When you decide to build an industrial facility, one of the most important choices is the type of structure. At Abastran we specialise in steel structure design, where the unique properties of steel deliver unmatched strength at relatively low self-weight. A particularly interesting solution is the plate girder hall, where the main load-bearing elements are designed as individually calculated plate girders — welded sections of plate steel precisely tailored to the forces in your structure. Through detailed calculations we can optimise steel use by 25–30% compared to standard solutions, and you receive a structural design ideally suited to your needs. Beyond plate girder halls, our offering also includes tensile membrane structure and tent designs — alternative solutions that may better suit specific project requirements.
The plate girder design process
Our work starts with a precise detailed design of the steel structure. This should not be confused with the technical design you receive at the building permit stage — that one only defines general parameters and assumptions. At Abastran we create detailed shop documentation that is the “recipe” for fabricating every element of your structure.
While working on the design, we run advanced structural optimisation that can reduce steel mass by up to 30% while maintaining all strength parameters. We use modern CAD/CAM software that lets us precisely model every element and simulate various load scenarios — from snow weight to strong wind action. This stage is critical because precise planning of every detail translates into material, financial and assembly savings later.
It is worth noting that during the design stage we make the most important decisions about your structure — defining cross-sections, spacings, connection types and material specifications. Thanks to our experience in structural calculations, we can advise you on the best solutions that meet your expectations technically and economically.
Calculations and component specification for fabrication
Once you accept the design, we prepare detailed documentation for execution. The first step is preparing the material specification according to our calculations. Abastran projects do not save on quality — we specify increased-strength steel from proven suppliers, the foundation of structural durability.
Our documentation defines precise material preparation parameters, including blast cleaning methods that not only remove contamination and rust but also improve adhesion for subsequent corrosion protection coatings. This stage is critical to durability — a well-prepared surface is the basis of effective corrosion protection that ensures years of trouble-free service.
Our designs include detailed cutting guidelines. Depending on the thickness and steel grade, we specify different techniques — laser cutting with 0.1 mm accuracy for thinner plates, plasma or waterjet for thicker elements. Through precise calculations we can design every element of your steel hall with the highest accuracy, which significantly affects later assembly.
The documentation also includes detailed guidance on subsequent processing — drilling assembly holes, weld preparation, and where necessary, precise bending. All these operations are defined according to our calculations, with dimensional tolerances at every production stage. This precision in design is what ensures the elements of your structure fit together perfectly during assembly.
Welding technology and plate girder processing
The heart of plate girder design is the welding technology. At Abastran we design advanced welding methods including submerged arc welding (SAW) parameters, which provides deep penetration and exceptional weld quality. Our welding specifications allow joints of the highest strength, which is critical for large structural elements like columns and beams.
Choosing an Abastran-designed plate girder hall gives you a significant advantage over solutions using standard commercial elements. We design plate girders considering the actual force distribution in your structure. That means thicker plates or larger sections where loads are higher, and reduced material where loads are lower. As a result, your structure is both strong and economical.
Every project stage in our company is subject to strict quality control compliant with EN 1090, allowing CE marking of finished elements. Our designs address all requirements for contractor qualifications including welder certifications. We also specify weld testing requirements — visual and (where required) non-destructive testing (NDT). We leave nothing to chance — your Abastran-designed structure must be not only functional but above all safe.
In our designs we also define finishing requirements — methods for removing weld spatter, surface cleaning and preparation for corrosion protection. Depending on your requirements and the structure’s operating environment, we design the appropriate paint system or hot-dip galvanising. Properly designed corrosion protection is an investment in the durability of your hall, which can serve for decades.
Assembly design
The final stage of our design process is the on-site assembly technology. At Abastran we specify two main methods, selected based on your specific project. For smaller buildings we design assembly of individual elements directly on site. For larger structures we recommend block assembly, where larger sub-assemblies are prepared on the ground and lifted as a unit, which significantly speeds up work and improves safety.
Our assembly documentation describes the process starting with positioning the main columns on the prepared foundations. Precise anchoring is the basis of overall stability — we design assembly templates and define requirements for measurement equipment to ensure perfect positioning. We then define the assembly sequence for roof beams and how they connect to columns through bolted connections we have designed.
Subsequent stages specify wall and roof bracing installation, which provides spatial stiffness to the entire hall. This is what makes our designed structure resistant to horizontal forces like wind or seismic loads. We also specify roof and wall purlin installation, which supports the cladding.
Experience has taught us that precise element design directly translates to fast efficient assembly. When all elements fit together perfectly according to our design, time-consuming on-site adjustment is eliminated, significantly shortening project delivery and lowering costs. After steel structure assembly is complete, you can install the roof and wall cladding, and then enjoy your new functional space.
In summary
Designing steel plate girder halls is a complex process that we deliver at Abastran with the highest care at every stage. From precise calculations and shop design, through detailed component specification using increased-strength steel, to professional assembly documentation — every step is critical to the quality of the final result.
Choosing our company gives you a partner with years of design experience and access to the latest computational technology. Our steel structure designs are not just compliance with technical and standard requirements — they are solutions tailored to your specific needs. We optimise costs but never at the expense of quality.
If you are weighing an industrial, warehouse or other construction project that needs a solid structure, contact Abastran. Our specialists will help you choose the optimal design solution.