Loadbearing cold-formed steel framework for mid-rise buildings which help deliver apartments cheaper, quicker and more environmentally friendly.
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That’s just one of the pioneering projects being undertaken at the ARC Research Hub for Australian Steel Manufacturing.
University of Wollongong researcher Dr Emma Heffernan will share her insights on the cutting-edge approach when she talks at the Uni in the Brewery event on Wednesday.
“The project is exploring the potential for using loadbearing cold-formed steel in mid-rise apartment buildings,” Dr Heffernan said.
“Loadbearing cold-formed steel is a construction framing material manufactured from cold-rolled and metallic coated steel coil.
“The panels, manufactured to order in a factory then transported to site, are light enough to be carried by two construction workers and can be assembled rapidly without the need for large cranes.
“This has the potential to reduce the amount of people and activities on site; improve the safety of workers; improve quality control; and reduce the likelihood of construction delay due to bad weather and other causes.”
Fellow UOW researchers Dan Yang and Dr Andrew Johnstone will also give presentations on projects that are very different, but which have the potential to deliver significant benefits to the Australian steel industry.
Ms Yang will discuss new anti-microbial coatings for steel surfaces that could radically improve the resistance of BlueScope’s COLORBOND products to “fouling” by fungal colonies, offering a key durability benefit over competitor products.
Dr Johnstone will highlight how his team’s collaborative research on the jet-stripping process on the metallic coating line may provide new insights for manufacturing superior coated steel products, more cost-effectively.
Uni in the Brewery runs 5.30-7.30pm on Wednesday, August 22 at the Illawarra Brewing Co, Montague Street, North Wollongong..