Tools, Research
•Stockmatcher
The HTS Reused Steel Stockmatcher is an innovative Python-based tool that facilitates fast and accurate stock matching of reused steel in our designs.
It compares steel stock lists from reused stockholders with a design list to automatically find ideal pairings, where the section properties and the lengths are close matches. It has an extra feature to maximise efficiency: as stock beams are assigned, their offcuts are fed back into the stockpile and to be matched with other beams. This provides the most efficient use of the available stock based on inputs of section required, depth limitation and required weight efficiency.
The HTS Stockmatcher has been used on several of our current projects including Timber Square and 6-10 St Andrews Street, leading to successful procurement and incorporation of reused steel in the structural frames. The Stockmatcher can be used to identify opportunity at early stages, as well as increasing the speed and accuracy of the stock matching exercise during procurement. It can also be used to compare donor and new projects to understand the potential scope of steel reuse between two specific projects.
Through development of this, we’ve highlighted the need and value of new tools to facilitate the circular economy within our industry. Its only through collaboration between designers, contractors, and suppliers that these programs may evolve from a thought experiment into a functional, real-life system. We’re looking forward to further testing.
Liam Ross, Associate and developer of the tool
This innovative tool is one of the first of its type in the industry. As engineers we specify on average over 1,000 tonnes of CO2e per year, so it is our responsibility to reduce the amount of carbon in our buildings – from the materials we specify and construction methods we recommend, to sharing knowledge and being the best practice across the industry. Following our initial trials with leading industry organisations and associations, we launched the HTS Reused Steel Stockmatcher at Footprint+ 2023 as an open-source tool for the industry, to increase the use of reused steel on building projects.
As founding signatories of Structural & Civil Engineers Declare, we understand that knowledge sharing and collaboration is critical to help us develop and adopt new innovative solutions to the climate crisis. Feedback on the tool is welcomed – contact the team at [email protected] with any questions or suggestions.
Why reuse steel ?
- 1 Of the 10 million tonnes of scrap steel from the UK per year 75% is exported and 25% used to produce new steel
- 2 Reused steel: A1-A5 – 0.3kg CO₂e/kg
- 3 Traditional steel: A1-A5 – 2.1-2.7kg CO₂e/kg
Photographed by: Philip Vile
