Common Mistakes When Choosing Steel Plate Thickness for Projects

In construction and fabrication projects, steel plate is often considered a simple material. However, the choice of steel plate thickness significantly impacts the strength, safety, and cost efficiency of the project.
Errors in determining thickness not only result in waste but can also reduce structural performance.

Here are some common mistakes that still frequently occur in the field.

1. Determining Thickness Based Solely on Estimates
One of the most common mistakes is choosing steel plate thickness based on habit or gut feeling, rather than technical calculations.
However, each application has different load and function requirements. Plates that are too thin risk warping or deforming, while plates that are too thick actually increase costs without significant benefits.

2. Not Taking Actual Working Loads into Account
Steel plates used for:

• Work floors
• Machine stands
• Channel covers
• Supporting structures

have different working loads. If the thickness is not adjusted to the static and dynamic loads, the plate can crack, warp, or even fail in the long term.

3. Ignoring Span and Support Points
The thickness of the steel plate is closely related to:

• Span length
• Distance between supports
• Underlying support system

Slabs with long spans require greater thickness or additional stiffeners. Ignoring these factors often results in plates that look good initially, but experience reduced performance after use.

4. Not Considering the Application Environment
The project environment also significantly influences the choice of plate thickness, especially for:

• Outdoor areas
• Humid environments
• Areas with high corrosion potential

Plates that are too thin are more susceptible to rust and material thinning. As a result, their service life is shorter than planned.

5. Misinterpreting Material Specifications
Not all steel plates have the same characteristics. Mistakes often occur when:

• Nominal thickness does not match actual tolerances
• Non-standard materials are equated with SNI plates
• Steel quality is not considered

The correct thickness must still be balanced with material quality that meets standards to maintain structural strength.

6. Sacrificing Specifications to Reduce Costs
Cost efficiency is important, but reducing plate thickness beyond specifications actually risks significantly higher repair costs later.
A suboptimal structure can lead to rework, downtime, and even safety risks.

Why Shouldn't Steel Plate Thickness Be Underestimated?
Steel plate thickness plays a direct role in:

• Bearing loads
• Maintaining structural stability
• Ensuring material longevity

A small error in the material selection stage can have a significant impact on the entire project.

Safe Solutions for Selecting Steel Plates for Projects
To ensure projects run safely and efficiently, ensure the steel plate used:

• Meets technical requirements
• Has precise thickness
• Is manufactured according to quality standards

PT Intisumber Bajasakti provides a wide selection of steel plates with complete specifications and guaranteed quality for construction and fabrication projects.

📞 Phone: 021-66675999
🌐 Website: intisumberbajasakti.com
✉️ Email: info@intisumberbajasakti.com

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