Stars + Steel: OCAD

Construction and Erection: Beginning the Main Trusses

The trusswork for the table top expanded incrementally from the initial pieces that were erected and connected to the corner pieces of the concrete core. The initial short segments simply cantilevered from the core without any other shoring or support.

Images: PCL Constructors

The table top elements are connected to the steel connecting pieces that have been embedded in the concrete core.

 

The first steel truss members that are attached are relatively short as they need to be able to be self supporting in this cantilever position until they are integrated into the larger truss system. Normally truss elements are not subjected to bending loads.

 

One of the larger truss members on the ground and being attached to the crane for lifting. This element is fairly symmetrical so the lifting point is approximately in the centre.

 

The ironworkers prepare the truss for lifting. There will be a team on the ground to attach the member to the crane and another team up on the building to accept the element and provide its initial bolting into position.

 

As you can see here there are two lifting points on the truss chord to ensure that the element is stable when being lifted by the crane into position. The ironworkers help to guide the piece via ropes that are attached to the member.

 

A clearer view of the piece enroute to the core.

 

The ironworker accepts and guides the piece into position.

 

The pieces are secured into position via bolting so that the crane can be released and put back to work. Not all bolts need to be completed prior to crane release. Another team of ironworkers will follow behind inserting and completing the bolting.