Analysis of Steel and Aluminum for Industrial Shed Construction: Structural, Environmental, and Economic Perspectives

The present paper reports and compares the performance of steel and aluminum in the construction of industrial sheds with respect to their material properties, structural behavior, costs, and environmental impacts. The objective of this study is to analyze the merits and demerits of each material in performance, durability, and sustainability so that informed recommendations can be made regarding the selection of that material most applicable for different construction requirements. Some of the key findings show that while steel, with its much higher strength, is best suited to large structures that need to carry weight loads, it will need constant maintenance because it rusts. Aluminum, on the other hand, possesses better resistance to corrosion, weighs far less than steel, and as such, is only applicable to smaller or coastal structures; it also costs more in the initial phases. This study also analyses the cost-effective aspect in which steel is more upfront cheap; however, aluminum, at first expensive, is long-lasting and hardly needs maintenance. Furthermore, both are recyclable and aluminum has less carbon footprint during its production phase.