5. Utility

5.1 Column-free space

Owners and users of today's offices, retail spaces and even open-plan living for homes and apartments desire column-free spaces. Steel's inherent high strength-to-weight ratio makes long spans and column-free spacing a natural outcome. Issues to consider:

• Material selection.
• Column design, depth, width, steel thickness.
• Mechanical and engineering services.
• Primary and secondary beams.
• Joining and connections.
• Fire protection.

5.2 Acoustics

Vibration, noise transfer and acoustic design are all issues in designing modern buildings. Local building codes and planning requirements will dictate the specific design requirements. If vibration or noise transfer or control is a design feature, then some of the following issues need to be considered.

Vibration can be controlled via...

• Use of mass to absorb vibration. But this often defeats other design criteria, like having light elegant structures, and sustainable arguments, like reduced material use and energy efficiency.
• Use of Vibration dampeners  These can be used at joints or vibration transfer areas to absorb vibration and reduce resonance transfer.
• Use of vibration relievers  In designs using light-gauge steel framing, vibration can be relieved by the use of leaf springs, rollformed dimpled surfaces or  mechanical devices that allow the vibration to convert into physical energy or movement within the structure..

Noise can come from either external or internal sources...

• Control at source - It is best to control noise at its source, to ensure the optimum treatment. This can be done by buying service equipment that generates low ambient noise levels or by installing noise absorbent or control chambers around noise sources.
• Insulation - If noise is transferred from external sources or generated within the building by people density or equipment, then the use of insulation can provide quiet areas. For this solution to be effective, all air gaps must be closed to prevent noise transfer.
• Noise reflection - In other areas the use of angled walls and ceiling panels can effectively control noise by directing it to less important areas. The same science is used in theatre acoustics control to optimise the audience's listening pleasure.
• Noise absorption - In other circumstances the use of perforated steel sheets backed with noise absorbent materials can significantly reduce noise levels

If in doubt, please seek the services of an acoustics engineer who can offer the most effective solutions for your design needs.

5.3 Spatial Freedom

Steel's natural strength-to-weight ratio provides architects and designers unique freedom with very competitive solutions. Shapes and contours, wide open spaces and moveable internal walls and partitions can be utilised in the design to provide living and working spaces that can be infinitely varied to meet any building requirement.

Once the strong external steel structure is complete, internal walls can be fitted as non-load bearing walls that allow for continued redeployment and development over the buildings life.  This enables new flexibility to meet the worlds rapidly changing needs.

5.4 Architectural freedom with shapes and contours

As steel can be bent and shaped readily and is easily cut and joined, it offers designers unique opportunities to create shapes and contours that would not otherwise be possible with other materials. Steel offers infinite design freedom that allows the creative visions of architects and designers to be fulfilled. The best results are always achieved by working in collaboration with your local suppliers to derive the most competitive solutions.

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