Light Gauge Steel

Light Gauge Steel (LGS) is typically thin sheet (generally 0.5mm to 1.5mm thick) of high grade steel that is roll formed into various shapes and sizes for construction. From the word “Light” due to its weight but high tensile steel sheets. They are very thin plate elements compared to their widths. They are generally 0.5mm to 1.5mm thick and are developed through a Cold Form Process so it is also cold formed steel. NB: When a Steel Cold formed Yield point and Strength increases, ductility decreases, fatigue strength increases and especially in the bent corner.

JOINING

The studs can be joined together to form frames or webbed joints which are used as walls and floors. Thus, in addition to roof truss framing and other bracing components, a complete
structure can be constructed using this technology although structurally, Light Gauge Steel (LGS) structures do tend to have a height restriction depending on the gauge and profile of steel used.

Roll forming is using a roll Forming Mill and Rolling the Steel plastically to a desired shape and in Brake forming, by using fold machine, cold press break the sections will be presented and broke several times to get the desires section shape.

With LGS Technology, the time Used is Small as the parts are quickly assembled and joined by bolts, this saves time by approximately 50%. The construction speed is extremely fast, due to its ability to be prefabricated in the factory or off-site. LGS Uses Steel – you use approximately 11 recycled cars for a 50sqm building. When it comes to the costing, LGS reduces cost of roofing by 30 per cent (when material, labour, wastage and time is considered). Also less-skilled labour being used on site, making it cost-effective and for commercial developers, the return on investments can be achieved much earlier compared to timber and masonry construction, which will take a longer duration to construct.

• Quality – High Quality: There is no deterioration of quality in long exposure to weather, therefore no maintenance costs.
• Strength – Steel has a higher strength to weight ratio compared to timber. This means that steel can span over large distances using a smaller quantity.
• Usage – Not Limited. Can also be used for any type of roof, with all kinds of roof covers like iron sheets, clay/concrete tiles, and stone coated tiles among others.
• Weight – Very Light – The impact of weight on the design of a heavy foundation for the building is reduced, hence saving on the cost of the foundation.
• Uptake – The uptake in Kenya is now fast growing with developers mainly testing it as a truss structure replacing traditional timber trusses.
• Quantity – The fewer quantities used also result in plenty of space in the roof void.
• Complexity – Light steel gauge technology is suited for complex roofs.
• Storage – Occupies very small space or in other cases non at all on-site as various pieces are made on-demand and are brought ready-made and get fixed into the final position. This eliminates the need for investing in heavy security and pilferage of materials from the site.
• Handling – Lower weight reduces transportation costs, improves handling and erection.

With Traditional construction, just to mention a few of the features that are more of disadvantages in comparison to LGS Technology, the cost sums up to an extremely high Cost and needs a high number of skilled and non-skilled workers increasing the cost substantially. The process of building takes very long compared to LGS. After building is done, there will be need for treatment and grading thus quality degradation cannot be evaded. In many other ways Timber cannot be compared to Steel and therefore for your project we suggest you use LGS Technology.