Walters Inc. is associated with major steel projects, many of which have won awards for engineering and design innovation. The Royal Ontario Museum’s Michael Lee-Chin Crystal is a case in point.

The big steel fabricator/erector’s work isn’t always high profile though. The 15 bus shelters for the vivaNext H2 bus rapid transit system for York Region Rapid Transit Corp. in suburban Toronto is an example.

“It’s a very unique design,” says Peter Kranendonk, vice-president and general manager of Walters. “We had the challenge of integrating the steel, glass and all the mechanical/electrical services.”

The prototype (Warden Station) is a steel/concrete hybrid consisting of concrete posts supporting the cantilevered steel frame. The subsequent shelters will be designed entirely in steel and erected over the next year or so.

The nine hollow structural sections (HSS) are curved on the long face side, rather than the narrow face. The latter method would have been easier to fabricate but to meet the strength requirements and for esthetic reasons the long face side is curved, says Kranendonk.

Additional double-rolled HSS are at the glass level of the roof. “Each is custom rolled to very exacting tolerances because if they all don’t have the exact same radiuses we get misalignments.”

The architecturally exposed steel has four protective coatings, including metallic and clear-coat layers more aptly associated with sporty automobile finishes. The unusual choice gives the steel a luster and provides protection against graffiti adhesion, says Kranendonk.

Source: Daily Commercial News