Steelwork fabrication

As with aluminium extrusions, so with pultruded fibre reinforced composite profiles. The limit to the size and complexity of these profiles suggests that a modular approach could be adopted towards forming alternative structural configurations from the basic or standard profile shapes by bonding together individual lengths. Composite materials lend themselves to being joined with resin adhesives because they are themselves formed with vinyl ester, polyester or epoxy resins. Cursory surface treatments only, such as mild abrasion, often suffice. 

The potential for adhesive bonding as a substitute for welding (or bolting) of steel structures is very large. In the short term, bonding 

A resulting improved fatigue detail arises through the avoidance of residual stresses, which can dominate the fatigue life of relatively thick section assemblies. In thinner section structures the consequence of these stresses is visible distortion, often requiring expensive finishing operations. 

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For the rest, even where reinforced concrete construction may at first appear to be a more economical option, it is usually avoided because of the relative difficulty of modifications and the increased quantity of site work steelwork fabrication can proceed in the shop while foundations are constructed. 

Sometimes the workshop detailing is carried out by the project steelwork design team or a separate sub-contractor, either because such a work breakdown is preferred or because the steelwork fabricator does... 

Often steelwork will initially be painted before final fabrication, and problems that may arise when maintenance painting becomes necessary may not... 

Noise requirements must be specifled at the inquiry stage as they can signiflcantly affect the design of the fabric element and steelwork. To achieve optimum noise reduction the joint and pillow must be manufactured from the highest density material available that will operate at the stated design conditions. The internal... 

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