www.new-steel-construction.

com

October 2011
New decks for viaduct

Vol 19 No. 9

Training ground covered

Outstanding aim for Co-op

New home for Mary Rose

Bridge gives Poole a lift

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ew Steel Construction keeps designers and contractors abreast of all major
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as well as other researchers.
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Each issue of NSC is typically 44 pages and contains five pages of news,
developments related to Eurocodes, cutting edge project reports from site, and
the latest technical updates from the Steel Construction Institute in its Advisory
Desk Note series. Popular features are 50 Years Ago and 20 Years Ago, looking at
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 In this issue

Cover Image
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Training Centre, Enfield
Main Client:
Tottenham Hotspur FC
Architect: KSS
Steelwork contractor:
Watson Steel Structures
Steel tonnage: 600t

October 2011 Vol 19 No 9

5 Editor’s comment Editor NIck Barrett says the Co-op’s sustainability aims for its new headquarters in
Manchester prove that steel is good for everyone.

6 News Leading fire engineering practitioners shared their knowledge and presented a number of case
studies at recent BCSA/Tata Steel seminars.

12 Profile New BCSA President Ivor Roberts tells Nick Barrett about his hopes for the steel construction
sector over next two years.

14 Bridges Only a 16 week long closure of a Cumbrian railway line was required for all 51 spans of the
Arnside Viaduct to be replaced with new steel decks.

18 Museum Thirty years after being salvaged from the Solent, the Mary Rose will soon be housed in a
purpose-built steel framed museum.

22 Bridges Tidal movements and precision engineering were key elements during the positioning of the
five spans for Poole’s new harbour crossing.

24 Commercial The Co-op headquarters building in the heart of Manchester is aiming to become the
city’s first BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ project.

26 Sport A series of long tubular feature trusses have been erected to form the indoor football pitch
structure at Tottenham Hotspur’s new training centre.

28 Health & Safety The BCSA has instigated a number of initiatives to help make the steel construction
sector a much safer place to work in.

30 Technical Mark Lawson of SCI reviews new guidance on long span composite floors prepared with
NHBC.

32 50 Years Ago Our look back through the pages of Building with Steel features the 26-storey Shell
Centre.

34 20 Years Ago Drawn from the pages of Steel Construction, our featured topic is the National Gallery:
Sainsbury Wing.

36 Advisory Desk AD 362 Headed shear studs - resistance and minimum degree of shear connection in
composite beams with decking.

36 Codes and Standards

38 Advisory Service

40 BCSA members

42
These and other steelwork articles
Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors for Bridgework can be downloaded from the New
Steel Construction Website at
www.new-steel-construction.com

NSC
October 11 3
celebrating

exce ence
in
steel
Call for
Call for entries
entries for
for the
the 2012
2008
Structural Steel
Structural Steel Design
Design Awards
Awards
Tata
CorusSteel
andand
TheThe British
British Constructional
Constructional Steelwork
Steelwork Association
Association havehave
pleasure
pleasure in inviting entries for the 2008 Structural Steel Design Awards.
in inviting entries for the 2012 Structural Steel Design Awards.

The
The Awards
Awards celebrate
celebrate thethe excellence
excellence of of the
the United
United Kingdom
Kingdom or in the
the field
Republic of Ireland in the field of steel construction, particularly
of steel construction. Particularly demonstrating its potential in terms
demonstrating its potential
of efficiency, cost in terms
effectiveness, of efficiency,
aesthetics cost effectiveness,
and innovation.
aesthetics and innovation.
The Awards are open to steel based structures situated in the United
The Awards
Kingdom or are open to
overseas steel
that havebased
beenstructures
built by UK situated in the
steelwork United
contractors
Kingdom or overseas that have been built by UK or Irish
using steel predominantly sourced from Corus. They must have been steelwork
contractors
completed and usingbesteel
readypredominantly
for occupation sourced from Tata
or use during theSteel. They
calendar
must have been completed and be ready
years 2006-2007; previous entries are not eligible. for occupation or use during
the calendar years 2010-2011; previous entries are not eligible.
To find out more and request an entry form visit:
To find out more and request an entry form visit
www.steelconstruction.org
www.steelconstruction.org/resources/design-awards
or call Gillian Mitchell of BCSA on 0207 747 8121
or call Gillian Mitchell of BCSA on 020 7747 8121
Closing date for entries:
Friday 2nd December 2011
 Comment

Steel good for everyone

Earning a creditable BREEAM rating is a fairly routine achievement for a steel framed building, as
is proven by the highly sustainable buildings that regularly feature in New Steel Construction.
The process is not easy however and there are many hoops to be jumped through by architects,
structural and mechanical engineers, main contactors and steelwork contractors before this
coveted environmental seal of approval is awarded.
Recently one of the projects previously featured in NSC was the first building in England to
be granted the new ‘Outstanding’ status by BREEAM, 7 More London. In this month’s issue you
can read about a building that should become the first in Manchester to be rated ‘Outstanding’
Nick Barrett - Editor (See Page 24). What is perhaps unusual about this project though is the confidence that the client
showed even before construction started that this building will achieve BREEAM ‘Outstanding’
status.
The building in question is to be the new headquarters for the Co-operative Group, one of the
city’s most venerable institutions, which has been headquartered there since being founded in
1863. The Co-operative Group is one of the most popular organisations in the retail world (Bob
Dylan even allowed his song Blowin’ in the Wind to be used in its advertising campaign, which is
virtually unheard of ) and is highly conscious of its role in the community.
Designers of the headquarters building were given as a key aim the Cooperative Group’s
ambition for it to reflect the high ethical values of the organisation in its design and construction.
It had to be a sustainable landmark for Manchester. It also had to be a building that people would
like to come to work in, and that local communities would value having as a neighbour.
A good way to ensure all of this was to deliberately aim at BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ from the
outset, rather than just add on a lot of ‘sustainability bling’ and hope it all added up correctly, as
some projects have been accused of. Steel was chosen as the preferred framing solution for its
ability to help the Co-operative Group achieve all of these ambitions.
Ambition is a great thing, but you have to be fairly confident that your ambition can be
realised before you announce that you want your yet-to-be-built headquarters to warrant an
Outstanding award for sustainability, and this is what the Co-operative did from the start. The
16 storey building has a visually striking design, so it will certainly become a landmark, and will
provide a much needed fillip to an area in need of a regeneration boost.
Steel was the natural choice for the building frame, say the designers, as it provided the large
column free spans required and allowed other sustainability features to be easily incorporated.
All the thermal mass that is needed is easily provided by the exposed soffit. Natural daylight is
maximised by the feature central atrium. Built in flexibility to accommodate future changes comes
free with steel building frames, another factor which is important to this client.
Good luck to the Co-operative Group in its bid to achieve the sustainability recognition that it
clearly wants so much. The Group’s slogan is ‘Good for everyone’ - which is what such a building
could be.

EDITOR PUBLISHED BY EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD

Nick Barrett Tel: 01323 422483 The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd Dr D Tordoff (Chairman); Mr N Barrett; Mr D G Brown, SCI;
[email protected] 4 Whitehall Court, Westminster, London SW1A 2ES Mr M Crosby, Capita Symonds; Mr R Gordon, Mace Ltd;
DEPUTY EDITOR Telephone 020 7839 8566 Fax 020 7976 1634 Mrs Karen Lloyd, BCSA; Mr A Palmer, Buro Happold;
Martin Cooper Tel: 01892 538191 Website www.steelconstruction.org Mr R Steeper, BCSA; Mr G Taylor, Caunton Engineering;
[email protected] Email [email protected] Mr M Thompson, Mott MacDonald;
CONTRIBUTING EDITOR Mr O Tyler, Wilkinson Eyre Architects;
Ty Byrd Tel: 01892 553143 The Steel Construction Institute
[email protected] Silwood Park, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 7QN The role of the Editorial Advisory Board is to advise on the
PRODUCTION EDITOR Telephone 01344 636525 Fax 01344 636570 overall style and content of the magazine.
Andrew Pilcher Tel: 01892 553147 Website www.steel-sci.org
[email protected] Email [email protected] New Steel Construction welcomes contributions on any
PRODUCTION ASSISTANT suitable topics relating to steel construction. Publication
Alastair Lloyd Tel: 01892 553145 Tata Steel is at the discretion of the Editor. Views expressed in this
[email protected] PO Box 1, Brigg Road, Scunthorpe, publication are not necessarily those of the BCSA, SCI, Tata
NEWS REPORTER North Lincolnshire DN16 1BP Steel or the Contract Publisher. Although care has been
Mike Walter Telephone 01724 405060 taken to ensure that all information contained herein is
COMMERCIAL MANAGER Website www.tatasteelconstruction.com accurate with relation to either matters of fact or accepted
Sally Devine Tel: 01474 833871 Email [email protected] practice at the time of publication, the BCSA, SCI, Tata Steel
[email protected] and the Editor assume no responsibility for any errors or
CONTRACT PUBLISHER & ADVERTISING SALES misinterpretations of such information or any loss or damage
CHANGES TO THE MAILING LIST Barrett, Byrd Associates arising from or related to its use. No part of this publication
If you wish to notify us of a change: 7 Linden Close, may be reproduced in any form without the permission of
Members BCSA and Non Members Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN4 8HH the publishers.
Telephone BCSA on 0207 747 8131 Telephone 01892 524455
Members SCI Telephone SCI on 01344 636 525 Website www.barrett-byrd.com All rights reserved ©2011. ISSN 0968-0098

NSC
October 11 5
 News

Good practice reaffirmed at seminars

The UK benefits from having a competitive about steel in fire than any other material,” the best and most cost effective available,” design discussions at the earliest possible
and efficient structural fire protection sector said John Dowling, BCSA Sustainability added Mr Dowling. stage.
was one of the key messages reiterated at Manager. “This is because of an extensive Another key message from the seminars A number of projects from the UK
two fire engineering seminars, organised by programme of large scale testing.” was that the UK enjoys the services of the and around the world were discussed at
the BCSA and Tata Steel, and held in Leeds The issue of fire and the provision of best providers of engineered solutions for the seminars as good examples of fire
and London during September. precautions to preserve life is a significant fire in the world. These engineers can look engineered jobs.
Attendees heard how this service is one. “About ten years ago, a published study beyond prescriptive guidance to provide Dr Mark O’Connor, Technical Director
supported by the industry’s representative found that fire precautions can account for bespoke solutions which improve safety and and Head of Analysis in WSP’s UK
organisation, the Association for Specialist up to 8% or 9% of the total construction reliability, often at lower cost. Structures Business spoke about the fire
Fire Protection who prepare extensive costs in some buildings, such as shopping Professor Barbara Lane, Director, Fire engineered solutions employed on the
guidance on how to get the best from its centres and hospitals. Even in medium Engineering, Arup, said that in order for Shard, the iconic building currently under
members’ services. sized office blocks, that figure was typically a project to maximise the full value of fire construction at London Bridge which will
The strong position of steel with respect 4% or 5%. It is important therefore that the engineering, it was important that the be, when completed, the tallest building in
to fire was acknowledged. “We know more solutions adopted for fire in buildings are relevant engineer was brought into the the European Union.

Work on track at London’s Blackfriars Station

The redevelopment of Blackfriars is
progressing on schedule and the first 12 car
Thameslink trains will be able to use the
station by the end of the year.
With an increased capacity, allowing it
to handle these longer trains, the revamped
Blackfriars will also be the first station to
span the River Thames and consequently
the first to be built on London’s South Bank
for 120 years.
Steelwork contractor Watson Steel Struc-
tures is currently completing the erection of
the station’s new roof. A series of Vierendeel
trusses, centrally supported by a spine
beam and tubular Y-shaped columns, span
the three platforms and four railways lines.
The trusses have been predominantly
erected in fully assembled halves, with most photo voltaic cells, which will deliver Watson Steel has also installed a bridge structure. The company has also
of the projects steelwork delivered by barge. approximately 50% of the station’s energy completely new steel bridge deck and new completed substantial strengthening works
The roof will support 9,000 south facing requirements. arched ribs to the spans - creating a wider to the original Victorian bridge.

Framework takes shape quietly for Derby school

Paul Nesbitt, Balfour Beatty Construction Northern
Senior Project Manager, said: “We have fenced off the entire
site and through continual consultation with the school,
noise testing and the full cooperation of the sub-contractors,
we’ve been able to minimise disruption to the pupils, which
was especially important during the exams period.”
Steelwork contractor Robinson Steel Structures has
designed, fabricated and erected all steelwork for the
project, as well as installing precast flooring, metal decking
and stairs.
The majority of the school buildings are linked in a
linear pattern of clusters, based around atriums and open
plan common areas. The St Martins part of the campus is
a two-storey structure, while the remainder of the project
– to be occupied by Noel-Baker - is predominantly three-
More than 1,200t of structural steelwork is being used Martins Special School. storeys high.
to construct the new £34M campus for the Noel-Baker The existing Noel-Baker school buildings are located The project also includes a stand-alone sports hall with
Community School in Derby. adjacent to the construction site while playgrounds, an attached two-storey sector containing changing rooms, a
Working on behalf of main contractor Balfour Beatty regularly used by pupils, separate the main new school viewing gallery and classrooms. The site will contain a new
Construction Northern, the project will deliver completely structures from the on-going building work for the new steel framed energy centre, housing a biomass boiler and a
new school buildings which will also be shared by St sports hall. viewing area for students.

NSC
6 October 11
 News

Accident reporting goes online

Statutory reporting to the Health and “As of early September revised online Contact Centre by using Tel: 0845 300 three days to seven days and to extend the
Safety Executive (HSE) of work related forms have made the reporting process 9923. deadline for reporting from 10 days to 15
injuries and incidents under the Reporting quick and easy,” said Peter Walker, BCSA Meanwhile, the HSE Board has days.
of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Health, Safety & Training Manager. agreed to recommend to the Minister Over three day injuries would still have
Occurrences Regulations 1995 (RIDDOR) Fatal and major injuries and incidents that RIDDOR is changed to increase the to be recorded and this is likely to become
has moved to an online system. can still be reported to the HSE’s Incident lost-time injury reporting threshold from law on 6 April 2012

Seminars showcase essential information

The BCSA and Tata Steel are holding a series Target Zero - The construction industry scale steel frames. It uses case studies to competitiveness against other materials.
of free seminars around the UK during faces an unprecedented challenge to demonstrate the new design approaches To reserve your place please
November to highlight the benefits of steel significantly reduce the greenhouse gas that were derived from this research. e-mail your contact details to
construction. emissions generated from our built Value Engineering - The value [email protected] quoting
The half-day morning seminars are free- environment. Target Zero is an ongoing engineering segment of the seminars will your preferred venue e.g. ‘Glasgow’.
of-charge and will enable construction project with the objective to deliver clear, highlight how a steelwork contractor turns
professionals to stay informed of best costed advice for achieving government the engineer’s vision into a working Venues are:
practice and the latest developments in steel targets for five building types: school, structural frame. A design that optimises Glasgow (8 November)  
construction. warehouse, retail, office and mixed use. structural efficiency may not always provide The Beardmore Hotel, Glasgow. G81 4SA
A number of essential topics will be Eurocodes - This presentation gives an the best value and/or the quickest
covered including presentations on the overview of steel design to EC3 and the construction. The steelwork contractor can Durham (9 November)
Target Zero project; an introduction to resources available from the steel sector. work in partnership with the structural Barcelo Redworth Hall Hotel, Redworth,
Eurocodes (EC3); sustainability; design for Using a worked example, it introduces the designer to provide best value solutions and County Durham. DL5 6NL
fire; value engineering and commercial Eurocode design approach in a practical this presentation demonstrates how this can
aspects of steel construction. way. be achieved. Cambridge (22 November)
Sustainability - This presentation Design for Fire - This presentation Commercial Aspects of Steel Menzies Cambridge Hotel & Golf Club,
demonstrates the case for steel in considers the functional requirements of Construction - This presentation will give Bar Hill, Cambridge. CB23 8EU  
sustainable construction, including the Building Regulations. It also examines the an overview on how to develop a budget
factors that a designer should consider and alternative design approach developed from price for a structural frame in steel, London (23 November)
steel’s sustainable credentials throughout research work undertaken at Cardington, identifying key drivers that influence that Wellcome Collection Conference Centre,
the building’s lifecycle. where real fire tests were carried out on full- price. It will also consider steel’s 183 Euston Road, London. NW1 2BE

New stand scores on Wolves debut

and roof throughout the rest of the current
campaign,” explained Buckingham Project
Manager Richard Lakin.
The two tier stand will have 7,500
seats, topped with a large cantilevering
roof which is supported by two feature
masts that tower 20m above the structure.
Within the stand there are five floor levels:
a ground floor concourse accommodating
concessions and toilets as well as the
megastore and museum; a level 2
concourse offering access to the lower
tier seating; level 3 houses the executive
boxes; level 4 is the upper tier’s concourse,
housing more concessions and toilets; and
level 5 is a plant area.
Barrett Steel is erecting the steelwork
and the precast terrace units; alternating
on a daily basis between erecting a bay of
steel and then installing the precast units.
Each bay measures approximately 7m wide
and steelwork consists of three columns
and one 25m long raker per bay.
“Speed is vital for this project,
Construction work on the new North Stand Part of a three phased project to which is based around the football especially for the work we did on the lower
at Wolverhampton Wanderers’ Molineux increase the ground’s capacity to 38,000, calendar. Having completed demolition tier,” said Michael Bryars, Barrett Steel
Stadium reached a milestone last month the North Stand replaces the old Stan Cullis during the close season, we’ve had to get Project Manager. “Steel construction leads
when the lower tier was used for the first Stand, which was demolished during the the new lower tier erected as quickly as the way, as immediately after one bay
time for the Premiership fixture against summer by main contractor Buckingham. possible. Having handed over the lower of steel is erected the fit-out contractors
Tottenham Hotspur. “We are working to a tight schedule, tier we’re now constructing the upper tier move-in right behind us.”

NSC
October 11 7
 News

AROUND Payment amendments

THE PRESS
come into force
Construction News
8 September 2011 Construction Act amendments (Part 8 can do so. Withholding notices are replaced with the suspension.
Thumbs up to Target Zero of the Local Democracy, Economic by ‘pay less’ notices, but it is now specifically “Wholly and partly oral contracts now
(Comment by Johnny Development and Construction Act 2009) provided that where a contract allows, a ‘pay come under the aegis of the legislation.
Wates, Chairman, Myriad affecting both payment and adjudication less’ notice does not have to be issued in the With regards to adjudication decisions, a
CEG) Achieving zero carbon
came into force in England and Wales on event that the payee is insolvent. specific ‘slip rule’ has been included,” said
buildings is the challenge
1 October and will come into force on All conditional payment provisions are Marion Rich, BCSA Director of Legal and
facing the industry as it steps
1 November in Scotland, with Northern now outlawed (that is, ‘pay when certified’ Contractual Affairs.
up to meet the emissions
reduction targets set by the Ireland expected to follow next April. as well as ‘pay when paid’), except for first “Also, there are controversial new
government. So thumbs up “The new legislation changes the tier PFI contracts. It has also now been provisions relating to party costs in
to Target Zero, a £1 million payment notification system, allowing clarified that suspension for late/non adjudication designed to outlaw Bridgeway
project to share best practice the contract to provide which party starts payment can be of some or all contractual v Tolent clauses, whereby the contract
to achieve zero carbon in new the process; if the payer does not issue a obligations and the payee now has the provides that one party pays all the party
buildings. payment notice when it should, the payee right to its reasonable expenses associated costs, irrespective of outcome.”

The Structural Engineer

6 September 2011
Forsyth Barr Stadium -
Steel bridge courses will offer set out in the Structural Eurocodes,
examining modelling techniques and

Dunedin invaluable information much more.

Courses are to be held as follows:
New Zealand is a seismically
active nation… to achieve a The Steel Construction Institute, suit the new Eurocodes. • London, November 16-17, 2011
rigid connection of north south with support from the BCSA and Tata The courses offer the very latest • Leeds, March 21-22, 2012
roof loads the southern roof Steel, will host a series of two-day best practice design guidance as all of Lunch, refreshments, and a
trusses are connected to the courses offering graduate engineers the speakers are practicing engineers comprehensive set of guidance
stand structure via steel seismic the opportunity to get the most up-to- involved in the design and construction publications are all included at both of
energy dissipaters. date information on the design of steel of steel bridges. Between them, they have the two-day events, which offer excellent
bridges. a wealth of experience. value for money, being priced at £250
Construction News Entitled ‘Design of Steel Bridges’ The course objectives include giving + VAT for BCSA and SCI members, and
11 August 2011
these professional training courses are attendees an overview of the common £300 for non members.
Hochtief channels bridge
the latest in a long running respected forms of steel bridge used in the highway For more information contact Jane
delivery
(Poole Harbour Crossing) series, which were updated recently to sector; explaining the design basis Burrell at the SCI Tel: 01344 636500
“Fabrication has been ongoing
since December,” says Hochtief
project manager Richard
Steel atrium knits together Network Rail headquarters
Bruten. “It’s a quite complicated A new national centre for Network Rail
fabrication sequence, is quickly taking shape in the centre of
particularly for the triangular Milton Keynes. Being built on the site of
sails, but it does reduce the the former National Hockey Stadium, The
amount of work we have to do Quadrant:MK, will bring together nearly
over the navigation channel.”
3,000 employees, from across the UK,
when it opens next year.
New Civil Engineer
8 August 2011 The project consists of four individual
Back to school blocks offering a total of 36,500m2 of office
(Sandwell College) The glass space. Each of the blocks has four levels
wall is supported by bow and they are all linked together by a large
string columns that range from steel formed central atrium or street.
15m to 33m in height. They A series of steel trusses, which vary in
are slender to allow for more length depending on their location, span
free space in the atrium. The this central atrium and will support a
column tops are connected by glass roof.
lattice roof beams. “To transport
Steelwork contractor Graham Wood
them to site, we needed to
Structural brought the trusses to site in
close the busy West Bromwich
ringway,” says Interserve project two pieces. They were assembled on the
manager Mark Green. ground and lifted into place by a 200t
capacity mobile crane. “The heaviest Spanning between these primary trusses inner office spaces, these atria also act as
Building Magazine trusses weighed 8.5t and we used a large are a series of secondary trusses, all large chimneys, by helping to draw warm
9 September 2011 mobile primarily for its reach, as it had connected to form the overall volumetric air out of the structures.
Maxing out to be positioned outside of the atrium’s shape. At roof level, each of the office
(Westfield shopping centre) footprint,” said Adam Harding, BAM Each of the four office blocks has block’s atriums has a roof, spanned with
Such is the scale of urban Construction Project Manager. two further internal atria, an inner and 15m-long steel beams which will support
expansion that London will The prefabricated trusses have welded outer void, with the inner linking directly an aluminium standing seam. Steelwork
have its first new postcode
connections and were fabricated from into the main central atrium. As well as also forms external plant areas at roof
since the sixties, E20
hollow and universal column sections. allowing natural light to penetrate the level.

NSC
8 October 11
 News

Guidance reports target NEWS

IN BRIEF
sustainable construction
Metsec’s in-house design
The fifth Target Zero guidance report, team has gained international
covering mixed use developments, was
recognition for its work on a
published this week, completing the
new accommodation building
series of five reports in this £1M BCSA
at the UK’s oldest specialist
and Tata Steel study.
Target Zero is the first project to music school. Entered in the
undertake a detailed comparison of lower half and a hotel above. 9m x 9m structural grid and the depth Special Projects category of
different energy efficiency measures, With numerous facilities, specifiers of the classrooms, which was a local AceCAD’s International Project
low or zero carbon technologies and and developers of mixed use schemes authority requirement, meant that Competition 2010-11, Metsec’s
allowable solutions to identify the need to deliver buildings that cater for mechanical ventilation was needed. designs for the five-storey, light
most cost effective means of carbon a diverse range of needs. Target Zero’s The warehouse study is based on a gauge steel framed structure
reduction. aim is to provide guidance on how to 34,000m2 distribution warehouse at a at Purcell School achieved a
The five independent guides provide achieve this without compromising ProLogis Park near Stoke-on-Trent. The ‘Highly Commended’ award.
invaluable information on the design and environmental impact. four span steel portal frame structure
construction of sustainable, low and zero The other four Target Zero guides is attached to a two-storey office wing,
The Institution of Structural
carbon buildings in the UK. cover schools, warehouses, supermarkets providing 1,400m2 of space.
Engineers has produced new
The mixed use study is based on the and offices. Asda’s food store at Stockton-on-Tees
Holiday Inn tower in the multi-million The schools report was based provided the basis for the Target Zero guidance to help engineers
pound MediaCityUK development on a secondary school in Knowsley, supermarket report, while One Kingdom reduce the carbon footprint
at Salford Quays in Manchester. This Merseyside which opened in 2009. The Street near Paddington in London was of the projects they design.
scheme incorporates offices, retail, steel framed building is based on a the subject for the offices guide. The Institution’s short guide to
residential towers, car parks and large For more information and Embodied Carbon in Building
public realms. The building in the mixed downloadable pdfs of the reports visit: Structures provides the essential
use study consists of office space in its www.targetzero.info guidance to structural engineers
to enable them to contribute
to reducing both embodied
carbon and energy footprint.

SCI’s website, www.steel-sci.

com has been re-vamped to
more clearly demonstrate the
institute’s technical information
offerings and consultancy
capabilities. A new key feature
is that users can access each
of SCI’s information resources
such as its Eurocode support
websites and its online library
of technical guidance and data,
Steelbiz through a carousel
displayed on the home page.

Kingspan Insulated Panels is

celebrating the completion of
the next phase of its ongoing
drive towards sustainable
manufacturing with the
installation of one of its latest
product developments at the
SCI to re-evaluate the Eurocode 3 state of the art manufacturing

safety factors for stainless steel facility at Holywell. 2,900m²

of Kingspan Roof PowerPanel
SCI has been commissioned by Euro Inox to re-evaluate the safety on the geometrical tolerances of structural stainless sections. A System photovoltaic modules
factors applied to member and bolt resistance in EN 1993-1-4, the reliability analysis on data from structural tests on stainless steel have now been installed and
Eurocode covering design rules for structural stainless steel. members and connections will be carried out. fully commissioned on the
The project will involve SCI liaising with key stainless steel The completed work will culminate in the calculation of revised roof of one of the south facing
producers to collect statistical data on material properties and safety factors (known as Gamma M factors) which will be included manufacturing buildings.
with stainless steel section manufacturers to collect statistical data in the next revision of EN 1993-1-4.

NSC
October 11 9
 News

SCI report opens up new

applications for high strength steel
The SCI has completed a report which involvement and the research needs. design. New opportunities for steels with • Beams and columns in buildings with
identifies research and development topics The market segments studied were light superior toughness and better elevated reduced fire protection, due to the use
that may open up new applications for gauge construction, buildings, bridges and temperature strength, and stainless steels, of high strength steel or due to the use
molybdenum-containing steels in the wind energy, with a brief review of piling were also included. of a temperature-resistant steel.
construction industry. and tanks and vessels. The most promising application areas • Lighter bridge girders, due to the use
The study considered the markets The SCI’s report focused on high for molybdenum-alloyed steels include: of high strength steel with superior
drivers and trends, the technological strength steels, which are only beneficial • Reduced column size in high-rise toughness.
challenges for the particular applications, in certain structural applications where buildings due to the use of high
potential solutions with molybdenum buckling and deflection do not govern the strength steel.

Major residential
scheme framed in steel
Waterfront South, a major regeneration March 2011.
development of apartments on a Working on behalf of client and
prominent canalside location in the main contractor Jessup Build Develop,
centre of Walsall is utilising more than Traditional Structures completed all
1,000t of structural steelwork as its steelwork - including curved balconies,
main framing material. metal decking and precast stairs
The two phase project was part installation.
funded by the Government’s Homes Phase two of the project is now
and Communities Agency to provide a underway and Traditional Structures
mix of affordable eco homes to rent or is erecting two further eight-storey
buy. buildings containing a total of 164
The first phase consisted of 84 apartments.
apartments spread over two buildings, The Waterfront South project
one with eight storeys and the other has achieved national recognition
a five storey structure. Both of these by winning the ‘Best Canalside
apartment blocks were started in Regeneration Project in the UK 2011’
January last year and completed in awarded by British Waterways Trust.

Industry support for student architectural award

UK Students of architecture are now span medium-sized airport terminal receive prizes of up to a total of £2,500,
welcome to enter next year’s Tata Steel/ building. The brief is formulated to this will be awarded at next year’s
BCSA Architectural Student Design encourage the entrants to realise the Structural Steel Design Awards, to be held
Competition. full structural, economic and aesthetic in July.
Organised by SCI and sponsored advantages offered by the use of both open To enter the competition a tutor should
by Tata Steel and the BCSA the and tubular structural steelwork profiles. firstly obtain and complete a ‘Notice
popular competition aims to give Featuring spans in excess of 50m, the of Intent’ and return it by 20 January
architectural students a creative building should include both departure 2012. This will enable the SCI to provide
vehicle for learning about the use of and arrival areas, with all relevant facilities supplementary information if necessary.
steel in buildings. including check-in desks, retail outlets, For more information, a ‘Notice of
The challenge for the 2012 WCs and security zones. Intent’ and a full application form visit:
competition is to design a long The winners of the competition will www.tatasteelconstruction.com/sdc

Diary
For all SCI events contact Jane Burrell, tel: 01344 636500 email: [email protected]
For BCSA Events: To reserve your place e-mail your contact details to [email protected] quoting your preferred venue e.g. ‘London’. For queries, please contact the event team on 0207 747 8131.

8 November 2011 16-17 November 2011 23 November 2011

Steel Essentials Seminar – Glasgow Design of Steel Bridges Steel Essentials Seminar – London
The Beardmore Hotel, Clydebank, Glasgow, Two day professional training course Wellcome Collection Conference Centre,
G81 4SA London 183 Euston Road, London, NW1 2BE
9 November 2011 22 November 2011 21-22 March 2012
Steel Essentials Seminar – Durham Steel Essentials Seminar – Cambridge Design of Steel Bridges
Barcelo Redworth Hall Hotel, Redworth, Menzies Cambridge Hotel & Golf Club, Two day professional training course
County Durham, DL5 6NL Bar Hill, Cambridge, CB23 8EU Leeds

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10 October 11
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 Profile

1.

New
President
signs road
ahead clear
Ivor Roberts, Managing Director of bridge
and gantry specialist Nusteel Structures,
tells Nick Barrett about his hopes for his
two year spell as BCSA President. New BCSA President
Ivor Roberts

T
he next time you notice a sign a period he expects to coincide with River Medway as opposed to the Kentish
on a motorway overhead gantry an improvement in the fortunes of the Men born on the other side), whose own
warning of road conditions ahead industry. career started at Nusteel some 40 years
– a crucial part of the Highways “I could have hoped for a better ago as an Apprentice Draughtsman. After
Agency’s managed motorways strategy economic background for starting my seven years he left and came back during
– have a quick glance at the truss type time as President,” Ivor admits, “but as the early 1980’s recession, when he was the
structure that supports all that sophisticated an industry we are still in reasonably only in-house draughtsman. Subsequently
information technology. Chances are that it good shape, and as an association we are he became Works Manager, then General
was manufactured and erected by specialist confident that the corner has either been Manager and, by 2000, he had been
steel contractor Nusteel Structures. or is about to be turned, so we can at least appointed as the Managing Director of the
Nusteel’s Managing Director Ivor hope to be firmly on the growth track again company.
Roberts has recently started a two by the end of my Presidency.” Nusteel might not be the biggest
year tenure as President of the British Ashford born Ivor is very much a Man BCSA member, with a workforce of 75
Constructional Steelwork Association, of Kent, (which means born east of the and turnover around £10 million, but its

4. 5. 6.

NSC
12 October 11
 Profile

Examples of Nusteel’s
bridge and gantry work:
1. Gantry over the M42
2. Footbridge over M60
3. Footbridge over Mill
Lane, Bracknell

2. 3.

steelwork is among the most visible as it shops are located on the site, where some of As well as the gantries and bridges for
has fabricated and erected most of the large the large space available is frequently taken which it is best known, Nusteel has a track “I am sure most
signage gantries spanning key motorways up by storing already assembled structures. record on a wide range of other types of
like the M25. Nusteel has fabricated and Recent investments, such as completing projects. Nusteel fabricated some of the members would
erected 550 motorway gantries over the past a 135m long fabrication workshop, means external steelwork on the iconic Lloyds agree with
ten years as well as around 400 cantilevers that the longest span structures can be Building in London. While passenger links
plus many offset “T” structures. ‘These large efficiently handled. Some of the sign at ferry berths and airports are another me that they
gantries and the information technology gantries being constructed for the M25 market and it was an airport project that have benefited
that they carry are a vital part of the are 53m long, and Nusteel can cater for up gave Ivor his biggest satisfaction. “I think
strategy for managing the UK’s roads and to eight of these structures at a time. The the best structure we have ever provided hugely from
we are proud of what we have been able to longest M25 gantry was 70m, believed to was a baggage handling facility at Gatwick. membership...”
do to support that,’ says Ivor. be the longest in the UK, this was moved in To anyone who notices it, it probably just
Nusteel has a 57 year history in steel three sections and assembled on site prior looks like a boring box. It is 110m long
construction, founded by Robert Benson, to installation. Other improvements have and approximately 8.5m wide and 3.5m
a Royal Engineer, on his return from allowed us to use more natural daylight in deep, designed to carry conveyors. We
wartime service that included constructing the workshops and together with new plant, designed, manufactured and installed
bridges across the Rhine whilst under this has lead to an £80,000 per year saving it with everything going precisely as
enemy fire. Mr Benson and his family in electricity costs. planned.”
still own the company, originally called To accommodate the very long spans About 45% of the workforce are former
South Coast Welders, which has grown to that Nusteel manufactures, they have their Nusteel apprentices and the company
become a major supplier of information own dedicated slip-road at a junction off has no difficulty in recruiting suitable
support gantries, and a specialist in design, the nearby A20. Nusteel are allowed to candidates for their apprentice scheme.
manufacture and installation of road and control the traffic lights to get the abnormal Ivor’s ambitions for his Presidency
rail bridges in all their forms. loads out on to the road network with include encouraging more steelwork
The scale of the operation invariably minimal disruption. contractors to join the BCSA. “I am sure
surprises visitors when they visit Nusteel’s Substantial investment in surface most members would agree with me
modern purpose built workshops and treatment processes, including shot- that they have benefited hugely from
design office on a ten-acre site at Lympne, blasting, metal spraying and multi-coat membership, not least by being part of
near Hythe in Kent. This rural location paint systems, means that the site is capable a close knit business community whose
is not exactly typical industrial heartland of providing all of the processes needed members are willing to help each other out
territory – one of Nusteel’s nearest for projects without hauling steelwork with advice and support. That community
neighbours is the well known Port Lympne up and down the country for specialised extends to include the national steel
Wild Animal park – but although steelwork treatments. Nusteel maintains its own fleet producer, Tata Steel, who are working with
contractors may be a rare species around of purpose made transport equipment BCSA under a joint market development
here, the site has a long industrial history, that allows directly employed installation agreement for the benefit of all. The
having been used as an army camp and as a teams to efficiently deliver and erect long venture is a shining example of supply
WW1 and WW2 airfield. span structures throughout the UK and chain cooperation and a key element of our
Purpose built fabrication and finishing Northern Ireland. sector’s return to good health.”

Further examples of
Nusteel’s bridge and
gantry work:
4. Footbridge over A6 at
Alvaston
5. Footbridge over
railway at Bedfont
Road, Feltham,
Middlesex
6. Footbridge at
Woolston Station,
Southampton
7. Gatwick Airport
baggage handling
facility
7. 8. 8. 70m gantry over M25

NSC
October 11 13
 Bridges

Train services are

now using the fully
restored Arnside
Viaduct
Restoring a vital rail link
FACT FILE
Arnside Viaduct, The historic Arnside Viaduct has reopened to regular rail services after having its
Cumbria
Main client:
entire 476m-long deck replaced with new steel spans.

A
Network Rail
Main contractor: fter a 16 week closure, Cumbria’s the River Kent estuary, close to Morecambe Engineer Fabio Gazzola. “Having fully value
May Gurney Arnside Viaduct reopened during Bay. The structure has suffered considerable engineered the project, a steel structure was
Structural engineer: July having had its entire bridge deterioration over the years, resulting in the the only option.”
Gifford, part of Ramboll deck removed and replaced with bridge’s load capacity being reduced; the The construction programme for the
Steelwork contractor: new steel sections and twin continuous completed works will mean there will be less project, led by main contractor May Gurney,
Mabey Bridge welded rail tracks. need for maintenance, improving journey has had to be extremely coordinated, with
Steel tonnage: 2,850t Train journeys across the viaduct are now times for both passengers and freight users. all subcontractors keyed into the critical
smoother and quieter and the 30 mph speed All of the substructure was fully surveyed process.
limit, previously in place because of the at an early stage in the construction In order to complete the job in the
deteriorating state of the original ironwork, programme and deemed to be in good specified bridge closure window, the deck
will soon be doubled to 60 mph after a condition, so only the deck needed to be was removed and installed in two operations;
settling in period. replaced. “The client wanted a robust bridge Down line first and Up line secondly. This
The 51 span structure was originally deck and one which would exert comparable resulted in a total of 102 Victorian decks
built in 1856 and carries the double-tracked loads to the original deck, as we were re- being removed and 102 new steel decks
Carnforth to Whitehaven railway line over using the piers,” explains Gifford Project being installed.
Severe weather Road rail vehicles (RRVs) were used to
conditions failed remove the Down line while positioned on
to stop the project the Up line. The RRVs were also used to
team meeting a tight
deadline place the new steel walkway which acted as
the running beam for the gantry crane.
Once the Down line was removed and
gantry crane beams in place, the new decks
were lifted from transport on the Up line and
into position. The gantries were moved into
the next position, span by span, by hydraulic
tirfors. Once the Down line was complete the
rail was installed and the process repeated
for the Up line renewal.
Both banks of the estuary were used for
the construction process, with the main
project offices and plant area at Arnside. This

NSC
14 October 11
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 Bridges

“The first thing regular passengers will notice

is how quiet the ride is over the viaduct.”

Gantries removed old

spans and installed
new decks using the
steel walkways as a
support structure

side of the viaduct was also used for storage side of the centre beam top flange had to be
and then delivery of the new deck materials, removed to allow the Down side deck to be
while the opposite Grange-over-Sands side fitted alongside, while it supported the Up
of the River Kent was used for the receiving line.
of the old deck sections. Span two, nearest the Arnside bank, is
The new decks were designed by also slightly larger than the rest, at 11.7m
Gifford. They provide full loading capacity long, between bearings. Why this span is
and restore the viaduct’s full line speed. different know one really knows, although
Derailment containment is provided by it has been suggested it could have been a
upstands while steel stools at nominal navigation span for small vessels.
600mm centres support the rails. Prior to the installation of the new
“When designing the bridge we had steel decks, Mabey had to install the
to take into account the chance of a tidal bridge’s walkway sections, which consist of
surge sweeping over the structure,” explains prefabricated box sections. These bespoke
Dr Gazzola. “The probability of such an pieces - two for each span section - had to be
event is one in one hundred years. Steel partially installed as they had to support the
Deck removal in holding down plates were provided at each gantry crane’s rails. Once the deck was fully
progress
pier to limit the bridge deck units upward installed and the gantry crane dismantled,
New steel spans in movement to a maximum of 5mm, in the the remainder of the bridge’s walkway was
place carrying new
event of the hydraulic uplift exceeding their installed. This basically involved in-filling
continuously welded
tracks self weight.” between the outer walkway section - which
Steelwork contractor Mabey Bridge supported the gantry - and the main bridge
fabricated all of the bridge decks at its deck.
Chepstow factory and transported each “The most onerous design requirement
fully assembled and fully welded bespoke for the walkways was actually in the
span to site individually and as required for temporary condition,” says Dr Gazzola. “This
installation. Each of the bridge’s 51 spans are was because they acted as runways for the
of a slightly different length, varying by up to erection gantry.”
200mm, although each one is roughly 8.5m Summing up the project, Steve
long between bearings; typical weight is 24t. Richardson, May Gurney Rail Services
Span five is longer as it was designed to Project Manager says: “The list of challenges
accommodate a drawbridge which was never was long and varied on this project. But
installed. It is longer at 16.5m and because through careful planning and precise execu-
of this it needed special measures to be put tion we were able to make it work. Teamwork
into place which deviated from the regular from client down to sub-contractor was the
construction sequence. In particular, one key to the success of this project.”

NSC
16 October 11
 Photo by Ian Bramham
ICONIC.
FROM AWARD WINNING
VISION TO REALITY
WHAT IS YOUR NEXT PROJECT?

Caunton Engineering Limited

Moorgreen Industrial Park,
Nottingham NG16 3QU
Tel: 01773 531111
email: [email protected]
www.caunton.co.uk Caunton is an Investor in People

NSC
October 11 17
 Museum

A steel framed jewellery box

FACT FILE
Mary Rose Museum, One of the most ambitious heritage projects in recent times is underway
Portsmouth
Main client:
at Portsmouth Dockyard. Martin Cooper reports on the construction of the
Mary Rose Trust finely crafted permanent home for the Mary Rose.
Architect:

D
Wilkinson Eyre Architects escribed as one of Britain’s most imagination and thousands visit the current existing museum - the new facility will have
Interior architect: important archaeological finds, museum in Portsmouth Dockyard every more space for exhibits - while the hull itself
Pringle Brandon King Henry VIII’s naval flagship year. has been undergoing preservation work,
Main contractor: Warings the Mary Rose, will soon be The preserved objects offer a unique housed in a temporary structure in a nearby
Structural engineer: housed in a new purpose built museum insight into the life and times of a Tudor dry dock.
Gifford, part of Ramboll alongside thousands of objects which were warship as many of the artefacts have The project, largely funded by a grant
Steelwork contractor:
salvaged with the ship’s hull in 1982. remained unscathed since the fateful day in from the Heritage Lottery Fund, will see
Rowecord Engineering
Since being raised from The Solent July 1545 when the Mary Rose sank. the Tudor warship finally ensconced in a
Steel tonnage: 400t
thirty years ago, the remnants of the ship About 1,000 of the 1,900 recovered permanent building, positioned over this
Project value: £35M
and its artefacts have captured the public’s objects are currently on display in the dry dock in which the Mary Rose currently
Clad in black timber, sits.
the museum takes For the Mary Rose Trust, the project
shape next to its neigh- represents a dream come true. “It will
bour HMS Victory
combine the two halves for the first time,”
says the Trust’s Chris Dobbs. “Visitors will
soon be able to view the preserved hull right
alongside many of the ship’s objects.”
Having won a design competition in
2004, Wilkinson Eyre and Pringle Brandon’s
concept revolves around the preserved
starboard portion of the hull sitting in the
middle of the new boat-shaped structure.
A sort of pearl within its oyster shell, as
architect Chris Wilkinson describes it.
Within the museum there will be three
visitor galleries, corresponding to the
principal deck levels of the ship. These will
run the length of the building, imitating the
missing port side of the vessel and allowing
the original artefacts to be displayed in
context.
All through the construction process

NSC
18 October 11
 Museum

The roof was installed The structure’s

in prefabricated units rounded ends are
and is supported on designed to resemble
32m long rafters a ship’s hull

the hull has remained in the middle of will be painted black and inscribed with steel was the only real choice,” explains Ben
the project, in its ‘hot box’ - a tent-like carvings used by crew to identify their Rowe, Gifford Technical Director. “Visitors will
structure in which air-drying is proceeding, personal belongings. The building’s main steel columns sit
a conservation process which will not be Constructing a building which not only on pads, which are isolated from the dock’s
soon be able
completed until 2016. Until then visitors encases the ship’s hull but also the dry dock stonework by a structural membrane. The to view the
will be able to see this process through in which it nestles has thrown up a number pads not only protect the dock but also
viewing ports positioned along each of the of construction challenges. The dock itself distribute the structure’s loads evenly.
preserved hull
gallery levels. On completion of the air- is a Scheduled Ancient Monument, so there From the dock the steel frame rises right alongside
drying phase, the ‘hot box’ will be removed, was a requirement for minimal interference up and encloses the hull in an elliptically
to the original stonework. Something shaped structure. The frame also includes
many of the
allowing visitors new and dramatic views of
the ship’s original timbers. lightweight was needed; a structural frame two pavilions, on the north and south side ship’s objects.”
The new museum has also been described which could also span the dock without of the structure, one will house the entrance
as a finely crafted, wooden jewellery box, interfering with the conservation work foyer while the other will accommodate an
as it will be clad in timber planks both going on in the midst of the site. educational suite.
reflecting the structure of the original ship “The complex shape of the structure and The building’s irregular shape has been
and the nearby HMS Victory. The planks the need for a lightweight solution meant formed with a number of faceted columns

From 2016 onwards

the preserved hull will
be unwrapped after
conservation work
has been completed

NSC
October 11 19
 Museum

Manager. “However once the bracing, which

is curved to match the perimeter shape, was
installed, each bay was stabilised, allowing
the next bay to be erected.”
More steelwork is connected to the
perimeter columns, to form the visitor and
object galleries that encircle the museum’s
interior. The visitor galleries curve, to mimic
a ship’s deck, and these were formed by
staggered beams supporting the flooring.
The lower ground floor of the museum
houses not only the hull’s ‘hot box’ but also
an array of necessary equipment and plant
for ongoing conversation work. So as not
to interrupt the important work taking
place, two large trusses span this plant area,
Rowecord had to forming a large column free zone.
design and install
a series of complex “Prior to installing these trusses a crash
multi-hub connections deck was installed, during the enabling
Inside the completed works, to protect the equipment,” says Mr
museum, galleries Beausseron.
corresponding to deck
levels will seperate Interestingly, when the conservation
the hull from the work is complete in 2016 and all of the
ship’s objects equipment is removed, this area will become
a new public gallery. Positioned at lower
ground floor level, it will offer visitors
another view of the unwrapped hull.
Topping the boat-shaped museum is
an elliptical roof, which was prefabricated
off-site and lifted into place over the
dock, again minimising disruption to the
conservation activities and following a
precise methodology to reduce the risk of
objects falling on to the hull. Supporting the
which rise outwards from the pads and then site and this ensured these complex pieces roof are a series of 32m-long curved rafters,
rake inwards to create the appearance of a of steelwork arrived at the project in the installed in three sections, to avoid having to
ship’s hull. The crank or change in direction required exact configuration. work and bolted up the steelwork above the
happens at a number of multi-connections, The main columns forming the building’s ‘hot box’.
positioned approximately 3m from ground rib cage are spaced at 5m intervals, Steelwork erection and the installation
level, a point which is nearly a third of the while the internal columns are spaced at of the roof was completed during August.
way up the building’s side. 3m intervals, a width that means these Internal fit-out has now started with the
Each of these hub connections, designed structural bays match the original size of the museum scheduled to open at the end
by Rowecord Engineering, not only accept Mary Rose’s gun ports. of 2012. Meanwhile, preservation work
the two columns sections, but also cross “Steelwork was erected one bay at a time, continues apace on the Mary Rose hull and
beams, floor beams and tubular bracing. All using some temporary propping,” explains it will be carefully dried out within the new
of the connections were prefabricated off- Nicolas Beausseron, Warings Project facility until being finally unveiled in 2016.

The museum also

encompasses the
historic dry dock in
which the Mary Rose
sits

NSC
20 October 11
 NSC
October 11 21
 Bridges

The first span is

floated into position
by barge

landscape,” explains Steve Thompson, Design

Harbour bridge
Project Manager for Gifford. “However,
drama unfolds when it opens at mid-span to
reveal it’s elegant yet simple maritime shape.”
Work on this prestigious project was

floated into place begun by main contractor Hochtief during

the summer of 2010, and the company
expects to handover the completed bridge
early next year. Getting the project off the
ground was at times a tortuous affair, as
Poole Harbour’s new and iconic second crossing will open to the current design initially won a design
traffic next year. Martin Cooper reports on the complex erection competition way back in 2001. Thereafter
the project stalled due to costs, but last year
process required to construct the bridge funding was sorted out and work was able to
begin.
Site offices and a steel assembly yard have

T
FACT FILE his month (October) will see the the bridge is designed and configured as a been set up on a brownfield site, formerly a
Poole Harbour Second completion of the steelwork simple bascule, with a flat concrete deck and power station, on the Hamworthy side of the
Crossing, Dorset erection for the iconic ‘Twin two hydraulically operated lifting sections. Bay. It is on this bank that the preliminary
Main client: Sails’ bridge which spans Normally the joint between lifting steel construction work has been done.
Borough of Poole Holes Bay in Poole, providing a sections is transverse, but on this structure Steelwork contractor Cleveland Bridge has
Architect: Wilkinson much needed second crossing for it is skewed across the deck creating two delivered more than 40 steel sections to the
Eyre Architects the Dorset town’s busy harbour, triangular leaf-like segments. It is these site and assembled them into five bridge
Main contractor: as well as being an important triangular moveable parts, mirroring the spans, before transporting them onto barges
Hochtief Construction component for regeneration. shape of yachts when in their open upright which then help to position them on the
Structural engineer: Connecting Poole Old Town position, that make the Poole bridge piers and abutments.
Gifford, part of Ramboll unique and accounts for its ‘Twin Sails’ According to Mr Thompson steel was
to Lower Hamworthy, the bridge
Steelwork contractor:
will have to open almost hourly nickname. the only option for this project as the bridge
Cleveland Bridge
for maritime traffic and therefore “There are no other needed to be a lightweight structure that
Steel tonnage: 1,000t
the design has been driven by structures in the could open at least 15 times a day. A low
Project value: £11M
the need for robustness and vicinity, so being a low level bridge which mirrored the height of
reliability. level bridge it blends the quayside was another important design
The new low level bridge has into the criteria best achieved with steel.
five spans, with the mid-span The quaysides on both banks of the
able to divide in half as two harbour are old structures and in places
lifting elements. Structurally in an uncertain condition. By building

NSC
22 October 11
 Bridges

Loaded onto SPMTs,

each span can be
hydraulically raised
and lowered onto its
bearings
a lightweight bridge, and constructing Each completed span was loaded onto a
it in sections which are floated into self-propelled mobile transporter (SPMT)
position using the tidal movements, time- which then carried it the short distance
consuming and costly surveys and possible down to the water’s edge and onto a flat-deck
strengthening works to the quayside has barge.
been negated. SPMTs are large multi-wheeled
The construction of the bridge has also vehicles which are able to pick-up the
captured the local population’s imagination, spans via hydraulic jacks, and raise and
and to this end the local council has set up lower the spans into position. The spans
a public viewing area, on the opposite bank, were all driven onto the barge with the
to allow local residents to watch the project deck positioned perpendicular to its final
unfold. position.
The steel sections for the bridge have Once the barge was in the bay, tugs
all been fabricated at Cleveland Bridge’s helped nudge the barge into position so the
Darlington facility and transported by road span was positionally aligned with its final
to Poole. The company initially assembled bearings.
the first three spans of the bridge and However, before the final positioning
positioned them during July. This work took could take place the construction team had
place soon after the western support piers to wait for the correct tide. “Each span was The centre span has
two trianglar sections
and abutment had been completed by the taken onto a barge via an access ramp from which resemble sails
project’s specialist marine piling contractor. our assembly point,” explains Mr Binden. when raised
“We have to keep the harbour open “The barge then had to wait for high tide
to maritime traffic at all times,” says Ben before moving the span into a position above
Binden, Cleveland Bridge Project Manager. and between its supports.”
“…being a low level bridge
“So working from the western bank we first Floating each span was a tricky procedure it blends into the landscape.
erected three spans, which included the two but they were all successfully completed.
lifting segments for the central span. Once “The spans were positioned above their final
However, drama unfolds
the hydraulic lifting gear is installed and bearings, using a combination of the SPMTs when it opens at mid-span to
commissioned we will be able to erect the jacks and tidal range between high and low
final two spans, as boats will then be able tides, each of the spans have been lowered
reveal it’s elegant yet simple
to access and exit the harbour via the new into place successfully,” sums up Mr Binden. maritime shape.”
bridge’s lifting channel.” The steel spans are
Although the spans vary in length (span assembled and
painted on shore
one and five are 28m-long, two and four
before installation
are 18m-long and the lifting central span
is 30m-long, divided into two 15m-long
segments) they were all, with the exception
of the central span, assembled on site from
four large box sections and four walkway
sections, welded together to form a 5m
wide span. Each half of the central span
was assembled from two large box sections
and two outer walkway sections to form a
triangle.
Once each span had been fully
welded and painted they were ready to
be positioned. Although the on-shore
fabrication process was complicated it did
significantly reduce the amount of work
which needed to be undertaken over the
water. Only one welded splice was needed
between each erected span.

NSC
October 11 23
 Commercial

Steel pays
dividends
Structural steelwork is playing a
leading role in the construction
of The Co-operative Group’s new
eye-catching headquarters in
Manchester. Martin Cooper reports.

F
ounded in 1863, the Co-operative
FACT FILE
Group has always had its
The Co-operative Group
headquarters in Manchester and
head office, Manchester
Main client: is intrinsically linked with the city.
Co-operative Group Born and raised a Mancunian business, the
Architect: 3D Reid company is now endeavoring to continue
Main contractor: its commercial contribution to city life
BAM Construction by constructing a brand new 16-storey
Structural engineer: headquarters.
Buro Happold The building represents the first phase
Steelwork contractor: in the redevelopment and regeneration of
Fisher Engineering the Group’s 20-acre site, located at the city’s
Steel tonnage: 3,200t northern gateway and bounded by Miller
Street and Corporation Street. The structure
will include around 30,000m2 of open plan
office space, providing modern working Its footprint is a triangle with three rounded to achieve the highest BREEAM rating, with
facilities for the Co-op’s staff. corners, giving the building a guitar plectrum the large atrium allowing natural daylight
The client wants the project to be a shape. Each of the corners has a core, two of to penetrate the floorplates and an exposed
sustainable landmark by becoming the which rise up to level 11, with the third core soffit maximising the thermal mass,” says
first building in Manchester to achieve extending up to the penultimate level 15. The Paul Richardson, Buro Happold Project
a BREEAM ‘Outstanding’ rating and so building’s overall architectural orientation is Engineer. “Steel was the natural choice for the
becoming a benchmark for the commercial completed by its sloping upper levels. From framing material as it gives us the required
sector. Making a positive impression on its the ninth floor the levels step back and are large column free floors levels and the option
immediate vicinity, the new head office will terraced, topping out at the 16th floor core for future flexibility with the building.”
have its own source of locally generated green area. Forming the building’s frame, structural
energy and staff will be encouraged to make The centre of the building is hollow, as a steelwork is also playing an integral and
full use of local transport as on-site parking large triangular atrium extends from ground leading role in the project’s construction. The
will be minimal. floor all the way up to a sloping roof, a glazed building has been divided into three phases,
Architecturally, the structure is far from structure that follows the line of the ninth each based around one of the structure’s
being run-of-the-mill, standing out among its floor to 16th floor terracing. cores. In order to minimise time and costs,
rather sombre looking city centre neighbours. “It’s very much a bespoke design chosen the construction team are working around
The Co-op is aiming
to regenerate the
area around its new
headquarters

NSC
24 October 11
 Commercial

3D model of what is
aiming to become
Manchester’s first BREEAM
‘Outstanding’ building

in the project’s three phase sequence is the

contractor laying the structural topping on
“It’s very much
top of the coffers.
“There is a weight restriction once we a bespoke
start erecting steelwork, using the recently
design chosen
completed floor to land our machinery on,”

Curved Fabsec beams

says Pat McLauglin, Fisher Engineering Site to achieve
form the architecturally Manager. “As well as using tower cranes (each
the highest
important ‘bullnose’ corners of the three phases is serviced by its own
the structure phase by phase erecting and third phase, the floors have been completed tower crane) we are making use of spider BREEAM rating,
installing the floors three at a time. on phase one allowing the steelwork gang to access machines as they distribute their
with the large
“Steelwork leads the way and plays a use the concrete deck to position its Mobile weight more evenly.”
crucial role on this project, as once it is Elevated Work Platform (MEWP) to erect the As each of the three cores provide the atrium allowing
erected in one phase, the erection gang next three levels. majority of the structural stability, steel
natural daylight
then moves onto the next phase, leaving “The splice levels - on every third erection begins for each phase with the
behind a frame ready for the precast coffer level - are the project’s critical paths,” adds connections to the concrete cores. “The to penetrate
beams to be installed. Once the beams are Mr Wilde. “We are working to extremely completed cores have cast-in plates in
the floorplates
in the structural topping is laid by another tight tolerances and much of the steelwork readiness for the steelwork, but we have to
contractor and in this way the three initial and precast coffers will be left exposed as survey and check each bracket to make sure and an
trades - being lead by the steelwork - are architectural features.” the connection is exact, as there is no margin
exposed soffit
completing a different phase concurrently,” Steelwork was initially erected for the for error,” adds Mr McLaughlin.
explains Nick Wilde, BAM Construction, ground floor, which is a double height Fisher has installed temporary bracing maximising the
Senior Site Manager. space, thereon in each circuit of the building and trusses, which extend across an entire
thermal mass.”
Working in this sequential manner means consisted of erecting three complete floor phase. These large pieces of steelwork are
that once steelwork has been erected for the levels. As part of steelwork contractor Fisher used on all of the floors and are moved, once
Engineering’s contract, the ground floor the floors are complete, from phase to phase.
Fisher has installed
bespoke coffers perimeter columns - large tapering concrete To create the three architecturally
between the steel members - were erected by the company important rounded corners, or bullnoses,
beams
along with the steelwork. Fisher has installed a series of curved Fabsec
Once a phase of steelwork is up, beams at all splice levels. Each of the three
architectural precast coffers are installed. elevations are also rounded, both vertically
These coffers will remain exposed and rest on and horizontally and this will be formed by
the bottom flange of 16.5m-long plated steel an outer double skin facade.
beams. The structure will be heavily serviced, Predominantly glazed, the outer skin
and the coffers have an opening for service is attached to brackets fixed to the main
cables as do most of the projects steel beams. steelwork. This secondary bracketry is of
Fisher has erected close to 2,000t of Fabsec varying lengths and follows the line of the
cellular plated beams on this project, used outer skin as it curves out and then in along
not just for their service holes but also to and up the elevations.
achieve a shallow floor depth. The Co-operative Group headquarters is
The third of the initial trades participating due for completion by September 2012.

NSC
October 11 25
 Sport

Steel earns its spurs

Construction work on a new training centre for Tottenham Hotspur recently
reached a programme landmark.

T
raining facilities for all top a transparent ETFE roof, similar to the one the overall success of the project. The main
FACT FILE
Tottenham Hotspur FC professional sports teams have at the Eden project in Cornwall. covered indoor pitch is formed by a series
Training Centre, Enfield improved immeasurably over the The main two level L-shaped building will of slender CHS trusses, that were brought to
Main client: last couple of decades, and no more have a green sedum roof and accommodate site in three transportable sections.
Tottenham Hotspur FC so than in the world of football. a learning centre for the youth team, medical Watson Steel Structrures used an innova-
Architect: KSS Top English Premiership and Champion- facilities, a hydrotherapy swimming pool, tive method in order to erect these long
Main contractor: ship sides now have training grounds that altitude room, fitness centre/gym, changing trusses in a quick and easy way. Using two
McLaren Construction are the envy of world football. Cash rich rooms, a canteen and a media centre. sets of containers with a grillage of tempo-
Structural engineer: with sponsorship and TV money, clubs Last month, (September) the project rary steelwork to initially support the three
AKT have been busy investing in state-of-the-art reached a major landmark in the truss sections, they were then individually
Steelwork contractor: facilities that include indoor pitches, gyms, construction programme when a topping jacked into position and welded up.
Watson Steel Structures swimming pools; everything a modern out ceremony was held. “Only when all five splices were welded
Steel tonnage: 600t professional footballer would need. Kevin Taylor, Chairman of the McLaren could we de-jack the truss and start the pro-
Project value: £45M Currently under construction in Enfield, Group comments: “The project is set to be cedure on the next one,” says Jeff Matthews,
north London is a new training facility for testament to what can be achieved through Watson Steel Structures Contracts Manager.
Tottenham Hotspur. Described as an exam- a shared vision, innovation and practical The containers, which acted as temporary
ple in cutting edge design, engineering and collaboration at every stage of the job. trestles, spanned three structural bays and
construction techniques, the club will move “We are immensely proud of this allowed Watson to erect three trusses before
into the completed centre next Summer. development and delighted to mark this the containers, which were on tracks, needed
It will include a two-storey training point in the project.” to be moved to allow the process to be
centre designed around a 70m x 50m indoor Steelwork erection has been completed, repeated.
artificial pitch which will be housed beneath and the material has played a pivotal role in Steelwork also forms the upper or second

An L-shaped two
storey structure
adjoins the indoor “Only when the five splices
pitch on two
elevations were welded could we de-
jack the truss and start the
procedure on the next one.”

NSC
26 October 11
 Sport

Spurs’ new training

facility will be ready
next summer

floor level of the L-shaped building that

partially wraps around the indoor pitch.
Below this level the building consists of a
reinforced concrete frame, which also forms
a basement level that is two-levels deep in
places.
“There were planning constraints and
the building could only be a certain height,”
explains Dan Brister, McLaren Construction
Senior Project Manager. “So we had to posi-
tion the swimming pool and gym in the area
where the basement is two-levels deep.”
McLaren Construction is scheduled
to complete its work in May 2012, and
Tottenham Hotpsur are planning to use the
A series of CHS trusses
new facility in preparation for the 2012/13 form the centrepiece
football season. indoor football pitch

T: 029 2089 5260 e: [email protected]

HOLLOW SECTIONS FROM CMC UK

HOT 50D BSEN 10210 S355J2H
COLD 50D BSEN 10219 S355J2H
S275 & S355
BEAMS, COLUMNS, PFCs, HEAVY ANGLES, FLATS, ROUNDS, SQUARES, SHEET,
PLATE, OPEN STEEL FLOORING, GAVANISED TUBE, ENGINEERING BAR,
HOLLOW SECTIONS, WELD MESH, STOCK AND PROCESSED
DELIVERY NATIONWIDE

T: 029 2089 5260

F: 029 2049 3400
www.commercialmetals.co.uk
NSC
October 11 27
 Safety

The BCSA actively

promotes safe working
practices which have
seen on-site accidents
dramatically reduced

Health and safety first

The BCSA’s successful work in promoting good practice in health and safety has
recently been rewarded with a national award. NSC explains how the Association
helps its members achieve a safer industry.

H
ealth and safety is a serious RoSPA decided to create the new award entitles BCSA to use the award logo on
matter, and the promotion of to celebrate the exceptional work carried literature and websites.
best practice and safe working out by trade associations offering health and The judging criteria were: awareness
methods can be a life saving safety advice to SME’s. raising and information provision; policy
exercise. The construction industry can be The BCSA is the first ever winner of the development; performance improvement
dangerous, but the British Constructional award, which recognises the contribution and recognition; services and benefits, and
Steelwork Association (BCSA) and the steel made by a trade association or similar body competence development and research.
construction sector as a whole has taken in providing health and safety assistance to Peter Walker, BCSA Health, Safety and
huge strides to make it a safer environment. small and medium sized enterprises. Training Manager, said: “We are delighted
Highlighting and recognising the The judges were particularly impressed to be the first ever winners of this Trophy,
outstanding contribution the BCSA by the level of dedication of the BCSA which reflects the importance our industry
has made to provide health and safety in providing advice and assistance to places on health and safety. The judges
assistance, it was awarded the SME the full range of businesses in the sector were looking for hard evidence of our
Assistance Trophy at the Royal Society from large to small. BCSA will hold performance, diligence and commitment
for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) the Trophy for one year and has also towards improvement. I am proud that we
Occupational Health and Safety Awards received a commemorative plaque to keep have demonstrated those qualities to the
earlier this year. permanently. Winning the award also highest standard among our peers.”

NSC
28 October 11
 Safety

Reducing accidents Safety Schemes in Procurement (SSIP),

One of the key targets set by the “We are delighted to be the first a forum comprising a number of other
Government and the Health & Safety industry bodies and approved by the
Executive in the 2000/01 ‘Revitalising
ever winners of this trophy, Government.
Health and Safety’ campaign was to reduce which reflects the importance Over the years, the proliferation
reportable accidents by 10% over a ten year of health and safety pre-qualification
period.
our industry places on health questionnaires has placed increasing
“BCSA members have achieved a 60% and safety.” burdens on companies to repeatedly
reduction in this time, which is a very good pre-qualify for both public and private
result that demonstrates the industry is results in the creation of a working party for sector work. This situation has become
committed to improving working practices the development of industry guides. an unacceptable business burden to many
and procedures,” says Mr Walker. Particularly aimed at SME member small contractors and in turn, leads to a
“Some of these procedures have been companies that do not employ a full time negative view of health and safety.
developed by the BCSA health and safety health and safety practitioner, the BCSA Joining the forum was the BCSA’s
committee to address current issues and has set up the Safety in Steel Construction response to recognising this unnecessary
best practice, based on shared experiences (SiSC) advisory service. It is supported duplication.
and intended to help to reduce accidents and monitored by the BCSA to ensure The forum’s schemes all comply with
and injuries.” individual advisers that visit members are the core criteria for health and safety
Another area which has seen a up to date with the main issues affecting the competence in the Approved Code of
continuing reduction of reportable injuries industry. Practice to the Construction (Design and
in falls from height. No such accidents were Another BCSA initiative was to join the Management) Regulations 2007.
recorded during 2009 and 2010, a statistic
the BCSA is justly proud of.
“This is a significant achievement for
the constructional steelwork industry,
compared to 2005 when there was 14 falls
Health and Safety Publications
from height that resulted in a lost time
injury,” comments Mr Walker.
An earlier trend did however show an
increase in this injury category, associated
with falls from a height below 2m. This was
reversed between 2008 and 2009, and an
excellent 40% reduction was later reported
for this sub-category. Ongoing accident
monitoring reveals more good news as
there have been no reportable injuries as a
result of falls from above 2m in height in
2011 so far.
Injuries from handling, lifting and
moving had remained constantly high over
a four year period, however, in this category
another significant improvement of 40% has
been achieved in recent times.

Knowledge sharing
The drive to reduce injuries in the
constructional steelwork industry has
been a priority for the BCSA and has
been aided by a number of programmes
and knowledge sharing opportunities. The following health and safety publications can be purchased from the BCSA
Setting up relevant committees and services and can found on: www.steelconstruction.org
to help its members achieve the best
l Guide to Steel Erection in Windy Conditions
possible health and safety targets has
l Guide to the Erection of Multi-Storey Buildings
scored results, impressing RoSPA along the
l Guide to the Installation of Deep Decking
way.
l Guide to the Management of Site Lifting Operations
To get these results a Health and Safety
l Guide to Work at Height during the Loading and Unloading of Steelwork
Committee reports direct to the BCSA
l Guide to the Erection of Steel Bridges
council. This committee meets quarterly
l Code of Practice for Metal Decking and Stud Welding
and is always very well attended. The l Code of Practice for the Erection of Low Rise Buildings
venue for the meetings is the BCSA l Health & Safety on Steel Construction Sites: Guide for Employees
London office and the agenda often l Health and Safety in the Office
includes a guest speaker, such as a l H&S in the Workshop for Employees: A Guide for Steelwork Contractors
spokesperson from the Health and Safety l Allocation of design Responsibilities in Constructional Steelwork
Executive (HSE). Problems raised by
member companies, clients or the email [email protected] for ordering information
authorities are discussed and this often

NSC
October 11 29
 Technical

Guidance on Long Span

Composite Floors
Mark Lawson of SCI reviews new guidance on the serviceability performance of long span
propped composite floors prepared with NHBC.
Introduction shrinkage in reinforced concrete slabs.
Composite slabs using profiled steel decking are widely used in all types of
steel framed buildings and the decking is generally designed to be continuous Simple design approach
and un-propped during construction. At the ultimate limit state, composite In order to address the question of the longer term deflection of propped
slabs are designed as simply supported but at the serviceability limit state, composite slabs, SCI has developed simplified design rules in collaboration
they are designed as semi-continuous. Spans of un-propped slabs are with NHBC which ensure that normal deflection limits for single span
generally in the range of 3 to 4.5m. In recent years, there has been a demand composite slabs are satisfied taking account of the long term effects of creep
to use this form of construction for intermediate floors in residential buildings, and shrinkage. The simple approach for scheme design is based on limiting
in which the slabs are physically discontinuous by their attachment to light the slab span to depth ratio. Two design cases are identified: In the first case,
steel walls and are often propped during construction. Spans of propped the slab is designed as a composite slab with or without bar reinforcement.
composite slabs are often in the range of 5 to 6m. In the second case, the slab is reinforced so that the profiled decking is
In long span propped composite slabs, it has been found that creep and considered to act as permanent formwork at the ultimate limit state. The
shrinkage effects in the concrete can lead to higher deflections than in shorter maximum span to depth ratios for single span propped composite slabs
span continuous slabs used in steel framed buildings. This is caused by the according to the two design approaches are as follows.
higher loads applied on removal of the temporary props and drying out of
(i) In case 1, where composite action is utilised at both the ultimate and
the simply supported slab from its top surface. The nature of construction
serviceability limit states, the clear span to depth ratio should not
process is also different from multi-storey steel framed buildings as relatively
exceed 28. It is assumed that reinforcing bars are placed in the ribs for fire
heavy construction loads, such as pallets of plasterboard, are often applied
resistance purposes. However, if no bars are specified (eg for 30 minutes
to recently concreted floors. It is very important that best practice should be
fire resistance), then the span to depth limit for a single span slab should
followed in the way the decking is propped and props should not be removed
be reduced to 26 (this is because the slab will be less stiff without bar
before the concrete has developed adequate strength, which might otherwise
reinforcement).
affect the creep induced deflection.
The design of composite slabs is covered in BS EN 1994-1-1 (Eurocode 4) (ii) In case 2, where no composite action is assumed at the ultimate limit state
and, previously, in BS 5950-4. When these codes were developed, composite and the slab is fully reinforced, the span to depth ratio should not exceed
slabs were expected to be physically continuous and with spans of 3 to 4m. 30, up to a maximum span of 6m (ie using a slab depth of 200mm). The bar
Therefore, guidance given on issues such as creep and shrinkage was relatively reinforcement included in the deck ribs should be designed in accordance
limited because it was less of a concern to the serviceability performance of with Eurocode 2 or BS 8110. However, for acceptable serviceability
these floors. However, when designing discontinuous composite slabs with performance, the cross-sectional area of the composite decking may be
spans up to 6m, it is important to ensure that the resulting deflections for this included in combination with the reinforcement when calculating the
type of construction are within acceptable limits, particularly for residential composite stiffness.
buildings.
The depth of the slab is taken as the overall depth of the floor. In both
The following guidance note has been agreed with the National House
approaches, steel mesh reinforcement should be provided in the topping.
Builders Council (NHBC), the Metal Cladding and Roofing Manufacturers
This reinforcement should be not less than 0.2% of the cross sectional area
Association (MCRMA) based on a study by The Steel Construction Institute.
of the concrete above the ribs. For continuous slabs that are propped in
MCRMA is the trade body of the manufacturers of steel profiled decking.
construction, the minimum area of steel should be increased to 0.4% of the
cross sectional of the concrete above the ribs in accordance with Eurocode 4
Creep and Shrinkage Design to Eurocode 4
clause 9.8.1(2).
There is no effect of creep and shrinkage on the shear-bond performance of
composite slabs at the ultimate limit state, and the only issue affecting design
Detailed design approach for single span propped slabs
is the control of deflections over time. The nature of creep and shrinkage is
SCI recommends the following procedures for the detailed design of single
that 90% of its long term effect occurs within 3 to 4 years of completion of
span propped composite slabs in accordance with Eurocode 4. This is
the building when it is fully enclosed and heated. Therefore, deflections will
necessary so that proper account is taken of creep and shrinkage effects in the
stabilise over time and will not increase unless there is significant reduction in
concrete:
the relative humidity of the space.
For continuous composite slabs, there is no requirement to take into 1. The long term elastic modulus for concrete should be taken as one-third
account shrinkage induced deflections according to Eurocode 4 clause 9.8.2(3). of the short term value for the calculation of self weight deflections and
The effect of creep is allowed for by using an effective modulus of elasticity of other dead load deflections due to the loads on de-propping, i.e. an
concrete that is half of that of the secant modulus of elasticity. However, for elastic modulus of 10 kN/mm² or a modular ratio of not less than 21.
propped composite slabs, the effect of creep is likely to be higher than that
2. The average of the cracked and uncracked stiffnesses (EI values) of the
which is allowed in Eurocode 4, and in simply supported spans, shrinkage
composite slab is used in the calculations, including the effect of steel bar
induced deflections will be higher because of the lack of continuity of the
reinforcement in the ribs.
slab and its mesh reinforcement. Eurocode 4 makes a general reference to BS
EN 1992-1-1: Eurocode 2 Annex B for guidance on the effects due to creep and 3. For the calculation of deflection due to imposed loads, the deflection may

NSC
30 October 11
 Technical

be taken as assuming 2/3 of the applied load is a short term load and 1/3 is
a long term load.

4. The minimum imposed load in residential buildings should be taken as 2.0

kN/m² to reflect the possibility of higher loads during construction.

5. Shrinkage induced deflection should include a minimum free shrinkage

strain of 325 microstrain. A simple formula for shrinkage induced
deflection of a composite slab is:

0.105 × Shrinkage Strain × Span squared/Effective slab depth

This formula takes account of the stiffening effect of the mesh

reinforcement placed in the slab topping which reduces the theoretical
shrinkage induced deflection by about 20%.

6. The total deflection of the slab top surface taking account of creep and
shrinkage effects should not exceed 24 mm or span/250, whichever is Figure 1: Load test on a 5m span composite floor slab using water filled bagss
less. If shrinkage effects are ignored in the calculations, then the total
deflection should not exceed 16 mm or span/375.
Correction
Comparative design studies show that the results of these calculations are
In the July/August 2011 Technical Article on Member Buckling with tension
compatible with the above simplified rules. These design limits should not
flange restraint, two formulae were incorrectly copied from the Eurocode.
be unduly conservative in relation to the typical spans specified in residential
buildings. They do not apply to continuous composite slabs where span: In example 1, the expression for NcrT was given as
depth ratios can be higher. In un-propped slabs, it is the spanning capabilities
1 π2Elza2 π2Elw
of the decking in construction that is usually critical and creep effects are NcrT = + + GIT where is2 = iy2 + iz2 + a2
is2 Lt 2
Lt2
much less than in propped slabs.
The short term deflection and vibration sensitivity of composite floors in
This should have been
not affected by creep and shrinkage. A load test on a 5m span composite floor
of only 150mm depth conducted by NHBC gave a deflection of only 6mm
under an test load of 1.5 kN/m2 – see Figure 1. This is consistent with the short
term composite stiffness and showed that the composite action is satisfactory.
NcrT =
1
is2 ( π2Elza2
Lt 2
+
π2Elw
Lt2
+ GIT
) , where is2 = iy2 + iz2 + a2

For more information, contact Mark Lawson at SCI ([email protected]) The numerical values calculated in the article used the correct formulae.

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NSC
October 11 31
 50 Years Ago

More than 6,300 tons of steel, rising from basement

to roof, to a height of 389 ft., are contained in the
tower block which dominates the scene of the new
London headquarters of the Shell International
Petroleum Company.
During the four years that have passed since
construction work began on the seven-acre South
Bank site of the old Festival of Britain, the Shell
tower block has attracted considerable architectural
interest.
The building is a masterpiece of architectural
skill and structural steel engineering. It is also the
first modern fully air-conditioned tall building to be
designed and erected in London: and some of the
many lesson learned from its exacting design and
construction programme, which had their origins
a decade ago, has gone into the several other tall
buildings which have since followed it up on the
London skyline.
The tall tower block, with its low wings, was the
architect’s compromise between his brief to provide
accommodation on limited space for a staff of 6,000,
and restrictions imposed by the London County
Council designed to avoid disharmony with County
Hall and other neighbouring buildings. The use of
steel was dictated by necessity: without steel the
building as planned could not have been erected.
The difficulties which had to be overcome were
many.

RIGID BASIC REQUIREMENTS

Owing to physical limitations on the length and
width of the building, both architectural and
An Evolutionary structural engineering planning had to meet rigid
basic requirements and be contained in a specified
Building in London - plan envelope. After lifts, boiler flues and other
essential services had been housed, the sizes of the
The 26-storey Shell Centre columns had to be kept to the practical minima.
The depths of the main beams were also restricted.
Exterior columns had to be shaped to allow
From Building with Steel, August 1961 flush interior faces to the main walls, which would
permit easy adjustment of partitions and room sizes
throughout the life of the building.
Because the battery of lifts had to be situated in

Hot Finished
& Cold Formed
Structural
Hollow
Sections
GRADE S355J2H RAINHAM STEEL
NSC
32 October 11
 50 Years Ago

stanchions were supplied with inner web plates

and all were fabricated in one length of 70 ft.,
complete with haunches for site welding the joints
to the portal beams at ground and second floor
level.
The portal frames were interconnected
longitudinally by main beams at the ground and
second floors, with rigid joints to the stanchions
to provide for the longitudinal wind forces in
conjunction with the small amount of wind bracing
next to the lift shafts. Stanchions in the lift and
staircase areas were of welded I-sections.

RIGID FRAME
The steelwork above the second floor was designed
to act as a rigid framework acting in conjuction
with the wind bracing which consists of four panels
within the 27-ft. 6-in. centre bay, and two panels
20 ft wide alongside the lift shafts. Virtually all
stanchions are of welded I-section, the largest being
37 in by 20 in.
A special connection incorporating a welded
haunch and end plate and using special grade
65/75-ton U.T.S. friction-grip bolts was developed
for the fixed-ended main beams. It was subjected to
full-scale testing before being put into use. In this
a position eccentric to the main axis of the building and foreseeable future usage the structural elements part of the building, rigid connections were also
and a large vertical shaft had to be incorporated must be designed to withstand superimposed loads used for the main longitudinal beams to provide
to enclose three chimney flues from the boiler appreciably greater than current British Standard rigid frame action against wind forces in this
house, the building and framework could not be minima. direction.
symmetrical. (The flues, it is interesting to note, A structural steel framework and a special ‘rigid The main foundations for the tower had to carry
are vertically self-supporting throughout the entire frame’ design were seen as the means of overcoming loads of 2,900 tons including wind loads. To meet
height of the building, receiving lateral support these problems. this need the consulting engineers evolved, and
from the main steelwork.) The structure was welded throughout, apart developed in conjunction with the contractor, large
There were also severe restrictions on the amount from site connections above the second floor. Site bored-pile cylinders of 7 ft. diameter and belled out
and positioning of the vertical wind-bracing systems welding was used for the main frame connections to 15 ft. diameter at their lower end. The technique,
as is common in office buildings today: diagonal up to the second floor level and high-strength bolt based on oil-well drilling practice, proved successful
wind-bracing could be utilised only in certain of connections were used above this level. and economical; it is an outstanding example of
the transverse frames and was particularly limited The framework above the second floor rests on techniques evolved to meet the special problems
in the portion below the second floor. specially designed steel bearings which transfer encountered in the building and subsequently used
the vertical load to the main portal frames. These to advantage in the later tall buildings. In all, 142
EXCEPTIONAL STRENGTH REQUIRED frames were designed and constructed as two- such shafts were sunk on the site, some to a depth of
Finally, dominating the whole situation, preliminary storey, three-bay portals, of which the stanchions 120 ft below the surface. Forty-nine of these were
studies proved that to meet the needs of immediate were welded box sections. certain of these under the tower block.

Head Office: 01708 522311 Fax: 01708 559024 Bolton Office: 01204 847089 Fax: 01204 848248
e-mail: [email protected] www.rainhamsteel.co.uk

NSC
October 11 33
 20 Years Ago

Taken from STEEL CONSTRUCTION, October 1991

Building by
technology –
The National
Gallery:
Sainsbury Wing
In March 1988 the Prince and
Princess of Wales laid the
foundation stone for the Sainsbury controlled level
wing of the national Gallery, which of natural filtered lighting
will be connected by a bridge link to via rooflights and also roof level services for the
the gallery. The wing has been lighting, heating, air conditioning and safety check systems.
financed entirely by the generosity of Lord Sainsbury, Timothy The steelwork design had to reflect the fineness and slimness
and Simon Sainsbury. The wing includes gallery space to house of the design. The Building Regulations 1985 call for a
the Early Renaissance collection of Italian and Northern structure on such a central London site to be constructed so
Works of the 14th and 15th centuries. that if clear spans exceed 9m, the structure would not be
The architect, Robert Venturi of Venturi, Scott Brown and damaged disproportionately in the event of an accident: the
Associates of Philadelphia USA, won the competition for the effect is that any one column could be considered redundant,
design that provided light spacious galleries. This required a meaning the transfer beam would have to cover twice its
normal span. Ove Arup’s design for the steelwork had to take
into account these seemingly conflicting requirements.
Booth Steelwork Ltd., of Bolton, had completed a major
reorganisation shortly before winning the steelwork contract,
whereby direct numerical control machines have been installed
for steelwork preparation. The dimensioning and marking out
of steel in the works had previously been done by a
combination of the individual skills of the workforce and a
degree of automation. Subsequent to the major investment the
dimensioning of sawing, notching and drilling of beams and
columns became computer controlled functions. Fittings such
as brackets and cleat plates are now cut to size by two further
DNC machines handling flat plates and angle sections.
The design of the connections for the Wing required Booths
to submit some 300 calculation sheets for the 1,550 pieces of
steelwork, totalling 360 tonnes of fabricated steelwork.
Computerised control of the steelwork processes sequentially
orders the materials, fittings and the detailing and calling off
of the production schedules, together with the paintwork and
delivery to site.
During the early stages of work on site it was decided by
the Sir Robert McAlpine construction team that the structural
steel building sequence would be changed from east-west,
across the front of the building, to building outwards from a
north-south central spine. Booth was able to handle the
changed data input and deliver the steel to site sequentially.
Robert Venturi’s aim was to solve every potential
construction difficulty on paper, rather than on site. This
would have been impossible without the power of many
computers. The Sainsbury Wing to the National Gallery is a
product of today’s world of computer generated design,
control and fabrication.

NSC
34 October 11
 50 Years Ago

PROUD OF THE PAST,

BARRETT FOCUSED ON THE PRESENT,
STEEL LIMITED
BUILDING TOWARDS THE FUTURE.

Since its inception in 1867, Barrett Steel has continued to expand both organically and
by acquisition making us one of the UK's largest independent steel stockholders.

Long-established and financially secure, Barrett Steel are the one-stop steel
stockholders for all your requirements.
We’ve seen some changes over the years.

We now offer -
60,000 tonnes of stock across our 24 nationwide sites

Beams and Columns Sheets Nominal Bore Tubes

Channels Hollow Sections Tubeclamps
Flats, Rounds and Squares ERW Tube Continental Sections
Plates Handrails and Walkways Welded mesh
Plus much more
State of the art processing facilties
Shotblasting and Priming Sawing and Drilling
Punching and Shearing Plate Profiling Laser Tube Cutting

For more information visit us at

BARRETT BARRETT
General Steels www.barrettsteel.com Tubes Division

Get a quote from our new

T: 01274 682281 T: 0121 601 5050
F: 01274 651205 online enquiry system. F: 0121 601 5051
E: sales@barrettsteel,com E: [email protected]
NSC
October 11 35
 Advisory Desk/Codes & Standards

AD 362
Headed shear studs –
Resistance and minimum degree of shear
connection in composite beams with decking
This Advisory Desk note highlights the key changes to BS 5950-3.1:1990 as a
1
Figure 1:
result of Amendment no 1, issued in January 2010. Amendment 1 reflects the Comparison

Degree of shear connection, Na/Np

of minimum
findings of extensive experimental studies on the performance of “through- 0.75
Clause 5.5.2.2(a) degree of shear
deck welded” headed shear studs in composite beams. The studies included (Ductile shear connectors)
connection
beam tests and small scale push tests carried out by SCI. As a result of this 0.5
Clause 5.5.2.3(a) rules for
work, guidance on the design resistance and ductility of headed shear studs (Higher ductility
shear connectors) ductile shear
given in BS 5950-3.1:1990 was revised. 0.25 connectors
In BS 5950-3.1, the resistance of the headed shear studs may be calculated and higher
in accordance with Clause 5.4.7, which includes modified expressions for the ductility shear
0
k factor to reflect the resistance of headed shear studs in transverse decking. 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 connectors
Beam span, L (m)
The evidence from beam tests showed that headed shear studs were
more ductile than shown by small scale push tests. This greater than shear connectors) is shown in Figure 1 for an unpropped symmetric beam in
expected ductility allowed the use of ‘more relaxed’ rules for the degree of grade S355 steel.
shear connection requirements. Based on the results of numerical modelling, The findings of the studies can also be applied when designing in
revised rules for higher ductility shear connectors in unpropped construction accordance with BS EN 1994 1 1:2004. Two items of non-contradictory
are given in Clause 5.5.2.3. complementary information (NCCI) have been published on Steelbiz
Due to the limited number of parameters tested, Clause 5.5.2.3 may only (www.steelbiz.org) – see documents PN001a-GB: Resistance of headed stud
be used for unpropped construction, where the limits given in 5.4.7.1 (e.g. shear connectors in transverse sheeting and PN002a-GB: Modified limitation on
19 mm diameter studs) are satisfied and where the ribs of the trapezoidal partial shear connection in beams for buildings.
deck are perpendicular to the beam (secondary beams). In other cases, the Contact: Dr Ian Simms
rules given in Clause 5.5.2.2 may be used. A comparison between the rules Tel: 01344 636525
given in Clause 5.5.2.2 (Ductile shear connectors) and 5.5.2.3 (Higher ductility Email: [email protected]

New and revised codes & standards

From BSI Updates September 2011

DRAFTS FOR DEVELOPMENT ISO 16160 11/30191096 DC

Continuously hot-rolled steel sheet products. BS ISO 10799-2 Cold-formed welded structural
DD ISO/TS 24679:2011
Dimensional and shape tolerances hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels.
Fire safety engineering. Performance of structures
Will supersede BS ISO 16160:2011 Dimensions and sectional properties
in fire
No current standard is superseded ISO 16162
Continuously cold-rolled steel sheet products.
DOCUMENTS NOT ISSUED AS DPCs
Dimensional shape and tolerances
NEW WORK STARTED Will supersede BS ISO 16162:2010 EN ISO 3581
Welding consumables. Covered electrodes for
EN 10169:2010/A1 ISO 16163
manual metal arc welding of stainless and heat-
Continuously organic coated (coil coated) steel flat Continuously hot-dipped coated steel sheet
resisting steels. Classification
products. Technical delivery conditions products. Dimensional and shape tolerances
Will supersede BS ISO 16163:2010 The CEN Technical Sub-Committee TC121/SC3 are
EN 10268:2006/A1
considering the adoption of ISO 3581:2003, its
Cold rolled steel flat products with higher yield
Corrigendum 1:2008 and its amendment 1:2001 as
strength for cold forming. Technical delivery
DRAFT BRITISH STANDARDS FOR PUBLIC a European Standard. As the ISO documents have
conditions
COMMENT – ADOPTIONS been published for some time, they are not being
EN 13374 issued as a Draft for Public Comment. If the ISO
11/30191086 DC
Temporary edge protection systems. Product 3581 is adopted in Europe, it will be implemented
BS ISO 12633-1 Hot-finished structural hollow
specification, test methods in the UK and replace BS EN 1600:1997.
sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels.
Will supersede BS EN 13374:2004
Technical delivery conditions
EN 13381-6
11/30191090 DC CEN EUROPEAN STANDARDS
Test methods for determining the contribution to
BS ISO 12633-2 Hot-finished structural hollow
the fire resistance of structural members. Applied EN 1090-2:2008+A1:2011
sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels.
protection to concrete filled hollow steel columns Execution of steel structures and aluminium
Dimensions and sectional properties
structures. Technical requirements for steel
EN ISO 18275
11/30191093 DC structures
Welding consumables. Covered electrodes for
BS ISO 10799-1 Cold-formed welded structural
manual metal arc welding of high strength steels.
hollow sections of non-alloy and fine grain steels.
Classification
Technical delivery conditions

NSC
36 October 11
There’s a new type
of plug in use.
USFB® Version 2 Software

USFB® has gone Plug Composite

Plug composite action of slab Plug composite USFB® designed Steel deck + PC slabs (with Tested & proven by SCI at City
proved to increase strength. weights up to 30% lighter than structural topping) both benefit University, London.
non composite designs. from plug composite design.

New USFB® plug composite software by SCI now available.

For more details, to get your CD or to talk to our structural advisory engineers
please call 0113 205 5270. Alternatively visit us online at www.asdwestok.com
  

Now you can go Plug Composite

Fax your request to ASD Westok on 0113 205 5271
Name: Position:

Company:

Address:

Postcode:

Email:
NSC
October 11 37
 Advisory Service

Strength from Advisory Service

Designing and building in steel has never been as

straightforward as it is today, and steel still remains the material
of choice for construction in the UK. The steel sector provides
comprehensive and in-depth technical back up to
ensure that those using steel have all the guidance
and support they could need at their finger tips.

The co-ordinated and comprehensive support

provided by the BCSA’s Structural Advisory Serivce
is free of charge to specifiers, clients and designers.
Technical experts are on hand to provide an extensive
range of services, including design assistance on
structural form, performance of steel buildings, seminars
and in-house CPD presentations, etc.

Richard Dixon, Manager, Structural Advisory Services,

who heads up the network of Regional Technical
Managers throughout the UK and Ireland said:
“We have a team of experienced regional
engineers who are on hand to offer design
support and advice to designers, and to point
them to the wide range of technical
guidance and resources available
to them and inform them in a
practical way on key topics like
EC3 and the sustainability of
steel construction through in-
house CPDs.”

Colin Smart +44 (0)788 548 3949

London & the South East [email protected]

Dave Chapman +44 (0)773 992 1811

The West & Wales [email protected]

Richard Dixon +44 (0)771 536 6392

The East [email protected]

Walter Swann +44 (0)773 498 5140

The North & Scotland [email protected]

Andrew Bisp +44 (0)788 179 3229

Ireland [email protected]

NSC
38 October 11
 DeSIgn oF STeel BRIDgeS
Professional Training Course

16 & 17 November 2011 in London

21 & 22 March 2012 in Leeds

This two day course is aimed at graduate engineers with a Course objectives
basic knowledge of bridge design.
• Give an overview of common forms of steel bridge
used in the highway infrastructure
Speakers include designers and steelwork fabricators
• Explain the design basis set out in the Structural
actively involved in highway bridge design. The course
Eurocodes and the evaluation of bridge loading
therefore provides the latest best practice design guidance.
• Examine the modelling techniques for bridges to
determine internal forces and moments
For structural design reference is made to the Eurocodes -
• Explain the basis for determining the resistance
their use is required by client authorities for all new bridge
of structural members, bracing systems
design projects.
and connections
• Examine requirements for fatigue design
All the presentations will be accompanied by a
• Give practical guidance on material selection,
comprehensive set of notes.
connection detailing, bridge articulation and support
• Give guidance on design for economical
Paper and pdf copies of a range of SCI, BCSA and Tata
and durable construction
Steel publications related to bridge design will also
be provided.

Fee and Registration

The cost of the course is: £250 + VAT (BCSA & SCI members)
£300 + VAT (non-members)

Lunch and refreshments included on both days.

Sponsored by:

Please contact:
Jane Burrell on +44 (0)1344 636500
[email protected] www.steel-sci.org/courses
 Listings

Steelwork contractors for buildings

BCSA is the national organisation for the steel construction industry.
Membership of BCSA is open to any Steelwork Contractor who has a fabrication facility within the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.
Details of BCSA membership and services can be obtained from
Gillian Mitchell MBE, Deputy Directory General, BCSA, 4 Whitehall Court, London SW1A 2ES
Tel: 020 7839 8566 Email: [email protected]

Applicants may be registered in one or more Buildings category to undertake the fabrication and the responsibility for any Notes
design and erection of: (1) Contracts which are primarily steelwork but which
may include associated works. The steelwork contract
C Heavy industrial platework for plant structures, bunkers, L Architectural steelwork for staircases, balconies, canopies etc value for which a company is pre-qualified under the
hoppers, silos etc M Frames for machinery, supports for plant and conveyors Scheme is intended to give guidance on the size of
steelwork contract that can be undertaken; where
D High rise buildings (offices etc over 15 storeys) N Large grandstands and stadia (over 5000 persons) a project lasts longer than a year, the value is the
E Large span portals (over 30m) Q Specialist fabrication services (eg bending, cellular/ proportion of the steelwork contract to be undertaken
F Medium/small span portals (up to 30m) and low rise castellated beams, plate girders) within a 12 month period.
buildings (up to 4 storeys) R Refurbishment
G Medium rise buildings (from 5 to 15 storeys) S Lighter fabrications including fire escapes, ladders and Where an asterisk (*) appears against any company’s
H Large span trusswork (over 20m) catwalks classification number, this indicates that the assets
J Tubular steelwork where tubular construction forms a major QM Quality management certification to ISO 9001 required for this classification level are those of the
parent company.
part of the structure SCM Steel Construction Sustainability Charter
K Towers and masts (l = Gold, l = Silver, l = Member)

Company name Tel C D E F G H J K L M N Q R S QM SCM Contract Value (1)

A C Bacon Engineering Ltd 01953 850611 l l l Up to £2,000,000
ACL Structures Ltd 01258 456051 l l l l l l l Up to £2,000,000
Adey Steel Ltd 01509 556677 l l l l l l l l l Up to £4,000,000
Adstone Construction Ltd 01905 794561 l l l Up to £1,400,000
Advanced Fabrications Poyle Ltd 01753 531116 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £400,000
Alex Morton Contracts Ltd 028 9269 2436 l l l l l l l l l Up to £400,000
Angle Ring Company Ltd 0121 557 7241 l Up to £1,400,000
Apex Steel Structures Ltd 01268 660828 l l l l Up to £800,000
Arromax Structures Ltd 01623 747466 l l l l l l l l l l Up to £800,000
ASA Steel Structures Ltd 01782 566366 l l l l l l l l Up to £800,000*
ASD Westok Ltd 01924 264121 l Up to £6,000,000
ASME Engineering Ltd 020 8966 7150 l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000*
Atlas Ward Structures Ltd 01944 710421 l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Atlasco Constructional Engineers Ltd 01782 564711 l l l l l Up to £2,000,000
Austin-Divall Fabrications Ltd 01903 721950 l l l l l l l l Up to £800,000
B&B Group Ltd 01942 676770 l l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000
B D Structures Ltd 01942 817770 l l l l l l l Up to £800,000
Ballykine Structural Engineers Ltd 028 9756 2560 l l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000
Barnshaw Section Benders Ltd 01902 880848 l ✓ l Up to £800,000
Barrett Steel Buildings Ltd 01274 266800 l l l l ✓ l Up to £6,000,000
Barretts of Aspley Ltd 01525 280136 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
BHC Ltd 01555 840006 l l l l l l l Above £6,000,000
Billington Structures Ltd 01226 340666 l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Border Steelwork Structures Ltd 01228 548744 l l l l l l l Up to £3,000,000
Bourne Construction Engineering Ltd 01202 746666 l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Briton Fabricators Ltd 0115 963 2901 l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
Cairnhill Structures Ltd 01236 449393 l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000
Caunton Engineering Ltd 01773 531111 l l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £6,000,000
Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd 01325 502277 l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
CMF Ltd 020 8844 0940 l l l l l l Up to £6,000,000
Cordell Group Ltd 01642 452406 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
Coventry Construction Ltd 024 7646 4484 l l l l l l l l l Up to £800,000
D H Structures Ltd 01785 246269 l l l l Up to £40,000
Discain Project Services Ltd 01604 787276 l l l l ✓ Up to £800,000
Duggan Steel Ltd 00 353 29 70072 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £6,000,000
Elland Steel Structures Ltd 01422 380262 l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £6,000,000
EvadX Ltd 01745 336413 l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £3,000,000
Fisher Engineering Ltd 028 6638 8521 l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Fox Bros Engineering Ltd 00 353 53 942 1677 l l l l l l Up to £3,000,000
GME Structures Ltd 01939 233023 l l l l l l l l Up to £400,000
Gorge Fabrications Ltd 0121 522 5770 l l l l l l Up to £800,000
Graham Wood Structural Ltd 01903 755991 l l l l l l l l l l l l Up to £6,000,000
Grays Engineering (Contracts) Ltd 01375 372411 l l l l l Up to £100,000
Gregg & Patterson (Engineers) Ltd 028 9061 8131 l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
H Young Structures Ltd 01953 601881 l l l l l l l Up to £2,000,000
Had Fab Ltd 01875 611711 l l l ✓ Up to £2,000,000
Hambleton Steel Ltd 01748 810598 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £6,000,000
Harry Marsh (Engineers) Ltd 0191 510 9797 l l l l l l Up to £2,000,000
Henry Smith (Constructional Engineers) Ltd 01606 592121 l l l l l Up to £3,000,000
Company name Tel C D E F G H J K L M N Q R S QM SCM Contract Value (1)

NSC
40 October 11
 Listings

Company name Tel C D E F G H J K L M N Q R S QM SCM Contract Value (1)

Hescott Engineering Company Ltd 01324 556610 l l l l l l l Up to £4,000,000
Hillcrest Fabrications Ltd 01283 212720 l l l Up to £400,000
Hills of Shoeburyness Ltd 01702 296321 l l l Up to £1,400,000
J Robertson & Co Ltd 01255 672855 l l l Up to £200,000
James Killelea & Co Ltd 01706 229411 l l l l l l l Up to £6,000,000*
Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd 00 353 43 334 1445 l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £4,000,000
Leach Structural Steelwork Ltd 01995 640133 l l l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
M Hasson & Sons Ltd 028 2957 1281 l l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
M&S Engineering Ltd 01461 40111 l l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
Mabey Bridge Ltd 01291 623801 l l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Mackay Steelwork & Cladding Ltd 01862 843910 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £800,000
Maldon Marine Ltd 01621 859000 l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
Marshall Steel Stairs Ltd 0113 307 6730 l l Above £6,000,000*
Mifflin Construction Ltd 01568 613311 l l l l l l Up to £3,000,000
Newbridge Engineering Ltd 01429 866722 l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000
Nusteel Structures Ltd 01303 268112 l l l l ✓ Up to £4,000,000
On Site Services (Gravesend) Ltd 01474 321552 l l l l l l Up to £200,000
Overdale Construction Services Ltd 01656 729229 l l l l l l Up to £400,000
Paddy Wall & Sons 00 353 51 420 515 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £6,000,000
Painter Brothers Ltd 01432 374400 l l l ✓ l Up to £6,000,000
Pencro Structural Engineering Ltd 028 9335 2886 l l l l l l ✓ Up to £2,000,000
PMS Fabrications Ltd 01228 599090 l l l l l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
REIDsteel 01202 483333 l l l l l l l l l l l Up to £6,000,000*
Rippin Ltd 01383 518610 l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
Robinson Steel Structures 01332 574711 l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Rowecord Engineering Ltd 01633 250511 l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Rowen Structures Ltd 01773 860086 l l l l l l l l l l l Above £6,000,000*
S H Structures Ltd 01977 681931 l l l l ✓ l Up to £3,000,000
Severfield-Reeve Structures Ltd 01845 577896 l l l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Shipley Fabrications Ltd 01400 231115 l l l l l l l l Up to £200,000
SIAC Butlers Steel Ltd 00 353 57 862 3305 l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
SIAC Tetbury Steel Ltd 01666 502792 l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £3,000,000
Snashall Steel Fabrications Co Ltd 01300 345588 l l l l Up to £1,400,000
South Durham Structures Ltd 01388 777350 l l l l l l l Up to £1,400,000
Temple Mill Fabrications Ltd 01623 741720 l l l l l l l Up to £200,000
The AA Group Ltd 01695 50123 l l l l l l l l l l Up to £4,000,000
Traditional Structures Ltd 01922 414172 l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £4,000,000*
Tubecon 01226 345261 l l l l l l ✓ Above £6,000,000*
W & H Steel & Roofing Systems Ltd 00 353 56 444 1855 l l l l l l l Up to £4,000,000
W I G Engineering Ltd 01869 320515 l l l Up to £200,000
Walter Watson Ltd 028 4377 8711 l l l l l l ✓ Up to £6,000,000
Watson Steel Structures Ltd 01204 699999 l l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Westbury Park Engineering Ltd 01373 825500 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £800,000
William Haley Engineering Ltd 01278 760591 l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000
William Hare Ltd 0161 609 0000 l l l l l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Company name Tel C D E F G H J K L M N Q R S QM SCM Contract Value (1)

Corporate Members
Corporate Members are clients, professional offices, educational establishments etc which support the development of national specifications,
quality, fabrication and erection techniques, overall industry efficiency and good practice.

Company name Tel Company name Tel

Balfour Beatty Utility Solutions Ltd 01332 661491 Roger Pope Associates 01752 263636
Griffiths & Armour 0151 236 5656 Sandberg LLP 020 7565 7000
Highways Agency 08457 504030 SUM 0113 242 7390

NSC
October 11 41
 Listings

Associate Members
Associate Members are those principal companies involved in the direct supply to all or some Members of components, materials or products.
Associate member companies must have a registered office within the United Kingdom or Republic of Ireland.
1 Structural components 4 Steel producers 7 Safety systems SCM Steel Construction
2 Computer software 5 Manufacturing equipment 8 Steel stockholders Sustainability Charter
3 Design services 6 Protective systems 9 Structural fasteners l = Gold, l = Silver, l = Member

Company name Tel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SCM Company name Tel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SCM

AceCad Software Ltd 01332 545800 l ASD metal services - Durham 0191 492 2322 l
Albion Sections Ltd 0121 553 1877 l ASD metal services - Edinburgh 0131 459 3200 l
Andrews Fasteners Ltd 0113 246 9992 l ASD metal services - Exeter 01395 233366 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Birkenhead 0151 647 4221 l ASD metal services - Grimsby 01472 353851 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Birmingham 0121 561 6800 l ASD metal services - Hull 01482 633360 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Bristol 01454 311442 l ASD metal services - London 020 7476 0444 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Manchester 0161 703 9073 l ASD metal services - Norfolk 01553 761431 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – South Wales 01633 627890 l ASD metal services - Stalbridge 01963 362646 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Scunthorpe 01724 810810 l ASD metal services - Tividale 0121 520 1231 l
ArcelorMittal Distribution – Wolverhampton 01902 365200 l Austin Trumanns Steel Ltd 0161 866 0266 l
Arro-Cad Ltd 01283 558206 l Ayrshire Metal Products (Daventry) Ltd 01327 300990 l
ASD Interpipe UK Ltd 0845 226 7007 l BAPP Group Ltd 01226 383824 l
ASD metal services - Biddulph 01782 515152 l Barnshaw Plate Bending Centre Ltd 0161 320 9696 l
ASD metal services - Bodmin 01208 77066 l Barrett Steel Ltd 01274 682281 l
ASD metal services - Cardiff 029 2046 0622 l BW Industries Ltd 01262 400088 l
ASD metal services - Carlisle 01228 674766 l Cellbeam Ltd 01937 840600 l
ASD metal services - Daventry 01327 876021 l Cellshield Ltd 01937 840600 l

Steelwork contractors
for bridgework
The Register of Qualified Steelwork Contractors Scheme for Bridgeworks (RQSC) is open to any Steelwork Contractor who
has a fabrication facility within the European Union.
Applicants may be registered in one or more category to undertake the fabrication and the responsibility for any design and erection of:
FG Footbridge and sign gantries MB Moving bridges Notes
PG Bridges made principally from plate girders RF Bridge refurbishment (1) Contracts which are primarily steelwork but which may include associated works.
TW Bridges made principally from trusswork AS Ancilliary structures in steel associated The steelwork contract value for which a company is pre-qualified under the Scheme is
BA Bridges with stiffened complex platework with bridges, footbridges or sign gantries intended to give guidance on the size of steelwork contract that can be undertaken; where
(eg in decks, box girders or arch boxes) (eg grillages, purpose-made temporary works) a project lasts longer than a year, the value is the proportion of the steelwork contract to be
CM Cable-supported bridges (eg cable-stayed or QM Quality management certification to ISO 9001 undertaken within a 12 month period.
Where an asterisk (*) appears against any company’s classification number, this indicates
suspension) and other major structures SCM Steel Construction Sustainability Charter that the assets required for this classification level are those of the parent company.
(eg 100 metre span) (l = Gold, l = Silver, l = Member)

BCSA steelwork contractor member Tel FG PG TW BA CM MB RF AS QM SCM Contract Value (1)

B&B Bridges Ltd 01942 676770 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000
Briton Fabricators Ltd 0115 963 2901 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000
Cairnhill Structures Ltd 01236 449393 l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000
Cleveland Bridge UK Ltd 01325 502277 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Four-Tees Engineers Ltd 01489 885899 l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000
Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd 00 353 43 334 1445 l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £800,000
Mabey Bridge Ltd 01291 623801 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Nusteel Structures Ltd 01303 268112 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £4,000,000
Painter Brothers Ltd 01432 374400 l l l ✓ l Up to £6.000,000
Rowecord Engineering Ltd 01633 250511 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
S H Structures Ltd 01977 681931 l l l l l ✓ l Up to £3,000,000
SIAC Butlers Steel Ltd 00 353 57 862 3305 l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
TEMA Engineering Ltd 029 2034 4556 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000*
Varley & Gulliver Ltd 0121 773 2441 l l l ✓ Up to £4,000,000
Watson Steel Structures Ltd 01204 699999 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Above £6,000,000
Non-BCSA member
ABC Bridges Ltd 0845 0603222 l ✓ Up to £100,000
A G Brown Ltd 01592 630003 l l l ✓ Up to £800,000
Allerton Steel Ltd 01609 774471 l l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £1,400,000
Carver Engineering Services Ltd 01302 751900 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £2,000,000
Cimolai Spa 01223 350876 l l l l l l ✓ Above £6,000,000
Concrete & Timber Services Ltd 01484 606416 l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £800,000
Donyal Engineering Ltd 01207 270909 l l l ✓ l Up to £1,400,000
Francis & Lewis International Ltd 01452 722200 l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000
Harland & Wolff Heavy Industries Ltd 028 9045 8456 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £6,000,000
Hollandia BV 00 31 180 540540 l l l l l l l l ✓ Above £6,000,000
Interserve Project Services Ltd 0121 344 4888 l l ✓ Above £6,000,000
Interserve Project Services Ltd 020 8311 5500 l l l l l l l ✓ Up to £800,000*
Millar Callaghan Engineering Services Ltd 01294 217711 l l ✓ Up to £800,000
P C Richardson & Co (Middlesbrough) Ltd 01642 714791 l l l ✓ Up to £3,000,000*
The Lanarkshire Welding Company Ltd 01698 264271 l l l l l l l l ✓ l Up to £2,000,000

NSC
42 October 11
 Listings

Company name Tel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SCM Company name Tel 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 SCM

CMC (UK) Ltd 029 2089 5260 l Metsec plc 0121 601 6000 l l
Composite Metal Flooring Ltd 01495 761080 l MSW 0115 946 2316 l
Composite Profiles UK Ltd 01202 659237 l National Tube Stockholders Ltd 01845 577440 l
Computer Services Consultants (UK) Ltd 0113 239 3000 l Northern Steel Decking Ltd 01909 550054 l
Cooper & Turner Ltd 0114 256 0057 l Panels & Profiles 0845 308 8330 l
Cutmaster Machines UK Ltd 01226 707865 l John Parker & Sons Ltd 01227 783200 l l
Daver Steels Ltd 0114 261 1999 l Peddinghaus Corporation UK Ltd 01952 200377 l
Development Design Detailing Services Ltd 01204 396606 l Peddinghaus Corporation UK Ltd 00 353 87 2577 884 l
Easi-edge Ltd 01777 870901 l l PMR Fixers 01335 347629 l
Fabsec Ltd 0845 094 2530 l PP Protube Ltd 01744 818992 l
FabTrol Systems UK Ltd 01274 590865 l PPG Performance Coatings UK Ltd 01773 837300 l
Ficep (UK) Ltd 01924 223530 l Prodeck-Fixing Ltd 01278 780586 l
FLI Structures 01452 722200 l Rainham Steel Co Ltd 01708 522311 l
Forward Protective Coatings Ltd 01623 748323 l Richard Lees Steel Decking Ltd 01335 300999 l l
Hadley Rolled Products Ltd 0121 555 1342 l l Schöck Ltd 0845 241 3390 l
Hempel UK Ltd 01633 874024 l Structural Metal Decks Ltd 01202 718898 l l
Hi-Span Ltd 01953 603081 l l Studwelders Composite Floor Decks Ltd 01291 626048 l
Highland Metals Ltd 01343 548855 l Tata Steel 01724 404040 l
Hilti (GB) Ltd 0800 886100 l Tata Steel Distribution (UK & Ireland) 01902 484100 l
International Paint Ltd 0191 469 6111 l l Tata Steel Service Centres Ireland 028 9266 0747 l
Jack Tighe Ltd 01302 880360 l Tata Steel Service Centre Dublin 00 353 1 405 0300 l
Jamestown Cladding and Profiling 00 353 45 434288 l Tata Steel Tubes 01536 402121 l
Kaltenbach Ltd 01234 213201 l Tekla (UK) Ltd 0113 307 1200 l
Kingspan Structural Products 01944 712000 l l Tension Control Bolts Ltd 01948 667700 l
Leighs Paints 01204 521771 l l Wedge Group Galvanizing Ltd 01909 486384 l
Lindapter International 01274 521444 l

NSC
October 11 43
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