As technology marches on, many products that have been around for years take on new applications, attain new properties and are viewed in a new light.
Universal beams are no exception to this rule and one company that is ensuring that every last benefit that can be gained from this vital building component is ASD Westok, the inventor and global patent holder of cellular beams.
A cellular beam is the modern version of the traditional ‘castellated’ beam, and solves the thorny problem of a beam that is approximately 40-60% deeper than its parent section. In fact, the exact finished depth, cell diameter and cell spacing of a cellular beam are very flexible, as well as being up to 2.5 times stronger than its parent section.
The company also manufacture USFBs (Ultra Shallow Floor Beams), which combine the concrete slab within the depth of the steel beam in order to create extremely shallow or slim floor construction. There is no ‘standard’ beam size or depth. Each USFB design is carried out to achieve the EXACT depth specified by the Engineer or client. To date beams as low as 165mm have been used, though the typical range requested is between 190mm to 350mm.These beams comprise pronouncedly asymmetric cellular tees, to provide a wide bearing for either pre-cast units or a profiled metal deck, and are available from ex-stock steel. There is no minimum order quantity either. USFBs can be pre-cambered without cost or impact on lead-time.
It will come as no surprise, therefore, that ASD Westok is enjoying tremendous success and seeing lots of growth from not only the construction sector but other, new sectors too. And all of this in the eye of the storm: the worst recession the world has seen since … well … ever!
Ongoing Investment
ASD Westok first opened its doors for business in 1985 and, as a member of the British Constructional Steelwork Association (B.C.S.A) and The Steel Construction Institute (S.C.I), provides clients with high quality workmanship, unique products and fast, knowledgeable and friendly customer service. In conjunction with the SCI, ASD Westok continues to develop the company’s own structural engineering design software, to both current British codes and the new Eurocodes. And this goes a long way to explaining why the company wins much of its work through repeat business and recommendation.
Of course, with success comes challenges, and ASD Westok’s latest challenge has been moving its entire operation into a new state-of-the-art facility. I admit that ‘state-of-the-art’ is a term that is wildly overused, but in this instance it just happens to be true. For ASD Westok has moved into what is effectively a purpose-built factory: a converted building that is now specified for use of purpose and provides the company with more capacity, an extended range of stock, a better and more efficient layout, and a considerable amount of new equipment. The result will be improved lead times, giving clients an even better service, which is something that the company works on every single day. It is committed to exceeding expectations.
The move – ASD Westok is now based in Leeds – was carried out over three weekends in three phases, and is part of a five-year investment that also encompasses IT and people.
As can be clearly seen, although in the depths of an economic crisis, where others see endless distances, ASD Westok see endless potential, because it understands that when it dreams it, it can do it. This thinking drives the company to give better value, on-time delivery and solid investment opportunities.
A Solution for Every Challenge
With 26 years of experience under its belt, ASD Westok has chalked up a strong list of iconic and prestigious projects in which its products have played an important role. At Snow Hill in Birmingham, for instance, a 14-storey design and build office building was erected that utilised 588 x 140 x 39kg/m secondary beams. These floor beams were pre-cambered 15mm as part of ASD Westok’s manufacturing process, at no cost.
At Salford University, large elongated openings required mid span in all floors beams. These opening were again free of charge, whilst at Wm Morrisons HQ in Bradford the client required that all primary and secondary beams were EXACTLY 600mm deep. The secondary beams were ex-457x152x52kg/m, with a 10mm pre camber. The primary beams were simply 610x229x101kg/m UB with profiled cells.
Other high profile projects that have required ASD Westok’s unique floor beams have included the National Assembly for Wales, Sir John Rogersons Quay in Dublin, City Point Leeds, Cannon Point Maidenhead, and Preston Royal Infirmary.
Another field of expertise is car parks, because with 16 metre spans under car park loadings a cellular beam is an extremely efficient structural member. In addition to its lighter weight, a cellular beam provides three significant benefits in car park construction:
Pre-Cambers
Cellular beams can be pre-cambered at no cost during production to offset a proportion of the dead-load deflection. Large cambers allow the natural drainage of surface water and eliminate the need for additional screed.
Appearance and Personal Security
Light and Airy Interior
The large web openings provide a light and airy interior to improve personal security, increasingly demanded by clients for modern parking areas.
Smoke Ventilation
The regular web openings accelerate smoke dispersion compared to solid-web beams, and can avoid the need to use a forced ventilation system.
The majority of car parks in the UK utilise a 16m span. However, cellular beams are also extremely economical at considerably longer spans. The longest span supplied by ASD Westok for a UK car park to date is 28m. In the USA such long spans are commonplace. Car parks completed in the UK include the IKEA Car Park in Leeds, Sainsburys Car Park in Clapham, St. Andrew’s Car Park in Norwich, and Newry Buttercrane Car Park.
A rapidly growing area of use for cellular floor beams is in hospital construction. The beams provide clear spans and massive flexibility for service integration within any floor depth specified by the client. For operating theatres there is also a requirement for very a high quality dynamic response. Composite asymmetric cellular beams have the ideal weight distribution to achieve such a response.
ASD Westok and the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) have physically tested clear-span hospital floors built using cellular beams. In all tests the Measured Response Factors surpassed the HTM2045 requirement of R = 1, suitable for operating theatres. Moreover, the clear-span floors tested performed better than short-span frames tested elsewhere.
A growing number of sports stadia also enjoy the benefit of ASD Westok’s expertise. Indeed, the structural efficiency and economy of cellular roof beams in clear span structures makes them eminently suitable for use in sports facilities. The beams are lighter than plain beams and much less costly than lattice beams.
Cellular beams have been used in many of the stadia developed in the UK since the early 1990’s. Whether for massive spans in major stadia such as the revolutionary Galpharm Stadium in Huddersfield, at Chelsea FC and the KC Stadium in Hull, or in smaller stadia such as Burton Albion FC and The Stoop at Harlequins RFC, cellular beams were chosen for their economy, appearance, or in most cases, both. These are usually formed using tapered cellular beams, and extreme cantilevers can be achieved with lightweight and economical designs.
Straight roofs, tapered roofs, curved roofs and columns all reside within ASD Westok’s portfolio, with examples to be seen Audi Newport (straight roof), South Mimms Services on the M25 (curved roof), Doncaster Racecourse (tapered roof), and columns (Porsche Liverpool).
Bridges and scrapers are within ASD Westok’s brief too, with a large and growing proportion of all such structures in the water treatment industry being designed using cellular beams.
Large spanning foot bridge construction over 15m is much more cost-effective using cellular beams, rather than labour-intensive lattice construction or heavy standard rolled sections. Furthermore, cellular beam bridges give increased values for deflection against weight, and are more aesthetically pleasing than a plain beam, channel or lattice. Beam depths in 1mm increments are possible, giving the designer more design flexibility over standard rolled beams.
The People Make the Difference
As with every successful company, of course, ASD Westok’s greatest asset is its workforce: a team of 80 highly skilled, qualified and motivated people.
The company’s management is comprised of a self-motivated and vibrant team of passionate individuals. Naturally, it takes more than merely a fine manager to guide such a business. It takes dedicated leaders with enormous vision for the future, as well as an enthusiastic and skilled workforce. The company has worked hard to make sure that its management has keen business sensibilities with a strong foundation in service.
ASD Westok believes in employing a strong team with diverse capabilities that cover every aspect of its industry. Employees are valued for their commitment and performance and are offered opportunities for advancement, allowing them to develop and enhance their skills and capabilities. Every employee takes an active part in realising the vision and objectives of the company.
With new product lines in development and a positive, problem solving attitude in all aspects of its business, ASD Westok is looking to the future with genuine optimism. Close relationships with customers give the company an insight into the changing needs of each market and they encourage clients to present new challenges and opportunities. Service levels are key to these close relationships, with customers experiencing a total support network for each project from inception to completion.
Its growth over the years can be largely attributed to its ethical way of doing business and the persistent hard work of a committed and dedicated team. The company has become the leading name for reliability and excellence in service, with fast network response times and competitive pricing. Topping it all, the cooperation and long term business relationships extended by customers and suppliers, right across the UK and further afield has given ASD Westok a deserved reputation for solid growth and achievement in all areas of the business.
ASD Westok has worked hard to win its reputation. It works just as hard to keep it. To find out more, visit www.asdwestok.co.uk.
ASD Westok Ltd.
Valley Farm Way, Stourton, Leeds LS10 1SE
T: 0113 205 5270 F: 0113 205 5271
