Use of structural steel in residential construction

Abstract

Although structural steel for industrial use is successfully proven in the market of Southern and Southeastern Europe, examples of its use in residential construction are rare. A strong tradition of masonry and reinforced concrete construction still limits the use of materials like steel, despite examples of good practice in countries like Japan and USA. By reviewing the advantages and disadvantages and presenting the solutions to these disadvantages, especially in accordance with the three basic steel structure framing systems, it is clear that structural steel is a competitive and often rational choice for residential construction. The example of housing unit (villa) structural analysis illustrates the advantages and possibilities to reduce the disadvantages of the structural steel use, and thus clearly shows the possibilities of its use.