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RFCS Projects

BATIMASS
SCI is finalising an RFCS project, with partners from Germany, Finland, Spain and Oxford Brookes University, looking into how the thermal capacity of relatively lightweight steel buildings can be enhanced. Areas of work that have been explored in the project, include dynamic thermal modelling of buildings in particular investigating the impact of exposed composite floor decks; water-cooling of floor slabs and the use of phase change materials (PCM) in composite floors, suspended ceilings and within PCM batteries. Testing work will be completed in the next few months and the final report submitted in early 2016. For more details contact Michael Sansom.

TABASCO
The quality of the outcomes from TABASCO, a European funded research project coordinated by SCI between 2011 and 2014 and involving four other partners from France, Germany, Finland and the UK, was recently praised as “remarkable” by the European Commission’s relevant technical committee. The project investigated how thermal bridging in steel construction can be minimised to improve building energy performance. It resulted in the development of an atlas of construction details for residential, commercial and industrial buildings as well as a series of best practice design guides, with a view to assist architects and suppliers in achieving energy efficient steel construction. The work carried out over the 3 year long project involved nearly 1,000 thermal simulations, laboratory tests, onsite surveys as well as structural testing of innovative solutions. For more details contact Guillaume Vannier.

NEW PROPOSALS

September saw SCI submit a number of new proposals to the research Fund for Coal and Steel. This has proven to be a valuable source of research funding for many years, and is key to SCI remaining at the leading edge of steel construction. Diverse topics covered include; execution standards for light steel, demountable steel construction, Eurocode rules for stainless steel, higher strength steels, and composite joints. The outcome of the assessment process should be known in early 2016.

Norwegian Steel Construction Association

On 10th September Graham Couchman gave a presentation on composite construction as used in the UK to a delegation brought over to London by the Norwegian Steel Construction Association. As part of their mission to learn more about UK practice, the event included fascinating presentations on The Shard and the Leadenhall building from SCI members WSP and Arup respectively. Graham was pleased to receive a traditional Norwegian cheese cutter as a sign of gratitude for his input.

SCI Annual Event 2015

12 November 2015, The Crystal, Royal Victoria Dock, London

The past, present and future of steel construction
To coincide with SCI’s 30th birthday we will be reflecting on the past, and looking at predictions for the future, to provide an insight into the shape of steel construction in years to come. We have witnessed some massive changes in the UK, not least of which is ever growing competition from outside these shores. However, we can also benefit from an international perspective to see how other markets have evolved their steel production, steel products and site practices to suite changing commercial, technical and societal drivers. You will hear from:

• Mike Walsh of Hatch Consulting who will illustrate how history tells us that the future for steel is bright. He will discuss how the technologies of steel production have evolved and what the limitations for steel products are. Generation of revenue from producing steel, not by selling tonnage, but from differentiation and the provision of good service will also be considered.


• Carl Perry of BlueScope will take a global perspective to consider how products and construction processes change to suit different economic and technical drivers. He will highlight the trend to use less, but higher strength, steel and the other materials it must compete with. By considering different markets we can see how UK products and practice may evolve.


• Graham Couchman of SCI will reflect on the rapid rise to dominance of steel construction in the UK since the decision to form an independent organisation (SCI) to develop and promote the proper and effective use of steel as a constructional material. He will highlight some landmark projects and achievements for the sector, and consider how the nature of SCI has evolved over the years.

Register your attendance: education@steel-sci.com

Offsite Construction Show

Wednesday 14 and 15th October, ExCel, London

Come and meet Andrew Way and members of the Light Steel Forum on the UKCES Stand A40. SCI and its partners from the Light Steel Forum recently completed a project to produce best practice guidance for light steel construction. The project was co-funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES). The objective of the UK Futures programme is to enhance skills in the offsite construction sector with a view to enabling the sector to grow and help meet the ever-present demand for new housing.

Anyone visiting the stand will receive copies of the output from this project.

For more information contact Andrew Way

SCI People

Introducing Eleftherios Aggelopoulos, Senior Engineer, SCI

Eleftherios joined the SCI in October 2012 and is currently participating in a range of research projects, mainly in the field of steel-concrete composite construction. His interests also include the use of FRP composites for the life extension and strengthening of ageing steel structures found in the bridge and offshore sectors.

Prior to joining the SCI, Eleftherios worked as a consulting structural engineer in both the UK and Greece and was involved in the design of a wide range of civil infrastructure and temporary works projects.

SCI Publications

Acoustic detailing for steel construction (P372) This publication presents the general principles of sound insulation, the regulatory requirements for modern residential buildings and generic acoustic solutions using steel construction technologies.

Design of floors for vibration. A new approach - Revised edition, February 2009 (P354) This publication presents guidance for assessing the vibration behaviour of floors in steel framed buildings caused by pedestrian traffic.

Light steel framing in residential construction (P402) This publication is an update to an earlier SCI guide on the use of light steel framing in residential construction. It has been updated to reflect the latest design standards and building regulations, and current construction methods. The guidance addresses all the criteria that need to be considered and explains how these can be achieved with light steel framing.

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