July 2007
Lattice Division
Metsec trusses selected for Block 78 Park Central

Metsec has strengthened its links with building systems manufacturer Structherm at a city centre development in Birmingham.

Its Lattice Joists Division produced and supplied tapered roof trusses to sit atop Structherm Fastbuild precast load bearing walls at a four-storey apartment block.

The two companies have already worked together at developer Crest Nicholson's Park Central scheme, which is one of the UK's largest city centre development projects.

As part of the Lattice Joist Division's free, in-house design service, Metsec designers - using StruCad 3D modelling software - worked closely with Gardner Stewart Architects to develop roof support steelwork ahead of producing the trusses and delivering them to the site.

This pre-production work also helped provide solutions for the V-shaped roof, which features a curved cantilever, and a complicated valley condition where the two roof sections join.

Metsec supplied around 530 square metres of roofing, comprising mostly 10.8m spans, tapering from 300mm deep to 1,625mm. The trusses were spaced at 3.435m to carry a metal, structural roof deck system, with approximately 1m long cantilever ends to the top and bottom of the slope.

The trusses were supplied painted, with cantilever feature steel supplied hot dipped galvanised.

Lattice Joist Division sales director Darren Bird said: "We're developing something of a partnership with Structherm, where it provides the shell, and we put the lid on it.

"That, coupled with the fact that we are able to produce and supply the required lightweight, long-span trusses, backed with a free design and detailing service, means that together we're able to give developers like Crest Nicholson exactly what they want."

Crest Nicholson is a leading developer of sustainable communities whose mission is to meet customers' expectations through the provision of environmentally sensitive and well-built developments.

Manufactured from high yield steel, Metsec's lightweight lattice joists and trusses offer a high strength to weight ratio, and their open web nature allows for the simple passage of services.
They are supplied finished with zinc phosphate primer as standard, with other finishes available on request.

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