IT'S OUR TIME TO SHINE
How Metals Protect Buildings from Natural Disasters
The Philippines, sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is frequently ravaged by natural disasters, with the devastating impact of typhoons, floodings, and earthquakes a constant threat to every Filipino's life.
When Super Typhoon Yolanda struck in 2013, many households saw the roof of their houses being blown off, while others suffered from the complete destruction of their homes.
With climate change, rapid population growth, and urbanization, building structures must adapt to the rapidly changing environmental conditions.
"We should take steps to defend the vulnerable parts of a building against damage and protect its exposed parts from material degradation,” said Dennis Tan, General Manager of Hi-Top Merchandising, Inc. (HTMI), a leading importer and supplier of quality metals in the Philippines.
“We need to make our structures stronger to withstand the next calamity, and it starts with using construction materials that are proven to be disaster resilient,” he added.
Stainless Steel
Steel is one of the best materials to preserve a building and bolster its exterior so that it can withstand typhoons, earthquakes, and tsunamis.
"This material is known for its ductility, or the ability to bend without breaking. It is also corrosion-resistant, easy to maintain, durable, and long lasting," Tan said.
Steel helps structures survive long periods of direct exposure to strong winds, storms, and harsh sunlight.
In addition, stainless steel pipes and tubes are fire-resistant and have a long life.
"Stainless steel, such as those offered by HTMI, may be invisible from the outside, but it plays a crucial role in anchoring whole structures to ensure longevity," Tan said.
"Stainless steel can also be integrated into repairs and renovation to ensure sustainable buildings."
HTMI carries a wide variety of steel, including Stainless Steel 304 and 304L.
Stainless Steel 304, the most common variant, is also known as 18-8 stainless steel, referring to its chemical content of 18% chromium and 8% nickel.
It is non-magnetic and has good corrosion resistance against chemical and atmospheric exposures as well as oxidation, making it ideal for building facades.
Meanwhile, Stainless Steel 304L is the low-carbon variant of 304, making it more suitable for welding than the standard 304.
Its lower carbon content minimizes carbide precipitation that results from welding, reducing the possibility of weld decay or intergranular corrosion.
Aluminum and Copper
"Aside from stainless steel, HTMI also offers other metals that can help reinforce homes and buildings, such as aluminum and copper," Tan said.
Aluminum can be used as frames for doors, glass windows, and for roof trusses, as this material can resist bad weather and does not warp, compress, or expand even when exposed to heat.
HTMI's wide variety of metals include the following Aluminum Alloys: Aluminum 1100, a soft and low-strength alloy that offers strong corrosion resistance; Aluminum 5083, which has the highest strength among all non-heat-treatable alloys; Aluminum 6061, with medium to high strength, good formability, and machinability; and Aluminum 2017, a heat-treatable wrought alloy that offers decent strength, ductility, and good machinability.
Meanwhile, copper can be used to provide covering for roofs, as it is highly resistant to elements and does not easily deteriorate.
HTMI provides copper sheets or plates that are up to 2.5 inches thick.
"Filipinos deserve disaster-resilient homes and buildings,”
Tan said.
HTMI’s metals not only protect the structures' inhabitants, but they also help mitigate the loss of property and reduce reconstruction costs after a natural disaster." Tan said.