Recovery Strategies to Bypass the Grave

摘要

As a building nears the end of its life, steel recovery strategies can result in recycling or reuse of steel. In the latterrncase, the process involves the reuse of elements of the original structure for another building project, the reuse of thernsteel structure in situ (which may include a structural design upgrade) or the dismantling and reuse of the structurernat another location. In this article, the unique nature of steel as a building material (and its infinite life) is reviewed,rnin terms of recovery, more specifically reuse, by answering seven questions, presenting three case studies onrnsuccessful reuse projects, and concluding with comments about the future. The future of steel recovery is very green,rnboth in terms of recycling and reuse. In terms of reuse, more work needs to be done with respect to the sharing ofrninformation on potential reuse projects and the availability of recovered steel. At the moment, finding reused steelrnrequires a one-of-a-kind individual effort. However, projects with Natural Resources Canada are currently underrnway to improve material flow. As we await such developments, it makes good sense to involve structural engineersrnand fabricators early in the design of a green steel building, as they are more likely to have knowledge of possiblerndemolition sites or other sites – an added contribution to a more integrated design approach, better LEED? ratings,rneffective recovery results and consequently better green buildings. Steel recovery strategies will no doubt help arnbuilding bypass the grave.