What Are the Construction Technologies for Steel Structure Hospitals?

Hospital buildings differ from ordinary public and commercial buildings, as they impose extremely stringent requirements on structural safety, construction efficiency, spatial flexibility and building functionality. Boasting multiple advantages including light weight with high strength, outstanding seismic performance, eco-friendly construction, rapid erection and strong load-bearing capacity, steel structures stand out among various construction schemes and have become the preferred structural type for hospital construction nowadays. Among a wide range of core construction technologies, this article mainly discusses three out of six key technologies applied in constructing steel structure hospitals, namely the installation technology of self-positioning stud-free rigid connection joints for steel structure modules, the ground modular assembly technology for tree-shaped column canopy steel structures, and the combined installation technology of buckling-restrained braces and viscous dampers.

Self-positioning Stud-free Rigid Connection Joint Installation Technology for Steel Structure Modules

This self-positioning stud-free rigid connection joint installation technology for steel structure modules realizes rapid self-positioning of joints via limit plates and positioning plates, with high-strength grout poured inside connecting joints. It boasts prominent merits including simple operation, high installation efficiency and strong load-bearing capacity. Its installation efficiency is tripled compared with conventional construction methods, steel consumption is cut by nearly 30%, and the theoretical maximum building height can reach 100 meters.

When applied to hospital construction, this technology delivers core practical values: the installation time for a single joint is shortened from 40 minutes to 8 minutes; no protruding studs remain on the bottom surface of floor slabs; it meets the special seismic fortification requirement of intensity 8; and potential safety hazards caused by open-flame operations are greatly reduced.

Ground Modular Assembly Technology for Tree-shaped Column Canopy Steel Structures

This technology refers to a construction method where all module segments are assembled and welded completely on ground steel jigs before integral hoisting. Compared with the traditional construction method for space curved tree-shaped columns, it solves the problems of high operation risks, poor assembly precision and uncontrollable welding quality arising from high-altitude scattered installation. It can minimize the closure duration of the main hospital entrance, strengthen welding quality control, meet the architectural aesthetic requirements of the hospital entrance and reduce risks of high-altitude operations.

Combined Installation Technology of Buckling-Restrained Braces and Viscous Dampers

This combined installation technology of buckling-restrained braces (BRB) and viscous dampers (VD) is a two-stage seismic mitigation technology that integrates the stiffness-based energy dissipation advantage of BRBs and the velocity-based energy dissipation advantage of VDs, with an overall seismic reduction efficiency of 30%~40%. It helps maintain essential medical operation order during earthquakes. Compared with the traditional scheme of thickening shear walls, this technical solution avoids occupying effective usable floor area.

In the next issue, we will continue to introduce the modular installation technology of integrated electromechanical pipelines, the rapid installation technology of prefabricated machine rooms and the full-process digital traceability technology for steel components. Having been deeply engaged in the steel structure industry for 21 years, EHSS specializes in the manufacturing of steel structural components and installation works, safeguarding your projects with professional capabilities. Stay tuned to EHSS for more professional technical information on steel structures.