The circular economy is the hot new topic in construction. Although we are still grappling with what it actually means and how it can be delivered in the construction sector, the underlying fundamentals are stark and simple. Unless we can uncouple economic growth from primary resource consumption, the global prognosis is unsustainable; in short, we will quickly run out of resources.

Enough of the doom and gloom. The circular economy offers significant economic benefits, particularly to those who can think outside the box. Several macro studies predict eye-watering economic benefits, for example McKinsey predicts a net European benefit of €1.8 trillion by 2030.

Steel has excellent circular economy credentials both as a material which is strong, durable, versatile and recyclable and, as a structural framing system, which is lightweight, flexible, adaptable and reusable. See Steel_and_the_circular_economy for further information.

SCI is particularly interested in reusing, as opposed to the common practice of recycling, structural steel. We have recently completed two projects, in partnership with Cambridge University, exploring this in depth and are now working with European partners to take this work forward.

Although we conclude that today, steel reuse is unlikely to become mainstream without stronger drivers or incentives (legislative or economic) we believe that planning for a circular economy future is the smart and responsible thing for the steel sector to do.

Steelwork contractors have been using BIM for years; as a factory-based manufacturing process, they have had to. BIM overcomes several of the barriers to steel reuse by providing certainty about material properties, traceability and provenance and eliminating the need for costly chemical and physical testing.

Steelwork contractors routinely offer their clients as-built structural models on building handover. By storing such models in a secure database, we can future-proof UK steel structures by enabling:

• Efficient refurbishment and structural extension of existing structures
• Safe deconstruction
• A detailed inventory of reclaimed steel sections for future use (with full traceability and material properties)
• Optimising the recycling process through knowledge of the metallurgy of the steel.

This approach is the right and responsible thing to do. It differentiates steel from competing structural materials and gives the sector options under possible future scenarios, such as carbon taxation, material scarcity and price volatility.

We would like to hear your views on this. Please either contact Michael Sansom or contribute to our discussion via the SCI Group on LinkedIn.

Saint-Gobain Frame System Installation Guide and Training

Over recent months the SCI has been working closely with Saint-Gobain UK and Hadley Steel Framing to produce installation guidance and develop a training programme for the new Saint-Gobain Frame System (SGFS).

Saint-Gobain UK and Hadley Steel Framing have developed a warranted external wall solution. SGFS is a pre-panelised structural steel frame system, which provides complete loadbearing external and internal wall panels, comprising lightweight Hadley Steel Framing sections, which are enveloped in Saint-Gobain products.

The SGFS specification includes market leading materials produced by a number of Saint-Gobain’s construction product manufacturers, including: British Gypsum, Celotex, Isover and Weber.

The SGFS specification includes 26 thought through design interfaces that have been tested and come complete with certified SAP details. SCI have assessed the SGFS test data in order to give it their ‘SCI Assessed’ mark.

SCI have played a key role in developing the detailed installation guide for SGFS. The document covers the installation of open and closed panel systems and details the junction information required to build the correct interfaces between the Hadley Steel Framing panels and the Saint-Gobain products.

To accompany the installation guide, Saint-Gobain UK is offering installer training, designed to ensure a complete understanding of best practice when working with SGFS on site. The training will develop skills in excellent construction practice and will enable compliance with the SGFS specification required to secure the system warranty.

The SGFS training course is held at the Saint-Gobain Training Academy in Flitwick, Bedfordshire. Andrew Way from SCI is taking an active role in the delivery of the SGFS training.

Further information on SGFS, the installation guidance and the associated training is available from Saint-Gobain website.

Back in stock; Steel building design:
Worked examples for students

This easy to read publication provides a concise overview of steel design to the Eurocodes, with 12 worked examples covering the design of typical elements in a building, laid out as manual calculations. The publication includes:

• An introduction to Eurocode terminology and the structure of the Eurocode System.
• Twelve worked examples, all reflecting the influence of the UK National Annexes.
• Conservative “short cuts” appropriate for manual design.
• Templates for practical design including frame stability, beams, columns and connections chosen to represent realistic design situations.

The reference to “Students” in the title is a misnomer – the publication is an invaluable resource for students and practising engineers alike when undertaking Eurocode designs in the UK.

To purchase this publication go to the SCI Shop.

For Corporate and Sole Traders view this publication on Steelbiz.

New software to view Member Webinars

Our members who currently watch the webinars will have been notified that the current software we use to deliver these webinars will migrate to WEBEX for our webinar in March 2017 on the National Structural Steelwork Specification (NSSS).

We will be offering an additional webinar date for the popular webinars to accommodate the software’s restriction on the numbers registering for a webinar session. The software is free to download.

To see our forthcoming Member Technical Webinars visit the SCI website.

Explore Offsite at ecobuild 2017

SCI will again be present at ecobuild (7-9 March, Excel, London).

As part of Explore Offsite, Michael Sansom will be chairing the Technology Masterclass on Light gauge steel and Mark Lawson will be presenting on Light Steel Framing in Medium-rise Residential Buildings.

For further information on the Explore Offsite conference and exhibition see www.exploreoffsite.co.uk.

USA conference - CONEXPO – CON/AGG March 7 – 11, Las Vegas 2017

A North American exhibition show casing new products and technologies in the Construction industries for more information visit the CONEXPO – CON/AGG site.

In-house training

As well as providing public courses throughout the UK, SCI are able to provide training to companies at their chosen location. Content for these courses can be provided to complement specific project needs or overall company training requirements, including graduate training schemes.

Contact Jane Burrell to discuss any training requirements.

For a full list of all SCI courses/events or webinars see our events listing webpage.

SCI People

Sue Coker, Publications Sales, SCI

Sue has been with the SCI since 2004, she looks after SCI’s library, available to members, and also SCI’s publication sales. Since joining SCI Sue has seen many trend changes in the types of publications SCI sell depending on our member’s and customer’s requirements. Our most popular publications are still the Blue book and Green book series, however Sue says less obvious titles, including; Acoustic detailing for steel construction (P372) and Stability of steel beams and columns (P360) are of interest. If you are unsure about any publication or cannot find a publication on our Shop, Sue is always happy to take your call.

Email: shopsales@steel-sci.com or Tel: +44 (0) 1344 636505.

SCI Publications

Steel building design: Worked examples for students (P387) This easy-to-read publication provides a concise overview of steel design to the Eurocodes, containing 12 worked examples it is valuable resource for practicing engineers.

Steel building design: Worked examples - Open sections (P364) This guide cuts through the apparent complexity of the Eurocodes for steel design, and provides the designer with a digestible approach to common tasks.

Steel building design: Worked examples - Hollow sections (P374) For designers of steel building structures in the UK, this publication offers a series of examples of design to the Eurocodes.

SCI New Members

SCI would like to welcome new member;

SES-Steel Limited

Wisdom Engineering Ltd

SAH Engineering Ltd

SCI Members in the News

News of EOS growth in 2016; plus, book a tour

EOS Facades, leading innovator in light gauge steel construction, saw huge success throughout 2016, beginning with the commissioning of their fifth Howick machine. Factory tours also proved popular.

SMD celebrates 30 years in construction

SMD opened its doors for business in 1987. Comprising a handful of staff, Structural Metal Decks Ltd quickly found its feet in the construction industry selling an early version of what is now R51.

Hollo-Bolt used to secure one of the largest stadium screens in the World

Hollo-Bolt by Lindapter was used to secure the huge videoboard at NRG Stadium. It is made up of several boards for a total of 14,549 square feet of display packed with 5.28 million pixels.

Fusion Press Release

Robert Clark, Fusion Building Systems, will speak at the Explore Offsite Hub at Ecobuild 2017, on 9th March, about rewriting the classic fairy tale.

Twitter Suggestion

For course reminders, publication updates and article notifications follow SCI on Twitter.

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