Technical specifications for sections
Q: Where can I find information on Hot Rolled Structural sections (UBs, UCs, PFCs and angles)?
A: Information on Liberty's range of Hot Rolled Structural sections is contained in our Hot Rolled and Structural Steel Products catalogue. The latest (7th) edition is available as a PDF only and can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1852/7th-ed_hotrolledcat_web-1.pdf
Q: Where can I find information on Pipe and Tube sections (SHS, RHS and CHS) and Cold Formed open sections (channels and angles)?
A: Information on Liberty's range of Pipe and Tube sections and Cold Formed open sections is contained in our Austube Mills Product Availability Guide. Download a copy here:
http://www.austubemills.com.au/uploads/resources/Austube-Mills_Prod_Avail_Guide_20June16.pdf
Q: Where can I find Liberty's Structural Steel products in spreadsheet form?
A: It’s possible to export property data from a Liberty product catalogue so it can be viewed as a spreadsheet. Simply download a PDF of the catalogue, open it in your PDF reader and use its ‘Save as other’ or ‘Export to Excel’ capability as relevant and if this capability is available in your version. Download a copy of the catalogue here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1852/7th-ed_hotrolledcat_web-1.pdf
Q: Does the AS/NZS 3679.1 rolled-in mark need to be on both sides of a Universal Beam?
A: AS/NZS 3679.1 doesn’t stipulate where the rolled-in mark needs to be positioned on a beam. It’s generally placed on one side of the web or on one flange, not both.
However, it needs to be no more than 4m apart, so a 4m-plus long beam should have at least one rolled-in mark on it somewhere, i.e. on either the web or flange.
Liberty Steel Universal Beams have the rolled-in mark on the web, although some manufacturers place it on the outside of the flange.
Q: What are the tolerances for specified dimensions using Hot Rolled Structural steel?
A: Liberty manufactures sections to comply with AS/NZS 3679.1:2016, which provides details for all permitted tolerances. You can find more information on the Standards Online website: www.saiglobal.com/online
Q: What are the details of the radii on the milled flanges of all Universal Sections (UCs) from 200UC46 up to 310UC158?
A: Liberty Steel's Universal Sections are produced with a nominal radius of 0mm on the edges. They are nominally a right-angle edge with no prescribed radii.
Software
Q: Where can I download software to design composite beams?
A: CompSoft is a suite of composite software that assists in the design of composite concrete and steel beams using Liberty's range of Hot Rolled sections to Australian Standard AS 2327.1. You can register to download the software here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/apps/compsoft/
Q: How do I obtain the security code for Composite Analysis Software?
A: The latest version of Compsoft does not require a security code. You just need to download Compsoft from our website and install it on a computer running Microsoft Excel 2010 or more recent.
Q: Where can I access CAD drawings of the cross-sections for Liberty Steel's structural steel products?
A: Cross-sections of Liberty Steel's Hot Rolled Structural steel products are available and can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/content/cad-drawings/
Q: Where can I access software that designs steel members to AS 4100?
A: CHECKSTEEL, written by Revolutio, designs Liberty Hot Rolled sections to the Australian Standard for Steel Structures – AS 4100. The full version of CHECKSTEEL is available for purchase directly from Revolutio. A copy of the evaluation version can be downloaded here: www.onesteel.com/checksteel
Q: How can I access STEEL 41 software for AS 4100?
A: Liberty OneSteel offers an evaluation version of CHECKSTEEL which, like its predecessor STEEL41, checks steel designs to AS 4100.
CHECKSTEEL can be downloaded free of charge here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/apps/checksteel/
Q: Where can I find Liberty's Structural Steel products in spreadsheet form?
A: It is possible to export property data from a Liberty product catalogue so it can be viewed as a spreadsheet. Simply download a PDF of the catalogue, open it in your PDF reader and use its ‘Save as other’ or ‘Export to Excel’ capability as relevant and if this capability is available in your version. Download a copy of the catalogue here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1852/7th-ed_hotrolledcat_web-1.pdf
Span tables
Q: Where can I find span tables for simply supported composite beams?
A: Liberty has a Design note No. D3 that contains span tables covering various primary and secondary bean spans with common design floor loadings. A copy can be downloaded here: Design Note 3
Q: Where can I find tables for UBs so I can select beams based on maximum deflections of cantilevers and simply supported beams?
A: The Australian Steel Institute produces a publication entitled Design Capacity Tables for Structural Steel that can assist. You can purchase a copy of the publication by going to www.steel.org.au/bookshop. Note that you’ll need advice from a suitably qualified structural engineer to interpret the information in this publication.
Designing for specific projects
Q: Where can I find general information for designing structures using steel?
A: Liberty has made available a series of useful design guides. Copies of these publications can be accessed here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/content/design-guides/
Q: I’m designing a carpark. Where can I find a guide for designing a carpark using steel?
A: Economical Carparks – A Design Guide has been prepared to assist engineers, architects, quantity surveyors, builders and developers to produce and cost preliminary steel carpark designs. A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1863/carpark_guide.pdf
Economical Carparks – A Guide to Fire Safety offers guidance on how to design steel-frame carparks for fire. A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1918/design-for-fire-1.pdf
Q: I’m building a house. Where can I find information on the correct steel beam size to use?
A: Liberty has published a design guide entitled Structural Steel in Housing that has been compiled to assist builders, draftspeople and designers specify and use OneSteel's range of structural steel beams and sections. A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1857/structural-steel-in-housing.pdf
Q: Where can I find general information on designing steel members to counteract a fire situation?
A: Liberty has published numerous guides and design notes on the design of steel members in buildings subjected to fire. Copies of these publications can be accessed here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/content/design-guides/
Q: I’m designing a steel-framed low-rise office building. Where can I find information on how to design it for fire?
A: Liberty has published a design guide entitled Low-Rise Office Construction – A Guide to Fire Safety that summarises the current Building Code of Australia (BCA) deemed-to-satisfy provisions and alternative solutions for low-rise office construction with a rise of up to four storeys. Basement carparks are considered, as well as ground floor retail. A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1919/fireguide_office0601.pdf
Q: I’m designing a steel-framed shopping centre. Where can I find information on how to design it for fire?
A: Liberty has published a design guide entitled Design of Sprinklered Shopping Centre Buildings for Fire Safety that offers guidance on designing for fire, including recommendations for protection of structural steel members in shopping centres. A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1920/fireguide_shopping0601.pdf
Q: I’m designing a steel-framed sports stadium. Where can I find information on how to design it for fire?
A: Liberty has published a design guide entitled Design of Sports Stand Buildings for Fire Safety that identifies and studies factors that need to be considered in relation to fire safety. The guide presents a methodology that can be used by a fire-safety engineer when developing an alternative solution for a sports stadium.
A copy can be downloaded here:
https://www.libertygfg.com/media/1921/fireguide_sports1001.pdf.
Sustainability
Q: Where can I find sustainability information on GFG companies?
A: For all Liberty corporate governance documents, including Liberty's Environment Policy, refer to https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/company-policies/
Q: Why can’t I find a Liberty Annual Sustainability Report for 2016?
A: An Annual Sustainability Report was not issued in 2016 and 2017 due the company undergoing voluntary administration during that period prior to the purchase of the company by GFG Alliance on 31st August 2017, There is intent to recommence an Annual Sustainability Report. The most recent Annual Sustainability Report is located at https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/sustainability/.
Q: Where can I find a copy of Liberty's ISO 14001 certification?
A: Liberty has ISO 14001 Environmental Management System (EMS) certification for all its major steelmaking and steel manufacturing sites. Copies of the Liberty Steel Manufacturing and Liberty Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks certificates can be downloaded from: https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/accreditation/
Q: Is Liberty a member of the worldsteel Climate Action programme (CAP)?
A: Arrium was a member of the worldsteel CAP and, therefore, OneSteel was endorsed to use CAP certification. Our membership of the worldsteel CAP is now registered as Liberty OneSteel as of October 2017. The current Liberty OneSteel membership certificate, and Arrium’s previous membership credentials and a letter by Arrium endorsing Liberty OneSteel’s use of the CAP certificate can be viewed here: https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/accreditation/.
Q: Does Liberty have Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) available for its products?
A: Liberty has EPDs available for its structural and reinforcing product ranges. These EPDs are independently verified and registered documents that outline the environmental impact of a product throughout its lifecycle, thereby providing transparency for better material selection. Liberty's EPDs are recognised by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA) and the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA).
Information on Liberty's EPDs and how they can be used to gain infrastructure rating tools points can be found here: https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/sustainability/sustainability-rating-tools/ and also at https://www.libertygfg.com/resources/sustainability/.
Q: How can my company use Liberty services to gain infrastructure rating tools points?
A: In addition to using Liberty products, companies can utilise Liberty services to gain infrastructure rating tools points. As well as Liberty's five Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), the company can assist its customers with:
- guides and advice on design optimisation to minimise the quantity of material consumed
- designs and products that reduce wastage, such as prefabricated reinforcing cages and mats
- material-efficient products such as higher strength and ductile steels.
To find out more, download the Boost your Project’s Sustainability Rating brochure from here: https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/sustainability/sustainability-rating-tools/
Q: Where can I find information on Liberty's sustainability performance in relation to waste and water?
A: Liberty reports annually on key waste minimisation projects and provides a list of major steel plant waste type by volume and destination in its Annual Sustainability Report. It also reports annually on townswater consumption by manufacturing site: https://www.libertygfg.com/steel/about-us/sustainability/. An Annual Sustainability Report was not issued in 2016 and 2017 due the company undergoing voluntary administration during that period prior to the purchase of the company by GFG Alliance on 31st August 2017. There is intent to recommence an Annual Sustainability Report.
Data relating to recycled water usage is not available as it is difficult to collect and analyse. However, details concerning particular water efficiency programs are included in the Annual Sustainability Report.
Note that water data has been supplied to the Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP) in past years however data was not supplied to the CDP in 2017 due to the company undergoing voluntary administration. See www.cdp.net. Liberty is currently considering its future reporting to the CDP.
Q: Do Liberty products comply with the Australian Institute of Steel’s (ASI) Environmental Sustainability Charter?
A: The ASI’s Environmental Sustainability Charter (ESC) is a scheme for structural steel fabricators. As such, Liberty manufacturing sites are ineligible to be charter members.
