[ Construction ]
[ Construction ]
The project involved a 350-meter-long closed-frame construction with multiple conveyor belts inside . Photo : De Regt
All preliminary work was conducted off-site , with installation proceeding swiftly and just-in-time delivery playing a key role . Photo : De Regt and resistance to corrosion . Initially considering concrete , wood , and steel , the benefits of high-strength stainless steel became a focal point of discussion . “ In such an aggressive environment , corrosion resistance is crucial ,” says De Regt ’ s Project Manager Paz Boekhout . De Regt conducted several corrosion and welding tests since the different stainless steel grades would be used in the project .
Smart design The weight of an 18-meter-long hollow section posed a challenge during the design process . This led to discussions
Mike Hing and Paz Boekhout Photo : Stalatube about utilising Stalatube high-strength materials . Strategically using high-strength tubes where maximum yield strength and bending resistance are crucial , designers can calculate optimal lightweight structures . De Regt ’ s engineers decided to combine standard stainless steel tubes with high-strength stainless tubes . “ The entire 350-meter-long structure consists of 18-meter-long tubes , with one section weighing approximately 15 tonnes . To address the forces working in the longitudinal direction , several 6-meter-long truss frame supports were interspersed between the longer frame segments ,” explains Paz Boekhout . De Regt ordered stainless steel tubes in various dimensions . Stalatube lasercut the tailored tubes according to the customer ’ s specifications . The customer saved costs and reduced scrap during the manufacturing and installation phases using Stalatube , which provided exact lengths and customised tube connections .
Just-in-time delivery Keeping up with the project ’ s tight schedule was crucial , and any installation delays were unacceptable . The goal was to minimize disruptions to daily port operations , necessitating careful planning for the new conveyor system setup . Material orders were strategically timed and delivered following project other activities and installation schedules during the project . All preliminary work occurred off-site , and the installation had to proceed swiftly and according to plan . Consequently , just-in-time delivery played an important role .
“ Offsite , we prepared each part as ready as possible beforehand , ensuring efficient installation at the port . To minimize disruptions to daily operations , we did the installation of the new frames in a very short period ,” Paz Boekhout states . The installation of four 18-meter-long structures took approximately one week at the port . The engineers aimed to reduce connecting welds , as welding points are typically the weakest areas of a structure . De Regt ’ s engineers conducted welding tests to determine the optimal method , ultimately settling on MAG welding . “ Minimizing welded joints improves the overall strength . Welding points are inherently vulnerable ,” continues Paz Boekhout . Stalatube ’ s welding expert was also consulted , leading to the use of MAG welding after thorough testing .
Working together for the best possible outcome According to both Paz and Mike , the lightweight but high strength , corrosion resistance , and project support from Stalatube were the critical factors for the collaboration . “ No installation delays occurred although we faced some unexpected challenges along the way that were beyond our control . Together we could solve them all ,” says Mike Hing “ Together with our customer Verbrugge we see the benefits in the use of highstrength stainless steel instead of mild steel . It is a bigger investment initially but will last longer and pay off in the long run . Also , with the smart design , we could reduce the overall costs ,” concludes Paz Boekhout .
42 Stainless Steel World December 2024 www . stainless-steel-world . net