The use of structural steelwork in the Maltese construction industry

Abstract

The study analyses the use of structural steelwork in a local context with a particular emphasis on structural steel frame solutions. Structural steel is still a relatively 'new' material which has developed at an extraordinary rate throughout the last century. The study analyses its international development over the years by exploring its various applications. It repeats the same process for the local scene, in which the evolution of the use of iron and steel in Malta can be gauged. The dissertation also summarizes the general properties of steel describing its main advantages and disadvantages in order to be able to apply them to the local construction scene at a later stage of the study. Currently, structural steel seems to have a secondary role in the local construction industry where concrete is often the preferred choice of building material. This was confirmed by a questionnaire that was distributed to a sample of practicing architects and civil engineers, as well as through interviews with contractors. The questionnaire and interviews also shed some light on the way the construction industry looks at the use of structural steelwork and eventually identifies the reasons why structural steelwork is often disregarded as a primary structural solution in Malta. The study proceeds to analyse future planning strategies that are currently under development by Mepa and through this, attempts to draw conclusions on the future use of structural steel. Ultimately, the study evaluates the complexities of the local construction industry and the position structural steel has in it, in the process identifying the main problems, and eventually evaluating the possibilities to overcome them.