Shaping steel products for railways, infrastructure
Engineered to meet distinct customer needs
The second-largest operation at Steel Dynamics, our Structural and Rail Division (SRD), offers structural steel products well-suited for heavy construction, critical infrastructure, and large-scale projects as well as essential railway products engineered according to customer needs.
At our state-of-the-art, ISO 9001:2015 certified facility in Columbia City, Indiana, we operate two electric arc furnaces (EAF), three rolling mills, and a rail fixed weld plant. This SDI facility is arguably the most diversified steel mill in the country by product offering. From producing Class 1 rail to reinforcing bar and everything in between including wide-flange beams, structural channel and angle, manufactured housing beams, and H-Pile.
Applying specialized techniques for innovative products
Our Structural and Rail Division began production of high-quality steel products in 2002 and has since grown from a regional mill to a mill with a national presence, all while becoming Steel Dynamics’ second-largest operation. From precision machinery to operational efficiency, our capabilities and practices continue to evolve at the pace of progress.
Wide-flange beams, structural shapes, and rebar
Wide-flange beams and structural shapes are used primarily in construction, including commercial and industrial buildings, bridges, skyscrapers, hospitals, airport terminals, office buildings, and distribution centers. They are also used in energy projects, such as refineries, biodiesel and ethanol plants, and other processing facilities, as well as in the manufacturing of truck, trailer, and RV frames, and H-piling support structures such as oil and natural gas pipelines, bridges, and roads.
Steel Rail Products
Using sophisticated hot rolling technologies, we produce rails with superb dimensional consistency and surface finish. Our rotary straightened rails achieve 320' lengths for superior end straightness. We can deliver continuous welded rail (CWR) up to 1,650' in length with as much as 79% fewer welds compared to traditional 80' welding operations, enhancing track safety and performance while reducing track maintenance and extending rail life.
The only North American long rail manufacturer offering hot rolled finished rails in lengths up to 320', Steel Dynamics is qualified to supply rail to all North American Class I railroads. Our steelmaking operations include electromagnetic stirring and dynamic soft reduction, allowing for superior segregation management and overall rail cleanliness. We also produce hot rolled steel rail products for the diverse needs of the rail market, including 30#, 40#, 60#, 85# ASCE rails; d-bars; 84# and 74# conductor rail/third rail; joint/splice bars; various sizes of flat bars; U69 (UIC33/33C1) guard bars; and a range of mine ties. We offer cut-to-length and punching services for all rail products.
Consistent Rolling Schedule
Our reliability and dedication to maintaining a consistent rolling schedule allow for greater peace of mind to help you meet ever-changing customer and project timelines.
On-time Delivery
SDI has a dedicated fleet of rail cars to ensure consistent delivery to your location. We are serviced by the Norfolk Southern Railroad and the Chicago Fort Wayne & Eastern Railroad (CF&E). Additionally, our extensive network of truck carriers ensures reliable delivery to your location.
R&D Facility
A state-of-the-art Research and Development (R&D) center is located at our Structural and Rail Division and serves the entire Steel Dynamics organization. Its advanced capabilities include:
- Sawing and CNC Machining
- Metallographic Grinding
- Polishing and Etching
- Optical Microscopy
- Scanning Electron Microscopy
- Hardness Testing
- Tensile Testing
- Fatigue Testing
- Rolling Contact Testing
- Fracture Toughness Testing
- Thermomechanical Simulation
Our Electric Arc Furnace (EAF) steelmaking operations utilize advanced technologies, including electromagnetic stirring and dynamic soft reduction, allowing for superior segregation management and overall cleanliness.
Our commitment
By harnessing the American spirit of hard work and safe, innovative manufacturing, our team works to provide customers with the lowest total cost of ownership.