Demountable structural steel assemblies would be a greener way to make use of steel in the construction industry than recycling, says University of New South Wales (UNSW) School of Civil and Environmental Engineering professor, Brian Uy.
Recycling steel reduces waste but consumes only marginally less energy than producing steel from scratch, Uy says. Large-scale demountable buildings are a feasible proposition, UY says. Taking steel used in existing buildings to reuse on new projects would avoid the need to smelt new steel.
Implementing re-used steel could be a game changer for the construction industry by reducing the environmental and cost impacts of using steel in new buildings, Uy contends. Structural steel is well suited to demountability, as it lends itself to common bolted construction methods. UNSW is working on the development of appropriate components and connections to make demountable structural steel a reality.
Codes and standards would need to recognize, characterize, and assess the reliability of the material being supplied from the reused stock. Some countries including Malaysia are taking steps toward this model, promoting Cradle to Cradle concepts for infrastructure. In the UK, the Sustainable Construction Panel of the Institution of Structural Engineers recently submitted a white paper to promote reuse in BREEAM, the UK green building scheme.
(http://www.architectureanddesign.com.au/news/demountable-steel-structures-the-future-of-the-con)
Related Stories
| May 14, 2012
Adrian Smith + Gordon Gill Architecture design Seoul’s Dancing Dragons
Supertall two-tower complex located in Seoul’s Yongsan International Business District.
| May 7, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
A new military hospital invokes evidence-based design to create a LEED-certified facility for the nation’s soldiers and their families.
| May 3, 2012
2012 BUILDING TEAM AWARDS: Rush University Medical Center
This fully integrated Building Team opted for a multi-prime contracting strategy to keep construction going on Chicago’s Rush University Medical Center, despite the economic meltdown.
| Apr 23, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti project wins AISC Merit Award
Thornton Tomasetti provided structural design services through construction administration to architect HOK for the 1.6-million-sf tower and tiara structure, which comprises 15 steel tube arches spanning approximately 158 feet horizontally and 130 feet vertically from the top of the main building roof.
| Apr 17, 2012
FMI report examines federal construction trends
Given the rapid transformations occurring in the federal construction sector, FMI examines the key forces accelerating these changes, as well as their effect on the industry.
| Mar 26, 2012
McCarthy tops off Math and Science Building at San Diego Mesa College
Designed by Architects | Delawie Wilkes Rodrigues Barker, the new San Diego Mesa College Math and Science Building will provide new educational space for students pursuing degree and certificate programs in biology, chemistry, physical sciences and mathematics.
| Mar 14, 2012
Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way
The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.
| Mar 6, 2012
Gensler and Skender complete new corporate headquarters for JMC Steel in Chicago
Construction was completed by Skender in just 12 weeks.
| Feb 20, 2012
All Steel names Breagy director of metro New York
Breagy is responsible for overseeing this region’s sales team while strategically coordinating the sales efforts of Allsteel dealers and representatives in the tri-state area.
| Feb 10, 2012
LAX Central Utility Plant project tops out
Construction workers placed the final structural steel beam atop the Plant, which was designed with strict seismic criteria to help protect the facility and airport utilities during an earthquake.
