To have been given the opportunity to work on this project at the Lympstone base was a proud moment for us here at Mundy Steel. We took this project on as charity work, our way of showing support for the British Army.

Our scope was to fabricate all of the structural steel, delivering a total of 65.5 Tonnes to site in the space of 4 weeks from 27^th June to 29^th July 2019.

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Steel is something we come into contact with every single day, but not many of us think about how we got this far to be able to use a material to create so much of the infrastructure we rely on. Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we are experts in steel fabrication in London, so we have used this experience to talk about the brief history of steel production.

The Bessemer Process

After the specialist production methods to create blister steel and cast steel, in the 17th century and 18th century respectively, the Bessemer Process essentially saw the start of the steel industry.

By 1856, the iron industry was under too much pressure from railroad growth, but steel was expensive and unproven, so Sir Henry Bessemer created a process using a ‘pear-shaped’ converter that could heat iron while blowing in oxygen. This removed the carbon for purer iron but was so efficient that too much carbon was being removed, which meant it could not be used for steel production and Bessemer had to repay his investors until a solution was found.

The solution was found by British metallurgist Rober Mushet when he created spiegeleisen using iron and manganese. The manganese, in the right quantity, removed oxygen and added carbon to iron in the right amount to create steel.

Phosphorous still remained, however, which meant only phosphorous-free iron from Wales and Sweden could be used. That was until Welshman Sidney Gilchrist Thomas added limestone to pig iron, which removed the phosphorous into the slag – birthing an effective version of the Bessemer Process.

This development increased steel production and reduced costs, leading to the steel price falling by 80% between 1867 and 1884 – essentially creating the steel industry.

Open-Hearth Process

The next development was from German engineer Wilhelm Siemens and produced steel from pig iron in shallow furnaces. It uses high temperature to burn off carbon and other contaminants, with heated-brick chambers below the hearth providing the heat. This changed later to use the exhaust gas from the furnace to maintain the high temperatures in the brick chambers.

This process was slower but could produce steel in larger quantities and periodic testing to ensure specific requirements are met. Scrap metal can also be used as a raw material.

By 1900, the open-hearth process primarily replaced the Bessemer Process.

Capitalist Investment

Capitalists invested heavily in steel production in the late 19th century. This led to huge developments in industry and allowed Andrew Carnegie’s US Steel Company, launched in 1901, to become the first ever corporation to be valued at $1bn.

Electric Arc Furnace

After almost a century of the Bessemer Process and open-hearth production, Paul Heroult’s electric arc furnace (EAF) improved steel production further by passing an electric current through charged material, creating an exothermic reaction and temperatures up to 1800 degrees Celcius.

By WWI, this was used for the mass production of steel alloys and the low-cost investment in mills meant it competed strongly with the traditional open-hearth producers like Steel Corp. and Bethlehem Steel.

Being able to use 100% scrap or cold ferrous feed, requiring less energy and less money, as well as being able to stop and start the process at a low cost, meant EAF steel production grew quickly and now accounts for 33% of global steel production.

Currently

Currently, 66% of steel is produced in basic oxygen facilities, which utilise a process that separates oxygen from nitrogen and became feasible at an industrial scale in the 1960s. The process blows oxygen in large quantities into a furnace of molten iron or scrap steel, which is much quicker than open-hearth methods.

350 metric tons can be converted to steel in under an hour, which is why open-hearth is now extinct, with the last facility closing in 2001 in China.

Steel Has Come Along Way

In essence, the history of steel production has been tumultuous and has come along way since even before the Bessemer Process. Without the progression of the steel industry, it’s hard to say what might still be made of the previously popular iron or perhaps another element that came along to replace it.

Mundy Structural Steel

If you have a construction project in London and are looking for a steel fabrication company, contact Mundy Structural Steel today by calling 020 8818 6930 or filling out our simple contact form.

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London is one of Europe’s largest cities, and with increasing interest in development, there are some extreme construction projects currently underway or in the pipeline. As these projects are some of the largest London has ever seen, it also gives us a good idea as to how the skyline will change in our capital over the next few years.

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we specialise in steel erection and steel fabrication throughout London, so we have a vested interest in these large-scale building projects.

1 Undershaft

Informally known as ‘The Trellis’ due to the external steel bracing of its design, 1 Undershaft is set to be the 2nd tallest building in London upon completion. The design was approved in November 2016, but construction of the 73-story tower is expected to begin within around three to four years.

Other than the external steel bracing, the design of 1 Undershaft is rectangular in shape, tapering slightly as it reaches the top. The building is also set to be 10.5 metres off the ground in order to create public space underneath the structure.

1 Undershaft will replace St Helen’s tower, which is to be demolished, and part of the reason construction is yet to begin.

22 Bishopsgate

A building currently under construction in London is 22 Bishopsgate, which replaces the original design entitled ‘The Pinnacle’. While 22 Bishopsgate is currently under construction, the site has seen a lot of ups and downs ground being broken for The Pinnacle starting in 2008, stopping and starting a few times, and ultimately concluding in 2013. All progress made was removed after sale of the site, and then work started on 22 Bishopsgate in early 2016.

There will be 62 storeys and 912 feet of building to stand at 22 Bishopsgate.

100 Leadenhall

A wedge-shaped building, dubbed ‘Cheesgrater 2’, 100 Leadenhall will become the third largest building in the Financial District upon completion. The facade of the building is made up of elongated diamond shapes, which is where it gets its other nickname ‘The Diamond’. At 56 storeys and 864 feet, 100 Leadenhall will also become London’s fourth largest building overall.

Spire London

Set to be the largest residential tower in Western Europe, Spire London stands at 67 storeys and 771 feet with a striking design that harks back to the maritime history of the site upon which it stands. The ‘prow and bow’ shapes that make up the design are striking and modern, but the building also takes inspiration from the petals of an orchid, which can be seen in the footprint of the tower.

Construction, after the demolition of the buildings previously on the site, is underway and expected to be completed in 2020

A Growing Skyline

There are many large-scale construction projects currently underway in London, in various stages, which shows the investment in the capital and that the skyline is likely to grow and develop.

Mundy Structural Steel

If you’re looking for steel fabrication and steel erection for your construction project in London, reach out to our team here at Mundy Structural Steel. We have decades of experience in the industry, so we’ll be able to help.

You can call us on 020 8818 6930 or fill out our simple contact form to learn more.

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As you may know, steel is a ferrous alloy as it’s a compound of multiple materials, one of which being iron (with the presence of steel being the determining factor as to whether a metal is ferrous or non-ferrous). You may now also be considering how steel is actually made, and perhaps what makes it just so useful.

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we have a wealth of experience in structural steel construction, so we understand the process of making the metal. That’s why we’ve decided to run you through a basic rendition of the process in our latest blog post below.

Step One

Step one is to mine the iron ore, and this is done in many countries throughout the world including India, China, Australia, and Brazil. Sedimentary rocks are also ground up, using a magnetic roller to extract the iron ore.

Interestingly, around 98% of the iron ore mined throughout the world is used to product steel.

Step Two

Iron ore is mixed with coke, which is a fuel of few impurities and a high carbon content that derives from coal. This mixture, when heated, forms molten iron.

Step Three

This molten iron needs to now be heated in a furnace to remove impurities and combine different elements to form the correct steel compound. There are two methods for doing this:

Basic Oxygen Process (BOP)

In the basic oxygen process, a furnace is charged using scrap steel (25%) in order to control high temperatures from the exothermic reactions between iron and oxygen. The remaining 75% will be liquid iron.

Oxygen is blasted into this mixture using a lance that is lowered into the molten metal, combining with the compound to remove impure elements like carbon, silicon, manganese, and phosphorus. This causes an exothermic reaction.

Lime is then added to combine with the impurities and form ‘slag’.

This process takes around twenty minutes, after which a sample will be taken to check the chemical composition of the steel is correct. The molten metal will then be passed through a tap hole into a ladle for transporting to casters.

If changes to the compound are required, the secondary steel production process will begin.

Electric Arc Furnace (EAF)

The electric arc furnace uses high current electric arcs to melt steel scrap and convert it into a liquid metal. First, the scrap steel is loaded into the EAF from overhead and the lid is lowered, which contains the electrodes that will form the arc.

An electric current is passed through the electrodes in order to form the ar, where the heat generated melts the scrap steel. Other metals may be added at this point if a specific alloy is desired.

Once melted, once again, oxygen is blasted in to purify the molten metal. Lime and fluorspar are then also added to combine with the impurities released by the oxygen and form slag.

A sample of the material is taken before eliminating the slag to check the chemical composition where, if correct, it is then ladled and transported to a caster.

Step Four

In the final stage of the process, the liquid metal is passed through casters and formed (usually) into one of three shapes – a slab, a bloom, or a billet. These shapes are the primary forms of the steel, and will likely later be melted down into a specific shape for the job requirements.

Slabs are usually rolled into flat products like plates.

Blooms are generally later formed into structural shapes like beams.

Billets are for the production of bars and rods.

The Bessemer Process

This process is internationally recognised as the most common method for producing steel and was pioneered as the Bessemer Process – or the first, affordable method for producing steel – by Sir Henry Bessemer in 1856.

In simple terms, the process for creating steel is by alloying iron with carbon (less than 1%, which comes from the coke) and removing impurities.

Mundy Structural Steel

If you would like to hear more about our structural steel fabrication and erection services here at Mundy Structural Steel, please contact us by calling 020 8818 6930 or filling out our simple contact form.

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The CE marking is something that you have likely come across in the past, as it appears across many different products, but you may not be quite aware as to what it means and why it’s there. The simple answer is that this marking indicated European conformity for the product with which is resides, although there is more to it than that.

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we have CE marking accreditation at Standard BS EN 1090-2:2008 + A1:2011 – Execution Class 2, which means we understand the importance of this marking. This is why we will help shed light on it in our latest blog post below.

What Does ‘CE’ Stand For?

To understand the CE marking, it makes sense to first know the meaning of the acronym. ‘CE’ is the abbreviation of the French “Conformité Européene,” which translates to literally mean “European Conformity.”

Why is it so Important?

The CE marking is so important as it signifies that a manufacturer complies with the essential, European health, safety, and environmental protection legislation that has been detailed in the corresponding Product Directive. A ‘Product Directive’ is the document that details the essential requirements, performance levels, and harmonised standards that need conforming to.

Essentially, as a declaration of conformity and responsibility from the manufacturer, should you see a legitimate CE marking, the product will have been assessed to ensure satisfaction of the appropriate legislation.

Is it a Legal Requirement?

A CE marking is required (for the applicable products) to allow these products to gain access to EFTA (European Free Trade Association) and the European Union Market.

Significant for Trading in Europe

In essence, the significance of the CE marking is that is represents a product that complies to the regulations and requirements that have been implemented by European legislation which allow it to be traded in Europe. This marking is to help regulate products and ensure the safety of their consumers are not harmed.

Mundy Structural Steel

If you are on the market for structural steel or stainless, and would like to work with a contractor with products that bear the CE marking, look no further than Mundy Structural Steel.

We have a wealth of experience in the industry, servicing many projects throughout London for the last two decades, so reach out to us by calling 020 8818 6930 or filling out our simple contact form to see what we can do for you.

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Structural steel is a material commonly used in the construction of large structures – specifically buildings and bridges. The composition of the material is a combination of iron, carbon, and often manganese, that is measured to a ratio that allows optimal properties taken from each material.

It is also more complex than that, though, so Mundy Structural Steel have decided to utilise our industry-expertise in order to provide an insight into something that is around us at all times.

What, Specifically, is Structural Steel?

Structural steel is actually a broad term to describe a ‘category’ of steel that is commonly used in massive construction projects. It’s a broad term as different projects call for different specifications and ratios in their materials, which means the structural steel used in one project likely differs from the next.

The overarching consensus is that, much like other types of steel, structural steel is comprised of iron and carbon. When creating structural steel, the manufacturers will consider the fact that more carbon can (to a degree) increase the strength by reducing the ductility. Carbon, however, is often removed from the iron ore at the beginning of the process as the natural level is too high and can leave for brittle metal.

In some cases, manganese will also be included in the composition of structural steel – alongside iron and carbon, and sometimes other materials – in order to increase the malleability of the metal and reduce the likelihood of cracking or splitting during rolling.

Adaptable Characteristics

Structural steel is one of the fundamental building blocks of the construction industry, so it’s interesting to learn more about its composition and begin to consider the different measurements of materials that allow for the characteristics required for the specific project.

Mundy Structural Steel

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we specialise in the fabrication and erection of stainless and structural steel throughout London. If you would like to hear more about what we can do for your project, please reach out by calling 0208 818 6930 or filling out our simple contact form.

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Here at Mundy Structural Steel, as our name suggests, we work as steel fabricators throughout London and so we have a special place in our heart for the creative use of our favourite material. Therefore, we have put together some of our favourite steel sculptures in London below.

A Bullet from a Shooting Star – Alex Chinneck (2014)

The London Design Festival collaborated with the Greenwich Peninsula to commission what is, at its essence, an uprooted electricity pylon from Alex Chinneck. Standing at 35m high, this steel sculpture is illuminated at night to exude a trellis of light into the area and references the industrial history of the site (in the Greenwich Peninsula).

The sculpture is constructed of over 1100 metres of steel – weighing over 15 tons – and can be seen from various locations across London, including Canary Wharf. A truly marvelling spectacle.

Quantum Cloud – Antony Gormley (1999)

Standing 30m tall next to the Millenium Dome, the Quantum Cloud by Antony Gormley (the artist also behind such names as ‘Angel of the North’ and ‘Another Place’) is a striking and scientific piece of public art that was commissioned for the location in 1999. Scientific due to the artist drawing inspiration from Basil Hiley, a quantum physicist, with the idea stemming from “Hiley’s thoughts on pre-space as a mathematical structure underlying space-time and matter.” Striking because, well, look at it…

The 1.5m sections of steel protruding from the (somewhat) camouflaged figure were arranged using a computer model – a random walk algorithm – with the figure itself being based on Gormley’s body: a common theme in the artist’s work.

A Slice of Reality – Richard Wilson (2000)

Another work commissioned for the Millenium Dome, A Slice of Reality is a striking and simple steel sculpture of a 9m vertical section of the (former) ‘sand dredger’ Arco Trent. This piece exposes the living quarters of the vessel – including a pool table – and has been left to the mercy of the Thames. This has been seen as “a melancholy nod to the former industrial days of the River Thames.”

Fulcrum – Richard Serra (1987)

Conceived and created by American artist Richard Serra – Fulcrum has been hailed as one of London’s design icons: standing at 17m tall of weathered Cor-Ten steel (which is designed to rust, but not decay). The steel sculpture hails close to the west entrance to Liverpool Street Station and is spot-welded.

The word ‘fulcrum’ is thematically linked with balance, so it is no coincidence that the statue seems as if it is doing simply that – balancing on itself – and may fall at any minute.

The Best Sculptures are Steel Sculptures

With there being over 400 sculptures in London, it can be hard to find the time to appreciate the small number of those that are constructed using steel. Hopefully, however, we have managed to outline some of the reasons for visiting these special sites and shed some background as to their significance – both culturally and geographically.

There are plenty more steel sculptures to enjoy in London, though, with there not having been even a mention of ArcelorMittal Orbit or Three Perpetual Chords in this blog post. You can at least find out about the former in our previous blog post on the steel architecture of London.

Mundy Structural Steel

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we work with steel and the erection and fabrication of the material. We work with both structural and stainless steel – on a range of commercial and domestic projects – throughout London.

If you’d like to hear more about what we can do for you, please contact us by calling 020 8818 6930- or filling out our simple contact form.

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Mundy Structural Steel are expert steel fabricators that cover the London area, so we have put together a few of our favourite examples of steel architecture in London below.

ArcelorMittal Orbit Tower – Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London

An observation tower that is also the largest piece of public art in Britain, the ArcelorMittal Orbit is the statement piece of architecture in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London. The impressive example of steel architecture was designed by artist Anish Kapoor – and carried out with Cecil Balmond – the structure is made from recycled steel: enough to make 265 double-decker buses.

At 114m high, the tower offers 20-mile, panoramic views of London and attracted over 130,000 visitors during the Olympics. Now, the tower also has the world’s longest slide, which was added in 2014.

Lloyd’s Building – Lime Street, London

Also known as the ‘inside-out building’, the Lloyd’s building was designed by Richard Rogers with the “Bowellism” architecture style in mind. Bowellism describes buildings that place the services – such as ducts, lifts, and stairs – on the exterior in order to reduce clutter inside.

Construction started in 1978 and the building was completed in 1986: famous for the stainless steel ‘services’ that make up the facade, with spiralling staircases and ducts making lining the exterior. These extremities are also, famously, made from stainless steel, which helps to create the striking – almost ‘steampunk’ – aesthetic it gives off.

King’s Cross Railway Station – Camden, London

The restoration work undertaken in King’s Cross railway station aimed to accommodate the increased passenger flow through the departure discourse and the different sections of transport catered to in the station. The centrepiece of it all, though, is the steel roof structure that seems to grow out of the ground and enthral the ceiling, much as a tree canopy with plenty of light but a roof that just won’t budge.

The roof structure is claimed – by the architect, John McAslan – to be the largest, single-span structure in a train station in the world, but is also far more than just visually stunning. The steel roof installation means the weight of the building is supported without the need for columns in the concourse, which makes for a more open space with less clutter.

A Versatile and Compelling Material

There are plenty of examples of impressive steel architecture in London that utilise the versatile metal to improve their aesthetic appeal. We even failed to mention the countless others that embody this same philosophy, with steel even being used as an accent in (seemingly) contradicting settings like the recently installed, pre-rusted steel fly box of the Shaftesbury Theatre in the West End.

In essence, we are very interested in seeing architecture that takes advantage of steel to cast a compelling, visual challenge to the skyline.

Mundy Structural Steel

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we are expert steel fabricators that provide structural and stainless steel for customers throughout London. We have worked with a range of different clients on projects of varying magnitude, with one of the most recent being the frame for the world’s largest digital wrap on the London Stadium.

If you’d like to hear more about what we can do for you, please get in touch. You can call us on 020 8818 6930 or fill out our simple contact form and a member of our team will get to your enquiry.

The post The Steel Architecture of London appeared first on Mundy Steel.

Sapporo Dome, Japan

The Sapporo Dome in Japan is a multi-purpose stadium with a difference, as the stadium can accommodate both baseball and football with different pitches. The baseball pitch is made from artificial grass, and then can be rolled up and stored for the natural football pitch to be used inside. The difference is that the natural football pitch is rolled in on 34 wheels from a space outside of the ground through a ‘moving wall’, which made the stadium the first to do this. With a capacity of 40,000, the stadium has been used for the 2002 World Cup and is a planned venue for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games.

National Stadium, Taiwan

Sticking to a theme of originality, the National Stadium in Taiwan is an ecocentric structure inspired by the shape of a dragon. Built in 2009, the rooftop panels are photovoltaic, meaning they provide energy for the stadium, and can even produce excess to be sold by the Taiwanese government on especially sunny days. With a capacity of over 55,000, the structure is a true marvel of architectural excellence and innovation, whilst maintaining an environmentally-friendly ethos throughout – the main structure is even made from recyclable and reusable materials.

Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia

The tenth largest stadium in the world, but the largest cricket stadium in the world and also the largest stadium in Australia, the Melbourne Cricket Ground seats over 100,000. Built in 1853, the structure also boasts the largest light towers in any sports ground, and there has been consistent renovation and renewal since it ‘finished’ in order to increase the capacity. Due to the prowess of the stadium, it has been the centrepiece of the 1956 Olympics as well as playing host to Cricket World Cups in 1992 and 2015.

Lee Valley VeloPark, England

Placed within the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, East London, the Lee Valley VeloPark was opened to the public in 2014 after being used as one of the permanent venues in the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic games. With a capacity of just over 6000, the venue is not on a level with some of the aforementioned, but the design cues taken from the shape of the track make for a striking, modern appearance.

Honourable Mentions

Naturally, with this sort of list, there is an element of preference and taste that comes into it. There are, of course, a variety of different stadiums that could have been featured, including the Ericsson Globe in Stockholm (the largest hemispherical building in the world) and Olympiastadion, Munich (a social standpoint against the Nazi regime utilised as a principal location for the 1972 Summer Olympic games).

The architecture of stadium in sports culture is important for a myriad of reasons, which are far deeper than their visual appeal to the supporting fans attending. These places are set to hold host to dreams, memories, entertainment, celebration and a whole spectrum of emotions covering the scale.

Mundy Structural Steel

Here at Mundy Structural Steel, we are experienced structural steel fabricators based in London, and we have worked on a range of projects that even include West Ham’s new stadium.

If you’d like to hear more about what we can do for you and your project, please get in touch. You can call us on 020 8818 6930 or fill out our simple contact form.

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After the 3d site survey we get the DWG drawing, this allows us to draw up the steelwork accurately to fit the building saving on site surveys the old fashioned way of two men and a tape!

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