CategoriesSedemi Industry

Key benefits of steel in construction, an avant-garde trend in today’s world

Today, the trends in construction have changed significantly, with the advancement of technology there are great alternatives for the design of buildings such as construction 4.0 and BIM methodology; and for this it is important to have a resistant material that meets expectations, with steel being the element chosen globally. This compound is the most versatile used by the construction industry, thanks to the fact that it allows the building of taller, slimmer, avant-garde structures, with better aesthetics, quick construction and 100% recyclable and reusable; which is why it is present in the big cities of the world.

According to the experts, steel expresses resistance, cleanliness and modernism, and by its nature it has the particular characteristic of offering freedom to designers and builders in projects, positioning itself as the preferred option compared to the rigidity that other materials previously used like concrete.

Within this framework, the company SEDEMI, at the forefront of construction processes, uses steel for its great creations and recommends its use thanks to all the benefits it provides, highlighting the following:

1.- Efficiency: Steel allows the design of optimal and functional structures that are prefabricated in the plant under strict quality controls, where the installation time on site is reduced and therefore there is a saving in project costs in general.

2.- Reliability: Steel structures are characterized by being very reliable thanks to the consistency and uniformity of their properties, their construction with pre-qualified and regulated procedures under international standards that guarantee the quality of the work.

3.- Light weight: Steel is a much lighter material than concrete and highly resistant, resulting in light infrastructures, allowing the construction of tall buildings, with large spans and better use of space.

4.- Sustainability: The environmental impact of steel is less than any other material since it is 100% recyclable and degradable, making it possible to reuse or relocate it once any structure is dismantled. After being recycled, it does not lose its resistance and physical properties, which is why buildings can be certified as eco-efficient or sustainable.

5.- Used in BIM methodology: Virtual models created under BIM technology allow the planning of projects in more detail, improving decision-making and avoiding inefficiencies. Once the metallic structure model has been integrated and validated in BIM, through an engineering process, the manufacturing plans and files with defined industrial standards are generated.

 

6.- Resistance: Steel is very resistant, ideal for projects in the urban, industrial, energy, telecommunications and oil sectors. It is also perfect for working in areas of high seismic risk.

“In conclusion, steel construction has shown to have a highly satisfactory behavior in the face of natural phenomena due to the ductility that characterizes the material and it is profitable for large constructions, which is why it is the favorite for all types of structures. At SEDEMI we work with this element under the necessary rigorous quality standards and a team of expert professionals in order to provide efficient and qualified work,” commented Esteban Proaño, executive president of Grupo Corporativo SEDEMI.

CategoriesSedemi Industry

10 Reasons to opt for galvanizing and ensure long-lasting structure

The SEDEMI construction company, with 45 years of experience in the national market, meets the requirements of public and private projects with high quality standards and recommends hot-dip galvanizing to protect the metal structures used in construction, thus guaranteeing the lifespan of steel, one of the essential elements of today’s urbanization.

To have control over these processes, the company works within its own state-of-the-art plant that allows it to comply with rigorous norms and quality standards that are approved by the American Society for Testing and Materials for its acronym in English ASTM, for the correct use of each type of steel.

Here are 10 important reasons why hot-dip galvanizing is so essential:

1.- The duration is extremely high. The duration of these coatings is very high. More than 100 years of experience in the use of galvanized steel throughout the world have allowed us to know quite accurately the duration of the protection provided by the hot-dip galvanized coating. For example, it has been widely specified in petrochemical, industrial, power/utility, and bridging/highway projects for its unparalleled durability in these harsh environments, weathering many years without a trace of rust.

2.- It is cheaper. When life cycle costs are taken into account, hot-dip galvanizing is the most economical system for long-term corrosion protection. Although the initial cost of a corrosion protection system cannot be lowered, the life cycle cost should be a key determining factor in the selection process to achieve true sustainability, structures must be financially responsible for future generations.

 

3.- Triple protection. Galvanized coatings protect steel in three different ways:

  • Barrier Protection: The first line of defense against corrosion is barrier protection. Barrier protection has two fundamental properties: metallurgical adhesion to the base metal and resistance to abrasion.
  • Cathodic protection, (zinc rusts, iron doesn’t) even in small areas that may be left bare (edges of cuts or holes, scratches, etc.), as long as there is zinc, the iron will not rust.
  • Protection from zinc oxidation products, the formation of zinc corrosion by-products: zinc oxide, zinc hydroxide and zinc carbonate; which are compact, homogeneous, hard, impermeable and inert slow down the rate of corrosion up to 1/30 of the rate of steel in the same environment.

4.- Versatility. Hot-dip galvanizing is a process that serves both for the protection of steel products such as profiles, wire, tubes, etc., as well as for the protection of all kinds of articles. They have a great versatility of use in service, since they protect steel both from atmospheric corrosion and from corrosion caused by water or soil. In addition, it can be painted in both liquid and powder form, obtaining Duplex protection systems that enhance its durability and provide different aesthetic finishes.

5.- Reliability. Hot-dip galvanizing is a controlled industrial process that allows obtaining zinc coatings of regulated quality and thickness on practically any article, piece of iron or steel. Hot-dip galvanized coatings are one of the few steel protection systems that are perfectly specified by national and international standards.

6.- Sustainability. The maintenance-free longevity of hot-dip galvanized steel provides positive and economic benefits for future generations. In addition to being natural, both zinc and steel can be recycled indefinitely without losing any physical or chemical properties. Approximately 30% of the world’s zinc supply comes from recycled sources each year and more would be recycled if there were more.

7.- Integral coating. Hot dip galvanizing is a total immersion process, meaning the steel is completely submerged in cleaning solutions and molten zinc is coated on all interior and exterior surfaces. This complete coverage guarantees even the interior of hollow or tubular structures. As corrosion tends to occur at a higher rate inside hollow structures, where moisture and condensation occur, interior coating is highly beneficial.

8.- Uniform Protection. Another aspect of the durability of hot dip galvanizing is its uniform protection. During the metallurgical diffusion reaction in the galvanizing kettle, the galvanized coating grows perpendicular to all surfaces. This is why the coating is naturally as thick in the corners and edges as it is on flat surfaces. The uniform protection of hot-dip galvanized steel leaves no weak spots for accelerated corrosion.

9.- Resistance to abrasion. A unique feature of hot dip galvanized coating is the development of highly bonded abrasion resistant intermetallic layers. There are three intermetallic layers (gamma, delta and zeta) and the top layer of pure zinc (eta). The abrasion resistance of hot-dip galvanizing provides protection against damage caused by hostile handling during shipping, installation, and also in service.

10.- Manageable. The different galvanized elements can be easily assembled using screws or welding. Welding procedures commonly used for ungalvanized steel are equally applicable to galvanized steel: electric arc welding, flame welding, resistance welding, etc. The areas of the coating affected by the effect of the heat of welding can be easily restored by means of zinc metallization or zinc-rich paint.

SEDEMI at the forefront of construction trends, has qualified personnel in all types of processes, guaranteeing safe buildings thanks to the quality of its materials and the certification of its processes under high world-class standards, contributing to the development of the Ecuadorian industry and building the future of the country.

CategoriesUncategorized

44 Years of Sedemi

(reading time 3 min) 

Rafael Proaño P. 1977

Sedemi is an organization inspired by the potential of Ecuador and its people. Its leadership and experience have allowed it to participate in the construction of the most iconic and visionary projects in the country, thus becoming synonymous with development.

Born from the dream of a visionary, it has grown sustainably thanks to the passion and values shared between all employees, suppliers and clients, who have not stopped believing in building a better future for all.

Sedemi’s long history began in 1977 when Mr. Rafael Proaño P. embarked on his dream by founding the first industrial maintenance workshop, based on a philosophy of quality and customer service. After 45 years, Sedemi has established itself as a benchmark in the construction of infrastructure projects for different sectors such as real estate, commercial, industrial, energy, oil and telecommunications. Its solid experience in the execution of comprehensive projects and the development of suitable human talent, strengthens the bonds of trust with stakeholders over time.

Sedemi Historical Milestones:

1977. Opening and founding of the first industrial maintenance workshop in Ave. Calderón de Sangolquí.

1987. Construction of the new workshop on Ave. Luis Cordero.

1996. Beginning of operations of Rectivalle Cía. Ltd.

1999. Constitution of Sedemi S.C.C.

2000. Start of Electromechanical Construction projects.

2005. Construction and start of operations of the new industrial complex Amaguaña Km. 4.5

Start of operations of Sedemi Construcciones Electromecánicas S.C.C.

2007. Start of operations of Fénix Engineering S.C.C.

Start of operations of the hot-dip galvanizing plant.

2008 – 2013 Automation of the production processes of metal-mechanic manufacturing

2014. Implementation of the industrial complex (manufacturing plants for cable trays, towers, boilermaking and rolling)

2015. Start of operations of Sedemi Internacional S.A.C.

2019. Constitution of SEDEMI Corporate Group.

Our history represents the force that drives us to continue learning and being the best, without excuses and with passion.

At Sedemi we are present from the first outline of your project to its presentation to the entire world. You can trust that the project you imagine is in the hands of the best.