Santiago, Chile, March 14th, 2013. Between March 6th and 9th, the Biannual Symposium of IMCA (Mexican Institute of Steel Construction) took place in Guadalajara. The event gathered more than 250 steel structures manufacturers, service centers, steel processors and professional designers, and focused on competitiveness and continuous improvement in the steel construction business.
The Symposium considered issues related to process integration in steel construction through BIM (Building Information Model) systems and the adequate execution of connections. Also, quick standard solutions with steel structures for bridges and buildings were presented, and the evolution of Mexican codes regarding steel construction was analyzed.
During the opening event, Alberto Pose, representative of Alacero (Latin American Steel Association) at the Symposium, talked about the need of bringing together the forces of IMCA and Alacero to promote steel construction. “In order to reach the required quality standards and competitiveness, construction industry needs close suppliers who know and satisfy its requirements and who are available to rapidly receive its concerns. This is the role of the Latin American steel industry regarding the construction business”- he said.
As part of another presentation, Alacero showed statistics and conclusions on the effect that Chinese imports of construction products –that increased more than 20 times in 2012 when compared to 2002 or 2005- have on both the steel and construction local industries. “The arrival of products in conditions that not always conform to fair trade practices, constitutes a threat to our industries´ competitiveness and to the quality of our constructions” – emphasized Mr. Pose.
In a meeting specially dedicated to university professors, Alberto Pose reviewed the formative activities that Alacero develops in order to encourage and improve steel construction knowledge among architecture and engineering students. He also presented the initiatives that the organization will undertake during 2013: virtual seminars for faculty, the conclusion of an e-book about seismic-resistant design that incorporates composite steel-concrete construction, as well as some other research and promotional activities on steel construction sustainability.
Mr. Pose highlighted the forthcoming launch of a Virtual Improvement Course for Steel Construction Detailers, that begins next April 15th. Alacero prepared this course as a response to the steel structures manufacturers´ concern about the need of training for technicians to enhance competitiveness.
One of the most important announcements made by IMCA during the Symposium was the launch –considered for the third quarter of 2013- of a new edition of the IMCA Manual of Steel Construction, which previous editions became bestsellers among technical books in Mexico. This version will include charts on the properties of steel profiles and sheets, a Code of Good Construction Practices, and a Spanish version of the North American specification (ANSI/AISC 360-10) for steel construction, a version of which Alacero had already published in 2012.
About Alacero
Alacero –Latin American Steel Association- is the organization that brings together the Steel Value Chain of Latin America to promote the values of regional integration, technological innovation, corporate responsibility and social and environmental sustainability. Founded in 1959, Alacero is formed by 52 companies of 25 countries, whose production –of about 70 million annual tons- represents 95% of the steel manufactured in Latin America. Alacero is a Special Consulting Organization to the United Nations and is recognized as International Non-Government Organization by the Republic of Chile, host country of Alacero´s headquarters.