NSC 11
February 19
the columns, one crane was released and
the secondary trusses were fitted to provide
stability, before the main truss was released
by the second crane.”
When fully assembled, each of the trusses
weighed 21.5t and measured 2.8m-deep at
the eaves and 3.3m-deep at the apex. They
are all supported on 15m-high columns
spaced at 6m centres.
Mirroring the same column spacing, the
adjoining office block and mezzanine plant
deck are both constructed with a traditional
beam and column method. Both have upper
floors formed with steel beams supporting
precast planks.
While the office block steelwork was
being finished, two precast fire walls
were installed at both gable ends of the
production area in readiness for the portal
framed sheds to be built. The walls have
large openings in the middle to allow the
flow of products between the three parts of
the facility.
Both portals were erected in a similar
manner, with a pair of 60t-capacity mobile
cranes lifting one rafter each. The final
central splice was completed while the
cranes were still holding the rafters in
position.
For the smaller portal frame, the rafters
are 533 × 21UB sections in 14m-long
lengths, while 686 × 254UBs in 21m lengths
were used for the other portal.
The Dundalk Wasdell facility is due to be
handed over in summer 2019.
Industrial
A plant mezzanine runs
the entire length of the
rear elevation
Two portal frames
sit either end of the
building
48m-long trusses form
the production area
Photo courtesy of Grey Acre Surveying
/Trusses
/Floor_systems#Precast_units
/Construction#Mobile_cranes
/Construction#Mobile_cranes
/Steel_section_sizes