Trade Centre tower rises in steel

The last building to collapse as a result of the September 11 attacks is the first to rise from the ashes of New York’s World Trade Centre. The main steel frame of the 52 storey, 158,000m² WTC7, which contains around 4000t of steel supplied by Corus, has topped out after a fast track construction programme.

The new primarily glass and steel structure, designed by David Childs of Skidmore Owings & Merrill, is the first of a projected nine buildings that will be erected on the site. The building which it replaces collapsed after the attack on the Twin Towers. New safety features include added load path redundancy for structural steel framing, durable fire proofing materials, reinforced concrete infill walls around the concrete core, and exit stairs 20% wider than US codes specify.

The main steelwork contractor was required to purchase half the steel from the US and sourced the rest from its long-standing supply partner Corus. Completion of the project is scheduled for 2006.