Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel

This book provides the means for a better control and purposeful consideration of the design of Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS). It deploys a detailed categorization of AESS and its uses according to design context, building typology and visual exposure. In a rare combination, this approach makes high quality benchmarks compatible with economies in terms of material use, fabrication methods, workforce and cost. Building with exposed steel has become more and more popular worldwide, also as advances in fire safety technology have permitted its use for building tasks under stringent fire regulations. On her background of long standing as a teacher in architectural steel design affiliated with many institutions, the author ranks among the world‘s best scholars on this topic. Among the fields covered by the extensive approach of this book are the characteristics of the various categories of AESS, the interrelatedness of design, fabrication and erection of the steel structures, issues of coating and protection (including corrosion and fire protection), special materials like weathering steel and stainless steel, the member choices and a connection design checklist. The description draws on many international examples from advanced contemporary architecture, all visited and photographed by the author, among which figure buildings like the Amgen Helix Bridge in Seattle, the Shard Observation Level in London, the New York Times Building and the Arganquela Footbridge.

This book provides the means for a better control and purposeful consideration of the design of Architecturally Exposed Structural Steel (AESS). It deploys a detailed categorization of AESS and its uses according to design context, building typology and visual exposure. In a rare combination, this approach makes high quality benchmarks compatible with economies in terms of material use, fabrication methods, workforce and cost. Building with exposed steel has become more and more popular worldwide, also as advances in fire safety technology have permitted its use for building tasks under stringent fire regulations. On her background of long standing as a teacher in architectural steel design affiliated with many institutions, the author ranks among the world's best scholars on this topic. Among the fields covered by the extensive approach of this book are the characteristics of the various categories of AESS, the interrelatedness of design, fabrication and erection of the steel structures, issues of coating and protection (including corrosion and fire protection), special materials like weathering steel and stainless steel, the member choices and a connection design checklist. The description draws on many international examples from advanced contemporary architecture, all visited and photographed by the author, among which figure buildings like the Amgen Helix Bridge in Seattle, the Shard Observation Level in London, the New York Times Building and the Arganquela Footbridge.

Understanding Steel Design' is a comprehensive and highly visual manual on the fundamentals of designing and constructing with steel, based on the analysis of hundreds of steel buildings. The basis of the idea behind this book lies in a firm belief in the benefits of recognizing the intrinsic connection between the characteristics of materials and the design of buildings. The broad spectrum of case studies provides systematic instruction in established and specialized construction methods and in combining techniques to develop new solutions in steel construction.

Diagrids are load-bearing structures made of steel diagonal grids. They were first used in the great buildings of the turn of the millennium, such as the Swiss Re Tower in London (“The Gherkin”) and the Hearst Magazine Tower in New York City. Dagrids owe their ensuing popularity not only to their stunning aesthetic value, but also to their very tangible benefits: lateral loading capacity, a massive saving of material, a significant gain in open, usable floor area, and increased flexibility. At its opening in 2014, the Leadenhall Building in London will be the first skyscraper without a bearing inner core—thanks to a diagrid structure. This book explains comprehensively for the first time all of the aspects involved in this new bearing structure. The author, experienced in teaching, research, and practice (recent publication: Understanding Steel Design. An Architectural Design Manual, 2011), has tracked the development of this technology from its beginnings and employs photographic documentation of the construction phases of many diagrid structures.

Architecturally exposed structural steel, AESS, is a unique member designation used in contract documents to describe steel members designed according to stringent provisions as to be completely exposed in close proximity to the human eye after the structure is completed, rather than concealed from view. These members are often used to convey architectural art or expression, and have a distinctive beauty that attracts the eye. The requirements for AESS members are much more stringent than those for typical structural steel members, and therefore is more controversial as to whether it is worth the extra attention it requires. The purpose of this report is to examine the design, detailing, fabrication and execution of architecturally exposed structural steel. This is done by examining what contributes to each of these stages from design to field erection. Much of this report is based on guides and sample specification by various sources, including the Structural Engineers Association of Colorado (SEAC), Rocky Mountain Steel Construction Association (RMSCA), and the AISC 303-10 Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (American Institute of Steel Construction Committee on the Code of Standard Practice, 2010) in addition to other sources. The conglomeration and in-depth review of this information provides the Structural Engineer, Architect, Fabricator and Owner an enhanced understanding and knowledge of AESS, as to make better decisions throughout its use.

Understanding Steel Design is based on an overall approach to understand how to design and build with steel from the perspective of its architectural applications. Steel is a material whose qualities have enormous potential for the creation of dynamic architecture. In an innovative approach to the reality of working with steel, the book takes a new look both at the state of tried-and-tested techniques and at emerging projects. Hundreds of steel structures have been observed, analyzed and appraised for this book. In-depth construction photographs by the author are complemented by technical illustrations created to look more closely at systems and details. Drawings supplied by fabricators allow greater insight into a method of working with current digital drawing tools.

A design guide to the detailing of exposed steelwork in buildings. Written specifically for architects, this guide offers technical guidance, general principles as well as examples of best practice.

Complexity in architecture, construction and material manipulation is constantly increasing due to our present ability to design, calculate and fabricate an extending range of geometric shapes and systems. This volume addresses the design of complexity in the planning, fabrication and construction of steel structures based on non-orthogonal geometries: curved and chaotic geometries, poly-diagrid systems, lattice-grid structures and others. Topical photographs by the author on a wide range of international projects present innovative methods and techniques, providing an excellent understanding of the possibilities and requirements of complex steel structures.