Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/124234
130 Bloor Street: The placement of eight new residential storeys atop an existing 14-floor commercial building built in 1960. Photos courtesy Walters Group. the main two-storey podium, with promise for a shorter erection period (coupled with strong potential that heating and hoarding costs could be either eliminated or reduced dramatically due to the near 'dry' construction method), well-founded arguments had been made to change from the original plans for a full concrete structure," states an article by Timler in the fall 2012 issue of Advantage Steel, a publication of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC). To date, the use of steel-frame construction for residential construction, in general, has been quite limited in Canada. With a second project in Ontario this could change. "Girderslab construction has lots of positive attributes, but acceptance has been the biggest challenge to overcome. Now, with two built, it should have wider acceptance. We expect to do more girderslab projects in the next couple of years," Timler says. Part of the proprietary aspect of the system is the 30/ april 2013 p26-33Structural_Electrical.indd 30 integration of hollowcore and D beam, so steel-frame construction is key to the system, although alternate load-resisting systems, like concrete shear cores, can be used. "We have found that a better economy is achieved with an entire steel-frame structure. That's with elevator and stair cores framed in steel, so no poured concrete," says Timler. Another element that might promote the use of more structural steel comes from a design trend. "We're seeing more architecturally exposed steel," says Mark Visentin, general manager at Quest Steel Inc. Another esthetic twist has become a niche for George Third & Son Ltd. The company supplied and installed the structural steel for the speed skating oval. The design called for sixteen 328-foot composite steel and wood arched trusses. It was a fit for the company, as it had previous experience marrying wood with steel on several B.C. Transit Skytrain stations. "It was a most intricate and exciting job. The project used $2 million worth of wood and $11 million worth of steel," says Rob Third, vice president of operations at George Third. Despite innovations in the structural steel sector, and some resurgence of activity, senior management is keeping an eye on the overseas competition from Asia. "A lot of steel companies went out of business. Now, the government there is providing subsidies to get the industry going again," says Jim McLagan, senior VP of Canron Western Constructors LP. Sometimes, he suggests, governments here in Canada need to be made aware of the issue. After Rio Tinto, Alcan announced $3.3 billion of expansions at its Kitimat smelter, the company, along with Bechtel representatives, told listeners at an information session in June 2011 that fabrication would be done in China because of a lack of Canadian capacity. McLagan was appalled and wrote to senior B.C. government officials, including the premier, and noted that Canron was already supplying steel for projects that were larger and "significantly more complex." n Structural Steel 13-04-05 1:59 PM