“Annex G of EN 1090-2:2011 is crucial in order to ensure the quality and safety of steel and aluminium structures”
Technical analysis of the test to determine slip factor of EN 1090-2:2011
The European standard EN 1090-2:2011, entitled “Execution of steel structures and aluminium structures. Part 2: Technical requirements for steel structures”, is essential in order to ensure quality and safety in steel and aluminium structure projects. This standard sets out strict criteria for materials, manufacturing procedures, quality control and inspection of steel structures, to ensure that they are manufactured and erected to the highest standards.
A crucial section of this standard is Annex G, which focuses on “friction tests”. This annex is essential in order to assess the capacity of steel and aluminium joints, ensuring that the contact surfaces between structural elements have the necessary strength to withstand loads without undue slips.
Importance of Annex G
Annex G of EN 1090-2:2011 describes in detail the procedures for performing friction tests, which are vital for:
- Ensuring joint strength: Friction tests ensure that bolted joints have suitable load transfer capacity through friction between the contact surfaces.
- Slip prevention: by testing friction, the joint slip risk, which could compromise the stability and safety of the structure, is minimised.
- Regulatory compliance: these tests are necessary in order to meet the requirements of EN 1090-2:2011, ensuring that structures are fit for purpose and comply with European standards.
Friction test procedures
The friction tests in Annex G involve several specific steps and methods:
- Sample preparation: steel sample surfaces are prepared following standard methods to ensure consistent and replicable results.
- Test set-up: the specimens are assembled in a configuration that simulates real structural joint conditions.
- Load application: controlled loads are applied to the specimens to measure slip resistance.
- Evaluation of results: the results are analysed to determine whether the contact surfaces comply with the specified friction levels.
Benefits of friction testing
Complying with friction tests in accordance with Annex G of EN 1090-2:2011 offers multiple benefits:
- Quality assurance: it ensures that the structural connections are robust and reliable, improving the overall quality of the project.
- Increased safety: it minimises the risk of structural failure due to slips, ensuring construction safety.
- Competitive advantages: complying with these tests increases customer confidence, and enhances the company’s reputation in terms of quality and commitment to regulations.
- TECNALIA’s testing services
TECNALIA ensures compliance with EN 1090-2 Annex G on friction testing.
TECNALIA provides specialised testing services that ensure compliance with EN 1090-2:2011 including Annex G on friction testing. It has a laboratory equipped with advanced technology and a team of experts dedicated to rigorous and accurate testing.
- TECNALIA’s service include
- Materials testing: chemical composition analysis and mechanical testing.
- Control of welds: visual inspections and non-destructive testing.
- Structural integrity assessment: load, fatigue and durability tests.
