Universal columns are steel structural support beams that generally resemble the letter “H”. They are commonly used in building and construction projects to support vertical loads, and their strength and versatility have made them very popular. In this post, we take a closer look at some of the reasons why it is essential to properly assess the quality of your universal columns before using them in your construction project, as well as some of the factors you can take into account when assessing the quality of universal columns.
The Importance of Properly Assessing Universal Columns
Properly assessing the quality of your universal columns is essential for ensuring the safety of your building or structure. This is because universal columns are most commonly used to provide support to structures and poor quality universal columns can pose a potential safety hazard to occupants or users of the structure. In addition, low quality universal columns may also be less durable or have shorter lifespans, meaning that they will require more frequent maintenance and even potentially replacement.
How to Assess Universal Column Quality
Here are some of the factors that you can consider in assessing the quality of universal columns before you commit to using them in your project:
Material Composition
The type of steel that is used in the manufacture of the universal columns can significantly influence the physical properties of the universal columns. Steel can come in a variety of different grades, with each grade having distinct properties and applications. For instance, S355 and S235 steel are both commonly used to manufacture universal columns. Still, the latter has a lower yield strength and may not be as suitable for applications requiring high load-bearing capacity.
Manufacturing Quality
Even if the same grade of steel is used, the manufacturing quality of the universal columns can affect its performance. Having consistent dimensions including flange width, depth and thickness can help to ensure that the universal column is able to evenly bear the weight it is subjected to. Thus, when inspecting universal columns, check to ensure that they meet the manufacturing tolerances specified by engineering standards or your project specifications.
Surface Treatments
Surface treatments such as corrosion-resistant coatings can also be an indicator of quality. Universal columns that have been galvanised or coated to protect against rust and environmental elements are usually of higher quality. The absence of such protective coatings or treatments can reduce the durability and lifespan of steel universal columns and may thus be indicative of lower quality steel.
Getting Your Steel from a Reputable Supplier
Given the importance of using high quality universal columns in building and construction, it is crucial for you to ensure that you get your steel from a reputable supplier for greater peace of mind. RW Steel is the number one supplier of steel and steel products in Melbourne, including universal columns in a variety of specifications such as 100UC14.8, 150UC23.4, 150UC30 and more. Get a free quote for all of your steel needs on our website today!