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Steel hangar takes off for Kent airport expansion

Lydd151008London Ashford Airport at Lydd in Kent has completed the first part of its expansion programme with the opening of a new steel-framed hangar.

Working on behalf of Civils Contracting, REIDsteel erected 50t of structural steelwork for the 73m long x 29m wide structure.

Built alongside the airport’s existing hangars, the new structure was completed on schedule after a 19-week programme.

“Initial works included apron modifications, some earthmoving and then the installation of 800mm deep raft foundations,” said Civils Contracting Project Director Nick Weaver.

The preliminary works paved the way for REIDsteel to begin its steel erection programme, which was completed by one gang of erectors using two mobile cranes.

“The hangar has a slightly unusual design because it has sliding doors at either end; the majority of modern hangars only have doors at one end,” said REIDsteel Project Engineer Richard Hanson.

“So with little or no room for gable end bracing the best and most economic design solution was for a REIDsteel patented Archspan frame.”

As the doors are 20m-wide, there is room for a 4.5m braced bay located at both ends of the hangar beside the door openings.

The hangar doors are steel-framed measuring 5m wide by 5.7m high and once delivered to site, their tracks and guides were added before being lifted into place.

“Each door leaf opens into cantilever outriggers that allows both sets of sliding doors to open to the maximum 20m width,” explains Mr Hanson.

During the past decade London Ashford Airport [LAA] has spent £35M upgrading facilities, work that has included the installation of an instrument landing system, a new executive terminal with VIP facilities, improved passenger check-in and security, and a new departure lounge.

Now plans are afoot for further developments, primarily driven by a rise in demand for more business and general aviation facilities. This has led the Airport to start preparations for a runway extension and construct the new hangar.

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