Metsec enhances lattice beam design for composite floors

“A new lattice beam from Metsec designed specifically to support poured concrete floors brings four major benefits.”

Full Article

The latest innovation from Metsec is a new lattice floor beam designed specifically for composite floor construction which brings four major benefits. The new Composite Lattice Beam from Metsec’s Lattice Beams Division is manufactured off site with pre-welded shear connector plates that eliminate the need to stud weld on site. One hour fire protection is provided by just one coat of factory applied intumescent paint. Longer column free spans are possible with a standard open web configuration providing a flexible uninterrupted route for M&E services.

Adrian Bellingham, Lattice Beams Division Sales Director, says the Composite Lattice Beam has been developed in conjunction with international structural engineers Buro Happold and engineers from the University of Sheffield using Vulcan fire analysis software along with a full fire test at the Bodycote Warrington fire testing centre which achieved a full 1 hour fire certification.

Lighter than alternative long span hot rolled beams, the Composite Lattice Beam with its unique cold rolled top chord member with integral off site pre-welded shear connector plates eliminates hot works created by on-site stud welding.

Taking advantage of new manufacturing processes for trapezoidal metal decking that enable a closed end to be formed during the roll forming process, this innovative feature eliminates the need for end caps to be installed on site. This feature in conjunction with the increased spanning capability of modern decks and lower concrete usage all add up to a value engineered solution with significant programme savings.

Like all of Metsec’s lattice beams, joists and trusses, the new composite beam is a bespoke design to suit the customer’s requirements. Whilst the standard open web configuration provides unprecedented flexibility for the routing of M&E services including the ability to cross over services within the depth of the beam, bespoke oversized rectangular openings can be designed to offer even more flexibility, maintaining minimum floor zones to maximise floor to ceiling heights or reduce the overall height of the building.

Metsec’s Free Design Service offers Architects and Consulting Engineers the facility to forward scheme drawings, together with any design parameters, for review by Metsec’s dedicated team of engineers and specialist 3D draughtsmen who will offer a full set of calculations and details to support the design of the composite beam and steel floor decking system. Structural layouts and sections to assist the site team along with full fabrication drawings are produced at no charge to the customer.

Metsec plc has been established for over 75 years and is the UK’s largest cold roll-forming company providing structural steel components for the UK construction and manufacturing industries. The Structures division, based in Oldbury in the West Midlands, produces a wide range of building shell and mezzanine floor systems, long-span lattice beams and trusses as well as light gauge framing systems including site fixed infill panels or standalone Metframe superstructures currently up to nine storeys high.

Contact us on 0121 601 6000
Email us at lattice@metsec.com