Uploaded on 2015-05-22 by BrianFuller

[1]: https://edxuploads.s3.amazonaws.com/14322720289027231.png Australia is a significant producer of raw materials capable of meeting the construction needs of itself and its trading partners. However following the GFC, the fall in the value of Australian dollar and the high local labor costs, we have become an importer of our own materials after fabrication in countries such as China, India and Indonesia. A building at 180 Thomas Street, Haymarket, Sydney is an example of the use of fabricated steel imported from China. Five years ago the building was a four-story brick plinth with cumbersome structural columns and a central lift core. The building was redeveloped in 2014 with an extra nine floors of 5 Star Green Star Office space. With an allocated additional floor space ratio (FSR) the design response was to cantilever the entire nine floors an addition six meters beyond the existing podium. Six mega trusses, each weighing 30 tonnes and measuring 20-metres in length, were fabricated in China and shipped to the site before being placed on top of the old building. The economies of both countries are enhanced by this trading arrangement. The picture shows 3 of the 6 prefabricated mega trusses supporting the new upper floors of the building