Completed Building Visit #3

Here I have visited Fagg's Mitre 10 in Belmont, Geelong, along with my housemate. A variety of truss systems have been used throughout the building, each creating different structural qualities and aesthetics.

A timber lattice truss has been utilized in this instance to span over a distance of 12+ metres. The intricate pattern of the trusses webbing and relatively large scale make for a pleasant design feature that can be witnessed from both inside and outside the building.

Here we can see a mono-truss in a multiple fink-like arrangement running perpendicular to the central lattice trusses. The chords and webbing of the truss are comprised on timber, whilst the addition of steel plates at junctions aid the connection of the elements. Also evident are the timber purlins and foil insulation.

This is just a detail of a junction where the square hollow section column meets the trusses and beam. Rigidity in this type of joint is of utmost importance, but the use of bolting instead of welding gives the overall intersection a level of structural flexibility.

Behind the aforementioned retail store, is a large-spanning steel portal frame. Pretty conventional construction (which I have covered in my earlier visit to Bunnings) allows the warehouse to span upwards of 40 metres without internal support. Strips of transparent corrugated roofing allows additional penetration of natural light during daylight hours.