Back to Glossary
Materials & Specificationsaka: structural steelaka: hot-rolled steelaka: carbon steel

Steel

In Plain English

The strongest and most versatile structural metal used for building frames, beams, and columns.

Definition

Steel is a ferrous alloy of iron and carbon that is the primary structural material for high-rise buildings, long-span structures, bridges, and industrial facilities. Structural steel shapes include wide-flange beams, hollow structural sections, channels, and plates. Steel is specified by grade (such as ASTM A992 or A36), yield strength, and tensile strength.

Example

The engineer specified ASTM A992 Grade 50 wide-flange beams for all primary structural framing members.

Related Terms

Frequently Asked Questions

Need more than definitions?

Get AI-powered bid alerts, automated form filling, and proposal drafting.

Start Free Trial

© 2026 ConstructionBids.ai — A LaderaLabs Product