SCI have recently completed a design program for Kiernan Structural Steel Ltd, covering fabricated girders with sinusoidal beam webs. The sinusoidal profile stiffens the web, meaning thinner material can be used, reducing the weight of the section. Design rules are given in Annex D of BS EN 1993-1-5, which identifies the flanges to carry the bending moment and any axial force, and the web to carry the shear. Lateral torsional buckling between restraints uses the simplified rules in BS EN 1993-1-1 clause 6.3.2.4. Both bending deflection and shear deflection are calculated by the software and compared with user-defined limits.

The beam itself may be tapered or of uniform depth, with the opportunity to apply UDLs, point loads, end moments and axial forces. Restraints may be added to either flange independently, or a fully restrained flange specified. The individual components of the beam may be verified separately, or the lightest weight flanges and web automatically selected.

The software has been written to accommodate design to the UK National Annex or the Irish National Annex. For use elsewhere, users can define their own values of the key variables used in design.

The Sinbeam design software may be downloaded from www.sinbeamsteel.com/downloads

Graham Couchman was one of the speakers at the WorldSteel Construction Conference held in London on 17th and 18th April. Within the session on ‘building frame selection - design, programme and building performance, Graham presented the very diverse examples of composite construction and modular light steel construction. He noted how these very different steel frame solutions offer benefits during construction and in-service. He also noted that steel will in the future offer further 'post-life' benefits because steel solutions facilitate deconstruction. Given the international nature of the audience Graham was keen to point out that some apparently minor aspects of design and construction can make a big difference in terms of the competitiveness of steel.

Taking composite construction as an example, he pointed out that through deck welding (which is not accepted in some European countries) is a key to rapid construction and the efficiency of the decking, and that the UK practice of designing beams as simply supported (even when the slab is continuous) allows the use of steelwork joints that are simple to design, fabricate and erect. Understanding such subtleties will be important if other European markets are to achieve their aim of being able to emulate the UK,s very good market share for steel.

SCI are offering two new short courses, each of four hour duration, covering important aspects of steel design and loading.

Straight to the Point in Eurocode Design. This course focusses on fast, practical design using the Blue Book, with only a minimal reference to background theory. The course is aimed at designers of orthodox structures where the resistance tables are the preferred way of selecting members. Read More.

Each delegate will receive a personal copy of The Blue Book - Steel building design: Design data "Eurocode Blue Book" (P363) and the Concise Guide - Steel building design: Concise Eurocodes (P362).

Wind actions and Snow loads to BS EN 1991. This course covers the determination of wind actions and snow loads in accordance with the Eurocodes and the UK National Annexes. The presentation on wind actions will cover the recommended approach of considering quadrants around the site for hand calculations, and highlight the significant changes from BS 6399. Snow loading is straightforward, so the presentation will cover the drifted snow arrangements and the provisions of the UK National Annex. Read More.

Delegates will receive a copy of P394, which covers the calculation of wind actions.

View the SCI training calendar for more information and to register.

Steel Hybrid Onshore Wind Towers Installed with Minimal Effort Thursday 28th June, London

This 1-day event will disseminate the results of a 3 year EU-RFCS research project 'SHOWTIME', that investigated an economical solution for tall onshore wind towers based on a hybrid design comprising a steel lattice lower part and a steel tubular upper part. More information and to register.

Resistance of beams & columns in fire: Worked examples to the Eurocodes (P403) Two substantial worked examples form the content of this publication. A two storey structure with non-composite beams and a modest minimum fire resistance period of 30 minutes, and a seven storey structure with composite beams and a more onerous minimum fire resistance period of 90 minutes.

Design of Steel portal frame buildings to Eurocode 3 (P399) This publication deals with portal frames with more than one bay, 'hit and miss' frames, plastic analysis and design as well as elastic. It deals with issues which are not covered by BS EN 1993-1-1 on elastic checks on haunches.

Wind actions to BS EN 1919-1-4 (P394) This guidance has been prepared to assist structural engineers with the evaluation of wind actions for buildings in the UK in accordance with the provisions of BS EN 1991-1-4, it's UK National Annex and PD 6688 1-4.

Ricardo Pimentel

Ricardo has a Master in Civil Engineering, specifically in structural mechanics, and a Master of Science in Steel and Composite Structures, both from University of Coimbra. His master,s dissertations were about steel-concrete composite structures, providing him an extensive knowledge about the subject. Before joining SCI, Ricardo worked in a steelwork contractor and, after that, in a structural design office. In those working experiences, he had the opportunity to be involved, among other topics, with steel buildings and equipment, steel-concrete composite buildings, steel and steel-concrete composite bridges as well as with offshore steel equipment.

SCI would like to welcome new members;

Successful Dissemination Day

Caunton, in partnership with The Steel Construction Institute drew to a close an eighteen month, £1.2m, Innovate UK funded R&D project with a highly successful dissemination day.

The project focused on the development of Glasgow based Modular Walling Systems, patented Steelbrick. The challenge was to take it from a concept to a deliverable product that satisfied both the Eurocodes and AISC N690.

Steelbricks is a new steel walling system that can radically alter the way numerous projects are built, in particular key aspects of nuclear power stations. While the primary focus is the nuclear industry throughout the eighteen month programme the team met with numerous organisations as part of an on-going dissemination and feedback programme.

Are your company vehicles fit for purpose?

A Dorset metal decking company whose vehicles cover more than 550,000 miles a year is at the forefront of moves to make roads and transportation safer for construction workers.

SMD Ltd, of Poole, has implemented a number of operational directives for its employees and is urging the construction industry as a whole to follow suit.

This follows the company,s strenuous efforts to improve safety on often hazardous building sites by requiring site operatives working away from home to stay in hotels rather than driving long distances.

Now SMD, the company known for shaping Britain,s skyline, is leading by example by taking every possible precaution to ensure its employees do not become road accident statistics.

The company,s 34 Renault vans covered a total of 551,447 miles in 2016 transporting staff and materials around the UK. Twenty-five new vehicles have been added to the fleet this year.

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