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Introduction of steel columns in US buildings, 1862–1920

Author(s):
Medium: journal article
Language(s): English
Published in: Proceedings of the Institution of Civil Engineers - Engineering History and Heritage, , n. 1, v. 162
Page(s): 19-27
DOI: 10.1680/ehh2009.162.1.19
Abstract:

This paper traces the early history of steel columns in US buildings including the development of steel sections and examples of buildings in which they were used. A common misconception is addressed: that the frames of early skeleton-frame buildings in the USA were made entirely of steel. In fact, some of the first skeleton frames contained no steel at all. In the 1890s, the era of US pioneer skyscrapers, the part of a building's frame least likely to be made of steel was the columns. At this time, steel columns had to be fabricated from various rolled shapes and the extra labour involved was a factor in their high cost. There were many forms of steel columns and professional opinion differed regarding which sections offered the most strength and best connections at the least cost. Many contingent factors encouraged designers to use steel columns or choose alternatives, or to select one section rather than another. A key point is that structural steel was not a precondition for the development of skeleton-frame construction. Moreover, the diverse ways designers used materials show how experimental frame design was in the early days of skeleton-frame construction. Eventually, by the second decade of the twentieth century, all-steel frames became the norm for tall buildings.

Structurae cannot make the full text of this publication available at this time. The full text can be accessed through the publisher via the DOI: 10.1680/ehh2009.162.1.19.
  • About this
    data sheet
  • Reference-ID
    10047799
  • Published on:
    23/09/2009
  • Last updated on:
    01/12/2018
 
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