BLOG-14 AESS-3

 

AESS (ARCHITECTURALLY EXPOSE STRUCTURAL STEEL)

 

When planning to use AESS, it is important to consider the following factors: 

·         Member Visibility

·         Viewing Distance

·         Location

·         Lighting

·         Coatings

·         Style

·         Adjacency

PRIMARY FACTORS OF INFLUENCE THAT DEFINE AESS

~Connections mostly bolted or welded (different aesthetics requiring differing levels of finish)
~Tolerances required at fabrication and erection (different as a function of scope and complexity)
~Access to detail to perform required finish (greater concern for workmanship may mean altering the detail or its location to allow access for different types of tools)
~Degree of expression (complexity of structure and connections)
~Size and shape of structural elements (W sections and HSS have different detailing requirements and their use infers a different approach to detailing and finish)
~Interior or exterior setting (weathering issues, need to fire protect, potential for impact damage)
~Paint finish, corrosion resistance, fire protection (depending on the relative thickness of the finish material, more or less care may be required when preparing the surface, edges and welding of the steel)

 

 

AESS -3   FEATURE ELEMENTS IN CLOSE VIEW

 Includes structures that would be viewed at a distances less than or equal 6m. This increased proximity in viewed distances begins to place the evidence of certain  fabrication process into close viewing range. Where some of the natural evidence of the natural evidence of the materiality and connection methods of steel might be acceptable at a greater viewing distance, the same might not be acceptable ”up close”

CHARACTERISTICS OF AESS -3 STRUCTURES

 

1.Mill marks should be removed

   so as not to be visible in the finished product. Removal of these marks would typically be accomplished by grinding.

 

2.Butt and plug welds are to be ground smooth and filled to create a smooth surface finish. Caulking (ceiling material) or body filler is acceptable.

  These kinds of welds can result in the presence of additional material or slight depressions in the members. These imperfetions will be visible after finishing. If additional material is present, it should be ground smooth. If there are depressions, the voids can be filled with body filler and the surface ground smooth prior to finish applications.

 

3.Welding seam should be aligned in a line.

  In general the seams are to be oriented away from view in a consistent manner from member to member, or as indicated in the contract documents.

Welded seams are a natural finish appearance which is a part of the manufacturing process of HSS members. If the seams are located in members whose viewing angles are multiple, then greater care must be taken in detailing the members to achieve a consistent look. If two HSS are joined then make sure that their seams are aligned.

 

4.Cross-sectional abutting surfaces are to be aligned

  The matching of abutting cross-sections shall be required. Offsets in alignment are considered to be unsightly in these sorts of feature elements at a close range of view

  

5.Joint gap tolerances are to minimized.

  A clear distance of 3mm between abutting members required

The use of bolted connections is quite common in many AESS applications. Bolted connections may be advantageous for erection purposes or constructablility and might also suit the aesthetic of the project. In keeping with tighter tolerances on the members themselves, the reduction of joint gaps in bolted connections aids in ensuring consistency and tighter design.

 

6.Requires all welded connections

   This is noted as optional.

  

            CHARACTERISTIC DIFFERENCE IN PRODUCT 

CASE STUY

REFERENCES:

(https://www.aisc.org/why-steel/architecturally-exposed-structural-steel/)

 (https://cisc-icca.ca/ciscwp/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/AESSGuide2E.pdf)

                        -MUHAMMAD