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Structure A PR IL 2018 | 43 Structural Steel S tructural steel is the backbone of con- struction, and presumably the Trudeau government's commitment to spend billions of dollars on new bridges and other projects to upgrade Canada's infrastructure will keep steel manufacturers and designers busy for years to come. But is business overall in 2018 an improvement over past years, and if so, will the improvement continue? The frustrating answer seems to be, sort of. Statistics Canada forecasts a nearly three percent increase in Canada's gross domestic product this year, meaning the construction sector will grow accordingly – but Conference Board of Canada warns that there will be no return to the highs of 2013-14, when structural steel specialists were swamped with work coming from the oil and gas sector. As the largest privately owned steel construction company in Canada, and the largest steel fabricator in Western Canada and the American Northwest, Supreme Group has been involved in a huge diversity of projects, from helping recreate the historic Capitol Theatre in Edmonton and upgrading BC Place Stadium, to providing Suncor Energy with a floating barge system. Supreme Group VP Dean Arnal notes that the Canadian market "seems to be increasing in budget opportunities, which should translate into revenue in 2019 to 2020. But we're currently experiencing the nuances of the Trans Mountain pipeline, and Site C – which have either been cancelled or are being contested. A tremendous amount of investment is being withheld pending Canada determining its national strategy." Supreme Group is currently supplying steel for the Trans Mountain project and steel plus erection for Diversity Gardens, the final major phase of the redevelopment campaign to revitalize and rejuve- nate Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg. Promoting structural steel and dispelling mis- conceptions is still of paramount importance to associations like The Canadian Institute of Steel Construction (CISC), which, at a time when so much emphasis is being placed on wood as a preferable construction material, points to the ongoing recon- struction of Christchurch, New Zealand as proof of steel's structural supremacy. The CISC notes that "a resilient steel-framed city has been rebuilt after the Canterbury earthquakes of 2010-2011 destroyed Christchurch Central Business District," and that the decision to build with majority steel was based not only on structural performance but also fast erection times, the benefits of lighter structures to accommo- date poor soil conditions, and the low price of steel in comparison to previous years. The CISC is also touting NRC's recently released study that finds the claim of exposed wood and concrete buildings being the cheapest option compared to steel deeply flawed. Specifically, NRC details significant increased cost of structural connections, of the installation of HVAC and fire protection systems, increased time of erection, and many other factors that suggest steel should remain the material of choice, at least from an affordability viewpoint. Additionally, The CISC is promoting a host of recent projects to demonstrate that only steel can fulfill the complex structural requirements of architects and builders. One is the Queen Richmond Centre West project in Toronto consisting of three buildings organized around a large C-shaped atrium. Fabricators Walters Group Inc. and Cast Connex, along with structural engineering company Stephenson Engineering Limited, helped create custom-designed Mega Delta Frames that meet at the nodes and spring apart, creating three seamless, monolithic forms that give structural integrity and also contribute to the elegance of this building. As for infrastructure, The CISC uses the 143- metre Strandherd-Armstrong Bridge, located south of Ottawa, as an enduring example of how steel provides the strength and yet allows for a transparent design whereby the arches that rise to 21 metres above the roadway have an almost spider- like appearance. Hamilton-based Walters Group Inc. is a family- owned steel construction company that designs, fabricates, and constructs commercial and industrial projects throughout North America. The ability to provide vertically-integrated services "in-house" allows Walters to deliver a seamless experience and control every stage of a project. On March 8 of this year, Deloitte Canada recognized Walters Group for overall business performance and sustained growth with the prestigious Canada's Best Managed Companies designation for the third consecutive year. In conjunction with this level of national recognition, Walters is always seeking excellence, innovation and safety – and most recently, their penchant for innovation and safety was put to the test in December 2017 through their new Self Climbing Kokoon technology that was deployed for the first time on the 70-storey, mixed-use high-rise, the Manhattan West Northeast Tower. This tower is a key part of the Manhattan West Development, which requires Walters to supply and install 18,000 tons of structural steel. Metropolitan Walters, the integrated division of the Walters Group that offers installation and erection services to the New York City market, secured exclusive North American rights to use this new Self Climbing Kokoon technology. The Self Climbing Kokoon, developed by Italy-based demolition engineering firm Despe S.p.A., creates a curtain of steel that shields the active construction site from the elements. Demolition teams have used related technology before, but this cocoon is the first tool of its kind designed to be used during construction. Walters was instrumental in re-designing this technology to work from the ground up. "We firmly believe that worker safety and productivity go hand in hand," says David Pisacrita, CEO, Metropolitan Walters. "Walters Group makes it a point to be at the forefront of new technologies that enhance both these factors." Strategy And Structural steel continues to fulfill the complex structural requirements of architects and builders by ROBIN BRUNET Floating barge system fabricated for Suncor Energy by Supreme Group.

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