Summary: SARL Dobson Structures designed the structural framework for renovations including a roof terrace as part of a historic mill conversion in Brittany. Lightweight HE 180 AA steel beams were selected to support a beam-and-block floor with screed, ensuring stability and efficiency. The design accounted for construction safety, environmental conditions, and sustainability, ensuring the terrace is ready for its modern use.
As part of an exciting project to convert a historic mill in Brittany into a residential property, SARL Dobson Structures was tasked with designing the structural framework for a new roof terrace. The terrace, supported by a beam-and-block floor, required careful planning to ensure stability, safety, and efficient use of materials.
Key Design Considerations
1. Steel Beam Design: To support the terrace structure, a system of steel beams was designed to span 4 meters between concrete columns and external walls. A HE 180 AA steel section was selected for its efficiency and reduced weight, offering approximately a 33% weight reduction compared to alternative sections. This choice minimized material costs while maintaining performance.
2. Load Management: The terrace floor includes a beam-and-block system topped with screed, with an additional screed allowance over the central span to accommodate deflections. The design ensures the beams can handle these loads safely, with utilization levels well below critical limits.
3. Temporary Stability During Construction: While the terrace beams will gain lateral stability from the beam-and-block floor once complete, calculations also accounted for temporary conditions during construction to ensure safety at every stage.
Environmental and Practical Adjustments
The design accounted for local conditions in Brittany, including snow and wind loads, though these were deemed negligible for the terrace’s intended use. Additionally, the external wall connections were designed to provide flexibility, with options for either socketed or bearing connections based on the wall thickness.
A Sustainable Approach
By specifying the lightweight section, the design not only reduced material usage but also simplified installation. The removal of the mill’s top floor reduced the load on the existing concrete columns, ensuring they remain functional without further reinforcement.
This project highlights how thoughtful engineering can balance safety, efficiency, and sustainability, transforming a historic building into a modern, functional space.
For this project, Dobson Structures was employed directly by the homeowner, who has also employed an architect as required for renovations of this kind. Dobson Structures welcomes working both with the client's preferred artisans, and making recommendations for artisans we also trust and work with regularly.
Keep an eye out for this project coming to life on UK TV screen's in the future - we certainly will!
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