Space Frame Structures
Space frame structures for clear-span roofs: bolted-ball and welded-sphere space frames for stadium, terminal, station, gas station and toll plaza canopies, made as a matched kit of nodes, struts and supports. Fabricated to designs prepared to AISC 360 or EN 1993-1-1, executed under EN 1090-2 EXC2, with 1:1 trial assembly for complex nodes.
What This System Includes
The component families we fabricate in-house for this product line. Send a BOQ and we quote against these directly.
Solid Bolt Spheres · Hollow Welded Spheres · Sealing Plates (48-89mm) · Cones (76-325mm) …
Pipe Struts · High-Strength Bolts (16–85 mm) · Support Bearings & Brackets
Technical Specifications
| Item | Specification |
|---|---|
| Design basis | AISC 360 / EN 1993-1-1, as the project specifies |
| Execution class | EN 1090-2 EXC2 (certificate 2787-CPR-01627) |
| Nodes | Bolted spherical nodes and welded hollow spheres machined to the node schedule; hole angles and thread sizes follow the drawings |
| Struts | Circular hollow sections to EN 10219 / ASTM A500, cut to length with cones and sealing plates welded on |
| Welding | AWS D1.1 / EN ISO 9606 qualified procedures and welders |
| NDT | 100% UT or MT on critical full-penetration welds; welded spheres inspected before dispatch |
| Trial assembly | 1:1 physical trial assembly in the yard to AISC / EN 1090-2 practice: bolt hole groups checked for at least 95% free entry, span, camber and node coordinates held within ±2.0 mm, with a dimensional report and photographs before coating. |
| Marking | Every node and strut stencilled and barcoded with its grid reference, matching the packing list and 3D erection drawings |
| Corrosion protection | ISO 12944, system selected per site environment (C3–CX) |
| Documentation | MTRs, forging certificates, WPS/PQR, NDT and DFT reports with every shipment |
Project-specific tolerances, section sizes and load tables are issued with the quotation once your design basis is received.
Advantages vs Engineering Considerations
| Advantages | Engineering Considerations |
|---|---|
| Space frame roofs from node to strutBolt spheres, welded hollow spheres, cones, sleeves and pipe struts are made in-house, so a space frame roof ships as a matched kit rather than components from three suppliers. | Node geometry must be frozen early; late changes ripple through every member length and bolt. |
| Components for local assemblyBolt spheres, sleeves, cones and set screws are also quoted as space frame components for contractors who weld the struts locally — see the Space Frame Nodes sub-system. | Erection needs a level, accurately set support system or temporary staging for the assembled grid. |
| Trial assembly for complex geometry1:1 physical trial assembly in our yard with dimensional reports and photographs before shipping, for roofs where site rework is expensive. | Roof drainage and cladding fixing need a secondary system detailed together with the space frame. |
| Dual certificationAISC certified and CE marked to EN 1090-2 EXC2 under certificate 2787-CPR-01627. | Large numbers of members and bolts require disciplined marking and packing to avoid site sorting. |
Certifications & Compliance
Every shipment leaves with the documents an auditor asks for. Scroll the row and open any certificate at full size.
China Steel Structure Manufacturing Grade I
AISC Certification
CE Marking – EN 1090-2 (CPR 01627)
OTC Document of Validity
International Welder Certification
Enterprise Qualifications Portfolio
DG Packaging Certificate
Labor & Scaffolding Contracting
Explosion-Proof Certificate
Industrial Pipeline Installation GC1
Power Facility License
Have drawings or a BOQ ready? Send them through the form and our engineers reply with a preliminary assessment.
Related Projects
Steel structures we fabricated and shipped for the same kind of building.
SynJect. Scale. Precision. Certainty.
SYNJECT delivers comprehensive steel structure solutions engineered for the global value chain. From investors seeking ROI to engineers demanding exact compliance, we transform complex blueprints into robust realities—on time and without friction.
SynJect ENGINEERING
From Microns to Megastructures — 12 Rigorous Stages Certified to AISC & EN 1090
Detailed Engineering & Shop Drawing Development
Utilizing advanced BIM platforms such as Tekla Structures, detailed 3D modeling and shop drawings are executed strictly in compliance with AISC 360 or Eurocode 3 (EN 1993). Connection designs are rigorously verified, with manufacturing drawings generated to ISO 2768-m tolerance standards. 100% clash detection with primary architectural and MEP systems is performed to ensure zero structural conflicts during field erection.
Nesting & Material Optimization
Intelligent nesting layouts are performed using advanced software like FastCAM/SigmaNEST in accordance with EN 10029 / ASTM A6 dimensional standards. Accounting for cutting kerf (2mm-5mm depending on plate thickness) and thermal contraction allowances, raw material utilization exceeds 92%. Offcuts are digitally barcode-tracked to ensure 100% mill test report (MTR) traceability.
Raw Material Incoming Inspection
All structural steel (Q355B/C/D, ASTM A572 Gr.50, S355JR/J2) must be accompanied by EN 10204 3.1 Mill Test Reports (MTR). Incoming quality control conducts 100% dimensional and visual inspections under ASTM A6 / EN 10029, verifying thickness tolerances (Class A/B) and internal lamination integrity via Ultrasonic Testing (UT) to ASTM A435. Chemical composition and mechanical properties are spot-verified by accredited 3rd-party labs.
CNC Cutting & Edge Preparation
Plate profiling and component cutting are executed via CNC oxy-fuel, high-definition plasma, and multi-kW fiber laser equipment. Cut surface quality strictly complies with EN ISO 9013 for perpendicularity and surface roughness (Range 3/4 tolerance). Multi-axis CNC beveling machines execute weld prep bevel angles within ±2.5° and root face dimensions within ±1.0 mm.
Primary Structural Welding
Welding is performed exclusively by AWS D1.1 or EN ISO 9606 certified welders using qualified Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) supported by Procedure Qualification Records (PQR) per AWS D1.1 / ISO 15614. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) dominate Complete Joint Penetration (CJP) and fillet welds. Heat input is strictly controlled, achieving weld quality levels conforming to ISO 5817 Quality Level B or AWS D1.1 standards.
Weld Distortion Straightening
Post-weld angular distortion, camber, and sweep are rectified using automated hydraulic flange straighteners and controlled thermal flame straightening. Heating temperatures for High-Strength Low-Alloy (HSLA) steels are strictly maintained between 600-650 Celsius (air-cooled, zero water quenching) to prevent microstructural degradation. Post-straightening straightness tolerances meet ±3 mm, conforming to EN 1090-2 Execution Class 2 (EXC2) and AISC COSP standards.
Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
NDT protocols are operated by ISO 9712 / ASNT Level II certified NDT personnel. 100% of critical Complete Joint Penetration (CJP) welds undergo Ultrasonic Testing (UT per ISO 17640 / ASTM E164) or Magnetic Particle Testing (MT per ISO 17638 / ASTM E709). Radiographic Testing (RT) is applied as requested for heavy sections. Weld acceptance conforms strictly to ISO 11666 Acceptance Level 1 or AWS D1.1 criteria.
Trial Assembly & Shop Alignment
Complex geometries, long-span trusses, and heavy framing undergo 1:1 physical trial assembly or high-precision 3D laser scanning virtual assembly per EN 1090-2 / AISC requirements. Bolt hole alignment is verified (≥95% free-pass rate for high-strength bolts), and critical dimensions (span, camber, 3D spatial alignment) are verified within tight tolerance limits (±2.0 mm) to eliminate site fitting risks.
Surface Preparation & Protective Coating
Structural members undergo automated shot blasting to achieve SSPC-SP10 / NACE No. 2 / ISO 8501-1 Sa 2.5 cleanliness, with a surface profile (anchor depth) of 45-75 microns. High-performance protective coatings are applied using airless spray technology in compliance with ISO 12944 (C3 to CX corrosive environments), featuring Zinc-Rich Epoxy Primers, Epoxy Micaceous Iron Oxide Intermediate coats, and Polyurethane/Fluorocarbon Topcoats. Dry Film Thickness (DFT) is verified adhering strictly to the 90/10 rule.
Final Quality Inspection & Certification
Final Quality Control (FQC) performs a comprehensive audit, inspecting paint aesthetics (zero runs, pinholes, sagging), critical geometry, bolt hole pitches, and component mark traceability. A complete Manufacturing Data Report (MDR) comprising MTRs, NDT records, coating inspection logs, and Certificates of Conformance is compiled to support CE Marking (DoP under EN 1090) and AISC final acceptance.
Export Packaging & Logistics Protection
Protective packaging is engineered for containerized (40HQ/OT/FR) and breakbulk ocean freight under heavy maritime transit conditions. Structural members are bundled on heavy-duty steel skids with high-tensile steel strapping. Machined connections are wrapped with VCI anti-corrosion film, EPE foam padding, and heavy rubber cushions. All timber packing complies fully with ISPM 15 phytosanitary standards and IMO Cargo Stowage and Securing (CSS) rules.
Global Field Erection & Site Management
We deliver international site erection supervision and turnkey EPCM construction services adhering to OSHA 1926 safety protocols, AISC COSP, and EN 1090-2 erection standards. Field teams, led by multilingual HSE and QA/QC engineers, utilize high-precision total stations to maintain structural plumbness within H/1000 (25mm max). High-Strength Structural Bolting is executed via calibrated Wrench or Turn-of-Nut methods with 100% torque audit documentation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you supply space frame components only, for a roof we weld locally?
Yes. Bolt spheres, welded spheres, cones, sleeves, set screws and high-strength bolts are quoted as components against your node schedule; pipe struts can be supplied cut to length or sourced locally.
What is the difference between a space frame roof and a steel truss roof in your quotation?
A space frame is a three-dimensional grid of struts and nodes; a truss roof is planar or tubular trusses at bay spacing with purlins between them. Span, roof shape and architectural intent decide it; we quote either from the roof plan and loads.
Do you supply the supports and bearings for a space frame roof?
Yes. Support bearings, brackets and the high-strength bolts are quoted with the node kit — see the Space Frame Members & Supports sub-system — so the roof lands on supports drilled to the same template.
Which design code do you fabricate to?
Whichever your design specifies. We work to AISC 360 or Eurocode 3 (EN 1993) for design intent, and execute to EN 1090-2 EXC2 under certificate 2787-CPR-01627. State the code in your enquiry and the quotation is issued against it.
Can you issue calculations our building authority will accept?
Yes. We provide English structural calculation reports with load combinations and 3D models. Where local regulations require a licensed local engineer to stamp the drawings, we supply the calculation package for their review.
What is a realistic lead time?
For a typical single-building scope the standard cycle is 40 to 50 days: 1–2 weeks from contract to 3D models and shop drawings for your approval, then 4–5 weeks for procurement, CNC fabrication, welding, coating and loading. Drawing approval is the part you control.
Do you supply the enclosure as well as the frame?
Yes. Roof and wall cladding, insulation, waterproofing, doors, windows, ventilation and drainage are quoted as one package — see Enclosure & Cladding Systems . Single-source supply removes the interface risk between frame and envelope.
How do we verify your certificates?
Ask us for the certificate together with its Document of validity — they are issued as an inseparable pair. We send both with the welding annex on request. Details are published on our certificates page .
Send Us Your Drawings or BOQ
Tell us the footprint, span, crane capacity and local loads — our engineering team reviews every request and replies with a preliminary assessment.
- Reviewed by our engineering team
- AISC certified · CE marked EN 1090-2 (EXC2)
- Mutual NDA available on request
🔒 100% Private and Secure, No Spam