January 2006
Lattice Division
METSEC MAKES 35M SPAN LIGHTWEIGHT
LATTICE TRUSSES

Metsec has supplied 33 lightweight steel lattice trusses, each spanning 35m, for a new manufacturing plant for Milbank Floors in Norfolk.Spaced at 6m centres, the pitched trusses are 1100mm deep at the shallow end rising to 3000mm at the ridge to achieve a 6o slope to the roof. The trusses were supplied in three sections for bolting together on site and were fixed to 12m tall precast concrete columns, manufactured by Milbank, which provided the frame for the 7140m2 building at Brandon. The columns were cantilevered from the foundations to restrict sway and cope with the high vertical and horizontal stresses and wind loading imposed on them. The wall construction was precast concrete cladding panels, again manufactured by Milbank in an adjacent factory.

The lattice trusses were spaced at 6m centres with 4.5km of 172mm deep Metsec galvanised steel zed purlins bolted on top to support the roof covering.

Metsec trusses were specified for the project because of their long span capability, their light weight and quick delivery. The trusses, finished in a grey paint to 75 microns dry film thickness, were designed and detailed in-house, free of charge, by Metsec's team of engineers using the company's LatticeSPEC software. They were supplied in three phases to suit Milbank's erection sequence with the first delivery less than six weeks from order.

The new manufacturing facility will enable Milbank Floors to increase production of hollowcore precast concrete floor planks, plus precast stairs and landings.

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