation only requires 10 workers to complete within 30 working days.

The service life of a steel structure plant is not an exact number. It is because this type of steel building is affected by climate change, different standards, materials, etc. Generally, steel structures designed and constructed according to AISC A360 specifications usually have a life span of more than 50 years. By using high-quality steel and appropriate anti-corrosion measures, such as weathering steel, hot-dip galvanized surface treatment, or paint, you can significantly extend the service life of steel structure warehouses of steel plants.

Of course, years of experience in steel structure manufacture have significantly enhanced our technical expertise, knowledge base, and service capabilities.

According to the specific site conditions and client needs, we can provide customized steel structure factories solutions. With the help of our one-stop solution, there is no need for clients to source raw materials, find fabricators, or purchase accessories such as doors, windows, bolts, etc.

To better serve our future partners, please let us know the following basic information. Based on this data, our sales engineers can provide you with a customized steel structure design proposal:

• Drawings

• Factory dimensions (such as span, height, type)

• Is a crane needed?

• Climate, steel grade, and other special requirements.

• Any additional requirements not mentioned can be noted in your email.

SYNERGIA is not limited to fabricating steel structure factories, we also offer services in various other fields, including steel bridges, Offshore steel platforms, and pipe spools.

Yes, we can certainly provide a full range of accessories to complement your PEB steel structure needs. In addition to high-quality steel structure and structural components, we also offer bolts, doors and windows, wall panels, and roof panels. Our extensive product selection ensures that you have everything needed for a complete and reliable construction solution.

With a monthly production capacity of 6000 tons, we can handle steel structure projects of various sizes and complexities without compromising on quality.

For general prefabricated steel workshop buildings, we ensure delivery within 45 working days. For more complex PEB steel structure projects, such as high rise steel buildings, long-span steel bridges or custom designs, the delivery time is approximately 2-3 months, depending on the scope of the project.

Choosing the right fabricator is crucial to the success of project. As an experienced steel structure manufacturer, SYNERGIA can offer you expertise in design, customization, and assembly to ensure that your prefabricated steel structure workshop meets all your requirements.

Send Inquiry Now