Steel vs concrete debate re-opens

The heated debate between the benefits of concrete versus steel has re-opened after the British Association of Reinforcement (BAR) released a statement arguing that the difference in costs was "not so much mind the gap as watch out for the chasm”.

BAR defends its corner through recent announcements of steel price increases and some recent cost models by independent studies which show the advantages of concrete construction over steel.

The association cites the Commercial Buildings: Cost Model Study, carried out by architect Allies and Morrison, structural engineers Arup and cost consultants David Langdon, which found that that reinforced concrete can be up to 5% cheaper than steel frames.

When only frame costs are considered, the study found that concrete flat slab was up to 36% cheaper than its flat-slab steel equivalent.

In another study into school construction, carried out by consultants Architecture plb, Arup, Davis Langdon and Costain, it was discovered that concrete-framed construction was up to 6.4% cheaper than steel and offered a range of extra value benefits such as durability, sound insulation, fire resistance and the potential for reduced energy consumption due to concrete’s inherent thermal mass - at no extra cost.

BAR was also quick to point out that Corus has raised section prices by £60 per tonne in April and is planning another increase of £80 per tonne in July and a further increase of £90 per tonne in August.

“The concrete and reinforcement sectors have also seen recently seen prices increases”, said Graham Mackenzie, chairman of BAR. “However, the UK is practically self-sufficient in concrete and so is not subject to the same global demands and volatility and there is a lot less steel reinforcement in a concrete building.

"The cost advantages of concrete construction, highlighted by a number of recent independent studies, means that these steel price increases prove that it is not so much ‘mind the gap’ as ‘watch out for the chasm’."

However the British Constructional Steelwork Association was quick to respond.

Its director general  Dr Derek Tordoff  told CJ: “The claims made by BAR that concrete and reinforcement prices have also increased but not at the rate of that for structural steel are not borne out by official statistics; according to the latest government indices published by BERR.

"Over the past year precast and prestressed concrete units have increased by 6%, steel reinforcement 8.4% and concrete by 4.0%, while fabricated structural steel has increased by 3.5%.

"On the subject of cost comparisons, the concrete frame study was carried out on short spans; while on medium or long span comparisons, concrete frames are typically 25% more expensive than steel frames.

"Steel’s sustainability benefits are widely recognised - it can be multicycled while concrete typically is downgraded or goes into landfill.”