Yenem Engineering Services has introduced a connection known as altCONNECT that the company says could potentially save tens of millions of dollars in steelwork erection each year.

AltCONNECT relies on friction to withstand loads and forces, joining primary structural members such as beams and columns together without bolts or welds.

This means there are fewer elements in the construction process, which reduces time on site and lowers costs. Additionally, the structural system doesn’t require bracing so there is better access for maintenance.

Yenem Engineering Services principal structural engineer and director Dave Meney says AltCONNECT is different because it’s not just a connection but also a structural system that leads to faster construction.

“AltCONNECT doesn’t require the extensive scaffolding and rigging that a conventional structure would require and I think it will be a game changer for the construction and mining industries. It’s going to dramatically reduce the speed of erection.”

The emergence of 3D printing is what gave Yemen the ability to make the connection. Components are 3D printed and can be prepared to exacting tolerances in any shape or form so that pieces fit perfectly together during construction.

“3D printing might have started with plastic toys and trinkets, but the technology has advanced to printing metal components. Current technology limits the size of steel components but Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies are being continually improved and the available build space in all systems will certainly continue to grow, changing the way we make and build things,” says Dave.

The new connection will be integrated with the Akselos software, Akselos Integra, a new engineering simulation platform that makes it possible to analyse complex parts in a fraction of the time that conventional Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software can.

Akselos co-founder and chief technology officer David Knezevic says he is excited to work with Yenem to bring altCONNECT into structural design offices around the world.

“Akselos provides cloud-based software for simulation of large-scale engineering system and routinely provides 1000x speedup compared to conventional FEA without compromising accuracy,” says David.

“Our software will make Yenem’s connection concept a reality and we’re thrilled to be a part of this paradigm shift in construction technology”.