Re-design of a steel canopy using laser cutting technology

The construction industry’s demand for modernization and sustainability is leading to the development of new manufacturing strategies to produce more cost and material-efficient buildings. A recent proposal to optimize the steel tubular joint fabrication is the “LASTTS” process, which exploits the laser cutting technology. This thesis research aimed to assess the global impact of implementing the LASTTS process by re-designing the Legiapark canopy’s tubular structure using LASTTS joints: the results have been presented in terms of the upgrades in joint mechanical properties, internal forces in the connected members, and material usage. The upgrades were mainly obtained thanks to an increase in the rigidity of the examined joints, going from being classified as nominally pinned to semi-rigid. On the structural elements, a reduction of up to 48% of the stress ratio is observed when LASTTS joints are used, keeping the same initial dimensions of the connected members. Finally, the assessment of material usage indicated that a reduction of 14.1% of the steel weight could be achieved if the LASTTS joints are adopted. These findings, within the European Union research project “Laser Cutting Technology for Tubular Structures – LASTTS”, will serve as the groundwork needed to achieve an increased readiness level of market penetration for tubular steel construction applications. Ultimately, the case study presented in this thesis will be the foundation for future worked examples that will be prepared, whose results will be disseminated within the European Union construction sector to give everyday practitioners a competitive alternative to generating cost-effective designs.