Numerous countries are experiencing problems created by a decaying infrastructure. This often necessitates the costly repair or replacement of important structures, some of them after only a relatively short lifetime.
Faced with these problems, governing authorities are increasingly demanding a greater emphasis on life cycle costs for new construction, as opposed to considering only the initial capital costs. This approach helps to focus attention on the total costs, including the frequency and cost of future maintenance and replacement work.
Cost analyses for concrete highway bridges have revealed that the selective use of stainless rebar increases the initial capital project costs by 1% to 10%, depending on the size and complexity of the bridge. This “modest” initial cost increase can be offset by reduced maintenance costs.
Consider the following:
- Maintenance costs.
- Cost of materials.
- Cost of man hours.
- Traffic congestion and disruption and lengthy detours.
- Quality of life issues such as noise and dust complaints by neighbors.
- Environmental impact and disturbance of environmentally vulnerable areas such as wetlands, national parks and protected areas.
- Cost of the above on the transportation and delivery of goods and their impact on the economy.
Stainless Steel Reinforcing is being used in numerous types of projects. Its corrosion resistance and long service life make it an invaluable and cost effective building material.
- Tunnels
- Railways
- Airport Runways
- Parking Garages
- Water Transportation
- Bridge and Highway Construction
- Oceanfront Buildings and Structures
- Sewer and Water Treatment Structures
- Hospitals, Scientific Laboratories, MRI Units or any other environment needing non-magnetic materials
- Historic Buildings, Modern Buildings with long-term design life