Which statement about structural steel is correct?

Structural steel is known for its exceptional strength and rigidity, making it highly effective in constructing buildings and other structures. When exposed to both tension (pulling forces) and compression (pushing forces), structural steel retains its strength significantly better than many materials, which is a critical factor in engineering and architecture. This characteristic is foundational in ensuring that structures can support substantial loads and endure various forces without failing.

While structural steel does have strengths, it is also important to understand its behavior at elevated temperatures, especially during a fire. Temperatures produced in fires can weaken structural steel significantly, close to its melting point, impacting its load-bearing capabilities and potentially leading to structural failure. Hence, statements regarding its performance under fire conditions, such as maintaining shape or withstanding extreme heat, are misleading because it can lose strength and undergo deformation when exposed to high temperatures.

Moreover, while fatigue can affect many materials, structural steel is designed to handle various stress cycles effectively. Nonetheless, it can become susceptible to fatigue if improperly used or if subjected to repetitive loads over time. This aspect differs from the general characteristic of its strength and stability in different scenarios.

Therefore, the statement affirming that structural steel is very strong under both tension and compression effectively underscores the fundamental properties that make it