Steel Bars

Construction is one of the most important steel-using industries, and accounts for the use of more than 50% of global steel production. Some of the most famous structures in the world such as the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge and the Empire State Building rely on steel bars to provide their structural strength. Brisbane Steel bar is also an essential component for buildings on a much smaller scale, and can be found in many houses, car parks, schools, high risers, factories and airports. The steel in these structures can be in the form of steel framing within the building walls while it can also used on roofs and as cladding for exterior walls.

Beams
A universal beam has an ‘I’ cross section with its main application in the structural frames of sheds and large buildings. It is also used in applications where significant weight needs to be carried by semi-trailer chassis or where large spans need to be achieved as in bridges.

1.    Light universal beams range from 150 UB through to 410 UB.
2.    Heavy universal beams include 460 UB through to 610 UB.

Channels
Channels are often called ‘C’ or ‘PFC’ sections. As with beams, channels are mainly used in structural applications. Common uses are house floor joists, semi-trailer rails and industrial stair frames to name a few. Light Black channels include 150 PFC through to 250 PFC while heavy channels range from 300 PFC through to 380 PFC. Lengths may be supplied from 9 to 18 metres in increments of 1.5 metres.

Columns
Universal Columns, as with Beams and Channels, are mainly used in structural applications. As with beams, the cross section of the product has an ‘I’ shape. Light universal columns range from 100 UC to 200 UC. Heavy universal columns range from 250 UC to 310 UC. Length range is available from 9 through to 18 metres in 1.5 increments however, 100 UC are only available in 9, 12 and 15 metre lengths.

ERW Line pipes
ERW large diameter circular pipe is used in structural applications mainly for columns, bollards, and water reticulation for the fire industry. The size range is from 114mm OD to 610mm OD and is available in stock lengths of 12m.

Reinforcing Steel Bar
Can consist of plain, round or ribbed reinforcing steel depending on the application. Metalcorp can supply a full range of reinforcing bar products, sourcing reinforcing fabric and bar products from ACRS accredited suppliers (see ACRS for further details), ensuring you have access to the best material made to Australian Standards.

Reinforcing Steel – Plain Round Bars
Reinforcing Steel can be a simple round low carbon section for use in simple reinforcing construction. Commonly used to manufacture ligatures used to separate top and bottom layers of mesh in concrete slabs, or as dowel bars for joining concrete sections in pavement. An example would be R10 or R12.

Reinforcing Steel – Deformed Bars
Deformed bar is used where extra reinforcing is required to fabric sheets or trench mesh. A typical length would be called Y12 or Y16 or DB for deformed bars. Lengths can range from 6m to 9m and longer on application. Specifically produced for use in domestic swimming pool construction, where manipulability to bend and shape is needed. An example would be S10 or S12.

Your builder will need to resolve these contractual issues with the supplier/manufacturer of the product. The use of Brisbane steel bar not complying with the standard as advertised may be a contractual breach for which building owners could seek remedies through their builder.