Reclaiming structural steels from the end of service life composite structures for reuse – An assessment of the viability of different methods

Han-Mei Chen; Yong Wang; Kan Zhou; Dennis Lam; Wei Guo; Lin Li; Atta Ajayebi; Peter Hopkinson

Developments in the Built Environment (May 2022)

Reclaiming structural steels from the end of service life composite structures for reuse – An assessment of the viability of different methods

Han-Mei Chen,
Yong Wang,
Kan Zhou,
Dennis Lam,
Wei Guo,
Lin Li,
Atta Ajayebi,
Peter Hopkinson

Affiliations

Han-Mei Chen: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK; School of Architecture, University of Liverpool, 19-23 Abercromby Square, Liverpool, L69 7ZN, UK; Corresponding author. Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK.
Yong Wang: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Kan Zhou: Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK; School of Built Environment, Engineering and Computing, Leeds Beckett University, 211 Northern Terrace, Leeds, LS1 3HE, UK
Dennis Lam: Faculty of Engineering and Informatics, University of Bradford, Bradford, West Yorkshire, BD7 1DP, UK
Wei Guo: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Lin Li: Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of Manchester, Oxford Rd, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
Atta Ajayebi: Exeter Business School, University of Exeter, Northcote House, The Queen's Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QJ, UK
Peter Hopkinson: Exeter Business School, University of Exeter, Northcote House, The Queen's Drive, Exeter, EX4 4QJ, UK

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 10
p. 100077

Abstract

Read online

The ability to separate structural steel sections from concrete slabs in composite beams without damage forms a key technical challenge for reclaim and direct re-use of composite structures as opposed to recycling. This paper addresses this technical challenge. It presents the results of a feasibility study using a variety of potential techniques, including laser cutting, band-saw cutting, wire-saw and wall-saw cutting, and diamond core drilling, to cut welded shear connectors in conventional steel-concrete composite beams with the steel sheeting perpendicular to the steel section. The most feasible reclaiming method was found to be wire-saw and wall-saw cutting. After reclaiming steel sections, steel tensile coupon tests were carried out on the recovered steel sections and their mechanical properties were compared to those of the original steel used in the composite beams. The coupon test results showed identical behaviour of the original and reclaimed steels. The energy use of the different methods of reclaiming was also recorded to calculate carbon emission and was found to be several orders of magnitude lower than manufacturing virgin steel or recycling steel.

Published in Developments in the Built Environment

ISSN: 2666-1659 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United Kingdom
LCC subjects: Technology: Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General); Technology: Building construction
Website: https://www.journals.elsevier.com/developments-in-the-built-environment/

About the journal

Abstract

Keywords