The principle of steel structures is based on the mechanical properties of steel and the structural mechanics, mainly including the following aspects:

Strength and Stiffness: Steel has high strength and stiffness, which enables steel structures to withstand large loads and maintain structural stability. The strength of steel is usually described by yield strength and tensile strength.

Lightweight: Compared with traditional concrete structures, steel structures have lower self-weight. This means that under the same load-bearing capacity, steel structures can reduce the total weight of the building, thereby reducing the load on the foundation and lowering the overall cost.

Construction Efficiency: The manufacturing and installation process of steel structures is relatively simple and efficient. Steel can be prefabricated in factories and assembled on-site, which greatly shortens the construction time. In addition, the standardization and modular design of steel structures make them easy to adapt to different building needs.

Durability: Steel structures have high corrosion resistance and can be used for a long time in harsh environmental conditions without significant damage. In addition, steel can be further protected by anti-rust and coating measures to extend its service life.

Plasticity and Reconfigurability: Steel has good plasticity and can be processed into various shapes and sizes of components through cold bending and heat treatment. This makes steel structures able to meet different architectural design needs and can be reconfigured and changed when needed.

Connection Methods: The connection methods of steel structures usually include welding, bolted connections, or riveting. Welding is the most commonly used method, which connects steel by heating it to a molten state and then cooling it. Bolted connections use bolts and nuts to connect steel, which is more flexible and replacement. Riveting uses steel rivets to connect steel, which is usually used in situations requiring higher strength and stability.

Design Principles: Steel structure design needs to consider multiple factors, including loads, seismic performance, and service life. During the design process, the required loads need to be determined based on the building's use and geographical conditions. Seismic performance is an important consideration in steel structure design and needs to be designed according to the requirements of the seismic zone. In addition, the service life of the steel structure also needs to be considered, and steel with better corrosion resistance should be selected, with appropriate protective measures taken.

Application Areas: Steel structures are widely used in industrial plants, large commercial complexes, sports venues, bridges, high-rise buildings, and other fields.

These principles ensure that steel structures are safe, reliable, and efficient, meeting the needs of modern construction.