Comparison of energy efficient cold rolls steel construction with the prevailing conventional construction

Abstract

Cold-formed steel products find extensive application in modern construction in both low-rise and high-rise steel buildings. In low-rise construction, primary as well as secondary framing members are fabricated using cold-formed steel sections, while in high-rise buildings; roof and floor decks, steel joists, wall panels, door/window frames, and sandwich panel partitions are successfully built using cold-formed steel sections. In cold roll steel construction, fibre cement board is used as cladding material over steel sections on inside and outside, which creates a cavity wall action. Later on, glass wool and mineral wool insulation are also inserted in these walls making buildings more energy efficient in summer as well as in winter. In this paper, a comparison has been carried out between ordinary/conventional construction of a two roomed simple building and cold roll steel construction for the same type of building. The comparison includes design, analysis, structural detailing, cost and management on site for execution of both types of systems. It was found that cold roll steel construction has highest strength-to-weight ratio, easy to handle, quick and precise in manufacturing, fast in construction and dimensionally stable - does not expand or contract with moisture content. Also there is less probability of foundation problems due to less weight and less probability of damage due to earthquakes and heavy winds. Lighter structure with stronger connections results in less seismic forces. As cold roll steel construction is new in Pakistan and most of the material is being imported, so its prices are on higher side but still approximately 40%-50% less than conventional construction beside it’s all other benefits and energy efficiency behaviour.