Structural steel bending, whether it involves angle bending, bar bending, beam bending, channel bending, tube bending or pipe bending, contributes to sustainability simply because it uses the most recycled material: steel. 93% of the steel used in construction is recycled; 98% of the steel recovered from the demolition of steel structures is recycled. Some buildings today have bolted connections to facilitate their deconstruction.
Moreover, the improvements in producing steel have been nothing short of extraordinary. According to the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), from 1980 until 2009, steel producers have achieved the following:
In 1980 12 man-hours/ton; in 2009 0.5 man-hours/ton
40% higher strength
1/3 the energy
38% reduction in carbon emissions
67% reduction in overall emissions
EPA best industry performance
Curved steel can also contribute to a “green” design. For example, one building has the rounded shape of a “Twinkie” cupcake to steer air to the wind turbines on the roof. Other buildings combine curved steel with fabric to create effective lightweight structures. Lastly, curved structural sections can often eliminate the welding required in a segmented curve.
