Dear Faezeh Nejati, because steel is long-life and robust, regular steel buildings can be designed in modular form, using principles of' design for disassembly' (e.g. don't weld, but use bolted connections). Thus, when a component requires repair, it can easily be unbolted and repaired or replaced. Of course, it is easier to replace if the steel structure remains exposed and not concealed by ceilings and linings. Furthermore, there are smart technologies available that enable us to know, remotely, how components such as steel beams and columns are performing in situ. My colleagues and I have written about this in article 'Smart steel: new paradigms for the reuse of steel enabled by digital tracking ands modelling' (Jnl Cleaner Production 98 (2015) pp. 292-303). Also please refer my ResearchGate homepage: 'Shape of things to Come: Building the Lego Philosophy of Reuse' and Unmaking Waste Conference paper on 'Enabling reuse of building components'. In essence, the idea is that RFID tags with stress sensors attached to steel components can enable us to access data such as strength and condition by means of readers and the internet, and thus connect physical and virtual worlds. By being about to understand and warrant their performance, we can go further and import used steel components into BIM design of new structures, thus enabling reuse and reducing waste and carbon emissions. But these ideas require further testing in practice, and will require 'life cycle thinking' by designers. I also refer you to the extensive research of Gorgolewski (Canada) on steel structures and their repair and reuse. Hope you find this helpful.
What are the damage that usually occur in steel building as the building becomes old?
Corrosion and fatigue are the most prominent form of damage is steel structures
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