SCI Steel Day highlights construction efficiency

Entitled ‘Transforming construction using steel to deliver greater productivity’ the Steel Construction Institute’s (SCI) annual event, held at the Royal College of Physicians in London, showcased how steel is ideally placed to meet the UK Government’s objective to transform construction to improve efficiency.

Speakers from both the SCI and its member companies highlighted the cost, time and energy savings that have been achieved through innovations in manufacturing and digital technologies.

Expedition Engineering Senior Director Chris Wise spoke on marginal gains in construction, an industry strategy to deliver more value with less cost.

Mark Farmer of Cast Consulting explained his report, entitled ‘Modernise or Die’, that recommends the construction sector take up integration of procurement models, modularisation in design and construction, and greater offsite manufacturing.

Ramboll Principal Engineer Paul Astle delivered a speech on the new Civil Engineering Building for the University of Cambridge. Its steel-framed design was refined to make it efficient and allow further buildings to be added in the future.

Further speakers highlighted advances in light gauge modular buildings and how the Steel Bridge Group is working to help the sector to become more cost-efficient.