Rules for evaluating the design resistance of headed stud connectors through-deck welded within steel decking are provided in NZS 3404.1, 13.3.2.2. Due to the pitch of the ribs in the deck, it is normally not possible to provide enough shear connectors to provide a resistance equivalent to the lesser of: the tensile resistance of the…
In 2009 HERA put a proposal to Government to work with companies to transition them to being innovative and match fit for a competitive export market. While the proposal was not successful, HERA took up the challenge in establishing the Above Ground Geothermal and Allied Technologies (AGGAT) programme which is part funded by MBIE, and…
As members of the steel fabrication chain, we are all aware of the current worldwide steel oversupply situation, leading to steel prices here in New Zealand being at their lowest for some 14 years and virtually unchanged since the HERA steel import statistics started in 2000. This low steel price helps the steel users to…
Our General Manager Structural Systems Dr Stephen Hicks and Finite Element Analyst Nandor Mago have published a peer-reviewed paper in the Journal of Constructional Steel Research. The paper investigates the fire performance of highly utilized and eccentrically loaded concrete filled composite columns with a slenderness greater than currently permitted for the simple calculation model in…
Dr Stephen Hicks has been working with Dr Farhad Aslani, Ryan Lloyd and Prof. Uy of the Centre for Infrastructure Engineering and Safety at the University of New South Wales, together with Dr Won-Hee Kang of Western Sydney University, on design rules for the flexural stiffness of composite columns for the forthcoming standard AS/NZS 2327.…
Being in New Zealand, it is easy to sometimes think that we are alone in the world – cut off from the mainstream and doing things our own way. And to some extent that is true, we are geographically isolated, we don’t have a multitude of large corporations driving innovation and pulling our smaller companies…
The purpose of NZQA Level 5 Qualification New Zealand Certificate in Mechanical Engineering is to provide our industry with advanced tradespeople. Ones who are able to contribute to the success and competitiveness of a business by demonstrating leadership in a technical and/or operational field. Last year, the NZQA level 5 qualifications have been reviewed by COMPETENZ with…
No doubt many HERA News readers are aware that New Zealand structural steel designers have had access to the free Fabsec FBEAM® design software. With a total of 159 individual licenses issued in New Zealand, this is a widely-used software package that produces efficient steel designs. Last year, at least 6,000 tonnes of welded beams…
HERA member Fitzroy Engineering Group is now nearing the final stages of their unique underwater restaurant project, and are on target for transport on 6 February 2016. At the moment, they are fitting out the interiors and have a team of specialists from Nippura in Japan installing the acrylic arch that covers the restaurant dining…
The AGGAT program underwent a major transition phase last year which saw HERA strengthen its relationship further with the University of Auckland and established key roles internally in turbine research and heat transfer research by the appointment of Dr. Lei Chen and Dr. Haiam Abbas within our team respectively. Since then the AGGAT programme has…
In today’s competitive structural steel market, the ability to meet the client’s expectations while making an adequate return requires the capability to meet specifications and to minimise profit-eating re-work. This is achieved by implementing a quality management system using the well-established “standard” methodology based on the following principles: Welders who follow suitably qualified, efficient procedures…
B.C.Update 176: Further Guidance Relating to Building Product Substitution Work by MBIE to assist BCAs concerned about inferior building products has highlighted ongoing issues relating to product substitution. In some cases, products substituted after building consent has been granted have been unauthorised, have no evidence of compliance with the relevant Building Code requirements, and invalidate…