AngelinaTM girder - A new architectural dimension

Claude Vasconi, one of the most important contemporary architects in France and ArcelorMittal have jointly developed an innovative ceiling girder system in steel which sets new standards – the AngelinaTM beam. In less than a year, a building product with a new architectural dimension has been developed from its first sketches (Fig.2) and concept to receiving the 2007 Design Prize at the Batimat in Paris.

Vasconi’s architecture is typified by the noble and clear aesthetics which are supplemented by the accuracy of the detail and strength of materials.

An attractive shape, a clear geometry with large sinusoidal openings, a large support spans and the efficient use of material make the AngelinaTM beam one of the most particular and innovative steel products on the market, that encounter the aesthetic and economic aspects of nowadays construction.

AngelinaTM allows the optimisation of the headroom, the reduction in the number of girders and supports, as well as the reduction of the foundation dimensions. Therefore, AngelinaTM enables the steel insert weight of the roofing construction to be reduced to less than 30 kg/m². With composite flooring (e.g. Cofrastra) as a composite solution, a wonderful combination is achieved through structuring, aesthetics and construction costs.

Starting from a base profile, a 1.4 up to 1.7 times larger statistical girder height is obtained through the innovative production process (fig. 3).

A construction built with this tyoe of beam is lighter and more transparent than usual, and this means also a full flexibility and maximization of dimensions of the space.
In this way, even rectangular ventilation ducts with large dimensions (0.7 x 0.4) can be simply and quickly assembled through the large sinusoidal openings.

The multitude of possible variations gives architects the opportunity to create flexible design possibilities open in relation to sustainable building optimisation.

Since the 1980’s or at least since the discussion on global warming, sustainability, ecological construction and reduction of energy consumption have become the most important issues in architecture. Therefore, the use of resource-conserving materials and procedures is of great significance.

For example, the manufacturing of hot rolled AngelinaTM girders shows an energy balance which fulfils the criteria of a sustainable development because the AngelinaTM girders at ArcelorMittal solely consist of hot rolled profiles which are manufactured from almost 100% recycled steel-scrap in the electro-oven procedure. Even the resulting rolled girder or AngelinaTM is 100% recyclable at any time.

Furthermore, sustainable planning and construction also requires a balanced consideration of the social and cultural effects of the building project. Apart from urban development and countryside integration, it is also functional, creative and anthropological aspects affecting people which have relevant significance.
Through the use of sustainable products – such as the AngelinaTM girder – ArcelorMittal is taking charge of the implementation of principles for sustainable development in man-made environment. With the AngelinaTM girder, ArcelorMittal has succeeded with a building product for highly aesthetic requirements that combines the elementary aims of sustainable architecture with the practical demands of the construction industry.  Aesthetics, easiness, cost effectiveness and flexibility guarantee a product with almost unlimited degrees of freedom for planning.

Author: Thorsten Pollok | ArcelorMittal
Building & Construction Support Germany, Austria, Switzerland | Harkortstr. 21
40880 Ratingen | Germany
bcs.germany(at)arcelormittal.com