Fit for reuse: the case for steel beams

AI Quick Summary

Steel Beams are a good candidate for «Re-Use» do to their high stadardisation, high value and high potential for emissions’ reduction. However, being structural elements, quality assurance is key. Our goal is to develop a lean and efficient methodfor on-site quality checking. This will be done understanding quality information requirements and selecting a set of tests that can deliver these within schedule and budget. The designed process will be tested on a pilot project from Eberhard Unternehmungen. Problem: steel beams are a good candidate for “Re-Use” as they are standardized, because of their high value and because of the high potential for emission reduction (up to 3 tons CO2-e. per ton of steel). However, since they are structural elements, quality assurance is crucial. Quality certification is currently only applied to new beams.Goal: Set up a lean and efficient quality testing process that allows for profitable «Re-Use» of Steel Beams.How:Create a decision matrix based on the available information about the recollected beams. Information gathered by Eberhard Unternehmungen, Implementation PartnerSelection of necessary testing through analysis of available methods and understanding of construction requirements. Information gathered by Swiss Safety Center (SSC), Certification Partner and EMPA Durability Lab, Research PartnerPilot project: measurement of recollected steel beams (tbd, between 20-200). Mobile measurements conducted by SSC, lab measurements conducted by EMPA.Potential partners: steel contractor

Project Idea Metadata

• Project Idea Name: Fit for reuse: the case for steel beams
• Date: 4/3/2023 9:36:36 AM
• Administrators:
  • Veronica Contucci

Project Idea Description

Problem: steel beams are a good candidate for “Re-Use” as they are standardized, because of their high value and because of the high potential for emission reduction (up to 3 tons CO2-e. per ton of steel). However, since they are structural elements, quality assurance is crucial. Quality certification is currently only applied to new beams.

Goal: Set up a lean and efficient quality testing process that allows for profitable «Re-Use» of Steel Beams.

How:

1. Create a decision matrix based on the available information about the recollected beams. Information gathered by Eberhard Unternehmungen, Implementation Partner
2. Selection of necessary testing through analysis of available methods and understanding of construction requirements. Information gathered by Swiss Safety Center (SSC), Certification Partner and EMPA Durability Lab, Research Partner
3. Pilot project: measurement of recollected steel beams (tbd, between 20-200). Mobile measurements conducted by SSC, lab measurements conducted by EMPA.

Potential partners: steel contractor

Steel Beams are a good candidate for «Re-Use» do to their high stadardisation, high value and high potential for emissions’ reduction. However, being structural elements, quality assurance is key. Our goal is to develop a lean and efficient methodfor on-site quality checking. This will be done understanding quality information requirements and selecting a set of tests that can deliver these within schedule and budget. The designed process will be tested on a pilot project from Eberhard Unternehmungen.