Constructing steel buildings
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
The manufacture of a steel building is a combination of engineering, draftsmanship, ingenuity, teamwork, know-how and manufacturing expertise. Some factories fabricate all the required building components ensuring they are compatible.
[edit] Optimising the process
Pre-engineered steel buildings engineers review the building drawings for accuracy and to obtain permissions.
Actual building production begins with the input of building specifications into CNC (Computer Numerical Control) machinery. The CNC machinery controls all machine features including feeds and speeds.
Components of steel buildings, such as I-beams, gutters and downpipes, sidewalls and end wall panels, and even standing seam roofs are systematically manufactured in designated areas called "lines" throughout the factory. Each manufacturing line completes a specific function, automated by the use of conveyors that move the components from station to station.
[edit] Manufacturing components
The construction of rafters and columns starts at a machine that cuts the centre of the rafter or column (like the center of the letter "H"). This component moves to a holding station waiting to move to a station where certified welders tack-weld flanges and webs in place to form rafters and columns. Next these components are fused together and the welds are then checked.
Roof and sidewall panels are fabricated from steel sheeting. Large coils of metal sheeting are placed in a machine for straightening. This sheet is then cut and passed through a roll former to give it the required shape.
Machinery automates the process by which custom trim is formed. The steel passes through a straightener and is then formed into the shape required for all trim components: rake trim, corner trim, jamb trim, head trim, base trim, eave trim, rake angle, base angle, gutter straps, downpipes and gutters.
The steel building components are then loaded onto trucks to be delivered to site.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings Wiki
Featured articles and news
AI and the challenges to intellectual property
The legal landscape of adopting AI now and in the future.
Worrying landscape for Welsh construction SMEs revealed.
In recent risk factor analysis report completed by CIOB.
Construction Sport survey highlights risks of dehydration
Supporting construction workers to avoid dangers.
Can your business afford to ignore mental well-being?
£70 - 100 billion annually in UK construction sector.
Mental health in the construction industry
World Mental Health Day 10 October.
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
AI tools for planning, design, construction and management
A long, continually expanding list, any more to add?