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Elementary! Progress in structural steel is good news for architects by Robin Brunet O f late there has been noticeable attention paid to events such as NASCC: The Steel Conference in Toronto, which took place in March, or 2013's National Steel Day, hosted by the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC) – the latter of which attracted huge audiences as well as participants. Ongoing technological advances in fabrication and construction have made structural steel a hot topic. Plus, its applications seem limitless from both a functional and architectural point of view. Mel Grimes, president of M&G Steel Ltd., sums up the state of the industry: "Yes, structural steel is increasingly becoming more accepted as an architec- tural material – but not yet to the point where it's a major driver of capacity." As for work overall, Grimes notes that "some sectors are starting to come back: for example, a lot of shopping malls in Ontario are expand- ing their footprint and transit facilities are being built. It's not exactly boom times, but we're being kept busy." The importance of staying abreast of technologi- cal advances is keenly appreciated by fabricators, and M&G's Oakville plant contains equipment such as a CNC Python 5-axis robot, a CNC Plate Burning/Punch- ing table and a CNC Angle-Master Punch Line – which are vital in the firm's capability of producing in excess of 150 to 200 tons of custom-fabricated steel weekly. "BIM is also a part of our arsenal, so to speak," says Grimes. "Margins are tight in our sector, so you need as many advantages as possible." Capital Steel has advanced over the past few years to deploy automation process technology into steel fabrication. Ficep CNC systems purchased from Italy ensure tight tolerances, increased efficiency and unparalleled part tracking from raw plate to shipped assembly. Capital also uses a robotic total station in order to accurately lay out parts, and Canada's first laser mark- ing technology places Capitol's capabilities on par with world-class fabricators. Similarly, Empire Iron Work s Ltd. employs the latest in automated technolo- gies such as CNC machines and steel detail- ing software to fabricate steel components accurately, efficiently and at competitive costs. Empire pays equal attention to human capabilities: its welders are tested and tick- eted bi-annually to verify their skill level. From an end-user's perspective, the most exciting aspects of structural steel can sometimes be found on- site, and The Calgary Airport Authority's International Facilities Project ( IFP) is an excellent example. The $1.4-billion project, one of the most ambitious Cal- gary has ever seen, will more than double the size of the airport's terminal, adding 183,500 square metres of space. The new concourse will be primarily for international and U.S.-bound passengers and will ensure Calgary International Airport ( YYC) contin- ues to meet the needs of its ever-increasing passenger and cargo volumes. The IFP project design teams decided on the concept of long-span exposed trusses partly to maximize clear, free interior space and optimize installation. Sylvie Boulanger, VP, technical mar- keting for Supermétal, the firm responsible for the fabrication and installation of the triangulated steel trusses used in the IFP's check-in and departure halls, points out that figuring out how to position the trusses during fabrication, transport them from Quebec and then efficiently erect them was a major feat in itself. The segments comprising each truss were erected in a sequence of lifts with the help of a temporary tower. BIM was used for erection sequenc- ing and curtain wall clash detection and coordination; Supermétal ultimately erected 6,500 tons of structural steel, including 2,000 tons of architecturally exposed structural steel for the concourse. Essentially, the unique 30-metre, clear-span trian- gulated steel trusses, which are prominent throughout the check-in hall, are supported on Y-shaped columns, and in addition to supporting the roof they form a part of the lateral system as well. But why use steel? "The answer is multifaceted and has evolved over time. Some of the design team members from DIALOG, Read Jones Christoffersen and EllisDon cited a mix of rea- sons: need for flexibility, efficiency, reduced footprint, esthetic considerations, skylight integration, histori- cal and technical considerations," explains Boulanger. Lead photo: Supreme Group successfully fabricated and erected several storage bins, process mills and conveyor galleries at the PCS Rocanville West Expansion Project in Saskatchewan. Above: Construction of the International Facilities Project, Calgary International Airport (YYC), courtesy Supermétal. April 2014 /29 Structural Steel MORE THAN A PRETTY FAÇADE. Esteem Series in Cedar Benefit from the durability of an aluminum garage door while highlighting the classic beauty of any home with the Esteem Series in Cedar Woodgrain. With a low-maintenance finish that requires no staining or painting and won't warp, shrink, peel or crack, the perfect form has never been so functional. THE DOOR WITH MORE. p28-31_StructuralSteel.indd 29 14-04-02 4:51 PM