Structural steel reuseMichael Sansom

20 January 2017

Steel already has excellent recycling credentials

Reuse and recycling ratesProduct % Reused % Recycled % Lost

Heavy structural sections/tubes 7 93 0

Rebar (in concrete superstructures) 0 98 2

Rebar (in concrete sub-structure or foundations) 2 95 2

Steel piles (sheet and bearing) 15 71 14

Light structural steel 5 93 2

Profile steel cladding (roof/facade) 10 89 1

Internal light steel (e.g. plaster profiles, door frames) 0 94 6

Other (e.g. stainless steel) 4 95 1

Average (across all products) 5 91 4

Survey of NFDC members, 2013

Reuse and recycling ratesProduct % Reused % Recycled % Lost

Heavy structural sections/tubes 7 93 0

Rebar (in concrete superstructures) 0 98 2

Rebar (in concrete sub-structure or foundations) 2 95 2

Steel piles (sheet and bearing) 15 71 14

Light structural steel 5 93 2

Profile steel cladding (roof/facade) 10 89 1

Internal light steel (e.g. plaster profiles, door frames) 0 94 6

Other (e.g. stainless steel) 4 95 1

Average (across all products) 5 91 4

Survey of NFDC members, 2013

What is the problem/opportunity? Structural steel reuse is technically viable But there are many barriers

• Cost & programme Lack of drivers/incentives Significant environmental benefits Reuse retains economic activity within the UK

• Most UK scrap steel is currently exported• A large proportion of structural steel is

imported

Many reusable steel systems

If viable CE business models cannot be developed for structural steel then it is hard to see how CE models will be achievable for other construction products

Supply chain integration

Innovate UK funded feasibility study Supply-demand co-ordination tool for steel reuse

Interviews and on-line survey

Barriers to steel reuse

Extra cost Availability of suitable sections Lack of demand/incentive Traceability, certification and quality Programme constraints Lack of supply chain integration Uncommon practice – lack of skills and

experience in how to do it

Steel reuse case studies

9 Cambridge Avenue relocation

Bus terminal Schiphol Airport Amsterdam1942 London

Bus terminal Schiphol Airport Amsterdam1942 London

1958 Rotterdam

Bus terminal Schiphol Airport Amsterdam1942 London

2015 Schiphol

1958 Rotterdam

Bus terminal Schiphol Airport Amsterdam1942 London

2015 Schiphol

1958 Rotterdam

Profit opportunity £313 per tonne

But additional cost for: Deconstruction Testing Storage Transport Refabrication

Economic assessment

Study conclusions Viability of ‘reuse today’ unlikely to yield a viable

business model without legislative drivers Economic case is marginal other than for niche

markets and scenarios A database of new steel structures appears

more attractive; facilitating future refurbishment, reuse and recycling scenarios

Future reuse As-built IFC files provided

on request• Simple to generate from

Tekla Uploaded to a database to

facilitate future:• Refurbishment and extension• Reuse• Traceability and properties for

optimising recycling

REDUCE• Reuse and Demountability using Steel

Structures and the Circular Economy

• 42 month, EU funded project• To provide practical tools and steel-based

technologies to be able to design steel and composite structures for deconstruction and reuse

REDUCE partners

Scope of REDUCE

Barriers and drivers Opportunities for

standardisation Sectors & technologies LCA and CE metrics BIM and the CE Structural testing Demonstration building

‘There’s nothing new under the sun’

1908 -1980

Meccano bridge, Bolton, 2012

100ft world record bridge, Belfast, 2015

SCI is the leading, independent provider of technical expertise and disseminator of best practice to the steel construction sector. We work in partnership with clients, members and industry peers to help build businesses and provide competitive advantage through the commercial application of our knowledge. We are committed to offering and promoting sustainable and environmentally responsible solutions.