Engineering Materials·MCQ explained

What is the corrugated sheet form of steel mostly used for?

Try it first: pick an option, then read the explanation.

Correct answer: B. Roof covering

Understanding Market Forms of Steel

Steel is an incredibly versatile material manufactured in various shapes and forms, each optimized for specific applications in construction and engineering. Knowing the correct form for a particular job is fundamental to civil engineering.

Corrugated Sheets: These are steel sheets that have been cold-rolled to produce a repeating pattern of ridges and grooves. This corrugation process dramatically increases the sheet's bending strength and stiffness without adding extra weight, making it an ideal material for certain applications.

Detailed Analysis of the Options

Let's analyze why each option is correct or incorrect based on standard industry uses.

(b) Roof covering

Why it's the correct answer: Corrugated sheets, especially Galvanized Iron (G.I.) sheets, are predominantly used for roof covering. The corrugated shape provides excellent strength-to-weight ratio, allowing it to span between roof purlins. It is lightweight, durable, weather-resistant, and relatively easy to install, making it a popular choice for industrial buildings, warehouses, sheds, and residential projects.

(a) Structural work

Why it's incorrect: Heavy-duty structural work that forms the skeleton of a building requires steel with high load-bearing capacity. This role is filled by sections like I-beams, Angle sections, and Channel sections, not thin corrugated sheets.

(c) Grillwork

Why it's incorrect: Decorative and security grillwork is typically made from solid steel bars that can be easily welded and shaped. The common forms used are Flat bars, Round bars, and Square bars.

(d) Reinforce cement concrete

Why it's incorrect: Concrete has high compressive strength but is weak in tension. To counteract this, steel is embedded within it. This requires steel with high tensile strength and a shape that bonds well with concrete, such as Ribbed torsteel (rebar) and Round bars.

Market Forms of Steel: A Quick Reference Guide

The following table summarizes the common market forms of steel and their primary uses.

Form of SteelPrimary Uses
Angle SectionStructural steel work, frames, trusses
Channel SectionStructural members, beams, columns
Corrugated SheetsRoof covering, siding
Expanded SheetsConcrete reinforcement, lathing, partitions
Flat BarsSteel grill works, brackets, base plates
I-Sections (Beams)Beams, lintels, columns
PlatesStructural steel work, base plates for columns
Ribbed Torsteel (Rebar)Reinforcement in concrete structures
Round BarsReinforcement in concrete, grill work
Square BarsConstruction of steel grill work, railings
T-SectionsSteel roof trusses, built-up sections