Article No. 2: INTRODUCTION TO THE LONG THANH STEEL FLOWER:
1. What is the concept of a “Steel Flower”?
In the metaphorical language of the steel structure industry, the “Steel Flower” is a poetic name for a special component—a convergence of high-level engineering, aesthetics, and creative spirit. Fabricated from an assembly of steel members of various sizes, joined together at different planes and angles, this structural detail forms the image of a blooming flower with steel “petals” extending in multiple directions, making it strong and stable.
The “Steel Flower” component serves as the central structural column—a multi-directional spatial node within the unique roof architecture of the Passenger Terminal building for the Long Thanh International Airport project. This is one of the most iconic highlights of the entire project—a symbol of scale, technical challenge, and the aspiration to soar.
2. Structure of the “Steel Flower”
The “Steel Flower” is not just a physical product but also a culmination of the intelligence, skills, and sense of responsibility of the ATAD team—from design and fabrication to on-site erection. The structure of the exhibited Steel Flower is as follows:
- It consists of 2 nodes. The top node includes 13 intersecting members. The bottom node includes 7 intersecting members.
- The dimensions of the Steel Flower are: 4.3m in height, 2.45m in width, and 2.7m in depth.
- Weight: 5.8 tons.
- It is a built-up section from multiple steel plates with a maximum thickness of 40mm and a minimum thickness of 12mm.
The structure of the largest Steel Flower at the Long Thanh Airport project is as follows:
- It consists of 2 nodes. The top node includes 14 intersecting members. The bottom node includes 8 intersecting members.
- The dimensions of the Steel Flower are: 6.59m in height, 2.74m in width, and 3.10m in depth.
- Weight: 13.0 tons.
- It is a built-up section from multiple steel plates with a maximum thickness of 100mm and a minimum thickness of 20mm.
Each steel flower comprises numerous upper and lower structural members, requiring millimeter-level precision. The end of each branch is drilled for bolted connections with an assembly tolerance according to the international standard EN 1090–EX3, a strict requirement that can only be met with extensive production experience and high-level craftsmanship.
With full-penetration welds that are strictly controlled for deformation, the product is ensured in both technical quality and aesthetic value.
Each weld and each joint is a testament to the dedication of ATAD’s craftsmen—the “artisans” of the modern steel structure industry.
ATAD has successfully fabricated and erected 126 “Steel Flowers” of various sizes and structures for the key national project, Long Thanh International Airport. This is not just a number regarding output but also a milestone demonstrating our superior capability and our mettle in mastering the most complex types of structures in the industry.
