Steel vs RCC structure

Note: This blog post is subjected to updates in case of any changes needed to be done.

Steel structure vs RCC structure

Analysis areas	RCC structure	Steel structure
Construction time	Takes usually months to year	Takes lesser time, usually some months
Load bearing capacity	Unpredictable load bearing capacity and requires intermediate supports for larger spans.	Good capacity, measurable and controllable as it is pre-designed. It can cover larger spans without need of intermediate columns.
Durability	Very durable without tedious maintenance requirement.	Quite durable except for the issue of corrosion.
Availability	Readily and widely available	Lesser available
Cross-section	Requires large cross-sections	Comparatively less cross-section
Strength to weight ratio	Lesser	Higher among all civil engineering materials
Uniformity	Unpredictable uniformity at site and FOS is taken greater.	More uniform and FOS is taken lesser
Labour	Both skilled and unskilled manpower	Needs skilled manpower
Connections	None	Bolts, welding, riveting
Types of cross sections	Can be moulded into desired shape	Not possible due to pre-designed mechanism
Temperature resistance	Good choice even for large temperature difference	Usually a bad choice due to corrosive nature but can be fixed with proper technical detailing and paints
Failure	Usually brittle	Usually ductile
Heaviness for same load	Building is heavy	Building becomes lighter (about 25-40%)
Repair and expansion	Not that easy	It is easier
Usage	Less in high rise buildings. Earth and water retaining structures.	More in high rise building such as sky scrapers. Malls, Multiplex, offices
Tensile strength	Less	More
Elasticity	Rebars play the role	High
Life span	Min. 40-50 years but can go 100+ when properly cared	50-100 years if properly maintained.
Need of technical knowledge	Easy and simple process	Highly technical.
Fire proof	Totally fire proof	Not resistant unless protected.
Wind and earthquake	Less resistant although properly detailed structure also performs well	More resistant
Demolishment or destruction	Unusual, sudden and hazardous	Failure not sudden
Reuse	Can neither be reused nor be transferred from place to place	Reusable and transferrable
Scrap value	Not available	Available
Scope	Better choice for permanency and long term use.	Better choice for short term, transferrable and quick work outs.
Maintenance due to environmental issues	Less needed	More care needed
Design flexibility	Design can be executed on basis of demand	Only commercially available design can be used. However, combinations of sections can also be used to generate desired shapes.