A game-changer for the construction industry

Just like using Lego or Meccano, demountable buildings can be easily disassembled and the original component parts reused in completely different building projects.

It’s a concept that is as delightful as it is simple. It’s also an idea that may change the face of the construction industry, replacing permanent structures with ones made from reusable structural steel.

Professor Brian Uy, Director of CIES at UNSW, says structural steel is ideal for use in demountable buildings. Bolted construction methods are already commonplace in commercial structural-steel buildings.

“We are carrying out research on bolted connections to promote demountability and the initial results are promising,” he says. “Demountable structures could be a game-changer for the construction industry.”

Steel is expensive to produce, has a major impact on the environment and re-smelting steel consumes only marginally less energy than producing steel from scratch.

“So imagine the cost, time and environmental benefits if steel components are forged just once then used again and again,” Professor Uy says.

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