Why Use Curved Steel?
Aesthetic Appeal
Curved steel provides a more modern, unique appearance and adds more dynamic dimension with minimized visual disruptions. Curved steel is more aesthetically appealing and attractive than "built-up" or "welded" sections. Curved steel creates flowing, uninterrupted lines that provide a sense of elegance and fluidity in design.
Structural Integrity
The AISC indicates that the bending process does not adversely affect the strength or structural integrity of steel. When a shape has been curved successfully, the strains the member will experience under actual service conditions will be much smaller than those associated with the curving operation.
Load Distribution
The maximum axial compression in an arch typically occurs under uniformly distributed loads across the full span. This efficient load-bearing mechanism enables the design of lighter structures that maintain structural integrity. Additionally, the inherent stiffness of curved steel elements contributes to the overall stability of structures, reducing the need for supplementary support materials.
Functional and Versitile Design
Curved shapes facilitate smoother transitions and more complex designs; enabling the creation of curved slab edges and unencumbered column-free spaces, providing elegant and cost-effective solutions. No other framing material matches structural steel's capacity to encourage freedom of expression and design creativity.
Energy Efficiency
The AISC acknowledges that curved steel designs can enhance natural lighting in buildings. For instance, the use of curved steel and glass roofs can create expansive atriums that allow ample natural light to penetrate interior spaces, reducing the need for artificial lighting during daylight hours, contributing to overall energy savings.
Material Conservation
Steel weighs half the amount of concrete resulting in a lighter, more sustainable building and less cost. According to the AISC, domestically produced structural steel typically contains between 90% and 100% recycled content. The industry average for recycled content in domestic structural steel is over 90%, the highest of any building framing material.
Aerodynamic
Curved structures can enhance aerodynamic properties by reducing wind resistance, minimizing turbulence, and decreasing drag. Studies have shown that incorporating curved elements, such as rounded corners, can enhance aerodynamic performance by reducing drag and mitigating wind-induced vibrations.
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