The basics: what 'steel construction' actually means

Steel construction is a building method where the primary load-bearing system — columns, beams, trusses, bracing — is made of structural steel sections rather than reinforced concrete. The most common shapes in industrial buildings are HEA / HEB / IPE / UPN profiles, square and rectangular hollow sections, and welded plate girders.

In a typical Afcel project, structural engineers design the system, our shop fabricates the components (cutting, welding, drilling, surface protection), trucks deliver them to site, and our erection crew assembles the building with mobile cranes. The result: a complete steel skeleton ready for cladding and services.

Why heavy industry chooses steel

  • Speed. A 5,000 m² warehouse can be erected in 6–10 weeks; the equivalent in reinforced concrete takes 4–6 months.
  • Long spans. Steel can clear 30, 40, even 60 metres without intermediate columns — essential for hangars and modern logistics warehouses.
  • Predictable schedule. Steel is fabricated in a controlled shop environment, not affected by rain, frost or curing time.
  • Light foundations. A steel building is roughly one third the weight of a concrete equivalent — smaller foundations, lower cost.
  • Recyclable. Steel can be 100% recycled at end of life — a strong sustainability argument.
  • Demountable. If the facility moves or expands, the structure can be unbolted and relocated.

Where it's used

Across our 12 projects in Turkey, the typical applications include:

  • Factory buildings (food, automotive, pharmaceuticals)
  • High-bay automated warehouses
  • Helicopter and aircraft hangars
  • Iron-and-steel facility roofs and process buildings
  • Cement-industry elevator buildings and silos
  • Energy and petrochemical infrastructure
  • Large-span sports halls and event spaces

Standards engineers work to

Steel construction in Turkey follows European standards adapted into national codes:

  • EN 1993 (Eurocode 3) — design of steel structures
  • EN 1090 — execution of steel and aluminium structures (CE-marking)
  • EN ISO 5817 — quality levels for fusion-welded joints
  • TS 498 / TS EN 1991 — actions on structures (snow, wind, seismic loads)

For a quote on your project, send us drawings or a brief — we'll come back within 24 hours with a feasibility view.