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An array of different sized trusses are needed to create the column-free spaces for Sunderland\u2019s Beacon of Light sports and education facility. Martin Cooper reports.<\/h4>\nAn array of different sized trusses are needed to create the column-free spaces for Sunderland\u2019s Beacon of Light sports and education facility. Martin Cooper reports.<\/h4>\nFACT FILE<\/strong> The Beacon is also the final project of the wider regeneration of the former Monkwearmouth colliery site. Other projects on the site, as well as Sunderland FC\u2019s stadium<\/a> have included a hotel<\/a> and an aquatics centre boasting a 50m competition pool.<\/p>\n Built over five-storeys and occupying 4.75 hectares, the Beacon is a large cube-shaped structure which will be illuminated at night. The upper areas will be clad with transparent polycarbonate cladding, light from within the structure will seep out creating a highly visible beacon [hence the name] on the city\u2019s landscape.<\/p>\n \u201cSteel has been chosen for the Beacon of Light to enhance the concept of a simple lightweight enclosure over a brick base. This is of particular importance within the polycarbonate enclosed football barn where the primary and secondary structural elements remain visible.\u201d<\/p>\n Here, connections<\/a> have been designed carefully to minimise visual impact and painted hot-rolled box elements have been used to create an unimposing support frame. The use of steel in the roof provides a strong but lightweight solution, maximising light penetration through the fabric covering creating a glowing beacon effect at night,\u201d says Paul Reed, Architect, FaulknerBrowns.<\/p>\n The Beacon of Light, pictured in foreground, with the aquatics centre and Sunderland FC\u2019s stadium behind. (Photo: David Allen)<\/p><\/div>\n The roof trusses spanning the football pitch<\/p><\/div>\n Temporary trestles support the roof trusses during installation<\/p><\/div>\n Trusses span the sports hall and support the football pitch above<\/p><\/div>\n At ground floor level the building will accommodate a large multi-use sports and performance hall, adjacent to which sits a four-level teaching and learning block. Above this, and topping the entire structure, is an indoor 4G football pitch.<\/p>\n \u201cStructural steelwork was the obvious choice and it is the only material that could form the building, particularly the trusses, cost-effectively and efficiently,\u201d says s h e d Director Marc Horn.<\/p>\n There are a lot of trusses in this structure! Working from top to bottom, the uppermost and longest trusses, at 60.5m-long, are the nine that form the Beacon\u2019s roof, creating the open column-free space for the third-storey football pitch.<\/p>\n They are fabricated<\/a> from structural hollow sections<\/a>, 150mm \u00d7 150mm \u00d7 10mm top boom and 200mm \u00d7 200mm \u00d7 8mm bottom boom. The top boom was pre-cambered for steelwork contractor Harry Marsh [Engineers] by specialist bending company Angle Ring.<\/p>\n The trusses are 4.1m-high and weigh 13t each. They needed to be brought to site in three pieces and were erected individually using Harry Marsh\u2019s on-site mobile tower crane (pictured above).<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a two-way spanning roof, as connecting the main trusses is a set of secondary trusses formed from secondary members,\u201d says Mr Horn. \u201cThis design<\/a> proved to be more efficient and lighter.\u201d<\/p>\n Because of this design, each truss, during erection<\/a>, was supported at third points by two temporary trestles. These had to stay in position until the entire series of nine roof trusses and their connecting steel members were in place, thereby making the entire structure stable.<\/p>\n The main structure of the Beacon is formed with UC section<\/a> columns up to the underside of the top floor. Above this point, a series of SHS vertical trusses, up to 4.8m high and measuring up to 21m in length, form the football pitch area\u2019s elevations and support the roof trusses.<\/p>\n Moving down the structure, another two series of trusses were required to create the column-free space for the multi-use sports and performance hall, as well as the areas that overlook it.<\/p>\n Spanning a distance of 34.7m and each weighing 13.7t, nine 4m-high trusses form the hall\u2019s roof and support approximately half of the floor for the football pitch above.<\/p>\n They were brought to site<\/a> in three sections, and then bolted up to form two larger pieces, consisting of one third and another two thirds element. Using two mobile cranes<\/a>, they were then lifted into place, with the final connection between the two pieces being completed while they were being supported by the cranes.<\/p>\n These trusses are supported at one end by the building\u2019s perimeter columns, and internally by another series of three spine trusses.<\/p>\n
\nBeacon of Light, Sunderland<\/strong>
\nMain client:<\/strong> Foundation of Light
\nArchitect:<\/strong> FaulknerBrowns Architects
\nMain contractor:<\/strong> Tolent Construction
\nStructural engineer:<\/strong> s h e d
\nSteelwork contractor:<\/strong> Harry Marsh [Engineers]
\nSteel tonnage:<\/strong> 880t<\/span>An education and sporting facility<\/a> with a difference is under construction in Sunderland. Known as the Beacon of Light and located adjacent to the city\u2019s famous Stadium of Light football ground, the centre is said to be the first of its kind in the UK and will include engaging and interactive zones for education, health and fitness, as well as sport.<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"http:\/\/www.newsteelconstruction.com\/wp\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/06\/Beacon2-1706.jpg\"){kind=tracking}
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