Innovative steel-concrete beam: Space-saving and fire-resistant without additional measures

The production department at Mouw Hoedliggers is working overtime. The hat girders, castellated girders, cap girders, IFB and SFB girders are unstoppable. Expectations are also high for the completely new and innovative Sigma Beam for steel high-rise. Reason for Mouw to invest heavily in doubling the production capacity and to strongly automate the production process. These efforts are already bearing fruit.

Since 2013, Mouw Hoedliggers has been at its current location in Ede. "Fortunately, there was enough room for expansion on our own site," says director Edwin Mouw. "We currently have at our disposal no less than 9,000 m2 of production space that has been expanded to include a rebate machine to cut castellated beams much faster and an additional shot-blasting machine. In addition, the full 'infrastructure' has been set up for the production of the Sigma Beam with a 70-meter-long welding robot and a special press to produce the body of the steel-concrete beam."

Up to 60 minutes of fire resistance

The Sigma Beam is Mouw's own development and is its flagship product. "Think of it as an innovative steel-concrete beam for slender floor structures and with all the advantages of a standard hat beam," says Mouw. "The unique features are in the construction of the girder. By using an anchor rail, the position of the cuttings can be determined at the last moment. Another big advantage is that the Sigma Beam is fire-resistant up to 60 minutes according to EN 1365-3 efectis NED, without additional measures with costly preservation layers. This is due to the special holes in the upper flange, which ensure that the residual space is filled with concrete and the beam therefore lies, except for the lower plate, all around in the concrete. Sigma Beam girders are therefore more cost-effective than standard hat girders."

Deliver from stock

The Sigma Beam is a completely new development from Mouw. "Currently, the first projects are being 'converted' to this innovative beam," Mouw knows. "That way, the final fine-tuning will take place before we introduce the beam widely in the market. The intention is to stock the Sigma Beam in three heights (200, 320 and 400 mm). It will then be up to structural engineers to make use of it. Incidentally, it can already be calculated with in Tekla Warehouse. We also plan to organize a number of introduction evenings for structural engineers later this year to get a better feel for the unique product. Exact dates are still to be communicated. After that, the Sigma Beam will sell itself," expects Mouw, who also sees a market for the Sigma Beam outside our borders. To be continued, no doubt!