RC Structure or Steel Structure? My answer as a Construction Manager.
Steel construction has increasingly gained prominence due to its efficient erection methods and well-established systems for ensuring quality and craftsmanship. Furthermore, structural steel has the advantage of supporting higher loads with smaller member sizes, making it an attractive option for various engineering applications. However, when compared to reinforced concrete (RC) structures, steel constructions are typically more costly in terms of material expenses. Reflecting on my experience as a Design & Cost Engineer in 2017, I worked on a skyway project in the Philippines, where the primary structure was originally designed as an RC system. Due to the necessity of passing over a congested highway intersection, the deck required a long span design to minimize traffic disruption. This constraint led to the decision to transition to a steel structure, as it better suited the project's requirements. While the use of RC structures is widely known to be more cost-effective than...