Light gauge steel from the TRUECORE range by BlueScope steel helped meet the tight timeline as well as key project considerations for Smalls Road Primary School in Ryde, New South Wales.
Designed by Conrad Gargett and built by Richard Crookes Constructions, the school has a 200-metre-wide open-air courtyard in the centre, enclosed by flexible learning spaces, including a library and multipurpose sports facility.
While the original design called for 230 tonnes of hot-rolled structural steel on the upper level, the reworked design based on light gauge steel (LGS) eliminated almost 120 tonnes of steel from the build and shortened the project timeline for Austruss.
The majority of the LGS framing was first fabricated off-site, then assembled on site into large wall and roof modules, which were then craned into position.
Austruss’ managing director, Andrew Fowler, said, “At the same time as concrete slabs were being formed on site, in the area adjacent to the site we were assembling the roof trusses to be installed above that concrete structure.”
Safety was also a key consideration. “Being able to crane large, prefabricated framing sections into position improved our ability to manage safety concerns during frame installation,” stated Fowler.
“We use TRUECORE steel as we think it is the most reliable product in the marketplace, and the technical support and range of options available from BlueScope is unsurpassed.”
TRUECORE steel with Activate technology is an aluminium, zinc and magnesium alloy coated structural steel with a distinctive blue resin surface finish.
Frames made from TRUECORE steel won’t twist or warp over time, or catch fire. They’re also resistant to termites and borers.
Design versatility
Frames made from TRUECORE steel worked perfectly in creating the upper-level wall and roof modules for this circular design concept.
Efficiency and timeliness
The parallel assembly of the wall and roof modules at ground level, while the third-floor structure was being created, resulted in considerable time savings.
Precise engineering
Precisely engineered and prefabricated, the wall and roof modules made from TRUECORE steel endured the stresses of the crane lift to the third level of the build without issue. The lightweight framing was much easier to handle in comparison to steel structural beams.
Improved safety management
The decision to assemble the large, prefabricated truss sections at ground level and crane them into position improved the ability to manage the ‘working at height’ risk during this phase of the build.
