Openings and attachments

Openings

Service penetrations, doors and windows all require openings to be created in Bi-Steel panels.  Openings are made by cutting appropriately located and sized holes through the Bi-Steel panel prior to concrete filling.  These holes provide an escape route for concrete during the subsequent filling operation.  The opening must therefore be lined.  Several solutions have been developed:

• Steel plate lining welded into position.  This is required where an opening needs reinforcement.
• Cold rolled channel slotted into the gap and either bolted, adhesively bonded or welded.

Attachments

During building fit out it is usually necessary to make a number of attachments to Bi-Steel elements, e.g., for attaching lift rail, studding, cladding and doors. 

A number of standard techniques are available, including welding (a tack weld is equivalent in strength to several nails), self-drill/self-tap screws, Hilti nails and bonding (e.g., for a plasterboard lining).  The system used depends on the item to be attached.

In addition to attachments, Bi-Steel can also be designed to accommodate other construction items such as precast concrete stairs.