Towards resilient infrastructure: assessing steel–concrete composite and RCC structures in Bangladesh

The rapid infrastructure development and the need to house the dense population of Bangladesh drive the construction business to transform from a low-rise to a medium-rise industry. In this transformation, steel–concrete composite has been prioritized for constructing high-rise buildings. It is crucial to look at how the steel industry has developed and what the future holds for the usage of steel–concrete composition in the construction sector of Bangladesh. Also, it is critical to understand the role of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) technology in this transformation process. The current study examined import and export promotion statistics for steel, iron, and cement to get insights into the development and transformation of the construction sector. To assess the existing state and prospects of the steel industry, this study also collected revenue data from the major steel companies of Bangladesh. Finally, a poll on the usage of steel–concrete composite construction has been conducted to better understand the public opinions about the steel industry. Findings from the Export Promotion Bureau (EPB) indicate that there has been a growing popularity of steel structures in the last 10 years boosting the financial revenue of Bangladesh. Import data revealed a moderately strong relationship, with cement imports accounting for 37.4% of the variation in steel and iron imports. Insights into public opinion show a generally positive attitude toward adopting steel–concrete composites, with 17.6% of the variation in willingness to pay premiums explained by factors like high cost, longevity, and cost-effectiveness. Nevertheless, the data suggests that cement has been more frequently utilized in the construction sector than steel. The findings of this study provide valuable information on the opportunities and challenges encountered by the steel industry. This information can aid policymakers in making informed investment and strategic planning decisions that will support the economic development of the country.