Steel Erection, Fabrication and Hybrid construction -Blog 16

This blog is about how the steel sections are transported to the site, the issues involved with transportation, erection and fabrication along with the onsite constrains.

TRANSPORTATION:

• The steel sections have to transported from the manufacturing site to the fabrication site and this becomes a tough task due to their size.
• Often large pieces cannot be transported in a single part, they are split or divided and shipped as two separate pieces or even as one piece to avoid damage or scratches.
• Temporary connections are made on the pieces to avoid damage and to keep the parts in place during transportation.   
• These parts are not transported in normal vehicles but require long trail vehicles to fit their length and size which again becomes a difficult task to turn around the corners of the road and at junctions    

FABRICATION & ON SITE CONSTRAINS:

• Fabrication of steel on sites which are along the main road or at the corner site is very hectic as there is very less staging area.
• Vehicular and pedestrian movement will be interrupted while cares are used to lift and erect these parts on the sites which are located along busy roads.
• Sometimes the crane have to lift the steel more than one time if the direction or angle has been changed while lifting and joining.
• Due to this constrains often lifting and erection is done at night time in a fast phase.
• Large pieces which were separated during transportation are connected by welding or hidden bolts to make it look like a single piece.
• Temporary frames or supports were erected along with the main parts to help during the times of connection or large or multiple pieces or even to avoid the damage in handling such large pieces without any support.

HYBRID CONSTRUCTION:

Steel is often used along with wood and glass to increase its workability, durability, functionality, aesthetics and also for strength and support.

 

STEEL AND TIMBER:

Galvanised fittings are used in glued- laminated timber system. This composite structure needs galvanised coating and water proof membrane to prevent corrosion and damage. Steel is majorly used with wood as joinery to combine trusses and other structurally supporting elements. This gives timber strong and flexible variety of connections. Replacing and cost involved in treating wood for termites can be reduced by combining steel with wood.

 EX: Brentwood station, Vancouver, Canada.

It’s a metro station which lies above the Canada highway with a unique dynamic form and structure which has an extensive use of custom made wood and steel ribs which comprises this composite structure. It has a simple volume with futuristic appeal with glazed wall and timber roof.

STEEL AND GLASS:

This the most common hybrid steel structure which is seen in most of the structures across the world. Steel frames is used to hold the glass. Large steel sections are used for bracing, structural support and as trusses. The frames are combined with cables, spider bracket, pin bracket, clamps and clips to hold the glass firmly from winds and also for aesthetical appeal.

 EX: Pearson Airport, Toronto, Canada

Thin steel sections are connected by cable system and fixed to glass by clamp or spider connectors is used in curtain wall of the airport. These connections are done in the rear side and are not visible from the front side of the canopy. Another tubular framing system is added to conceal the connections of the steel frame behind it.

Thank you for reading!

-Theerthana.✌
              
 

                        

                                         
 REFERENCE:

https://perkinswill.com/project/brentwood-station/

http://www.tboake.com/steel/ssef/pmar2002.html