Do we need normative guidance on the design of reused structural components? On the contribution of structural and bridge engineering to solve global challenges

Along with the global debate on climate protection, the construction industry faces new challenges. The reduction of the environmental impacts of the construction sector plays a major role as it still consumes high amounts of resources and continues to be responsible for a high amount of industrial carbon emissions. The (i) rethink and reduce, (ii) remanufacture and retrofit, (iii) recycle, and (iv) reuse waste management hierarchy has to become a guiding framework for engineers to meet the UN’s SDGs and reduce net greenhouse gas emissions to zero by mid-century. Against the back- ground of the further increase in construction demands due to population growth, urbanization, and aging infrastructure, the objectives can only be achieved by implementing a comprehensive approach to the design of a circular eternity in the construction sector. Normative guidance can facilitate harmonized terminology, planning and legal certainty in the application of both strength- ening measures of existing structures and reclaimed components for the realization of engineering projects in compliance with adequate reliability levels. Therefore, CEN/TC 250/SC 3 aims at developing normative provisions on the (a) assessment and retrofitting of existing iron and steel structures and (b) the design of reclaimed steel components for reuse. Eurocode 3 thus further strengthens its contribution to sustainable steel construction.