| SECRET OF SPINNAKER S SUCCESS
IS IN THE SPECIALLY BENT STEEL
Spinnaker Tower, Britain s visionary new
landmark soaring 170 metres up into the sky at
the entrance to Portsmouth harbour, is set to
have its official opening in May 2005, an event,
say Portsmouth City Council, which will make international
engineering news.
At the heart of the stunning 170m tower, which
the BBC s Engineering Solutions programme
described as one of the most spectacular design
projects of the decade, is a steel framework produced
by Angle Ring, Britain s foremost specialist
in the manufacture of curved steel and metal sections
for the construction and engineering industries.
The unique shape of the structure, its proximity
to the busy Gunwharf Quays tourist and shopping
centre at its foot, and the tiny base on which
the tower had to be built, all created extraordinary
design and construction challenges which required
the use of exceptional building materials and
high levels of expertise from the construction
team.
Paul Middleton, Marketing Manager for Angle Ring,
said: With shops and restaurants just 10m
away and boats berthing around its seaward side,
the tower s structure had to take into account
extra hazards such as high winds blowing in from
across the Channel and the possibility of a vessel
hitting the tower s base. The framework
had to be curved to accommodate the elegant design,
but also had to be super-strong . |
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The steel frame was assembled on a platform
just 50m by 30m out in the sea, but because of the very
specialist nature of the metal bending skills and capabilities
which Angle Ring has, and with the many other architecturally
unusual construction projects we have been involved
in worldwide, we were able to handle the Spinnaker Tower s
core framework without any undue problems.
The tower s stunning steel sail, stretching 350m
and weighing 1100 tonnes, is already a shining white
beacon on the coastline, the first British landmark
to be seen by millions of visitors as they approach
Portsmouth on ferries from the continent, and which
offers a welcome home to Royal Navy ships
as they enter the historic harbour.
Mr Middleton said: With Spinnaker Tower already
being compared to the Sydney Opera House for its soaring
design, its construction and its strong seafaring imagery,
we are proud to have provided its heart.
Main Contractor: Mowlem PLC
Steelwork Contractor: Butterley Engineering
Client: Portsmouth City Council
Lead Design Consultant: Scott Wilson
Project partly funded by: The Millennium Commision
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