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 Bi-Steel panels are the basis of all Bi-Steel structures. A panel consists of two face plates that are permanently connected together by an array of transverse bar connectors. | |
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Standard faceplate material: S355JR to BS EN 10 025:1993 (equivalent to Grade 50B to BS 4360:1986). Bar connectors: 080A15 to BS 970: Part 1:1991 Other grades of structural steel may be used. The panels are manufactured using high quality friction welding to connect the transverse bars at either end to the plates. | |||||
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The basic steel shell of a Bi-Steel panel has only a proportion of the strength and stiffness of a panel filled with a structural grade of concrete. The addition of concrete changes the behaviour of the steel shell to a structural composite – similar to reinforced concrete. For ease of handling, concrete is normally placed within the panels after panel erection has begun on site. During the placement of concrete, the steel facing plates act as load bearing formwork. This enables high concreting pressures to be sustained during construction. When the faceplates connect to one another and the concrete core, the entire section behaves as a single component rather than individual elements. The steel faceplates provide resistance to in-plane and bending forces whilst the concrete provides resistance to compressive and shear forces. The bar connectors are multi-functioning and provide shear reinforcement to the concrete core; they carry longitudinal shear flow between the faceplates and the concrete core, prevent faceplate buckling and provide and permanent tie between front and rear plates. The concrete helps stabilise the faceplates and provides a mechanism for shear transfer. Bi-Steel has the advantages that the faceplates provide a significant area of steel reinforcement (8mm plate equivalent to T32 bars @130 centres) and are in the optimal position to maximise moment resistance. Bi-Steel panels behave in a ductile manner - this ductility that makes Bi-Steel a natural choice for blast resistant structures. Further information is given the Bi-Steel Design and Construction Guide. | |||||
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