Advanced Construction Technology By Professor Chris Gorse & Ian Dickinson – licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution – Non- Commercial – Share Alike License

Erection of skeleton frame Chris Gorse and Ian Dickinson These slides should be read in conjunction with Emmitt, S. and Gorse, C. (2010) Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings. Oxford, Blackwell Publishing

Erection of skeleton frame

1. Structural members are positioned ready to be craned into position. Foundations and holding down bolts are ready to receive columns

2. Structural members lifted and bolted in position

3. Crane lifts beam and the steelfixers work on cheerypickers – Mobile Elevated Working Platforms (MEWPs) to secure the frame

Beam is fixed to column

Podger (spanner with pointed end) is used to line up bolt holes for the bolts.

4. The construction of the frame starts at one end of the site and works out

Crane holds the beam while it is located and bolted in position

5. Crane holds the beam while it is located and bolted in position

Skeleton frames and core structures The skeleton frame can also makes use of the concrete core that forms the lift shaft The lift shaft adds extra stability to the skeleton frame

Task Produce a logical schedule of the activities required to erect a steel frame.

Model Answer for Task (Steel Frame Erection) Produce a level hard standing for cranes, lorries and other lifting equipment to safely access the site and erect the frame. Check the level of concrete bases and position of holding down bolts. Place necessary packing shims to ensure the column bases are all at the same level. Work out from the most inaccessible area of the site ensuring that equipment is not trapped on site.

Lift the columns into position and while secured by the crane fix to holding down bolts. Once a bay or line of columns have been erected the beams can be lifted into position. The beams can be bolted into place with workers access in the connection on MEWP (cherry pickers). While elevated all workers should be wearing restraining harnesses.

Once the beams and columns are connected they should be checked for line and level. The process should be repeated until the whole frame is erected. The frame should be checked for line and level and finally adjusted with racking props and pulleys. Once in position the bolts to the columns should be grouted in.

Further information supporting these slides can be found in the following publication and websites. Emmitt, S. and Gorse, C. (2010) Barry’s Introduction to Construction of Buildings. Oxford, Blackwell Publishing Emmitt, S. and Gorse, C. (2010) Barry’s Advanced Construction of Buildings. Oxford, Blackwell Publishing Virtual Site (2010) Virtual Site at Leeds Met University Virtual Site Gallery (2010) Virtual Site Gallery at Leeds Met University