Steel construction has so many advantages: the strength to weight ratio is excellent, metals join easily, efficient shapes are available, etc. With those advantages, though, come some challenges that are best solved by a good understanding of how the metals actually perform in a structure.

For most larger buildings, metals are a key element of the structural system. Steel beams and columns, steel joists, steel studs, aluminium framing are a few examples of metal construction. A wise Superintendent understands not only how to erect the structure, but also the basics of how the structural system works and the ways in which it fails.

The Kansas City Hyatt Hotel structure spectacularly failed a few years ago, with a suspended walkway crashing to the ground. Many people were hurt and killed. The cause was traced to what seemed to be a minor change made during construction. This minor change, however, was structurally significant, increasing the shear stress well beyond the design limit.