Iron+&+Steel

Iron & Steel

Some caracteristics





· What corrugated iron is? Corrugated iron is a structural sheet iron, usually galvanized, shaped in parallel furrows and ridges for rigidity. At present, often used as the base steel instead of iron 

· Characteristics

It is cheap, easy to transport, durable, strong, supple and available everywhere. · Uses through history

Steel and iron have been used in Australia from the first days of European settlement “Corrugated iron” has covered walls and roofs throughout the continent. Corrugated Iron is a popular material in Australia because is cheap, easy to transport and durable.

Approximately 1850 the corrugated houses were transported to England and then this material was used in the farms to make wind mills and barns.

There are many corrugated iron structures that have more than 50 years old and survive with people who live there.

There still many corrugated iron structures all around Australia like old garages, churches, industries, hotels, among others.

Modern artists and sculptors use corrugated iron as a symbol of Australia.

Since 1930 the corrugated iron improvement and this material has undergone transformations, becoming in corrugated steel and its coverage is a zinc layer. At present this material remains in the architecture of Australia, is used for everything. Most roofs are made with corrugated steel…



The Iron & Steel workers The iron and steel workers involved in the construction of bridges, highways, office buildings, factories, among others iron structures. The frames support the building and all that surrounding the structure. · What it takes to be an iron worker? For some iron workers construction begin in the fabricating job, considering the dimensions and measures required. Others control those responsible for put the huge pieces of steel and iron place.

Structural iron workers have to be a great physical conditions and a big strength because this work is frequently done a great highs and for that reason must be agility, flexibility and balance. People who choose this work can not be afraid of heights.

Classroom training is as important as on the job training in this career because they learn mathematical principles and structural requirements for this job.

Post reading activities:

• What are the advantages of iron and steel over stone and brick? The use of the iron and steel provided far stronger and taller structures with less expenditure of material than stone, brick and wood and can produce greater unsupported spans over openings and interior or exterior spaces. • What is the importance of steel and iron after the 20th century?

The development of the steel changed completer the conc ept of the wall and the support, making steel and iron in a preferred material for structures, due to its resistance. • What are the characteristics of steel? The steel which is more uniformly strong, elastic, and workable than the iron and its high resistance in all stresses (tension, compression and bending) can be closely calculated. The design and construction of steel structures provide advantages like quick assembly and erection, low costs, and design flexibility have been distinctions that have attracted more and more consumers and businesses to utilize a steel building.

• What are the disadvantages of steel and what solutions have been found? The steel must be protected against corrosion by surface covering. The condensation can be a problem in a structure of steel and is necessary to into consideration the appropriate ventilation in the building.

• What is welding? What is its importance? Its characteristics.

“The development of welding in the 20th century made it possible to produced fused joints with less labor and material. The result is a rigid, continuous structure in which the joint is as firm as the member and which distributes stresses between beams and columns. This is a fundamental change in architectural technique, the effect of which cannot yet be estimated.” • What shapes are formed with steel?

Steel structural members are rolled in a variety of shapes, the commonest of which are plates, angles, I beams, and U-shaped channels.

• Are aluminum and stainless steel heavy metal alloys.

“Aluminum and other //__light metal__// alloys have come to be favored for exterior construction because of their weather resistance.”


 * Words || Meaning ||
 * Brick || Structural material used in many kinds of construction ||
 * Concrete || A very hard building material made by mixing together cement, sand, small stones and water ||
 * Column || A tall vertical stone post which is used as a support for a roof or in classical buildings ||
 * Mortar || A plastic mixture of cementitious materials, fine aggregate and water ||
 * Joints || Junction by which parts or objects are joined together ||

The ancient Romans were pioneers in the development of great methods and building materials that are still used today.

For the construction they incorporated elements from other cultures (Greece, for example) as the columns, which joined together with joints of cast iron. But were the need to create other innovative materials such as concrete and mortar to attach blocks of stone or brick (another great Roman invention)