Life cycle costing of structures fabricated from carbon and stainless steel

Abstract EN

Historically, the choice of structural materials has been influenced by the expense of the initial construction.

nevertheless, rising pressure on the construction sector to assess projects' long-term financial and environmental impacts is driving a more comprehensive approach.

as a result, materials with higher starting costs but lower expenses over the life cycle of a construction project are gaining popularity.

in this study, the life cycle costs of structures made of two such metallic materials (steel made of stainless and steel made of carbon) were investigated.

two building applications are studied : a typical administrative structure and a bridge.

the initial construction cost per ton ratio (steel made of stainless : steel made of carbon) was calculated to be 4.0 : 1.0.

going of follow a preparatory structural design to current European design guidelines that took into consideration material densities and structural features (stiffness and strength), it was discovered that steel made of carbon provides the most competitor solution for both the typical administrative structure and the bridge on an initial cost basis.

however, when additional life cycle expenses such as maintenance, end-of-life expenses, and the residual value of the structure are taken into account (appropriately deducted to current values), the findings demonstrate that steel made of carbon provides the most competitor life cycle solution for the typical administrative structure but the costliest life cycle solution for the bridge.

generally, steel made of stainless is believed to provide higher competitive solutions than steel made of carbon for bridges and uncovered sections of building structures over their full life cycle.