Light steel and wood assessment

Light steel and wood assessment

After the 1999 earthquake in Turkey, light steel structures start to progress. It is in demand with many other values such as earthquake resistance, aesthetics, comfort, and high insulation. It is of great importance that buildings are built safely against earthquakes in turkey where happen a lot of devastating earthquakes and because of being in the earthquake zone. The main reason for this is that the lighter the structure is designed, the lower the damage it will take during the earthquake. Compared to other structures, it achieves this because of its light designs. Having a more homogeneous structure also supports its durability. The manufacture of light structures is more homogeneous than wood structures because they contain a single item. Wood isn’t a homogeneous material. A negative feature of wood is that the course of the fibers, cracks, and knots are not the same everywhere. The strength of wood varies depending on the fiber direction. This feature can cause bending and shape changes in the wood.

So, why are homogeneous structures resistant to earthquakes? The reason for this is the substance’s ability to resist. Heterogeneous structures show a different resistance at each point. Because of these reasons, some parts can be broken by external impacts but some parts can resist. This costs a disadvantage in a situation such as an earthquake. But buildings with homogeneous features such as steel construction houses show the same resistance at every point. This provides resistance for the structure to earthquakes. Flexibility comes with lightness and homogeneity. This helps a house or any other building to be flexible during an earthquake.

Isolation is one of the features of light steel. It provides a service for different ısolation needs but it can build with isolation or without isolation. Heat and sound insulation is at the highest level in steel construction houses and villas, which can be insulated the same as reinforced concrete structures. Steel construction houses can provide one more benefit. Since grounding is done in these houses, the risk of lightning is minimized. The main reason for this is that steel is an insulating material. If it is wood, insulation is also weak and insufficient.

One of the negative aspects of the wood is the usage cost is high. Another factor that increases the cost of wood material is the unconscious destruction of nature and forest fires. For steel structures, structure parts are made before and parts are assembled on the field. Firstly, it saves time and also it saves money. With the reduction of the construction period, the construction costs will also decrease. This gives great advantages to those working in the construction and the owners waiting for the construction to be finished.

When wooden structures are not protected, they absorb water easily, swell and cracks may occur on them after shrinking. Insects, fungi, and bacteria can cause wood to deteriorate and rot. It can ignite easily. Fire danger is the biggest disadvantage of wooden houses. Of course, fire systems should be installed. The maintenance of wooden houses is difficult. Care cost of wooden structures will increase or decreased according to the material used. For these creatures that affect the duration of your homes, such as insects and termites, continuous wood maintenance should be done. Bad weathers are a danger for wooden structures. Necessary maintenance is required for the rotting and non-flaking of woods. Annual maintenance is difficult. Changes in its size occur as a result of welling of the wood material in a humid environment and shrinkage when it dries.

The fact that the wood material is not properly dried or preserved is the most important factor in its operation. The wood material, which has not lost the necessary amount of humidity in its structure, undergoes deformation. Humidity, sun, hot-cold air exchange, and climate characteristics can cause size changes on wood. This negative feature of wood ruins its appearance and reduces its lifetime. Due to the absence of such problems in the light steel structure and many superior advantages, it has been the reason for the preference for those who want not to be affected by the damages of the wooden structure.