SCI event focuses on steel construction’s evolution

The past, present and future of steel construction was the theme of this year’s Steel Construction Institute (SCI) event, held at The Crystal in London Docklands.

The opening address was by SCI Chief Executive Graham Couchman (pictured) who reminded the attendees of the fact that the SCI is now 30 years old.

“Formed in 1985, the SCI has a long-term programme to continue to promote the effective use of steel in construction,” he said.

The guest speakers were Michael Walsh, Hatch Consulting and Carl Perry, Bluescope, who both stressed the importance of steel within the wider global economy.

Mr Walsh said since 1890 global steel production has grown 4% every year on average and this is likely to continue well into the future.

“During the next decades emerging economies will provide a market even bigger than the current Chinese market,” he said.

For the European steel making industry to survive he said a better use of resources was needed and this included the recycling of scrap, which he termed as a natural resource.

The trend towards thinner and higher strength steels and the advantages of off-site modular construction were two of the themes in the address delivered by Carl Perry of Bluescope.

More than 60% of the world’s steel is used in construction and consequently changeability and technology must be embraced by the sector he said.

To highlight the benefits of modular construction, Mr Perry talked about a 120,000m² distribution centre in the USA that was erected in just 28 days.

The event concluded with a question and answer session and the SCI AGM.