360° Bolt System Used for Melton Library Melbourne

360 Bolt to 'support' the new Melton Library

Just over 12-months ago, SGA Engineering, a western Melbourne-based steel construction and fabrication company first introduced the 360° Bolt concept to the Australian industry.

Unveiled in late 2011 at the annual Master Builders National Conference in Queensland last November, 360°Bolt is now well and truly in production, and it has already been utilised on a variety of projects around the Melbourne area, with a recent announcement by SGA Engineering that 360° Bolt has been approved by TaylorThomsonWhitting Consulting Engineers for use in the new Melton Library.

"We're proud to confirm that 360° Bolt will form a part of the construction works for the new Melton Library project," 360° Bolt's National Development Manager Darek Sygidus acknowledged. "Not only because of the ease of use of the product, but because of the significant time savings it will give us during erection."

Since its unveiling at the Master Builders Conference, 360° Bolt has become a talking point amongst industry members, however up until earlier this year, stocks had been incomplete, but as of February, the system has been adopted in a variety of projects.

"Our main objective was to ensure supply of stock, which is now well and truly sorted, so now it's a matter of building awareness for the product. We've already used it on some smaller sites around the Melbourne area, and have had confirmation since the Melton Library project that it will be used on other major projects within Melbourne, but at the same time we've also had discussions with contractors interstate about the benefits of the 360° Bolt system.

"Having seen the significant time savings we've made from avoiding 'blow outs' and misaligned cages, we know this product has relevance across a wide range of projects.

"We estimate the cost will be almost identical to the existing system given that 360° Bolt requires nothing but simple assembly (unless delivered assembled on-site), and doesn't need a boiler maker or a carpenter to set it up for installation. In the end though, with likely misalignments, the benefit will far outweigh the cost in every application, and we're prepared to back that up if need be by placing the 360° Bolt cages on-site ourselves."

Melton Library
The new library will have a floor area of over 3,500 square metres, spread over two levels, which is over four times bigger than the existing library. The redevelopment will create a 'signature' facility to support developing local identity, enhance civic pride, and continue to build Melton Shire's reputation as a learning community.

The design is focused on creating a people-friendly community building for all needs. It will provide a safe, welcoming, enjoyable and attractive environment. The building will feature lots of glass to ensure an openness and use of natural light, and the creation of warmth with use of natural materials such as timber that will create comfort, and be reflective of the regions rural past.

A design team led by a Melbourne based architectural studio Francis Jones Morehen Thorp (FJMT), was engaged to work with Melton Shire Council to design the new facility.

Construction commenced in February 2012 with completion expected by April 2013.