Types of Steel Structures We Support
Steel Frame Industrial Buildings
Column-and-beam steel frames for factory, warehouse, and workshop sheds. ISMB/ISMC sections with metal or polycarbonate roofing.
Steel + RCC Hybrid Residential
Steel columns and beams combined with RCC slabs. Faster than full RCC, economical for G+2 and G+3 projects.
Mezzanine Floor Additions
Adding a mezzanine floor inside an existing industrial building to increase usable area without new civil work.
Steel Canopy & Shed Extensions
Extending an existing building with a steel canopy, parking shed, or factory extension — faster and less disruptive than RCC.
Rooftop Additions
Steel structure additions on existing RCC rooftops — lighter than RCC, subject to structural capacity assessment.
Crane Runway Beams
Structural steel crane runway beams (rail girders) for overhead EOT cranes in industrial and manufacturing facilities.
Why Steel Construction in Chennai
Structural steel offers specific advantages in Chennai's construction environment: faster erection than full RCC (weeks vs months for the structural frame), better spanning capability for large industrial spaces (clear spans up to 30m+ without intermediate columns), and lighter dead loads — particularly relevant when adding structures to existing buildings whose foundations may have limited remaining capacity.
⚠ Chennai Coastal Consideration: Structural steel within 5 km of the coast requires hot-dip galvanising or epoxy coating. Bare mild steel will show significant surface corrosion within 12–18 months in Chennai's salt-laden coastal air.
IS codes governing steel construction: IS 800:2007 (design), IS 2062 (material — E250 grade for general structural steel), IS 816 (welding).
Our Role — Engineering Oversight, Not Fabrication
Buildogram is not a steel fabricator or erection contractor. We are the engineering oversight layer — reviewing the design, preparing the BOQ, vetting fabricators, and supervising quality during fabrication and erection. This gives you independent accountability.
Technical Specifications for Chennai Steel Projects
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of structural steel construction per sqft in Chennai?
Indicative rates in Chennai (2026): Steel frame industrial building — ₹1,600–2,200/sqft. Steel+RCC hybrid residential — ₹2,200–2,800/sqft. Mezzanine floor addition — ₹800–1,200/sqft of mezzanine area. These are construction costs only and exclude interior finishing. Actual cost depends on steel section sizes, span, height, and roof/cladding specification.
How long does steel fabrication and erection take?
For a typical industrial shed of 5,000 sqft: fabrication takes 3–5 weeks (off-site, in the fabricator's yard) and erection takes 1–2 weeks on-site. Total 4–7 weeks from drawing approval to structure complete. This is significantly faster than an equivalent RCC structure (which would take 4–6 months for the frame alone).
Is structural steel construction permitted for residential buildings in Chennai under CMDA rules?
Yes. Steel structures are permitted for residential use under CMDA regulations, provided they meet structural safety requirements and have a structural engineer's certificate. Many G+2 and G+3 developments in Chennai use steel+RCC hybrid structures — steel columns and beams with RCC slabs.
What is the difference between mild steel (MS) and HYSD steel?
Mild Steel (MS) — like IS 2062 E250 — is used for structural sections (ISMB, ISMC, angles, plates). It has a yield strength of 250 MPa and is welded or bolted for structural frames. HYSD steel (High Yield Strength Deformed) — like Fe500D TMT bars — is used as reinforcement inside RCC concrete. They serve different structural purposes and are not interchangeable.
How do you prevent rust in Chennai's coastal climate?
Chennai's proximity to the coast means high humidity and salt-laden air, which accelerates corrosion of structural steel. Our specification for coastal Chennai projects: hot-dip galvanising (HDG) for purlins, girts, and secondary members; epoxy primer + polyurethane finish for primary frame members; or full powder coating. We also specify minimum 6mm thickness for exposed plate connections and avoid crevice-prone joints.
Can you add a mezzanine floor to an existing building?
Yes, subject to a structural assessment of the existing building's foundation and column capacity to carry the additional load. We assess the existing structure, calculate the permissible additional load, design the mezzanine frame within that limit, and supervise fabrication and erection. This is common in Ambattur and Guindy industrial premises where additional storage space is needed.
Which IS code governs steel structure design in India?
IS 800:2007 (General Construction in Steel — Code of Practice) is the primary code. Material grades are governed by IS 2062 (Hot Rolled Medium and High Tensile Structural Steel). Welding is governed by IS 816 (Code of Practice for Use of Metal Arc Welding for General Construction). For bolted connections, IS 1367 covers fastener specifications.
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