A special jury prize was presented at the Équerre d'argent 2019 awards in Paris on 25 November. The prize was awarded for the Simonne-Mathieu tennis court designed by architect Marc Mimram in the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. Gearing up for the 2020 French Open, works are being carried out at the Roland Garros Stadium, including a retractable roof built with ArcelorMittal crane rails.

The competition

It was a jury chaired by the architect Paul Chemetov and composed of previous winners of the awards that the nominees of the Équerre d'argent 2019 had to convince. Twenty achievements were in contention, and the selection was made by the editors of Moniteur and AMC from some 220 applications divided into four categories: Structures; Culture, Youth & Sport; Activities; and Habitat.

Winners

The Julia-Bartet Residence, a training centre for apprentices and the distribution centre for the ‘Restos du coeur’ in Paris, designed by the architect Charles-Henri Tachon, won the Équerre d'Argent 2019 prize. Four other projects have been awarded respectively in the categories mentioned above. The prize for the Première Œuvre (First work) 2019 was awarded to a glassware workshop in Brioude (Haute-Loire), designed by Antoine Dufour Architects.

Click here to see the winners in pictures!

Text: Constructalia
Image: Équerre d'argent

In May 2020, all eyes will be on the French Open / Roland-Garros tournament. While encouraging Novak, Serena, Rafael, or Roger, we invite you to admire the new retractable roof of the central court! Thanks to ArcelorMittal Rodange rails, your favourite players will be protected from the rain.

Premium rails provided in record time for the French sports monument

The Rodange site produced the 44 crane rails used for the construction of the retractable roof of the court. The A150 rails are the largest in our DIN range and were produced in 110CrV of superior quality. This shade has long been exclusively developed by ArcelorMittal with special straightening to ensure perfect track alignment.

The rails were mainly produced for the Philippe Chatrier central court roof. Once the rails were manufactured, the finishing operations were managed and organised in Yutz, France for:

• Cutting: The rails were cut to length according to customer specifications, including 45° corner cuts while respecting the required lengths with a tolerance of +/- 1mm.
• Hardness: The A150 are the highest quality in the range.
• Handling: Made with textile straps only, without magnets or chains, despite the size of the rails (the A150 are the largest rails in the range of crane rails produced in Rodange).
• Fast delivery

In total, it took only two months between ordering and shipments to provide the end customer with completely finished rails - from production to delivery. Thanks to good internal cooperation, we were able to provide the customer with a complete solution.

The revival of an iconic tennis court

Built in 1928, the Philippe Chatrier central court has undergone a complete renovation to modernise the stands and build a retractable roof.

This roof will not only allow the organisation of night games, but will also protect players from the rain in case of bad weather. It is composed of 11 panels of 100 metres and 350 tonnes each which slide on our rails. Thanks to our high quality products, this 3850-tonne roof will open and close in 12 minutes.

Click here to see the construction of the retractable roof.

Text: ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, Constructalia
Images: ArcelorMittal Europe
Video: Roland-Garros

Built by First Solar, a leading provider of comprehensive photovoltaic energy solutions, the California Flats Solar Project in the Golden State of California in the United States is equipped with 874 trackers and 16 760 Exotrack® HZ V2 structures produced by ArcelorMittal Projects Exosun with about 30% of the components manufactured by Alliance Metal Changzhou, part of ArcelorMittal Projects.

Exotrack® HZ V2

Thanks to its balanced design and structural stiffness, our Exotrack® HZ V2 offers greater reliability and limited operating expense. It is a centralised tracker with only four motors per MWp, with high flexibility on uneven ground and unrivalled simplicity resulting in a smooth and fast installation.

ArcelorMittal Projects Exosun’s largest North American project

Commissioned in May 2019, this project is ArcelorMittal Projects Exosun’s largest project to date in North America. It is also the first one featuring First Solar’s Series 6 modules.

The solar plant will:

• generate enough solar energy to power about 116 000 homes per year
• generate clean and renewable energy and protect air quality in the region
• allow a reduction of 109 000 tonnes of CO2 annually - the equivalent of taking about 22 000 cars off the road
• allow a reduction of 152 000 tonnes of water consumption annually based on the average California grid
• support job creation

The California Flats Solar Project began construction in June 2016 and was completed in May 2019.

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: ArcelorMittal Projects Exosun

The Research Institute of Sweden has renewed its certification of Magnelis® ZM 310 and its use as corrosion protection for steel sheets for indoor and outdoor applications. Its use is suitable for corrosivity class C5 according to the SS-EN ISO 12944-2 described class based on a deemed expected lifetime of 15 years.

This 'Type Approval and decision on production control' certification from RISE can be downloaded from our Document library.

Australian company InQuik has developed a unique method of building bridges which can be implemented quickly using only low-skilled labour. The globally patented technology utilises Magnelis® from ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products to create the formwork of a bridge, which is then filled with concrete to create the bridge deck. Although the bridges are designed for a service life of 100 years, experts believe that the use of Magnelis® could double that without the need for significant maintenance. With hundreds of thousands of bridges needing replacement around the world, the potential for the InQuik system is enormous. The innovative design of the InQuik system was recognised when it won the 2019 T.C. Graham Prize from the Association for Iron & Steel Technology (AIST).

The InQuik system

The InQuik system was developed by a family team including father and son Bruce and Logan Mullaney and Bruce’s brother-in-law, Jim Howell. Their original goal was to improve the systems used to transport modular housing with a collapsed container system. “When we went to register our idea of a reinforcement to hold the deadweight of concrete, the patent office told us this was completely new,” explains Logan Mullaney, now managing director of InQuik Bridging Systems. “We immediately started to think of other ways we could utilise this technology.”

With demand for bridges soaring globally, they seemed to be an ideal application notes Logan Mullaney: “We realised that by putting a truss in a reinforced steel shell we could hold the temporary load of the cement until it cured. Our first trial bridge was constructed on our own property in Australia. We built three in the first year and eight in the second year. This year, our third, we will install around 40 InQuik bridges.”

Magnelis® provides long-term strength

A key challenge was to identify a good material for the formwork which holds the concrete until it dries completely. “At first we thought about using galvanised steel, but over time this will rust and fall away,” says Logan Mullaney. “While the formwork is sacrificial, we realised that the sight of corroding metal would reduce user confidence in the bridge and increase the amount of maintenance required. We needed a more durable solution.”

InQuik was introduced to Magnelis® through a contact in Australia. “Magnelis® allows us to leave the formwork of the bridge in place as it has an aesthetically pleasing finish – and it is durable,” says Logan Mullaney.

Another key advantage of Magnelis® is the protection it offers to the concrete deck. “Because the formwork remains, the concrete and internal reinforcing steel are protected from corrosion,” explains Logan Mullaney. “That means the bridge will last longer. Engineers have estimated the useful life of an InQuik bridge could be well in excess of its 100-year design life, potentially up to 200 years.”

Confidence in quality

The Magnelis® formwork helps to contain plasticisers and water-soluble chemicals which occur in the concrete. Magnelis® ensures the preservation of natural resources as it uses significantly less zinc than pure zinc coatings. Zinc runoff is also reduced dramatically compared to galvanised steels.

“Magnelis® is not well known in Australia and we are one of the only companies utilising it,” notes Logan Mullaney. “But ‘Made in Europe’ is a quality label for Australian companies. Together with the fact that ArcelorMittal is the largest steelmaker in the world, this gives our customers – and bridge users – confidence in the system.”

Portable technology can be deployed globally

Magnelis® is imported into Australia from ArcelorMittal Bremen where it is produced. InQuik maintains a healthy stock in Australia as there is currently a four-month lead time on orders. “We’re looking how that lead time can be reduced so InQuik doesn’t have to maintain such a large stock of material,” notes John Robbins, export manager for ArcelorMittal Europe – Flat Products.

Compared to a conventional reinforced concrete bridge, the InQuik system is up to 90 percent more steel-intensive. However, the bridges are more cost-effective as they can be prefabricated and installation time is significantly lower explains Logan Mullaney: “InQuik bridges are standardised, pre-certified, and can be mass-produced. And it is possible to transport an entire bridge on one semi-trailer. You just back the truck up to the site, install the components, and then fill them with concrete. It only takes a small crane and a few days to build the bridge. Customers typically save between 20 and 50 percent compared to a conventional bridge due to the lower installation time and work, low risk, and less cranage.”

About InQuik Bridging Systems

InQuik manufactures standardised, pre-certified, mass-produced bridges which can be easily transported anywhere in the world. The solution makes building a bridge quick, simple, low-risk, and cost-effective. InQuik employs 15 people in its sales and delivery team and produces systems at three factories in Australia. InQuik is currently preparing for expansion into the USA, Asia, and other regions around the globe.

More info: inquik.com.au

The T.C. Graham Prize

The T.C. Graham Prize has been awarded annually since 2014 to the winners of the Association for Iron & Steel Technology’s (AIST) annual design competition. The winning entry receives a 20 000 USD cash prize. The purpose of the contest is to encourage, generate, and incubate ideas that may lead to the development of new markets for steel.

More info: www.aist.org

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: InQuik Bridging Systems & AIST

From port and terminal projects to giant cranes or retractable roofs (the latest trend in sport stadiums), ArcelorMittal crane rails are used in many applications and are present in every continent.

Working closely with customers

ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products Rails & Special Sections is working closely with its customers to develop specific rails and new products according to their needs. Flexibility is another key factor in improving customer service. We can supply standard rail lengths from 6 to 36 metres, but other lengths are available upon request as well as finishing possibilities (cuts, special cuts, drilling, machining, bending, blasting-painting, etc.).

Incomparable knowledge, selection, and expertise

Crane rails are produced in several steel grade qualities and specifications according to customers’ requirements. Historical crane rails producer, ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products Rails & Special Sections has built an incomparable knowledge and expertise of this product range. The company has also created with its customers numbers of rails as per all the MRS range used worldwide in major port projects and has established levels of quality control even stronger than the basic standards to secure our customers in their choice of a key product related to most often critical applications.

ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products Rails & Special Sections has the largest products and grades portfolio, from the full range of DIN crane rails, MRS crane rails, CR crane rails, and many other specific rails, with hundreds of references in main ports worldwide.

Retractable roofs: a new trend in stadium construction

Retractable roofs are getting more and more popular in stadium construction, and ArcelorMittal crane rails are already present in some spectacular stadiums all around the world. Retractable roofs are designed to move panels that weigh hundreds of pounds in just minutes and they allow to control the stadium’s interior environment more effectively as they can be closed during inclement weather and opened on sunny days. After the roofs, retractable pitches might soon become the new trend.

From the world’s largest crane to the latest Ariane rocket

Another impressive application of crane rails is giant cranes. ArcelorMittal Europe – Long Products Rails & Special Sections has supplied crane rails for Sarens’ SGC-250, the largest crane in the world, capable of lifting 5000 tonnes, which is equal to 1408 elephants, 63 trains, or 20 planes.

Another major application is the launching pad of the Ariane 6 rocket, for which crane rails have been supplied for the construction of the rail track.

Text: ArcelorMittal Europe Communications
Images: TaMaNKunG / Neil Mitchelll, Shutterstock; ArcelorMittal

ArcelorMittal Luxembourg received the Environment award from the business federation FEDIL at the end of 2019 for its facility to recover the excess heat generated during the production of steel sheet piles on the ArcelorMittal Belval site.

The equivalent of 4000 heated houses per year

In June 2018, the Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Ecology, Étienne Schneider, and ArcelorMittal Luxembourg Chairman of the Board of Directors and ArcelorMittal Board Member, Michel Wurth, gathered for the inauguration of the surplus heat recovery plant.

Since its inauguration, the heat emitted by the mill supplies the districts of Belval, Nonnewisen, and Summit. 200 customers are connected and can then cover 70% of the heating needs of the SUDCAL heating network.

"It is a great pride to see this project, fruit of an exemplary cooperation between an industrial player, the State and an energy operator, crowned with such an award. The reduction of our environmental impact is one of the major axes of our policy in favor of sustainable development and the circular economy implemented by the group in Luxembourg. With this project, we have shown that the pooling of complementary talents to control the environmental impact of the industry, it works! This initiative opens up great prospects for other actors in Luxembourg, who will be able to draw inspiration from it to multiply it," states Roland Bastian, Managing Director of ArcelorMittal Luxembourg.

CO2 reduction

The Belval site is composed of an electric steel mill and two rolling mills, including the 'train 2.' The facility contains a reheating furnace for raising the semi-finished products to 1300° C and since last year its fumes have been used to power the SUDCAL heating network. Exiting at 400°C, the fumes are sent to the recuperator to heat the water which is then directed to a water/water heat exchanger, at which time the water is finally ready to be sent to the homes heated by SUDCAL .

Thanks to the reuse of this energy, ArcelorMittal Luxembourg contributes to the reduction of the national energy consumption of the Grand Duchy and thus allows SUDCAL to reduce its environmental impact up to 5000 t of CO2 per year.

Text: ArcelorMittal Luxembourg, Constructalia
Images: ArcelorMittal Luxembourg
Video: FEDIL

Version 3.04 of the AMECO software is now available for download.

The purpose of the AMECO software is to assess the life cycle of composite structures of buildings or bridges evaluating the environmental footprint, in particular the associated energy consumptions and greenhouse gas emissions.

This software is based on the principles of Life Cycle Assessment and is compliant with ISO 14040 & 44 and the new EN 15804 with evaluation of impacts: Global Warming Potential (GWP), Primary Energy Consumption (PEC), acidification & eutrophication potential, water consumption, etc.
 
Version 3.04 of AMECO proposes to take into account the use phase of the building (Module B). It allows the estimation of energy needs for a variety of the building systems, such as heating and cooling. The calculations are based on several international norms such as ISO-13370, ISO-13789, and ISO-13790 as well as the European norm EN 15316. The extension of the use phase is only available for buildings.

AMECO 3 is available in 16 European languages.

Download the update for free on our software page:

https://constructalia.arcelormittal.com/en/tools/software

ArcelorMittal Europe - Long Products has released an updated version of our composite bridge pre-design software: ACOBRI Version 5.07.

You can download the update for free on our software page:

https://constructalia.arcelormittal.com/en/tools/software