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[August 2000]
Steel industry and German Steel Construction Association to present a new trade fair concept at BAU 2001
With the new trade fair concept developed this year - "Steel construction in dialogue" - the steel industry and the German Steel Construction Association will jointly provide extensive information and advice at BAU 2001 which will be held at the exhibition centre in Munich from 16 to 21 January 2001. The target groups are everyone interested in the field of construction from architects, civil engineers, building owners and investors through to building contractors and students.
During the trade fair experienced steel construction engineers and architects will provide answers to all questions relating to building construction, civil engineering and bridge construction. New paths will be taken for the first time with a position in the section reserved for the concrete industry (instead of the steel industry) in Hall A2 (Stands 428/429). This position will provide an opportunity to focus on the topic of composite steel construction during the trade fair. Composite steel construction probably has the best growth potential in Germany for the modern construction material steel, especially in the construction of multi-storey buildings.
Whereas the proportion of steel used in building construction in neighbouring European countries ranges between 35% and 40%, Germany has a much lower proportion, i.e. only around 10%. One of the main reasons for this is the fire protection regulations in Germany, which make commercial steel construction more difficult. Adapting these regulations to the current state of the art and the available research findings is a joint concern of the steel industry and steel construction companies which have already started a campaign in this respect.
In spite of these problems, steel can continue to improve its competitiveness as a construction material. The cost-effectiveness of steel constructions is increasing thanks to higher efficiency both in steel production and in steel processing. Continuous progress is being made in the development of new high-strength steels and sections, which make it easier to plan and erect steel structures, as well as ingenious welding and joining techniques and improved coating materials. Mention should also be made of low-cost and system construction methods for commercial buildings, economic methods for multi-storey office buildings, transparent steel and glass structures, innovative structural concepts and modern flat steel roof systems which make building with steel even more attractive.
ENDS