Complete the sentences by filling in the correct word that fits a statement (gap fill). Choose the appropriate words from the word bank given below

A. corrosion B. applications C. shape D. prefabricated

E. quality F. modify G. specifications H. tension

I. advanced J. arch K. five L. supports

1. Steel building - a structure built from pre-engineered or …… pieces of steel.

2. More recently steel has found its way into …… farm buildings.

3. Prefabricated steel buildings provide an excellent alternative for many …… .

4. Steel is a "green" product, it is structurally sound and manufactured to strict …… and tolerances.

5. Faulty design leads to the …… of iron and steel in buildings.

6. Steel allows for improved …… of construction and less maintenance, while offering improved safety and resistance.

7. A clear span building does not have structural …… in the interior occupied space.

8. Straight-walled and arch types refer to the outside …… of the building.

9. There are …… main types of structural components that make up a steel frame.

10. Curved roof structures are typically associated with the …… term.

UNIT 17 Steel Building Advantages (Part II)

Read, translate the following text and be ready to fulfil the tests:

One reason for the fast growth of the prefabricated steel building industry is the fact that steel building manufacturers have created prefabricated systems for a wide range of applications. Steel buildings used to be limited to storage facilities and aircraft hangars. Now, steel is used very successfully for structures as small as toll booths and vending machine shelters, and as large as barns and agricultural facilities, workshops, sports facilities, even churches and retail centers. Steel buildings are frequently used in larger buildings like commercial aircraft hangars and sports arenas, where a large clear span space is required. (Clear span is an interior space of a building where the roof is supported by the bordering structural walls and framework, and not with columns). Generally speaking, prefabricated steel buildings can also be erected more quickly than traditionally constructed buildings. Assuming that the prefabricated kit does not require significant customizing, the project's design phase is reduced considerably with the use of the steel building system. While this is true for the design phase, site preparation and construction phases for larger steel buildings are normally comparable with similarly sized tilt-up structures.

Perhaps the main reason for the expanding use of steel buildings is construction cost. Assuming that the building fits the parameters and limitations of what is appropriate for steel, prefabricated steel building kits are generally less expensive than custom-designed structures built using traditional construction or even tilt-up construction. Also, with the use of finishes, facades and other wall claddings, builders can craft beautiful facilities that avoid the traditional "tin shed" look associated with steel buildings.

Steel and Concrete Together: Using the Strengths of Each. An important fact to remember is that the use of steel in building is not necessarily exclusive of concrete or blocks. In larger or more sophisticated projects the different raw materials and construction methods are frequently used together.

Here are some very common examples of how steel, concrete and tilt-up construction are used together to provide the best quality and value:

•A large steel office building or retail center may use tiltwall concrete panels for interior fire walls or exterior facades.

•An existing manufacturing building or warehouse made of concrete blocks could be expanded by adding a steel lean to structure to one of its exterior support walls.

•A distribution center built using the cement blocks of traditional construction will frequently use a steel roofing system and a rigid frame similar to what a metal building might use. Regardless what material is used, this combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide a large clear span. These are just a few situations where the best choice for a project might be a steel building with tilt-up construction components, or a concrete structure with steel framework, roof system or steel add-ons or expansions.

Read and memorize the active vocabulary to the text:

Active Vocabulary

1. range диапазон, интервал, пределы, зона, область, амплитуда, размах (колебаний)

2. vending machine торговый автомат

3. aircraft hangar самолётный ангар

4. to support помогать, поддерживать, содействовать, обеспечивать

5. framework рамки, основа, каркас, рама, остов, конструкция

6. customizing наладка, настройка, изготовление на заказ; удовлетворение требований заказчика

7. preparation приготовление, подготовка

8. to expand расширять, развивать, распространять

9. kit набор, комплект

10. cladding наружное ограждение (здания); заполнение каркаса, обшивка, облицовка (стен), металлизация, наплавка

11. sophisticated сложный, усложнённый; современный

12. raw materials сырьё, сырьевые материалы

13. facility объект, сооружение, установка, средство, оборудование, пункт, предприятие

14. fire walls огнеупорные стены

15. existing современный, ныне действующий, текущий

16. exterior внешность, наружность; внешний, наружный вид

17. lean наклон, упор

18. roofing кровля, крыша

19. rigid жесткий, твердый, несгибаемый, недеформируемый

20. regardless несмотря на; независимо от; не заслуживающий внимания

21. to provide снабжать; обеспечивать

22. add-on добавление, дополнительный пункт, расширение

CONTROL TESTS

TEST I

Decide whether these statements are true or false:

1. a). Steel buildings used to be limited to agricultural facilities and workshops.

b). Steel buildings used to be limited to storage facilities and aircraft hangars.

c). Steel buildings used to be limited to sports facilities and retail centers.

2. a). Prefabricated steel buildings can be erected more quickly than buildings constructed by means of precast concrete construction.

b). Prefabricated steel buildings can be erected more quickly than buildings constructed by means of tilt-up panel construction.

c). Prefabricated steel buildings can be erected more quickly than traditionally constructed buildings.

3. a). Perhaps the main reason for the expanding use of steel buildings is construction cost.

b). Perhaps the main reason for the expanding use of steel buildings is absence of necessity of site preparation.

c). Perhaps the main reason for the expanding use of steel buildings is short construction phase even for large steel buildings.

4. a). The use of steel in building is not necessarily exclusive of brick or wood.

b). The use of steel in building is not necessarily exclusive of stonework or stucco.

c). The use of steel in building is not necessarily exclusive of concrete or blocks.

5. a). Regardless what material is used, the combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary for improved safety and resistance.

b). Regardless what material is used, the combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide a large clear span.

c). Regardless what material is used, the combination of a rigid frame and steel roof is necessary to provide an excellent alternative for many applications.

TEST II

Match words in columns A and B (synonym match):

A B

1. to create a). to concern b). to produce

c). to operate d). to correct

2. successfully a). extensively b). positively

c). fortunately d). certainly

3. to assume a). to suppose b). to govern

c). to select d). to interact

4. kit a). weight b). set

c). strength d). event

5. to border a). to pay b). to apply

c). to leave d). to adjoin

6. similarly a). generally b). likewise

c). exactly d). poorly

7. exclusive a). continuous b). spatial

c). important d). particular

8. warehouse a). space b). storage

c). boundary d). object

9. frequently a). often b). early

c). normally d). rarely

10. considerably a). traditionally b). potentially

c). significantly d). readily

TEST III

Select the best possible answer out of the choices from the list to the statements (multiple choice):

1. Clear span is an interior space of a building where the roof is supported …

a. by elevated slabs.

b. by columns.

c. by masonry elements.

d. by the bordering structural walls and framework.

2. Steel structures are frequently used in large commercial buildings,

a. where we can maximize both economic and environmental performance.

b.where we can manage waste disposal and public hygiene issues.

c. where a large clear span space is required.

d.where we can manage sustainability and public health issues.

3. Prefabricated steel building kits are generally less expensive than …

a. structures built using studies on the environmental impact of construction projects.

b. structures built according to the “sustainable building” design.

c. structures built using “green” construction methods.

d. custom-designed structures built using traditional construction or even tilt-up construction.

4. In larger or more sophisticated projects …

a. the different raw materials and construction methods are frequently used together.

b. formwork systems are widely being used.

c. state-of-the-art robotics welding systems are used.

d. the slipform method is used as an efficient way of working with concrete.

5. Site preparation and construction phases for larger steel buildings are normally comparable …

a. with structuresbuilt by slipform method of construction.

b.with similarly sized tilt-up structures.

c. with buildings constructed using traditional methods.

d. with buildings constructed by methods of environmental engineering.

TEST IV