Reuse of steel has been identified as a key way of reducing the embodied carbon content of our buildings and other structures, and is one of the many carbon reducing tactics that the BCSA and its members have long been supporting with technical guidance, promotional literature and marketing campaigns.
The latest in a long line of sustainability and circular economy benefiting publications is being distributed with this issue of NSC, and supported by an extensive media Electronic Direct Mail campaign with leading construction publications read by architects, engineers and contractors across the industry. Steel Construction Design for reuse and adaptive reuse is also available for free download at www.SteelConstruction.info.
This new publication informs construction professionals about some of the key issues that can be faced when structural steel is being reused. None of them have proven to be insurmountable or prohibitively expensive or time-consuming. Case studies on actual, successful projects show how architects and engineers have responded positively to overcome challenges that can arise as they strive to inject new life into existing steel-framed buildings, delivering commercial and environmental benefits.
Planning departments view reusing existing steel frames as an environmentally-friendly alternative to demolition programmes, which anecdotally has itself aroused at least some developer interest. Developers can also learn a lot about reuse from the publication. For a start, it confirms that existing steel-framed buildings are easily reusable. It shows that minimal interventions can allow extra floors to be added to the structure.
It shows steelwork being easily disassembled from one project, refabricated as necessary and then reused on another scheme. Steel reuse is confirmed as a viable, cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional recycling methods. The relevant certification and compliance processes are expected to evolve in the near future, which will allow for even more efficient reuse of steelwork.
Findings from completed projects indicate that reuse is far easier when components consist of standard section sizes and steel grades. A key learning from the publication is that speaking to steelwork contractors as early in the project planning phase as possible is the best way to make sure that optimal section sizes and steel grades are chosen.
Other discoveries from experience include that to make steel structures easier to disassemble for reuse they should be constructed using accessible bolted connections, something else that benefits from early contractor involvement as the BCSA always urges on construction teams. With specialist advice in the early stages, reconfiguring an existing steel frame structure can be efficiently and economically achieved with minimal steel strengthening works.
Construction teams are proving to be adept at developing new and innovative reuse approaches, as we see in the recent projects in this document. Reusing steel requires additional close collaboration with reclamation and deconstruction experts, such as those showcased in the case studies.
The steel sector has been at the forefront of the circular economy and reuse agendas for many years and has developed unrivalled guidance and standards on steel reclamation and reuse. Guidance and practice developed in the UK is world-leading and is being adopted within Europe and internationally. The BCSA aims to keep the supply chain abreast of important developments in this field with initiatives like Steel Construction Design for reuse and adaptive reuse.
New addition to world-leading steel reuse guidance released
Reuse of steel has been identified as a key way of reducing the embodied carbon content of our buildings and other structures, and is one of the many carbon reducing tactics that the BCSA and its members have long been supporting with technical guidance, promotional literature and marketing campaigns.
The latest in a long line of sustainability and circular economy benefiting publications is being distributed with this issue of NSC, and supported by an extensive media Electronic Direct Mail campaign with leading construction publications read by architects, engineers and contractors across the industry. Steel Construction Design for reuse and adaptive reuse is also available for free download at www.SteelConstruction.info.
This new publication informs construction professionals about some of the key issues that can be faced when structural steel is being reused. None of them have proven to be insurmountable or prohibitively expensive or time-consuming. Case studies on actual, successful projects show how architects and engineers have responded positively to overcome challenges that can arise as they strive to inject new life into existing steel-framed buildings, delivering commercial and environmental benefits.
Planning departments view reusing existing steel frames as an environmentally-friendly alternative to demolition programmes, which anecdotally has itself aroused at least some developer interest. Developers can also learn a lot about reuse from the publication. For a start, it confirms that existing steel-framed buildings are easily reusable. It shows that minimal interventions can allow extra floors to be added to the structure.
It shows steelwork being easily disassembled from one project, refabricated as necessary and then reused on another scheme. Steel reuse is confirmed as a viable, cost-effective and sustainable alternative to traditional recycling methods. The relevant certification and compliance processes are expected to evolve in the near future, which will allow for even more efficient reuse of steelwork.
Findings from completed projects indicate that reuse is far easier when components consist of standard section sizes and steel grades. A key learning from the publication is that speaking to steelwork contractors as early in the project planning phase as possible is the best way to make sure that optimal section sizes and steel grades are chosen.
Other discoveries from experience include that to make steel structures easier to disassemble for reuse they should be constructed using accessible bolted connections, something else that benefits from early contractor involvement as the BCSA always urges on construction teams. With specialist advice in the early stages, reconfiguring an existing steel frame structure can be efficiently and economically achieved with minimal steel strengthening works.
Construction teams are proving to be adept at developing new and innovative reuse approaches, as we see in the recent projects in this document. Reusing steel requires additional close collaboration with reclamation and deconstruction experts, such as those showcased in the case studies.
The steel sector has been at the forefront of the circular economy and reuse agendas for many years and has developed unrivalled guidance and standards on steel reclamation and reuse. Guidance and practice developed in the UK is world-leading and is being adopted within Europe and internationally. The BCSA aims to keep the supply chain abreast of important developments in this field with initiatives like Steel Construction Design for reuse and adaptive reuse.