Article analysis #6

Source: Buildings.com June 2005.
Link: http://www.buildings.com/Articles/detailBuildings.asp?ArticleID=2511
" Concrete vs Steel"

Weighing up the pros and cons of concrete and steel is a tricky one. This article discusses the benefits and bad points of both steel and concrete.
Concrete has a greater mass and weight than steel, allowing it to perform well in high wind situations. Steel, on the other hand, has a higher tensile strength than concrete, and is has a higher bending capacity.
Currently, concrete is in shorter supply than steel due to the higher shipping costs. For this reason, it may be beneficial to use steel in construction when given the choice.
Concrete has the potential to be a lengthy process in construction. Concrete, needing time to cure appropriatly, can take time if poured in-situ. Steel, on the other hand, is prefabribated off site and therefore leads to less time underconstruction.
In regards to design, steel structures offer a longer span than concrete, whereas concrete offers a smaller floor to floor ratio.
Depending on the purpose of the the structure and the needs of the client, both offer a range of advantages and disadvantages. It is difficult to determine which is best without considering the brief and purpose of the structure.