Tag Archives: the spheres

“The Spheres” Given AISC’s 2019 IDEAS2 Presidential Award for Excellence in Fabrication!

Another Awarding Winning Project in the books for Albina Co., Inc. “The Spheres” have received the AISC 2019 IDEAS2 Presidential Award for Excellence in Fabrication! Albina bent 750,000# and 1,050 pieces rectangular tube steel bent the easy way and a portion bent off-axis for this project. Almost 8 miles of welding work and grinding was avoided because of Albina’s ability to bend a portion of the project. Almost NO correction was needed during fabrication or erection as the bends fit to the fixtures within 1/32nd of an inch! Numerous Pacific Northwest businesses collaborated to make The Spheres possible. Way to Go Team & Congratulations!

Amazon Curved Steel Spheres
Curved Steel Spheres

Updated Pictures of Curved Rectangular Tube Steel “Spheres” Covered in Glass

See below for the most recent pictures of the curved steel “Spheres” in Seattle, WA. 750,000# and 1,050 pieces rectangular tube steel bent the easy way and a portion bent off-axis. Almost 8 miles of welding work and grinding was avoided because of Albina’s ability to bend a portion of the project. Almost NO correction was needed during fabrication or erection as the bends fit to the fixtures within 1/32nd of an inch!

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Take Shape in Seattle, WA.

The erection of the curved steel “Spheres” in Seattle, Washington was completed in April 2016. Over the summer, the team of contractors began the install of the glass enclosure over the steel bio-spheres. Check out the progression in the pictures below. As a reminder, Albina’s scope of work included approximately 750,000# and 1.050 pieces of rectangular tube steel bent the easy way and a portion bent off-axis. The material was bent to tight tolerances and bent to AESS standards. The amount of welds and grinding was significant, but thanks to Albina’s ability to bend portions of the project, a significant amount of welding and grinding was avoided. Almost NO correction was needed during fabrication or erection as the bends fit to fixtures (fabrication) within 1/32nd of an inch! Check back for more pictures as the project progresses!

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Seattle, WA.

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Seattle, WA.

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Curved Steel Bio-Spheres Covered in Glass

Updated Pictures for Curved Steel Spheres in Seattle, WA.

The erection of the curved steel “Spheres” in Seattle, Washington is complete. Check out the completed pictures below. As a reminder, Albina’s scope of work included approximately 750,000# and 1.050 pieces of rectangular tube steel bent the easy way and a portion bent off-axis. The material was bent to tight tolerances and bent to AESS standards. The amount of welds and grinding was significant, but thanks to Albina’s ability to bend portions of the project, a significant amount of welding and grinding was avoided. Almost NO correction was needed during fabrication or erection as the bends fit to fixtures (fabrication) within 1/32nd of an inch! Check back for more pictures as the project progresses!

Curved Steel Spheres

Curved Steel Spheres

Curved Steel Construction in Seattle, WA.

There is an impressive curved steel building currently being erected in Seattle, WA. right now! For The Spheres, Albina’s scope of work included approximately 750,000# and 1.050 pieces of bent steel material consisting of TS 9″ X 5″ X .500″ WALL A500 GR B, TS 10″ X 6″ X .500″ WALL A500 GR B, and TS 12″ X 8″ X .500″ WALL A500 GR B. The curved steel sections were bent the easy way and a portion bent off-axis. All material is AESS with very tight tolerances. The project consists of 8 miles of welds and 8 miles of grinding performed by the lead fabricator! The amount of welds and grinding was significant, but thanks to Albina’s ability to bend portions of the project, a significant amount of welding and grinding was avoided. The bends fit to fixtures (fabrication) within 1/32nd of an inch! Almost NO correction was needed during fabrication or erection.

Curved Steel Sections

Curved Steel Sections

Curved Steel Sections Erected

Curved Steel Sections Erected

Curved Steel Spheres

Curved Steel Spheres