Blog 3 - IS STEEL SUSTAINABLE?


This is going to be interesting, I am going to contradict the statements I have given so far. Getting my facts checked is the best thing I got to learn, let alone being right or wrong.

Factors that make steel a sustainable material

  • Recyclability 
  • Construction-site friendly 
  • Energy efficiency 
  • Long life 
  • Reusable by-products 
  • Lesser embodied energy compares to most of the materials 
  • Recovery rate up to 95% 

Other benefits of steel include

  • Short construction and installation time
  • Lesser contribution to the overall weight of the structure compared to the high strength that steel imparts. 
  • Flexible in nature (tensile strength) 
  • Flexible to work (adaptability) 

Disadvantages of steel in the construction industry

  • High maintenance cost
  • Expansion and bulking due to fluctuating temperatures
  • Quality control

To consider the key environmental  issues

  • Pollution done due to manufacturing
  • Land dereliction
Keeping in mind the environmental issues, it is necessary to do the needful and put forward certain restrictions to prevent the exploitation of resources. 

Steel has done many magical contributions to the modern man and continues to do so. We have learned to get the best out of steel and over time, we also have adopted sustainable measures to treat and handle steel. 
  • For every 2.5 Kg of material input, 1 Kg of steel is produced. The remaining 1.5 Kg material is used as a by-product. 
  • For every 2.5 Kg of material, 60g is a non-usable waste.
  • The steel components contribute less than 2% of the total energy usage of a building with 10-30-% of steel with a life of 50 years. 
  • Steel is up to 95% recyclable.
Yes, steel is a sustainable building material that demands a high quality of workmanship and skilled labour.

Here's an example of how steel is being adapted in India

Chose a lesser-known project for a difference 

 

      

Brahmrishi Ashram Meditation Centre in its construction stage. 

(source: https://www.architectandinteriorsindia.com/products/1374-structural-steel-is-adaptable-to-different-contexts-and-designs#:~:text=The%20ability%20to%20cater%20to,material%20for%20highly%20conceptual%20outputs.&text=%E2%80%9CIn%20India%2C%20we%20have%20been,primarily%20due%20to%20cost%20constraints.)


- Janani Venkateswaran

No.of words - 305

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