big project me steel supplement 2014

Big Project ME takes a closer look at the most vital of all construction materials

STEEL WORKS

ALSO INSIDE STEEL BENDING

CORROSION PROTECTIONSUSTAINABILITY AND STEEL

BIM AND STEEL STRUCTURES

STEEL SUPPLEMENT 2014

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1STEEL SUPPLEMENT 2014 MID

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EDITOR’S COMMENT

Gavin DavidsDeputy Editor

Heavy metal culture

MID

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Having had limited exposure to the steel industry prior to the writing of this supplement, I confess that I would have been sceptical if I had been told that it could have a major impact on the sustainability of the project.

After all, given the massive amounts of energy expended in manufacturing the material, it’s hard to believe that this could in fact be something that would be considered sustainable.

How wrong I was, as this supplement shows. Not only is the manufacturing process a lot more streamlined than I thought, but the steel industry itself is taking its own steps to ensure that its products are carefully sourced and environmentally friendly.

This is achieved by promoting a culture of recycling, of adopting technology and of preventing problems before they occur, all of which are covered in this supplement.

I hope you learn as much as I did about this fascinating, and at times underappreciated, facet of the construction industry. Happy reading!

THE STELLAR STEELER

BENDINGTHE RULES

BIMSTEPS UP

COMBATTINGCORROSION

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SPONSOR COMMENT HADLEY GROUP BIGPROJECTME.COM

In construction we know cranes on the horizon

are a good indicator of growth. They herald

new building projects, but also point to the

need to develop communities in responsible

and sustainable ways. Central to the sustainability

of buildings is the need to consider each in terms

of its total lifecycle from its foundations to end

of life. It is an attempt to maximise its resource

efficiency, provide cost effectiveness in mainte-

nance, consider dismantling and recycling and

minimise carbon output, including embodied

carbon which is present within all raw materials.

To this end the total lifecycle cost and resource

efficiency of steel is proven. Steel is renewable.

Rolling out a sustainable lifecycle Merv Richards, managing director of Hadley Industries (Middle East) FZE, the Middle East’s largest cold rolled steel manufacturer, explains why the use of steel is both a logical and a sustainable choice for construction projects and how Hadley Group’s experience within the region suggests positive growth in both the application of steel and the construction sector in the short- and medium-term

MERV RICHARDS

Steel’s strength, durability and stability is espe-

cially well suited to construction and especially

relevant to the Middle East in comparison to

timber and concrete alternatives.

Less than 1% of steel ends up as waste com-

pared to 58% of timber and 5% of concrete. Steel

is both 100% recyclable and indefinitely recycla-

ble meaning you can recycle it time after time,

use after use. The steel frame and sections for one

building could ultimately be recycled and used

in as many as you need in the future. Embodied

carbon is also higher within concrete and timber

than in steel and given the recycling credentials

of steel, virtually all of its embodied carbon is

neutralised with future use.

Hadley Group’s structural steel framing solu-

tions are recognised as a logical and sustainable

way to build within the Middle East. Unlike

concrete structures, steel frame buildings are not

reliant on wet trades and in a geography where

access to water can present very challenging

logistical and carbon footprint obstacles.

The use of steel framing enables the weath-

ered envelope to be rapidly completed, reduc-

ing pollution, transportation impacts and on

saving labour costs and movement.

Equally, access to timber is problematic in

the region and, with typically only 13% of timber

recycled from a building’s structural frame com-

pared to 20% of concrete and a rewarding 99% of

steel sections. Overall, timber fails to deliver as ef-

fectively in total lifecycle terms compared to steel.

With Expo 2020 centred on Dubai, the Middle

East is once more a focal point with cumulative

growth in the construction industry in Middle

East and North Africa set to reach 80% over the

next decade surpassing global industry growth

DURABLE STRENGTHSteel's durability, strength and stability is well suited

to construction in the Middle East.

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SPONSOR COMMENT HADLEY GROUP

at 67%. In addition, both infrastructure and con-

struction projects in Qatar will be boosted by the

hosting of the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Our Estidama accreditation and the adoption

of Hadley cold rolled steel sections for use in the

Masdar City project in Abu Dhabi is a further

indication that steel and sustainability share a

common voice.

As the world’s first carbon neutral, zero-waste

city, Masdar City’s renewable buildings will estab-

lish principles that can be adopted by the world.

Hadley Group’s significant contribution

to Masdar City is in the use of our patented,

Queen’s Award winning, UltraSTEEL® process

for steel construction sections. UltraSTEEL is

a cold rolled pre-forming process that locally

work hardens the base metal, making it stronger.

Because the process is applied to the standard

base metal and in-line in the cold rolled forming

process, it is does not increase manufacturing

cost and is ideal for high volumes.

The simplicity and flexibility of the UltraS-

TEEL process make it suitable for an incredibly

wide range of applications, from construction

profiles, through to automotive and high toler-

ance bespoke components. The UltraSTEEL

products approved and supplied for Masdar City

include: Cable management steel profiles (cable

tray and cable trunking); ceiling furring sections

and UltraGRID profiles; dry wall framing profiles

(studs and tracks); Hi Strut support channels

and UltraSTRUT support channels, plus Hadley

Steel Framing.

This process alters the characteristics of

the raw material thus imparting a uniformed

strengthening across the metal which substan-

tially increases the load bearing capacity.

As such products manufactured using the

UltraSTEEL process will use less metal, which of

course reduces the impact the business has on

the environment. It also results in products that

are lighter so higher volumes can be shipped

on each load, thus lowering transport related

pollution.

Over 1 billion metres of UltraSTEEL product

are manufactured globally each year by Hadley

Group and its licensees for use in various con-

struction projects.

Merv Richards is managing director of Hadley

Industries (Middle East) FZE

“LESS THAN 1% OF STEEL ENDS UP AS WASTE COMPARED TO 58% OF TIMBER AND 5% OF CONCRETE. STEEL IS BOTH 100% RECYCLABLE AND INDEFINITELY RECYCLABLE”

UltraSTEEL is also an example of how steel

can be refined and developed as a raw material.

We have a dedicated technology centre aimed

solely at innovating new cold rolled form prod-

ucts that further reduce raw material use.

For instance, co-operation between Hadley

Group and one of the largest manufacturers of

cement roof tiles in South East Asia has resulted

in a range of innovative, ready-made steel roof-

ing products aimed at the dynamic Thai build-

ing market. The susceptibility of timber to fire in

South East Asia is a concern and our steel roof

truss range offers exceptional strength to weight

ratios and is pre-engineered for rapid installa-

tion and value for money.

Hadley Steel Framing in Dubai has complet-

ed a series of construction projects across the

Middle East using the lightweight steel framing

process. Hadley UltraSTEEL dry walling sections

have been specified on a number of prestige

projects in the Middle East including New York

University and Mafraq Hospital.

The award of Expo 2020 has given the region

fresh impetus and we are already experiencing

a confidence that has been lacking during the

past 5 years with many projects already an-

nounced and many more in the pipeline. Hadley

Industries (Middle East) FZE looks forward to

working with our key partners in maximising the

tremendous opportunities that lie ahead. n

FRESH IMPETUSThe award of Expo 2020 has given the construction industry a boost, Merv Richards says.

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IN PROFILE ABU BUCKER HUSAIN BIGPROJECTME.COM

Big Project ME speaks to Al Ghurair Iron & Steel’s Abu Bucker Husain, a grounded CEO with high-f lying plans for steel manufacturing in the UAE

THE STELLARSTEELER

Numerous steel and metal dealers dot the

Industrial City of Abu Dhabi (ICAD)’s

premises. Prominently located in one of

its many zones is the humble – yet striking

– warehouse where some of the region’s best

qualities of galvanised steel are rendered. The

massive blue-painted production facility belongs

to Al Ghurair Iron & Steel (AGIS), a steel cold-

rolling and galvanising specialist in the country.

At the crux of AGIS – through its early days of

filing paperwork for permits, to the rigmarole of

financial blockages during the market crash, and

the much-needed leaps the firm has taken since –

is the company’s grounded chief executive officer,

Abu Bucker Husain.

In his cozy office that silently flaunts his many

academic and entrepreneurial achievements,

Husain has grand, but realistic and achievable

plans for the firm he has built and weathered

through a storm.

“Nothing compares to that period,” he recalls,

“It doesn’t matter which industry you look at; steel,

construction, commodities – every company was

part of the hyperinflationary phase that 2007 was.

What you see today is the real market demand.”

“2007 was mostly built on speculation – we’re

happy with what we’re doing today and that’s why

we’re going for the expansion. There is obviously

sufficient demand in the market and capacities

are available too. However, numerically, it isn’t the

same as 2007,” he states.

Initially a family business, AGIS now operates

as ‘a professionally-managed entity’ – crucially

however, is that AGIS remains one of the few,

young survivors of the market crash in 2009, which

occurred in the same year as its commencement of

commercial production.

With a current capacity of 200,000 tons per

annum, Husain now has his eyes set on developing

a line expansion for AGIS. Presently in its

manufacturing stage, it is due to be completed by

next year.

“Nippon Steel & Sumitomo Metal Corporation

(NSSMC), one of the world’s largest steel

producers – the best in terms of quality – owns 20%

of our operations, and the rest is controlled by Al

Ghurair Group,” Husain proudly reveals about his

company, asserting that AGIS is by no means a

negligible member in the country’s steel sector.

Nevertheless, Husain is realistic about the role

of AGIS in the backdrop of the larger UAE market

– notably, he understands that his is one of the few

companies in the UAE that actively deals with steel

in industrial capacities.

A student of economics, Husain quickly

comprehends the dynamics of a ticking

commercial city like Dubai and its capability – or

perceived lack of – to produce industrial capacities.

“The promotion of any industry is not a standalone

activity,” he says. “It requires relevant and

SURVIVAL PLANAGIS is one of the few

young survivors of the market crash in 2009.

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IN PROFILE ABU BUCKER HUSAIN

“WE HAVE TO BE VERY CAUTIOUS WHEN CHOOSING A VENDOR OR A CONTRACTOR. WE DON’T WANT ‘THE BEST IN THE MARKET’, WE WANT THE BEST THAT WORKS FOR US”

appropriate government policies that can facilitate

the right business environment and adequate local

market demand-capacity levels.”

“The UAE is often viewed as a ‘western country

in the Middle East’, and that has increased the

influx of international players into the local market.

This has begun to alter the business models in

the region, which were typically family-owned

local companies and had the comfort level of

functioning in their own country – to multi-

nationals like NSSMC coming into the region.”

Husain’s reading of the UAE market and its

industrial potential borrows greatly from what is

often viewed as a regional limitation in this part of

the world. With narrow steel production capacities

in the GCC, the UAE has ample scope to graduate

into a leading steel manufacturer for the region –

an opportunity Husain is eagerly anticipating.

“The region itself is a net importer of steel. The

UAE, especially Dubai, has always been a trading

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IN PROFILE ABU BUCKER HUSAIN BIGPROJECTME.COM

not only work towards delivering high-quality and

appropriately-priced products and services from

AGIS – he also demands the same.

“Quality depends on the purpose of the

product,” Husain says. “Our raw materials are

sourced from Nippon, Bluescope in Australia

and Hadeed (as our local producer). But because

we base our production on customer needs, we

buy the raw material at commercial grades – not

automotive or white-goods grade– and in relevant,

minimum-required quantities.

“We do have customers who say our services

are overpriced, but we don’t target them. The $20-

$30 premium on our products over the next best

in the market is because our customers value the

quality of products and services we offer them –

they understand that our standards reflect in their

operations,” he adds proudly.

Husain is, in all likelihood, one of the rare

breed who are inherently – without too many

consultants and calculations – watchful of their

company’s spending. In a buoyant market

expecting signficant activity from the Expo 2020,

Husain intends to – and can be safely assumed to,

with success – sustain his tried-and-tested modus

operandi of achieving realistic targets through

affordable budgets.

“My vision for AGIS is to get the second

production line completed by 2015. To produce

at full capacity from both lines is a definite aim.

Production to us doesn’t mean the stocking of

what we’re churning out. We produce against

specific orders, so we have to sell first and then

produce the materials. We’ll be busy with these

operations for the next few years, and may look

into a vertical or backward integration thereon,” he

says, confident about what lies ahead.

hub, and is most preferred by soft industries

such as tourism, banking, finance and insurance.

International players operating – or looking to

invest – in the UAE realise that capacities here are

short and cannot satisfy local demand (which

has further been boosted by the Expo win in

Dubai, Qatar FIFA 2022 World Cup and other

infrastructural developments in countries like

KSA). There is definitely scope to develop the

country and the region into an industrial hub.”

A refreshing aspect of Husain’s business style is

his concise approach to cost concerns. A sprawling

production plant, with another underway, has not

swayed Husain’s take on value-for-money, as he

explains to Big Project ME.

“Steel production is a dirty industry,” he claims.

“It isn’t confined to an office environment – most

of our operations involve labourers operating

machines. Some amount of hard technology is

definitely required at every stage; however, I can’t

say processes revolving around steel production

or fabrication have changed much in, say, almost

100 years.”

Unsurprisingly – and keeping with Husain’s

personality – AGIS’ method of cost analyses and

computation is characteristically simple, and

marketing budgets are restricted to the least

required amounts. “Cost management is a very

company-specific concept – we always try to

ensure that we get two dollars if we’re spending

one. That is why we don’t mass advertise – our

clients already know us, and if there’s a particular

target market we have in mind, we approach them

directly,” he explains .

“We have to be very cautious when choosing a

vendor or a contractor. We don’t want ‘the best in

the market’, we want the best that works for us.”

His honest approach to cost-management

might well be a reflection of his experiences at

AGIS – as a firsthand witness to the 2009 crisis,

Husain is wary of overspending where not needed.

“For us, the initial part of 2006-2007 was a piece

of cake, mostly because banks were chasing us

to borrow and spend. It changed after the crisis

– it was very difficult, especially with our major

banking partner having insisted that they be the

sole source of working capital.

“It was a difficult time since we had to keep

juggling various financial decisions and factors.

We managed our stock and procedures in a way

to ensure we didn’t incur losses. Our policy was

to maintain the bare minimum stock required for

operations, which was contrary to what the market

was following at the time through their speculation

and inventory-reliant approach. Broadly speaking,

we always knew and prepared ourselves for the

worst case scenario, and hoped for the best.”

A natural extension of Husain’s cost-conscious

approach is the emphasis he places on the quality

of operations at AGIS. Significantly, Husain does

“EVERY COMPANY WAS PART OF THE HYPERINFLATIONARY PHASE THAT 2007 WAS. WHAT YOU SEE TODAY IS THE REAL DEMAND IN THE MARKET”

MADE TO ORDERAGIS tailors production

against specific orders from customers.

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www.kersten.aeStreet F7, Al Hamra Free ZoneP.O. Box 86416Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

T +971 (0)72437174 F +971 (0)72432524E [email protected]

Steel, Stainless Steel and Aluminium

Heavy beamsup to 1000mmHollow sectionup to 500mm

The European standard produced in the Middle-East

PROFILE BENDING

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ON SITE KERSTEN MIDDLE EAST BIGPROJECTME.COM

Big Project ME visits newly f lown-in bending specialists, Kersten Middle East, at their production plant in Ras Al Khaimah

BENDINGTHE RULES

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ON SITE KERSTEN MIDDLE EAST

NEW MARKETKersten Middle East

aims to take advantage of a lack of competition

in the UAE market for its services.

To the naked eye, construction is a fairly

simple process – hand over the materials

needed for building a structure to a given

number of people who can best use

these products, and you’re most likely to end

up with a minimally inhabitable building.

Set in Ras Al Khaimah’s industrial zone,

however, Kersten Middle East provides valuable

insights into the intricate specialities that

construction operations have branched out as.

With an elaborate portfolio of European projects

and clientele, steel-bending specialist Kersten

Europe recently moved to the UAE to expand

its impressive Middle East project repertoire.

“We started operations in 1961, and the group

of companies is owned by the two brothers

Ron Puyn and Marc Puyn,” says Mike Minten,

general manager for the company’s Middle

East wing. “Kersten Middle East is the first

fully dedicated company in the GCC region for

bending of section and tubes in steel, stainless

steel and aluminium. A range of highly advanced

European bending machines were installed

in October 2013 at our brand new production

facility in Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Hamra Freezone.”

Kersten Group currently has 170 employees

across its production locations in The

Netherlands, Germany, Poland and the UAE.

“All of them (production plants) are equipped

to undertake different functions, and have

relevant specialised equipment for different

types of bending,” Minten proudly explains.

“In The Netherlands and Poland, we

can undertake plate, profile and aluminum

bending in addition to some added value

services like complex robotic 3D cutting,

qualified welding and surface treatments.

“The Germany operations are fully focused

on aluminum bending, with additional services

such as complex cutting, heat- and surface

treatment and machining of aluminum extrusion

parts offered,” Minten adds, before revealing

Kersten’s capacities from its UAE branch.

“Our machines in Ras Al Khaimah are cold

bending machines, which enable the bending

of small to large profiles such as tubes 60.3mm

to 508.0mm, square or rectangular sections up

to 500mm and beams 100mm to 1,000mm.”

Relatively new as it might be in the UAE

market, Minten insists Kersten Middle East

is in a good position to accept and adapt

to projects in the region, stating Kirsten’s

involvement in some of the GCC’s largest

developments as a measure of its potential.

“Kersten Europe has undertaken operations in

UAE before,” he stresses. “Since 2006, we have had



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a sales office in Jebel Ali Freezone. In the past, we

have delivered bent pieces for landmarks in the

GCC region, such as large profiles for the front

façades of Burj Al Arab, 273 mm bent tubes for the

Ferrari theme park in Abu Dhabi, and over 3,500

pieces of 273 x 2/5/10mm stainless steel tubes for

the building maintenance unit of the Burj Khalifa.

“These tubes were delivered as complete

ready to build in parts, cut to size, (with) a

weld in connectors and brackets for mounting

on the building. Even the complete polish

finishing of the tubes was part of the scope,”

continues Minten. Kersten has previously

worked on projects in the Middle East through its

production lines in The Netherlands, he adds.

He is, therefore understandably, watching all

sectors in the industry with keen interest.

“UAE’s construction is very adventurous

with its architecture and design. The Aldar

Headquarters Building in Abu Dhabi, popularly

known as the Coin Building, is an example

of how the country’s architecture is different

from what is typically found in Europe or

elsewhere. It is an exciting place for us to be in.”

Minten further elaborates on his plan for

Kersten Middle East: “We’re also looking for

projects in industrial sectors such as oil & gas,

storage tanks, pressure vessels, infrastructure

and landscaping jobs. We’re quoting for

several projects, and our portfolio will be a

combination of projects – we’re looking at

the complete market – not any one sector.

“The idea is – if someone needs a bent

piece of steel, stainless steel or aluminum,

they come to Kersten Middle East.”

Clearly, Minten is prepared to face the

challenging – yet rewarding – GCC markets

all guns blazing. His confidence to succeed

in the market arises largely from the quality

backing Kersten’s services have from the

company’s experiences in Europe.

“Our strategy (for the Middle East) is to

produce high quality products,” says Minten.

“Of course, the price levels are different

than what are found in Europe. Labour is

cheaper here, but the machines needed

for steel bending are still very advanced,

as are the tools and equipment required

for the activity. Bending knowhow and

experience is of great value in this region.

“The value of the materials we are given

to work with is usually much higher than

our services, so it is our responsibility to

ensure we keep up productivity and the

quality of our services,” Minten states.

He also stresses on the importance of

specialised bending units and operations in

the larger picture of structural construction.

“Bending is a substantial part of the total

scope and an important one too, especially when

you look at the architectural requirements and

the visibility of the bent parts in construction.

“Architects want to see smooth, nice

curved shapes, without any deformations,

damages or deflections,” Minten explains.

If Minten is to be believed, though, the journey

into the region was a long overdue one – Kersten

Europe’s earliest plans to enter the GCC emerged

shortly after completing projects in Kuwait, Qatar

and Saudi Arabia. However, these plans were

put on hold following the GCC market collapse.

FUTURE PLANNINGMike Minten says he

aims to target projects in the industrial, infra-

structure and construc-tion sectors.

“THE IDEA IS – IF SOMEONE NEEDS A BENT PIECE OF STEEL, STAINLESS STEEL OR ALUMINUM, THEY COME TO KERSTEN MIDDLE EAST”

Critical to Kersten’s aims in the region is the

company’s idea of service differentiation in the

market, and Minten is intent on ensuring the

group’s skillset is viewed and appropriated in

the industry as the highly precise function it is.

“Companies here in the Middle East mostly

handle fabrication, and few of them (even) have

bending machines within their facilities. But

the specialised technical knowhow, experience,

tools and equipment we’ve gathered in 53 years

is what we can offer to the market,” he states.

Buoyed by the construction activity of

late, Minten knows there will be plenty of

opportunities for Kersten to optimise its

resources and gather accolades in the market.


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services, and Minten realises the challenge

he is taking on as he works to make Kersten

an integral part of this competitive market.

“Besides a slight initial hesitation

as is with all new entities, I’m very

happy with the jobs and samples we’ve

churned out here so far,” he explains.

“Kersten’s facility in UAE includes

trainers who started it up nearly 15 years

ago from Europe – they’re now here

with their experience and training skills,

ensuring high quality is sustained here.

“There are the usual hurdles of doing

business, such as the high time consumption

legal processes and paperwork often take,

but that is something we have learnt to

accommodate and work our way around,” he

concludes, bullishly confident of the future.

equipment and staff from Europe. We began our

regional operations and were up-and-running

in the Middle East by late last year, and are now

looking to work with our existing clients while

finding new ones in the market,” Minten explains.

Nevertheless, Kersten’s establishment in the

Middle East has come at a fortuitous time, Minten

believes, with the Expo 2020 win granting the

company more opportunities in the market.

“We’ve obviously come at a good time

since the Expo win has boosted activity in

the country. However, we always had the

intention to move here, and the win is only

an added benefit for us,” Minten states.

Kersten Middle East is possibly the youngest

player in the UAE’s steel industry at the moment.

Typical steel players in the country – local and

international – provide an array of steel-driven

“We tried to enter the market in 2007,

but decided to wait after the crisis of 2008-

2009 hit the region,” reveals Minten.

“We were hoping the market would

develop and economy would grow;

unsurprisingly, it did recover.

“In 2011, we started negotiations with

one of our clients, Kelly Steel Engineering, a

fabrication company operating in the GCC

that focuses on complex constructions. With

them, we worked on ‘The Magic Carpet’ project

for the Bayt Abdullah Hospital in Kuwait,”

Minten continues, explaining how Kersten’s

inroads into the GCC were finally created.

“The project was the go-ahead for starting up

a joint venture between both companies.

“Currently, both companies hold 50% shares

in the company – Kersten provides knowhow,

“COMPANIES HERE IN THE MIDDLE EAST MOSTLY HANDLE FABRICATION, AND FEW OF THEM (EVEN) HAVE BENDING MACHINES WITHIN THEIR FACILITIES. BUT THE SPECIALISED TECHNICAL KNOWHOW, EXPERIENCE, TOOLS AND EQUIPMENT WE’VE GATHERED IN 53 YEARS IS WHAT WE CAN OFFER TO THE MARKET”

OVERCOMING HURDLESWhile Kersten Middle East faces any hurdles

faced by a new business, Minten says he’s opti-

mistic about its success.


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STRUCTURAL DESIGN BIGPROJECTME.COM

As the market for technology integration expands in the UAE, Big Project ME examines the scope for BIM in the steel industry

BIM STEPS UP

When the Dubai Municipality

announcement mandating BIM on all

special projects was made in November

2013, the question that followed it was

an expected one – could the software one day

be made compulsory for projects in the private

sector, and encourage small and medium-

sized construction firms to adopt it too?

Taking deliberate and methodical steps

from hereon in would be understandable as, for

a considerable part of the UAE’s construction

industry, BIM remains a purchase of luxury

– optional and costly. While acclaimed for

facilitating and easing in multi-disciplinary

activities during the project process, BIM has

yet to fully penetrate the more intricate sectors

of the industry, most notably non-users who

claim the software’s high price and considerable

know-how requirements could be more trouble

than its worth.

Stakeholders and beneficiaries of Building

Information Model – BIM, as it has come

to be identified as over the years – include

development owners, project managers, multi-

disciplinary engineers, architects, contractors,

sustainability consultants and the like.

The most notable of the lot, however, are

those in the supply chain; fabricators, in their

crucial role as material manufacturers and

providers, are greatly impacted by the detailed

insights BIM allows for – more so than the

contemporary market would have one believe.

The conceptual origins of BIM are debated,

making it fairly uncertain as to what its original

intended application was. Some sections

“BIM CAN NOT ONLY MAKE FOR BETTER-PERFORMING ASSETS, BUT ALSO BETTER-PERFORMING PROJECTS. THERE IS MORE THAN JUST ‘BUILDING’ TO BIM”

of the industry also claim a widespread

misunderstanding of the complete benefits

offered by the software. According to the website

of National BIM Standard – United States,

a project committee of the buildingSMART

alliance, ‘early definitions which assert that BIM

is simply a 3D model of a facility are far from the

truth and do not adequately communicate the

potential of digital, object-based, interoperable

building information modelling processes and

tools and modern communications methods’.

Clearly, then, there must be aspects to

the program that the industry has failed

to capture. Greg Bentley, CEO of Bentley

Systems, discussed this in detail during an

exclusive interview with Big Project ME.

“The traditional aim of BIM has been to

reduce project risk and accelerate project

benefit for owners,” explains Bentley.

Claiming a redefinition of the very

terminology, he continues: “BIM can not

only make for better-performing assets,

but also better-performing projects. There

is more than just ‘building’ to BIM.”

“Additionally, the information moving

through the project lifecycle can be advanced

from what it was during the software’s

initial conception – traditional information

modelling can evolve to provide more than

just 3D designs and visualisations.

“The Middle East has the potential for a

higher level of information modelling, which

can provide a greater depth of intelligence

and stimulation in terms of asset behaviour,

asset performance and so on,” Bentley adds.

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Bentley’s remarks highlight how the software

has the ability to transcend its known parameters

and extend its scope to the construction

industry in unprecedented ways. Thus, the

first step to enhancing BIM lies in gaining a

rounded understanding of its potential.

Paul Wallett, area business director for Tekla

Middle East firmly believes this is yet to happen.

“BIM is a generic software,” says Wallett.

“There is a market misconception about

BIM, in that most companies view it from

an eagle’s eye point of view, almost.”

“Holistically, BIM includes several advanced

elements and programmes for various

construction parties, such as designers, architects,

MEP and so on. The large domain that it is can

be broken down into numerous specialised

applications that provide in-depth, non-generic

solutions for each party in the project,” he adds.

To further probe the scope for BIM – in its

current capacities and potentially advanced

versions – in the steel industry, Big Project ME reached out to Djordje Grujic, design

manager for City Diamond Contracting,

and a self-confessed BIM enthusiast. With

over 15 years of experience in BIM handling,

Grujic has an insider’s perspective on how

BIM can enhance steel fabrication.

AUTODESK TO LAUNCH SPECIALISED STEEL SOFTWARE IN 2015In October 2013 Autodesk announced that it had acquired technologies from Graitec, a structural engineering design solutions group from France.

Recently, Autodesk announced the launch of the first product developed through this acquisition, called ‘Autodesk Advance Steel 2015’. The software is expected to benefit structural steel detailers, fabricators, engineers and contractors with 3D modeling tools that support BIM processes.

“The introduction of Advance Steel 2015,” revealed Joy Stark, Senior Industry Marketing Manager, Autodesk, “which will be available for purchase soon, is an example of Autodesk’s commitment to support the AEC industry with technology that provides end-to-end BIM workflows for building projects.”

Advance Steel, it is understood, will automatically generate shop and general arrangement drawings, create bills of materials and produce CNC files directly from designs, leading to quicker fabrication activities. Interoperability between other products from Autodesk, such as Autodesk Revit and Autodesk Navisworks, besides other BIM software products, is expected to further the software’s effectiveness during design and construction stages.

Other features of Advance Steel include model view enhancements, flexible main settings’ management and improved documentation processes.

EFFECTIVE IMPLEMENTATIONBIM ensures that draw-ings are implemented ac-cording to the structural steel design.

BIM FOR STEEL ARCHITECTS

“There has always been a small communication gap between architects and engineers which is now getting smaller thanks to BIM,” says Nabil Sherif, founder of Dubai-based NGS Architects.

“BIM ensures drawings are implemented efficiently after giving the engineers a detailed explanation about the structural steel’s design. This ultimately allows the architect to communicate his design idea across to the engineer in all ways possible. Architecture has evolved from the past in to more dense shape grammars, and these are best designed through a system that can produce different outcomes to be compared in a very small time frame – BIM caters to this need.”

“BIM’s most obvious advantage is during the

design stage,” he says. “If the steel components

are being designed and fabricated by two

separate companies, the drawings can be sent

over to fabricators for clarity in their operations.

“The steel layer in the model can be coupled

with various other corresponding layers,

such as architectural, MEP and so on – this

coordination facilitates a concise review of



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STRUCTURAL DESIGN

BIM FOR SUSTAINABILITYUnarguably, there are two aspects to sustainability in the modern construction industry – while processes have to be environment-friendly, they must also allow for greater economic sustenance.

In that regard, BIM is becoming widely popular for the recyclability calculations it facilitates through third-party programmes, which are increasingly relevant for the steel industry. “BIM allows the integration of third-party programmes, which often specialise in material analyses, energy modeling, LEED calculations and so on,” says William Bsaibes, green initiative manager at Amana Buildings (UAE). Furthermore, Djordje Grujic, design manager at City Diamond Contracting and a long-term BIM user points out the high recyclability of steel, making it essential that BIM be applied to fully optimise the material. “Steel is one of the most recyclable construction materials today, and BIM allows for not only accurate recyclable values of the material, but also provides accurate estimates of material requirements in the project to ensure minimal wastage.”

the structure, the exact materials needed,

error detection and correcting them before

fabrication or construction have even begun.

“Companies who undertake both, design

and fabrication, can link the designing software

directly to the fabricating machines, which

ensures a higher automated integration

in the entire process,” Grujic explains.

Automation, Wallett claims, provides

more than just high speed. “When we talk of

‘automation’, it is not an easier or faster way

to generate a 2D fabrication drawings, but the

ability to handle revisions changes, automate

the administrative tasks such as materials

and parts listing, integrate to the shop floor

machinery and manage the production lifecycle

through to execution on site,” he says.

Given its diverse advantages, one is

compelled to wonder why BIM has not

been accepted in a region as ambitious

with its construction as the UAE.

This is even more surprising given

the release a Dubai Municipality

mandate on the use of BIM across special

construction projects in the emirate.

Despite prominent government backing

for the technology, does the steel sector

not want to experiment with BIM? Or is it

convinced that there are little to no benefits

BIM can add to their operations?

Both sides of the debate are equally potent

– steel fabrication, although an extremely

detailed part of the larger steel industry and

even broader construction market, involves a

multitude of activities that are often exclusive to

the companies undertaking them. One instance

of this setup is Kersten Middle East, the local

subsidiary of a European firm that exclusively

handles steel bending. Could the elaborate steel

fabricating setup, therefore, possibly be justified

in its argument for the lack of a real need for BIM?

“When overseeing the design and

build operations for an architectural firm

earlier in this city,” Djordje recollects.

“I had exchanged our architectural BIM

drawings with the steel fabricators we were

working with at the time. This went a long

way in removing any glitches that could have

affected collaboration at a later stage.

“However, I agree that smaller companies

don’t necessarily require BIM if they are

subcontracting their operations. It would

be illogical for a bar-bender to invest in the

software and user-training, especially in a fluid

employee market where the BIM operator

could leave for a better job,” Djordje agrees.

Another aspect in the debate against BIM’s

utility is that limited budgets frequently take

the blame for a lack of substantial investment

in BIM. PS Manoj, managing director of ISCON,

a local steel engineering and fabricator, is

of many who believe that larger budgets are

OUTSOURCED BIMThe widespread presence of small-sized steel dealers has led to an increasingly popular trend in the local BIM market – specialised BIM experts have begun to setup independent design agencies, wherein they undertake solely BIM processes and activities.

“Many companies – specialised detailers – have sprung up in the region of late,” says Amr Atef, general sales manager for Kirby Building Systems – UAE. “It ensures that companies on a restricted budget do not have to incur the costs of finding an operator, buying software licenses and so on – the detailers can mostly be trusted to do a good job.”

“THERE HAS ALWAYS BEEN A SMALL COMMUNICATION GAP BETWEEN ARCHITECTS AND ENGINEERS WHICH IS NOW GETTING SMALLER THANKS TO BIM”

AUTOMATED INTEGRATIONCompanies can link both the design and fabrica-tion processes.



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required to accommodate for BIM purchases.

“Small companies cannot afford to buy the

required technology and hire relevant experts

to operate it,” he says. “For instance, one of our

international clients has an extensive research

and design department which creates all their

designs and collaborates with us based on those.

“Our company has an annual turnover

of $8.1 million - $10.8 million, but the cost

of the software could be as high as $13.9

million,” Manoj unhesitatingly calculates.

“Unless an independent body for the steel

industry – akin to the Emirates Green Building

Council for sustainability – is set up, or we have

some windfall gains, I don’t see us investing in

these technologies. I can’t predict BIM will get

any cheaper, but I certainly hope it does,” he adds.

Cost concerns are conceivably the leading

reason for the limited reach BIM has established

in the local steel market, and as the man behind

Tekla’s regional operations, Wallett is well-versed

with this situation. He further expands on the

need for BIM in the steel industry. “We have

consistently encountered questions regarding

the need for technology in steel,” he says.

“The initial cost of using the technology

may be termed as slightly high – however,

it is a long-term cost that can be written off

through the value it adds to the projects.”

BIM, adds Wallett, can offer more advantages

to the multiple disciplines that actively handle

steel, provided companies pick the right

software – or a combination of programme

elements – after due consideration is given to

their needs and what they want to achieve.

“The software being used differs based on

the kind and size of operations undertaken

by the company – if the company only works

according to simple repetitive designs and

construction methods, then the need for

a specialised tool is reduced as compared

to when handling diverse operations that

require system integration and automation

of an increased capacity,” he elucidates.

“Most companies view the ‘value’ of their

cost in a large machine that they can place

in their plant – essentially, the tangibility of a

product is what they are looking at. They need

to be reminded and educated that the real value

of a product or expense extends beyond the

tangibility of a product they spend on,” he adds.

The need – and applicability – for BIM in

the steel sector is a vastly multifaceted aspect

the local market continues to grapple with. The

seemingly-inexhaustible debate on whether

or not steel dealers need BIM can, indeed, be

resolved following a systematic strategy by both

BIM manufacturers and potential BIM users.

While manufacturers cannot ignore the

limitations of the highly specialised steel industry,

the time has come to agree to think innovatively.

“It is basic human instinct to resist

change,” says Gruijic. “But BIM is less

scary to use than people think.”

BIM FOR STANDARDISATION Following the release of a document in November 2013 by the Dubai Municipality, BIM tools have become mandatory for application on architectural and MEP operations in government projects and special structures.

“This mandate will force contractors to utilise BIM tools, who so far have not been using such packages,” says Nadia Wallett, business development manager at AceCad Software Middle East.

“Furthermore, there is a current drive in the region to review and move away from contracts that are based on FIDIC. Governments are currently working with independent organisations in the UAE and Qatar, in particular, to find ways of encouraging collaborative associations in construction projects,” she adds.

Nadia’s perspective makes a case for BIM expansion into the critical sub-contractors sector in the UAE, which, industry sources claim, is yet to fully embrace 3D BIM. At a time when the global industry is toying with a potential 6D BIM model, the traditional, 2D-compliant sub-contractor market – laggards, as a marketing expert might tag them – could jeopardise construction projects in the event of unambiguous drawing models, unclear liability-sharing and other such similar hurdles.

COST CONCERNS

Smaller compa-nies are wary of

investing in BIM due to the high

initial costs.

BIM FOR MEGAPROJECTSCEO of China State Construction Engineering Corporation Middle East (CSCECME), Yu Tao explains how BIM technology aided operations on the Midfield Terminal project.

“In the UAE, every part of the construction process – such as design, approvals, tendering and so on – requires detailed planning and no part of the construction process can afford to slip. This is especially important in steel construction as the design and construction of steel structures are very complicated activities.

In our ongoing structural steel roof project for the new Abu Dhabi Airport Midfield Terminal Building (MTB) which involves 9000 metric tonnes of structural steel, a roof span of 180m, height of 50m and a profile of arches in three dimensions (3D), Tekla and Bentley were used to produce more than 10,000 drawings, without which it would be impossible to get timely approvals of the relevant authorities.

Additionally, BIM was used in the creation of a prototype that allowed us to check for accuracy and consistency pre-installation.”


For more information about how we can add value to your project, please contact: Gerry McFadden (Middle East BIM Lead) [email protected]

http://www.wspgroup.com/en/wsp-group-bim/BIM-home-wsp/

a brIef MethodologyGetting to grips with BIM has been a big job. We have reviewed all available data, and our methodology has combined both qualitative and quantitative research.

Our extensive qualitative research involved reading BIM-related news, blogs, lectures, reports and forums, and conducting detailed interviews with WSP’s own experts.

We undertook a meta-analysis of academic and technical journal articles, from which we extracted the major themes and drew a conceptual map of the discussion landscape, which covered both qualitative and quantitative terrain. Then we gathered 600,000 media articles relevant to the architecture, engineering and construction industries, and analysed them to reveal the issues that receive the greatest media coverage. The word clouds that appear throughout this report were derived from this material. The estimates in the report of the size of the construction industries of different countries were compiled from a variety of sources and are for illustrative purposes only.

WSP 10 truths about BIM

truth

taKIng desIgn to the next levelstar desIgners use the tools

TAKING DESIGN TO THE NEXT LEVELSTAR DESIGNERS USE THE TOOLS

truth

the colour of bIM Is greenbIM WIll use less, Waste less and pollute less

truth

5WaItIng for the tIppIng poIntgovernMents Must actIvely partIcIpate

truth

7a tale of tWo handshaKessoftWare and professIonals Must WorK together

truth9the dIgItal landscape taKes shapethe softWare platforM Is at a crossroads

truth

don’t forget the ‘I’bIM Is More than pretty pIctures

truth4brIngIng In a trojan horsebIM WIll destabIlIse the constructIon Industry

truth6no More lone runnerscoMpanIes Must WorK as one

truth8the oWnershIp spaghettIWe WIll need neW contracts

truth

the dna of future constructIonbIM WIll becoMe the platforM for the Whole Industry

DON’T FORGET THE ‘I’

BRINGING IN A TROJAN HORSE

NO MORE LONE RUNNERS

THE OWNERSHIP SPAGHETTI

THE DNA OF FUTURE CONSTRUCTION

THE COLOUR OF BIM IS GREEN BIM WILL USE LESS, WASTE LESS AND POLLUTE LESS

GOVERNMENTS MUST ACTIVELY PARTICIPATE

SOFTWARE AND PROFESSIONALS MUST WORK TOGETHER

THE SOFTWARE PLATFORM IS AT A CROSSROADS

BIM IS MORE THAN PRETTY PICTURES

BIM WILL DESTABILISE THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

COMPANIES MUST WORK AS ONE

WE WILL NEED NEW CONTRACTS

WAITING FOR THE TIPPING POINT

A TALE OF TWO HANDSHAKES

THE DIGITAL LANDSCAPE TAKES SHAPE

For more information about how we can add value to your project, please contact: Gerry McFadden (Middle East BIM Lead) [email protected]

BIM WILL BECOME THE PLATFORM FOR THE WHOLE INDUSTRY

Untitled-8 1 4/3/14 3:39 PM


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ADVERTORIAL CONARES BIGPROJECTME.COM

the environmental performance of steel products

to designers, specifiers and clients. The envi-

ronmental criteria were developed by a group

of industry experts, and cover the entire supply

chain from the production of the steel through its

processing to the delivery of the finished product

to the construction site.

“The implications of this changing approach

to decision-making in construction procure-

ment are that the supply chain must be able to

clearly demonstrate it is managing these issues to

improve sustainability performance. The CARES

SCS scheme is formally set up to do this through its

scope, objectives, principles and the way it oper-

ates.” Mr. Bhatia adds.

“Focusing on sustainable infrastructure devel-

opment, we introduced Continuously Galvanized

Reinforcement, a first-of-its-kind sustainable

approach in the Middle East region towards the

infrastructure development,” Bhatia concluded. n

Buildings and infrastructure are responsible

for almost half of the carbon emissions in

the Middle East region. The efforts towards

developing buildings that are zero carbon in

operation are a huge challenge to the construction

industry at present. It’s highly important for the

construction steel sector, which plays a key role in

the infra-development, to adopt sufficient steps to

overcome this challenge.

Conares is the leading provider of downstream

steel products in the Gulf market and beyond,

adopts measures to focus on reducing the impact

on the environment, with its energy-efficient and

environment-friendly steel mills.

The Rebar Mill Division of Conares has recently

received Sustainable Constructional Steel Certifi-

cation by the UK Certification Authority for Rein-

forcing Steels (CARES) for operating in accordance

with the CARES product certification scheme, and

operating a documented environmental manage-

ment system that satisfies the requirements of ISO

14001. The Sustainable Reinforcing Steel Certifica-

tion scheme provides Conares an independent

certification of the environmental performance of

steel products.

Now constructional steel products made by

Conares are fully traceable, from production to

delivery. This will also allow Conares rebar to be

easily compliant to ESTIDAMA, BREEM, LEED

requirements.

Conares, operational in two major segments of

the steel industry, is the only private sector steel

manufacturer in the UAE.

“We are happy to receive the Sustainable Rein-

forcing Steel Certification by UK CARES. This is a

testimony on our commitment to adapt sustain-

able standards in manufacturing downstream

steel products that facilitate the region’s infra-

development sector, eventually contributing to the

economy and supporting the measures to reduce

eco-footprint.”

“Using products from CARES SCS approved

Conares focuses on sustainable measures in steel manufacturingBharat Bhatia, CEO of Conares, a major steel manufacturer based in the UAE, says that steel manufacturers can contribute towards promoting sustainability in the GCC region

BHARAT BHATIA

firms enables the industry to demonstrate the

responsible sourcing of construction products

and its commitment to sustainable development.

Reinforcing steel products produced by CARES-

approved firms are fully traceable and uniquely

identifiable, allowing a chain of custody through-

out the whole supply chain, from mill to site.

"This unbroken chain provides an assurance

that sustainability is being pursued in their sup-

ply chain, so allowing the end-user to know the

source and manufacturing processes used as well

as the post-industrial use, recovery and recycling

processes," Bhatia says.

When manufacturing constructional steels,

Conares uniquely marks the product. Providing

full product traceability saves money – it makes the

site manager’s job of checking provenance much

easier and it allows the use of the product without

the need for further testing. This will create advan-

tage for our sales team to market our products.

The dynamic framework of CARES’ SCS is

aimed at improving the energy and environmental

performance of products and providing a robust

and transparent mechanism for communicating

Dubai-based Conares is a premier provider

of steel products, with a total manufacturing

capacity of more than 700,000MT annually.

SUSTAINABLE ASSURANCEConares provides its

customers with the assurance that sustainability is being

pursued in their supply chain.

20_Conares Comment.indd 20 4/3/14 12:05 PM

Learn more: Call +971 50 451 79 43 (UAE) or +966 535 29 37 66 (KSA) or visit us at info.meridiansystems.com/owner-solutions-ME

Copyright 2013 Trimble Navigation. All rights reserved.

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Untitled-8 1 4/3/14 3:36 PM


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CORROSION PROTECTION BIGPROJECTME.COM

Big Project ME looks at how steel corrosion can beprevented to make for higher structural lifecycles

COMBATTINGCORROSION

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CORROSION PROTECTION

Ask any steel structure specialist to list

his pet hates and the chances are that

corrosion will be high on his list. When

working with steel elements which

way several tonnes, or will be bearing loads

of several tonnes, the last thing you want

is it to be weakened, however marginally.

Given that corrosion is a natural process

caused by the reaction of metals to their

environment, this can be extremely tricky to

combat, especially in humid, highly saline

environments, such as found in the GCC.

In that regard, it is commendable to note

that Dubai and the UAE, while justifiably famed

for their architectural masterpieces, have

also admirably avoided – if not completely

eliminated – the corrosive consequences of their

geographic proximity to the Arabian Gulf and the

prevasiveness of saline groundwater over here.

Traditionally, coatings have been the rescuer

of global construction professionals dealing with

steel structures. Various factors determine the

appropriate type and relative effectiveness of the

coating employed – a smooth and clean base

surface is critical to ensure subsequent coating

layers do not penetrate through cracks, making

room for corrosion to occur. Creatively shaped

structures, such as welded bars or elaborate

designs, demand further attention to detail while

the surface is being prepared and during the

application of the coating.

Generally, paint coatings are applied in

multiple layers – each gradient carrying its own

corrosion-resistant or other utility properties

– to create a stacked barrier against aggressive

environments. Primer coats are the first layer to

be applied on the steel surface – these can also be

used in case metallic coating systems have been

used to cure the steel, such as through hot-dip

galvanising or thermal spraying. Intermediate

coatings are applied next, and the key factor

considered here is their thickness on the steel

surface – a thicker layer of intermediate coatings

is preferred for their decreased permeability and

porousness to external elements, such as water

and oxygen. Finishing coats are then applied

“FOR SOME COMPANIES, PAINTS ARE THE PREFERRED CHOICE OF COATING BECAUSE THEY ALLOW FOR AN EXTENSION OF THE BRAND IMAGE ONTO THEIR PRODUCTS”

for appearance purposes, and they are usually

prepared as the immediate guard for the structure

against climatic conditions, such as exposure to

sunlight, moisture and so on.

The quality and composition of the coatings,

however, is pivotal to ensuring corrosion is

warded off for the longest possible duration. Both,

metallic and paint coatings have sustained their

markets over time, each preferred over the other

for a specific purpose it fulfils – while metallic

coatings are frequently chosen for their adhesive

corrosion-resistant feature, paint coatings have

evolved to create a market for their aesthetic

value, provided through their pigments.

“For some companies,” explains Jan Weernink,

marketing director for Dow Coating Materials in

an interview with Big Project ME. “Paints are the preferred choice of coating

because they allow for an extension of the brand

image onto their products.

“All John Deere tractors, for instance, are

painted yellow and green. That has become their

global brand recall value, and as paints now

feature additional utilities – such as corrosion-

resistance – their application on steel structures

and products has risen,” he adds.

Epoxies are the typically predominant

ingredient in paint coatings for their ability to

provide a tough coating that dries quickly on

the surface. “In the past, solvent paints were

the preferred choice for the industry,” explains

Weernink, “but the drive towards sustainability

has led us toward seeking other environment-

friendly and less impactful technologies.

“For instance, the carbon emission from

acrylic technology is far lower than that from

epoxies. Eventually, creating coating solutions

depends on the region’s needs and priorities, and

tailoring products accordingly,” he adds.

Additionally, polyaspartic products are finding

their way into the highly advanced coatings

market due to the climate protection they offer

through reduced solvent emissions.

Dinesh Patel, regional technical manager

for coatings, adhesives and specialties at Bayer

Middle East explains how his company has



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employed polyaspartics to further their protective

coatings line.

“Compared with conventional systems,” says

Patel, “formulations based on polyaspartic raw

materials contain roughly 40% fewer VOC. The

coatings can be applied to a thickness of as much

as 400 micrometers in a single step. This enables

one layer of the previous three-layer coating

structure to be eliminated, reducing application

costs and boosting efficiency.”

The advantages of polyaspartics, claims

Dinesh, extend beyond mere monetary gains,

and also result in additional critical savings,

such as those of time. “Furthermore, the

complete process – from application of the

primer until the topcoat is dry – takes just six

to eight hours at room temperature. This is a

clear productivity advantage over the use of

conventional coatings, for which the entire

process (including drying) takes 24 to 36 hours.

“This enables the coated parts to be used

without restriction much sooner. Reduced

downtimes increase the cost effectiveness,” Patel

explains further.

As an increasingly critical ingredient of most

contemporary structures, it has become essential

to reduce – if not completely avoid – the wastage

of steel during and after construction.

Corrosion, in its very nature, challenges

the lifecycle of steel, leading the industry to

seek out alternatives that can eliminate its

hazards. One such popularly-accepted option

by the construction industry, has, of late, been

stainless steel.

Shiv Mittal, president of business development

and marketing at Mittal Corp Limited, tells Big Project ME that there are advantages in using

stainless steel for construction.

“Stainless steel is recommended for

highly saline environments,” explains Kumar.

“Additionally, areas where the metal might be in

contact with acidic elements should also utilise

stainless steel.”

COST ISSUESCoating solutions are usually the most cost effective when protect-ing steel elements.

“COMPARED WITH CONVENTIONAL SYSTEMS, FORMULATIONS BASED ON POLYASPARTIC RAW MATERIALS CONTAIN ROUGHLY 40% FEWER VOC”

Given his expertise from working with one

of India’s largest steel manufacturers, Kumar’s

suggestions regarding the employment of

stainless steel in structures is extremely holistic

and intelligently mapped out. Claiming stainless

steel can sustain a lifecycle almost five times

higher than that of carbon steel, Kumar makes the

case for using stainless steel in the construction

of bridges: “In stacked structures, such as decks

for parking lots or bridges, stainless steel may

be used on the outer surfaces of the deck, so as

to prevent the corrosive effects of the external

environment, whilst the rebars used in the decks

may be made from carbon steel.

“Since stainless steel does not corrode easily,

it saves the cost of repairs that usually accompany

carbon steel that has been coated – there are

costs of recoating a structure monetarily, but,

say for instance a bridge made out of carbon

steel needed repairs,” continues Kumar. “In that

scenario, the bridge would have to be shut down

for a period of at least one month, if not more.

“Meanwhile, additional costs – besides those

of structural repairs – would also need to be

incurred, such as the cost of traffic divergence,

alternate route-creation and so on. All of these

indirect costs affect the budget, and can be

averted if stainless steel is viewed as a one-time

investment in the construction of a structure,”

he adds.

However, it might be a while before the

industry embraces the idea of stainless steel.

Weernink, when probed, said the use of coatings

would continue, given the sustainability of costs

and utilities they offer.

“Stainless steel is a fantastic substrate, but it

won’t stand up to saline impacts unless you buy

extremely high-grade variants. It corrodes too,

but the difference is that corrosion on stainless

steel stops after a given point, but carbon steel

continues to be eaten away.”

“I understand the argument in favour, but

for me it’s a cost issue,” Weernink continues. “A

bridge made out of stainless steel will, no doubt,

look nice and shiny, but if the costs are too high,

you have to come back and look for appropriate

coatings solutions.”


NOVEMBER 18, 2014JUMEIRAH EMIRATES TOWERS, DUBAIwww.bigprojectme.com/awards/2014

NOMINATION ENQUIRIESSTEPHEN WHITEGROUP EDITOR+971 4 375 [email protected]

CONSTRUCTION ANDSUSTAINABILITY AWARDSOF EXCELLENCE

THE INDUSTRY EVENT

THAT HAS THE WHOLE REGION

TALKINGRECOGNISING INDUSTRY

EXCELLENCE

SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIESMICHAEL STANSFIELDCOMMERCIAL DIRECTOR+971 4 375 [email protected]

AWARDS 2014

GOLD SPONSOR CATEGORY SPONSOR

SUPPORTING PARTNERS

BPME AWARDS 2014_ADVERT.indd 1 4/3/14 4:44 PM

Hadley Steel FramingThe Adaptable, Lightweight, Rapid, High Strength, Construction System

Suitable for:• Accommodation Buildings• Shopping Malls• Residential Villas• Commercial Buildings• Cinema/Auditorium Seating• Schools and Colleges• Apartments

For further enquiries E-mail us at:[email protected]

Hadley Industries (Middle East) FZE, PO Box 61322, Jebel Ali, Dubai, UAE

For futher enquiries:

Tel: +97 14 883 3811 Email: [email protected]: +97 14 883 3973 Web: www.hadleygroup.ae

Engineered, without compromiseHadley Steel Framing is a cost effective rapid construction

system and is ideal where a lightweight solution is required. It can be used to infill or oversail concrete or steel

primary frames and in cold formed medium rise load bearing applications.

Untitled-1 1 4/3/14 8:41 AM

big project me steel supplement 2014

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