Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 2: Concept Design 2 - 13  Light s teel inf ill walls a nd partition s that a re in stalled rapid ly and can be prefabricated  Modular serviced units that may be installed with the steelwork package. Figure 2.2 Rapid, safe installation of steelwork and steel decking from a mobile erection platform speeds up the construction process 2.3 Long spans and service integration The integration of building services within the prim ary structure can be achieved by two methods:  Designing the structure to be of m inimum construction depth so that services pass beneath  Designing the structure with periodic openings or zones for integration of services within the structural depth. Long span construction is attractive because it eliminates the need for in ternal columns and makes the internal space more adaptable to a range of current and future uses. Spans of 12 m to 18 m are readily achiev ed by a variety of structural steel technologies. The minimum structural depth is achieve d by use of slim floor or integrated beams whic h have a m aximum s pan capability of around 9 m. Structura l systems which provide for service integration include:  Cellular beams with regular circular openings, as shown in Figure 1.3  Rolled or f abricated steel beams with periodic openings, often rectangular in shape, as shown in Figure 2.3  Trusses or other open shaped members.