LIFE CYCLE COSTING STAINLESS STEEL ARCHITECTURE, BUILDING AND CONSTRUCTION SUSTAINABILITY RECYCLING

Stainless steel: a lifetime of savings

While it may require an initial higher investment when compared with other materials, stainless steel’s unique properties deliver long-term performance and economic benefits including minimum downtime, reduced maintenance costs and reduced environmental impacts.

The efficient operation of public infrastructure has a strong effect on the quality of our daily lives: reliable access to energy and drinking water; the ease of travelling by road, rail, air or water; the safe disposal of waste and sewage; all determine how we live and work.

In these sectors, stainless steel can play an important role. Stainless steel enjoys a strong and enduring reputation for structural durability, corrosion resistance and visual appeal in a wide range of applications and environments. While it may require an initial higher investment when compared with other materials, stainless steel’s unique properties deliver long-term performance and economic benefits including minimum downtime, reduced maintenance costs and reduced environmental impacts. Proper material selection is a decisive factor for the durability and lifespan of infrastructure. It is the key to maximum availability and low maintenance costs during its entire life cycle.

Proper material selection is a decisive factor for the durability and lifespan of infrastructure.

Stainless steel is the material of choice when life cycle costs are considered, and these are benchmarked against the material’s unique properties below.

Acquisition

When compared with mild or galvanized steel for example, stainless steel often has a higher purchasing cost per unit of weight. However, its mechanical and corrosion resistant properties make it possible to use less of the material itself and to design without additional protective coatings in many project applications. The cost advantages of specifying stainless steel may not be apparent upfront, however its material benefits deliver the return on investment when life cycle project costs are considered.

Installation

Stainless steel delivers high quality, durable and lightweight structures. Substantial cost savings around transportation, constructability and man hours per tonne can be realised when less material is used.

For example, the use of stainless steel reinforcement bar in bridge structures can significantly reduce the thickness of concrete cover required due to its corrosion resistance and relatively higher tensile strength, resulting in a lighter weight structure and easy on-site installation.

Operation

Efficient operation of infrastructure is key to the success of any project. Maintenance closures due to poor corrosion performance and disruptions to public accessibility are some important considerations when determining the materials selection at the design and specification stage of a project.

Stainless steel delivers many benefits with its inherent corrosion resistance at the forefront.

Mild steels and other materials are often coated or plated for surface protection, however it does not embody the self-repairing mechanism that stainless steels offer.

Stainless steel delivers many benefits with its inherent corrosion resistance at the forefront.

The lobby of William Penn Place in Pittsburgh USA was refurbished 50 years after its construction, with stainless steel material replacement not required.
The lobby of William Penn Place in Pittsburgh USA was refurbished 50 years after its construction, with stainless steel material replacement not required.

Downtime

Downtime is an unwanted situation in the operational period of any project. Unfortunately, it can only be ‘allowed for’ in annual estimates. Experience shows stainless steel requires less maintenance and repair than alternative materials, reducing overall downtime.

Residual value

Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and has an attractive scrap value due to the presence of nickel and other alloying elements in its composition. There are multiple examples of building refurbishments where stainless steel has been repurposed and reused: The lobby of William Penn Place in Pittsburgh USA, for example, was refurbished 50 years after its construction, with stainless steel material replacement not required.

More information about the benefits of stainless steel for infrastructure:

Stainless steel infrastructure A lifetime of savings highlights stainless steel as the gateway to a lifetime of savings. Three examples of stainless steel in infrastructure demonstrate how the benefits of stainless steel contribute to the best possible scenario in terms of life cycle costing.

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