New manufacturing processes can make steel a greener option and add U.S. jobs

Using hydrogen generated with renewable energy, steelmaking could have an American revival.

"Green steel" that is manufactured using hydrogen generated with renewable energy makes its use as a building material more feasible for environmentally conscious designers and clients.

Sustainable manufacturing processes, which are economically viable in the U.S., could also revive steelmaking in the country as the metal becomes more attractive for green building. In addition, faster adoption of green steel could be fueled by communities competing for new plants and the new jobs that come with them, making them more attractive to build for steel manufacturing companies.

"A transition to fossil fuel-free steelmaking could grow total jobs supported by steelmaking in the region by 27% to 43% by 2031, forestalling projected job losses," according to a study by the Ohio River Valley Institute. "Regional jobs supported by traditional steelmaking are expected to fall by 30% in the same period."

The traditional steelmaking process using coal generates 7.2% of all carbon emissions worldwide, making the industry alone more polluting than the entire European Union, according to one estimate.

A modern, greener method of producing steel works like this: Iron ore is melted in an electric arc furnace using hydrogen, rather than coke, to process the material. This requires less energy than traditional methods, and renewable energy could power the furnace and generate hydrogen, making the process environmentally sound.

Developmental projects in Europe are experimenting with biochar, electrolysis, and other ways to power the electric arc process. In the U.S., one company is experimenting with an oxide electrolysis model that eliminates the need for coal by creating a chemical reaction that turns iron ore into steel.

Any of these greener steelmaking methods could help make the metal a sound choice for meeting sustainability standards and goals.

Forge Prize winner LVL (Level) Studio envisions a place where motorists can relax, work, play, shop, or perhaps even get healthcare while their vehicles charge.

More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.

The Biden Administration's proposal on building materials rules used on federal construction and federally funded state and local buildings would significantly boost the made-in-America mandate. In the past, products could qualify as domestically made if at least 55% of the value of their components were from the U.S.

The American Institute of Steel Construction has released Design Guide 38, SpeedCore Systems for Steel Structures. The document pertains to the nonproprietary concrete-filled composite steel plate shear wall core system that "shaved a whopping 10 months off the erection schedule of Seattle's 58-story Rainier Square," according to AISC.

A Mies van der Rohe-designed art and architecture school at Indiana University and Morphosis Architects' Orange County Museum of Art in Costa Mesa, Calif., are among 10 projects to win IDEAS² Awards from the American Institute of Steel Construction.

The American Institute of Steel Construction recently released an updated revision of one of its flagship standards, the Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (ANSI/AISC 303-22). The code was last updated in 2016. The latest version is available as a free download at aisc.org/2022code.

In Lakeland, Fla., located between Orlando and Tampa, Florida Polytechnic University unveiled its new Applied Research Center (ARC). Designed by HOK and built by Skanska, the 90,000-sf academic building houses research and teaching laboratories, student design spaces, conference rooms, and faculty offices—furthering the school's science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) mission.

Each year, the Building Design+Construction editorial team evaluates the vast universe of new and updated products, materials, and systems for the U.S. building design and construction market. The best-of-the-best products make up our annual 75 Top Products report.

Faster delivery of buildings isn't always associated with sustainability benefits or long-term value, but things are changing. An instructive case is in the development of steel structures that not only allow speedier erection times, but also can reduce embodied carbon and create durable, highly resilient building approaches.

Sharon Prince, Founder and CEO of Grace Farms and Design for Freedom, discusses DFF's report on slavery and enforced child labor in building products and materials.

Forge Prize winner LVL (Level) Studio envisions a place where motorists can relax, work, play, shop, or perhaps even get healthcare while their vehicles charge.

More universities are incorporating reinforced rooms in student housing designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. Storm shelters have been included in recent KWK Architects-designed university projects in the Great Plains where there is a high incidence of tornadoes. Projects include Headington and Dunham Residential Colleges at the University of Oklahoma and the University Commons residential complex at Missouri S&T.

The Biden Administration's proposal on building materials rules used on federal construction and federally funded state and local buildings would significantly boost the made-in-America mandate. In the past, products could qualify as domestically made if at least 55% of the value of their components were from the U.S.

The American Institute of Steel Construction has released Design Guide 38, SpeedCore Systems for Steel Structures. The document pertains to the nonproprietary concrete-filled composite steel plate shear wall core system that "shaved a whopping 10 months off the erection schedule of Seattle's 58-story Rainier Square," according to AISC.