13 minute read
Technical and Standard Developments
TECHNICAL & STANDARD
DEVELOPMENTS
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THE POPULARITY OF LIGHT STEEL FRAMING CONTINUES TO GROW AS DOES THE UPTAKE OF OFFSITE CONSTRUCTION MORE GENERALLY. ANDREW WAY, ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR AT SCI, PROVIDES AN UPDATE ON RECENT MATERIAL DEVELOPMENTS.
Key benefits of light steel framing are quality, speed and cost which makes it ideal for many sectors of construction and especially growth markets such as build-to-rent.
The Steel Construction Institute (SCI) has been a trusted, independent source of information and engineering expertise globally for over 30 years, and remains the leading, independent provider of technical expertise and disseminator of best practice to the steel construction sector. SCI support everyone involved in steel construction – from manufacturers, consulting engineers, architects, and manufacturers right through to industry groups and peers.
Consulting and design engineers look to SCI for reliable and robust technical information and training on the effective use of steel in design, including the latest design standards and building regulations. Manufacturers utilise SCI’s engineering expertise for product development and certification of performance, particularly when bring new products and systems to market.
TECHNICAL DEVELOPMENTS
SCI, in conjunction with industry partners, has been instrumental in bringing about many technical developments to the light steel construction sector. Recently, the combined performance of light steel framing and other materials has been of interest. Materials commonly used in combination can lead to enhanced design efficiency. A number of projects would fall into the category of the development of improved design guidance to enable the use of light steel framing in a wider range of applications. Some of the technical development work carried out by SCI is generic and is undertaken through the Light Steel Forum for the benefit of the whole industry. A recent example is SCI publication P426 which provides guidance on using continuous masonry cladding with light steel framing. SCI will be disseminating the outputs from various ongoing industry projects when they have been agreed and finalised.
SCI has seen an increasing demand from clients for proprietary technical product development which is understandable in a highly competitive commercial market. The involvement of an independent body, such as SCI, in this type of development is seen as highly advantageous by manufacturers and their customers. SCI’s participation provides reassurance that appropriate procedures are
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followed with due consideration for all possible performance criteria. It is not possible to disclose in detail the technical developments of individual manufacturers; however, the process invariably involves a combination of physical testing, computer modelling and analysis.
LIGHT STEEL FORUM
The SCI’s Light Steel Forum is a membership group whose primary objective is the technical development of light steel construction systems. Membership consists of the following proactive companies involved with light steel framing: Ayrshire Metals, BW Industries, Etex Building Performance, Fusion Building Systems, Hadley Steel Framing, Kingspan Steel Building Solutions, Metek plc, Saint-Gobain, Sigmat, Vision-Built Manufacturing and Voestalpine Metsec plc.
Technical priorities and areas of work are agreed by the members. Projects vary in duration according to their scope and technical complexity. Results of projects are usually disseminated through SCI design guides, technical information sheets and/or seminars and
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presentations. To date the group has published over 20 technical information sheets which are available on the Light Steel Forum website. Quarterly meetings ensure the group are kept up to date with developments and are able to respond to any new challenges which arise.
CERTIFICATION AND ASSESSMENT
Certification has always been a vital part of the construction industry with customers and specifiers needing to have confidence in the products being offered. The complexity and unique nature of many offsite construction systems, and the growing regulatory demands, mean that independent certification is increasingly important. SCI has provided Stage 1 System Certification for light steel framing in accordance with NHBC Chapter 6.10 for the last 15 years (and continues to do so). SCI also provides SCI Assessed certificates for a mixed and varied range of steel-based construction products. However, SCI are now offering a more comprehensive scheme called ‘SCI Product Certification’ which can cover all the basic work requirements of the Construction Products Regulation. SCI are hoping to be able to announce the first companies and their products to successfully achieve SCI Product Certification within the next few months.
DESIGN STANDARDS
The primary design standard for light steel framing is Eurocode 3 – Design of Steel Structures, Part 1.3 - Supplementary rules for coldformed members and sheeting (also known as EN 1993-1-3). The evolution of the Structural Eurocodes is an ongoing process and drafting of the next versions of many parts of the Eurocodes is well progressed, which includes EN 1993-1-3. However, formal acceptance and publication can be a lengthy process. Nevertheless, designers and manufactures should be aware that new versions, many with significant changes, are expected to be published in 2023. SCI has been involved at committee level with revisions to several different parts of the Eurocodes and will endeavour to keep members up to date with expected changes.
For more information visit:
www.steel-sci.com
IMAGES
01 Compression testing of light steel wall panel in combination with board linings and end restraints 02 Six storeys of uninterrupted masonry cladding at Causewayend in Aberdeen. Courtesy Robertson Group and Fusion
Building Systems 03 Finite element analysis of a sub-section of a multi-storey light steel frame structure
MODERN METHODS
OF CONSTRUCTION
BRICK CLADDING SYSTEMS HAVE ALL THE ATTRIBUTES OF TRADITIONAL BRICKWORK PLUS THE ADVANTAGES ASSOCIATED WITH SUSTAINABLE MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION. JULIAN VENUS, SALES DIRECTOR OF AQUARIAN CLADDING SYSTEMS, DISCUSSES THE BENEFITS.
Architects have always been under pressure to reduce both construction costs and build-times but now, more than ever, they must also consider climate change issues, such as the use of sustainable materials and thermal efficiency. All this has to be achieved whilst still producing aesthetically pleasing buildings, so it is no wonder new and innovative methods of construction are being adopted. Brick finishes remain as popular as ever in British architecture and brick cladding systems are increasingly being used to provide a warm, natural finish, whilst maintaining robust protection from the elements. The advantages, however, are more far-reaching than just providing a traditional brick facade and the associated benefits. In fact, there are multiple reasons for using brick cladding systems over conventional methods.
NATURAL, DURABLE AND PERFECT FOR DESIGN
Choosing a brick facade typically means using a natural product, formed from fired clay and pointed with mortar, which brings with it a durability that will stand the test of time and will not rot or corrode.
From a weathering perspective, brick facades when well designed and built, will improve with age, unlike other facade materials that can react negatively to UV light and show degradation from the elements over time.
A number of brick cladding systems are now available in the UK which enable designers to achieve a brick facade without compromise. With a wide choice of natural colours and finishes, these systems offer a wealth of design opportunities and provide even greater adaptability than can be achieved with conventional brickwork.
Brick cladding systems also provide an improved quality of appearance when compared to brickwork, which can vary wildly. With an ageing workforce, traditional bricklaying skills are in decline, so using a cladding system achieves greater productivity and consistent higher standards of work, whilst still delivering a robust structure that is built to last.
EASE AND SPEED
Conventional methods of laying bricks on top of each other with mortar is weather dependent and can therefore be slow and unpredictable. Speed of delivery is an important consideration for most sectors and brick cladding systems offer a quick, easy, and robust solution with fewer limitations. Not only does this mean reduced build programmes and prelim costs, including replacing scaffolding with mechanical access, but also greater flexibility of build sequence and less risk of programme over-run.
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY
With a huge drive towards sustainability, using a brick cladding system can reduce the impact on the environment as systems typically consist of 20% brick with less mortar.
Thinner pieces of clay require less material and embodied energy to produce and reducing the amount of mortar means less storage of sand, cement and water.
The improvement in site logistics is obvious – fewer deliveries to site, reduced movement and storage of materials around site, and less waste disposal. As an example, we can supply as much as 650m 2 of brick cladding on one vehicle. Compared to a typical brick delivery, which contains around 165m 2 , that is a reduction of nearly 75% in vehicles to site. And with approximately 25m 2 per pallet as opposed to 8m 2 for traditional bricks, site storage is also greatly reduced. Delivery and storage of mortar is also reduced by comparable amounts.
GREATER PRODUCTIVITY AND COST-EFFICIENCY
Brick cladding systems can be very thermally effective and when used as a rainscreen with a cavity, can provide healthier, breathable buildings as they dry out faster and are therefore less prone to the risks of interstitial condensation than thicker, conventional brickwork. They are also much more lightweight when compared to conventional brickwork and the need for wind posts and support angles is either reduced or eliminated. This reduction in weight and support means reduced line loads, framing and foundations, which leads to greater productivity and cost-efficiency. Some clients recognise that with the potential for thinner walls, the internal floor area can be increased, providing commercial benefits and the further value of additional space.
THE BENEFITS OF AN OFFSITE APPROACH
Brick cladding systems are a perfect hybrid solution, offering all the benefits of an offsite approach but with the flexibility to adapt on-site. Clearly there are many benefits over conventional brickwork. So why would you opt for an outdated more costly method?
Working with architects, contractors, developers and installation specialists, Aquarian’s cladding systems, including Gebrik and Mechslip, have been used on many award-winning buildings across a wide range of sectors.
For more information visit:
www.aquariancladding.co.uk
STRIKINGLY VERSATILE
With the Gebrik cladding system, you are assured of a simpler, faster brick façade that performs precisely as it should.
Tried, tested and simple to install, our solutions provide you with the freedom to create strikingly versatile buildings.
To find out more, visit our website www.aquariancladding.co.uk
A RAPIDLY MATURING, DYNAMIC AND EXPANDING
OFFSITE TECHNOLOGY SECTOR
As managing director of the UK’s leading offsite manufacturing and construction consultancy, I have been around the industry for a long time, spending over 25 years developing offsite businesses, processes and products both here in the UK and around the globe, so it is interesting to step back and take stock of recent developments in the light steel framing sector – not least the long-overdue launch of this dedicated industry publication.
Back in 2018, I was invited to join the Steering Group of the (then proposed) Light Steel Frame Association (LSFA) as an independent envoy - being tasked with facilitating discussions and research into the need for industry representation. My research revealed a burgeoning light steel frame sector with double the number of manufacturers than anticipated, and the levels of innovation exceeding many other material groups operating in the offsite arena.
Our wider research findings and dialogue with the key players in the light steel frame sector concluded that the time was right to formally launch the LSFA and to shape an ambitious programme of activity to influence regulation and to support the overall objectives and growth of the sector. The Association was formally launched at Focus on Framing in June 2019.
Although we are currently facing challenging times, the future is looking very positive, with new building regulations predicted to drive sales in steel framing systems in parallel to manufacturers positively exploiting numerous routes to market – demonstrating the versatility of the technology and the adaptability of the light steel frame supply chain. In line with the sector, it is pleasing to see the LSFA is going from strength to strength, since inauguration the Association has gathered momentum and now includes some of the most prominent names in the industry, further enabling the launch of the Light Steel Framing Magazine to showcase the fantastic innovation being delivered within the light steel frame sector. We encourage light steel frame manufacturers, component suppliers, engineers, architects and clients to engage with the LSFA and help shape the future of this fantastic offsite technology.
For more information visit:
www.lsf-association.co.uk
Darren Richards Managing Director, Cogent Consulting and Independent LSFA Steering Group Member
DATES FOR YOUR DIARY IN 2020
22-23 Sept
FFSITE EXP
22 Sept
RICOH ARENA - COVENTRY CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY INNOVATION
20 October
12 Nov
FOCUS ON
FRAMING
Offsite Expo
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
www.offsite-expo.co.uk
Taking place on 22 & 23 September, Offsite Expo brings together those who are driving change in the construction sector – the event will play host to the leading UK and international offsite manufacturers and component suppliers showcasing a broad spectrum of panelised, volumetric modular solutions, pod and prefabricated MEP solutions, as well as the latest in Digital and BIM technology.
Offsite Construction Awards
Ricoh Arena, Coventry
www.offsiteawards.co.uk
Relocated as part of Offsite Expo, the Offsite Construction Awards will take place on 22 September 2020 at the Ricoh Arena, Coventry and will reward outstanding examples of prefabrication and factory-based methods, products, systems and disciplines that increasingly strive to develop a sustainable, streamlined and cost-effective way to deliver a better built environment. ENTRY DEADLINE: 29.05.20
Modular Matters
NCC, Birmingham
www.modularmatters.co.uk
Returning to Birmingham on 20 October 2020, Modular Matters – in partnership with Volumetric Homes Group (VHG) - will focus on the latest developments, innovations and investments in the volumetric modular offsite sector and aims to engage with industry pioneers from within the offsite supply-chain, leading designers, specifiers, engineers and ground-breaking clients.
Focus on Framing
Manchester
www.focusonframing.co.uk
The Focus on Framing seminar will feature high-profile speakers from market leading companies, discussing the significant role that light steel frame plays in the UK’s major developments. From numerous sectors, residential to commercial, education, retail and leisure delegates will hear about the newest innovations and developments in this fast-changing sector.
COME AND MEET THE LEADERS IN LIGHT STEEL FRAMING TECHNOLOGY AT OFFSITE EXPO
Hear from Light Steel Framing pioneers in the dedicated Offsite Masterclass programme:
Brian Alborough - Richard Hopkins Architects Joanne Booth - Lucideon Andrew Way - Steel Construction Institute (SCI) Peter Burchill - EOS David Ellison - Sigmat Robert Clark - Fusion Building Systems
For more information or to book your stand space, contact julie.williams@radar-communications.co.uk or call 01743 290042
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Internal Boarding: 2x 12.5mm Siniat Frameboard internally. 3
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Insulation: 100mm 45kg/m 3 Rock Mineral Wool.
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