Real and perceived barriers to steel reuse across the UK construction value chain

The lower price of reused components can contribute to cost savings in construction projects.

“For example, according to Chileshe et al., (2018), da Rocha and Sattler (2009), Dunant et al. (2017), Gorgolewski et al. (2008), Klang et al. (2003) and MacKinnon (2000), the lower price of the reused components can contribute to the cost savings in the construction projects.”

An attractive price for reused components increases revenue from resale of these components.

“and increases the revenue from the resale of these components (Dantata et al., 2005; da Rocha and Sattler, 2009; Dunant et al., 2017; Klang et al., 2003; Sea-Lim et al., 2018)”

Positive perception and willingness of stakeholders such as clients, designers and contractors to integrate reused components into their projects are determining.

“However, from a social perspective, positive perception and willingness of the stakeholders such as clients (Arif et al., 2012; Dunant et al., 2017, 2018; Gorgolewski, 2008; Gorgolewski et al., 2008; Sansom and Avery, 2014; Shaurette, 2006; ), designers (Dunant et al., 2017, 2018; Gorgolewski, 2008; Gorgolewski et al., 2008; Rameezdeen et al., 2016; Tingley et al., 2017) and contractors (Chileshe”

Another economic barrier to BCR is the higher cost of design with reused components.

“Another economic barrier to the BCR is the higher cost of design with the reused components (Dunant et al., 2017; Gorgolewski, 2008; Gorgolewski et al., 2008).”

In some cases, the fabrication cost of recovered building components might be higher than the fabrication cost of new elements.

“In some cases, the fabrication cost of the recovered building components might be higher than the fabrication cost of the new elements (Dunant et al., 2017, 2018; Tingley et al., 2017).”

Because reused steel components are associated with existing connections, holes, stiffeners, welds, end-plates, etc., preparation of these components might increase the overall cost of fabrication because of extra time, labour and machinery required.

“Dunant et al. (2017) explain that because reused steel components are associated with existing connections, holes, stiffeners, welds, end-plates, etc., the preparation of these components might increase the overall cost of fabrication because of the extra time, labour and machinery required.”

The lack of an established market results in the lack of sufficient supply of reused components with desired characteristics.

“This factor, which is partially the outcome of the tight project schedules (Tatiya et al., 2017), results in the lack of sufficient supply of reused components with the desired characteristics (dimension, quality, etc.) (Brütting et al., 2019; da Rocha and Sattler, 2009; Dunant et al., 2017; Gorgolewski, 2008; Rose and Stegemann, 2018; Tingley et al., 2017).”

Lack of design for deconstruction (DfD) intervention at the design stage is a barrier to reuse of building components.

“According to the literature, the lack of such an intervention is a barrier to reuse (Ajayi et al., 2015; Chileshe et al., 2015, 2016b; Dunant et al., 2017; Huuhka and Hakanen, 2015; Tatiya et al., 2017 (among others)).”

Visual appearance of reused components might be interpreted as lower quality compared with a new element.

“One reason behind this is the visual appearance of the reused components that might be interpreted as lower quality when compared with a new element (Dunant et al., 2017; Durão et al., 2014; Tingley et al., 2017).”

Construction sector's resistance against reuse stems from potential risks perceived by stakeholders during deconstruction or while using recovered building components.

“Another reason for this negative perception, and, at a larger scale, the construction sector’s resistance against reuse (Durão et al., 2014; Gorgolewski, 2008; Rameezdeen et al., 2016; Tingley et al., 2017), stems from the potential risks perceived by the stakeholders during deconstruction or while using the recovered building components (Chileshe et al., 2015; Dunant et al., 2017; Gorgolewski, 20”

Traceability of steel sections is essential to certify, fabricate and erect the segments.

“Dunant et al. (2017) explore this barrier by highlighting the need for the traceability of the steel sections, which is essential to certify, fabricate and erect the segments.”

Traceability of reused steel sections usually cannot be guaranteed.

“Usually, the traceability of the reused steel sections cannot be guaranteed (Dunant et al., 2017; Tingley et al., 2017), and in many instances, all the segments need to be tested to certify their properties and assure their quality.”

In the case of stricter requirements on Conformité Européene (CE) marking, even individual testing fails to certify reused components.

“However, according to this study, in the case of stricter requirements on Conformité Européene (CE) marking (Dunant et al., 2017; Tingley et al., 2017), even the individual testing fails to certify the reused components.”

Currently, there are no standards to certify the quality of reused components.

“According to the reviewed articles, currently, there are no standards to certify the quality of the reused components (Chini and Acquaye, 2001, Dunant et al., 2017, Huang et al., 2018).”

In many instances, all segments need to be tested to certify their properties and assure their quality.

“Usually, the traceability of the reused steel sections cannot be guaranteed (Dunant et al., 2017; Tingley et al., 2017), and in many instances, all the segments need to be tested to certify their properties and assure their quality.”

In the UK, 8%-11% of steel from demolition is reused, with a downward trend.

“In the UK, 8%-11% of steel from demolition is reused, with a downward trend [89,90].”

Reuse saves 0.36 kg CO2/kg of steel compared to recycling given the energy requirements of remelting in an electric arc furnace, which is much less than replacing virgin steel (1.78 kg CO2/kg) but still appreciable.

“Reuse saves 0.36 kg CO 2 /kg of steel compared to recycling given the energy requirements of remelting in an electric arc furnace, which is much less than replacing virgin steel (1.78 kg CO 2 /kg) but still appreciable [89].”

Important barriers to reuse are the (perceived) availability of correctly specified components to be reused, issues associated with quality assurance and risk, and (perceived) costs.

“Important barriers are the (perceived) availability of correctly specified components to be reused, issues associated with quality assurance and risk, and (perceived) costs [89,92,93].”