Lightsteel Buildings
Light Gauge Steel (LGS) construction is a building construction system where all the structural building elements are prefabricated from galvanised steel.
Light Gauge Steel (LGS) construction is a building construction system where all the structural building elements are prefabricated from galvanised steel. LGS is typically thin sheet (generally 0.5mm to 1.5mm thick) of high grade steel that is roll formed into various shapes and sizes for construction. Roll forming produces light but very high tensile steel studs and the steel surface is galvanized (Zinc coated) to seal it from the corrosive action of its environment. These factors result in a material that is solid, rigid, strong, durable and easier to build with. Studs are joined together to form frames , joists that are used for walls or floors. Roof truss framing can also be produced with this system and together with all other bracing components, a complete structure can be produced with this technology.
Height restrictions apply depending on the thickness and the form of the profiles of steel used. Electrical and plumbing considerations are essentially encompassed within the frame-work of the cladding.
Sophisticated design programs have been developed to carry out the structural design of each element required for a building and to electronically convey the dimensional specifications to the roll-forming facility.
There are several advantages of light steel frame construction compared with conven-tional building in terms of quality, cost, durability and speed. :
- EARTHQUAKE RESISTANCE LGS structures are highly resistant against earth-quakes due to their elasticity and low weight. Also steel has a significant higher strength to weight ratio than wood, and maintains its structural integrity overtime since it is impervious to rot, termites and pests.
- FIRE RESISTANCE Unlike wood, steel is fire resistant and prevents fire from spreading.
- ECO FRIENDLY Steel is a sustainable building material, can be recycled and re-used, lasts for a long period of time and also less material is required. All these factors make steel construction Eco-Friendly.
- WIND PRESSURE RESISTANT Steel is much more resistant to wind loads than wood. Its structural integrity and overall strength of the structure is achieved with quality connections betweens studs using screws rather than nails that are used in wood framing.
- TERMITES LGS is inorganic which means that it doesn’t provide food for ter-mites. So annual treatments for termite control is not necessary and chemical presence in the building is avoided.
- ENERGY EFFICIENCY- INSULATION LGS buildings can be more energy efficient than those constructed with other material. The system has integrated top building technologies and material so it can provide high end heat, sound and water insulation.
- LESS WASTE Prefabrication of the LGS system means faultless production, min-imum to zero waste of material and a clean construction site.
- SHORTER CONSTRUCTION TIME – COST EFFICIENCY Prefabricated framing minimizes construction time, weather delays are avoided and a predicable con-struction schedule can be offered. All these lead to cost efficiency by actual re-ducing the hard costs of the project.
- INSURANCE COST The usage of LGS which is non combustible reduces the risk of property loss or damage over the life of the structure. This leads to lower in-surance premiums for owners and builders.
- ARCHITECTURAL FREEDOM Almost all architectural design can be met with the LGS construction system, especially in low rise residential or commercial projects.
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