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Steel Designers' Manual - 6th Edition (2003)
Chapter 8
Sustainability and
steel construction
by GRAHAM RAVEN
8.1 Introduction
The UK Government, along with many others, has a very strong policy to encourage
sustainable development. In May 1999, it published A better quality of life – a
strategy for sustainable development for the United Kingdom. The principles in this
document were further developed for the construction industry in Building a better
quality of life – a strategy for more sustainable construction, which was published in
April 2000. The underlying principles of sustainability lie in the appropriate balance
of economic, social and environmental impacts, the so-called triple bottom line. The
strong message is that for a viable long term future any enterprise must pay due
concern to the following issues:
• Maintenance of high and stable levels of economic growth and employment
• Social progress which recognizes the needs of everyone
• Prudent use of natural resources
• Effective protection of the environment.
Clearly, to be successful all these issues need to be balanced, as over-commitment
to any one of them at the expense of the others will lead to failure in the long term.
There are many examples of how the steel construction sector has progressed to
be itself more sustainable and contribute to sustainable construction. Some of these
are set out below.
Steel has a significant role in construction and has established a strong position.
In the UK structural frames now have approximately 70% of the multi-storey frame
and 95% of the single storey industrial buildings market.
8.2 Economic impacts
The UK steelwork sector has worked and continues to work hard to provide the
most economic solutions and work methods. It has become world-class through its
investments in IT and associated technologies, based on the use of 3-D modelling
for detailing with direct links to CNC machines and suppliers. This is proving to be
a strong foundation for the release of further benefits which stems from integration
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