Steel Project Case Study Gallery: Renovation to AGO, Toronto

Terri Meyer Boake BES BArch MArch LEED AP
Associate Professor :: Associate Director :: School of Architecture :: University of Waterloo

Renovation to the Art Gallery of Ontario

... erecting a top beam

Frank Gehry Architect

Toronto, Ontario

Project Information:

Design Architect: Frank Gehry
Local Engineer: Yolles Halcrow
Steel Fabrication: Benson Steel, Mariani Metals
General Contractor: EllisDon
Cladding: Flynn

Watch the beam go up on YouTube! link

preparation - fall 2005-summer 2006	fall 2006 - winter 2007	facade - june 07	erecting "arm" - june 2007	erecting "beam" - june 2007	south facade - june 2007	steel stairs - june 2007
exterior - sept 2007	exterior - oct 2007	cisc fall tour oct 23, 2007	ssef tour - feb 2008	april 2008	june 2008

Project Images: June 2007


The top beam that runs across and connects the top of 5 arms, weighs, including galvanized steel connections, about 7,000 pounds.	The glulam beam arrives from the fabricator in Penticton, BC devoid of attaching plates. There are many of these that have to be installed by the ironworkers in the small staging area between the building and Dundas Street.


You do what you have to do to access the connection.	Perfecting the bolt holes so that things are easier when the final connections are being performed at the top.


A view to where the beam will be connected - see the plate with 4 bolt holes at the top.	Workers complete the joints of the previously erected arms while waiting for the lift.


There is a fair bit of work involved in completing the top connections.	Hammering a connecting piece into position.


Ironworkers are tied off when they climb these pieces to access the joints.	Adjusting.


Tightening.	Hammering.


Mike has determined the two lifting points for the straps and it is ready to go.	A rope is attached to the end to allow the receiving ironworker the ability to handle the 7,000 pound piece. It is heavier at this end due to the connection. You can see the cutouts in the wood that will take more plates (later). The glulam is propped (right) in this orientation so that it will be easier to connect and not require rotation.


These galvanized connectors attach to the tops of the arms.	The beam is in the air. See how level it is - so the lifting points were accurate. They do some test lifts beforehand to make sure that this is right and adjust if necessary.


You can see that the direct "up" of the lift takes the beam too far to the west.	The crane operator now eases the beam eastward. You can see in this image where it has to go.


Ironworkers await catching the ropes so that they can assist with the manoevering.	Almost in reach.


Got the east end.	Got the west end. Now to align it.


They have to make sure it fits at the end connection, and aligns with the three completed arms that must frame into it. None of these points can be moved or adjusted for by much...	Mike is transferring information from his visual connect with the piece down to the crane operator below.


The piece is lined up so now the workers start bolting.	An ironworker (tied off of course) climbs onto the arm so that he can work on the connection.


An overview of the beam in place but not yet secured. The crane straps cannot be removed until it is secure.	The work takes place well above street level. As the steel that will connect to the next arm is not yet ready, it will be attached to the end of the beam first.


There seems to be one particular ironworker that gets to do most of this type of climbing...	This shot looks through one of the bays between the arms that does not yet have its horizontals complete.


Reaching inside the top connector on the arm to secure the bolts. The steel connections are designed to be "hollow" to provide access to secure the bolts and have a clean appearance.	Making eye contact with the adjacent connection to the left. They all have to line up.


Finishing the tightening of that connection.	Once the beam is secured, workers install the vertical mullions. These are fairly light and it only takes one man to lift the piece.


The worker attaches the plates to the side of the mullion. It will remain to be seen what these are for...	Completing connections...

Securing the outermost arm to the beam.	Although the connections are hollow, it still takes some expertise to make the final adjustments, tighten the connections and ensure that things line up properly.