In the panorama of industrial and civil construction, structural prefabrication has always assumed a central role. Reduced construction time, controlled quality, safety, efficiency: these are the levers that drive designers and companies to seek industrialized solutions for the construction of buildings.
MTR® System, Metal.Ri's construction solution that represents a high-performance prefabricated structural system, fits into this context.
For over 35 years, Metal.Ri has been among the leaders in the field of mixed steel-concrete structures with its self-supporting MTR® beams, in the three different types A,T and C.
Today, with the MTR® P column, MTR® System makes the ultimate leap: the MTR® beams in combination with the MTR® P column create a completely prefabricated structure, from the first to the last deck, arriving at the construction site ready for assembly.
MTR® System: the path to complete prefabrication of the load-bearing structure
The MTR® P column represents the technological evolution of prefabricated framed structural systems. Its cross-section, defined by the acronym CFT (Concrete Filled Tube), consists of a concrete-filled steel tubular, integrated with reinforcing bars, capable of ensuring the highest level of structural performance.
Compared to any other existing column type, the MTR® P column offers significantly superior performance. In fact, this construction solution combines the load-bearing capacity of steel with that of reinforced concrete, taking full advantage of the synergies between the two materials. The infill concrete increases the stability of the hollow steel profile, while the latter exerts a confinement action that increases its compressive strength. The result is a slender column with exceptional mechanical performance.
Totally prefabricated structures with the MTR® beam-to-column connection
The column is fabricated in the workshop in the form of prefabricated multi-stretch modular components.
Each element is equipped with steel support systems, positioned at the top end, which serve as a base for the MTR® beams during the initial assembly phase. This configuration allows for quick, accurate and safe installation of the entire structure.
After the dry assembly of the deck, the completion casting is performed, which permanently connects beams, columns and floors, giving the structural system a monolithic behavior.
Integration between the MTR® P column and MTR® beams allows for total prefabrication of the entire structural system, with significant advantages in terms of reduced construction time and cost.
This approach makes it possible to construct buildings characterized by large structural spans, high construction quality and great speed of execution.
Total prefabrication as a competitive advantage
Adoption of the complete MTR® system-beams plus prefabricated columns-enables total prefabrication of the structural skeleton with significant advantages:
- Reduced construction time
By eliminating formwork and reinforcement on site, assembly of prefabricated elements is immediate. - Quality control and traceability
All components are produced in a controlled and certified environment, with documented testing and trials. - Geometric accuracy
Standardized mechanical joints ensure tight tolerances and accurate alignments. - High load-bearing capacity and seismic behavior
Steel-concrete interaction improves stiffness, ductility and energy dissipation. - Intrinsic fire resistance
Internal concrete protects the steel, delaying the loss of bearing capacity in the event of fire. - Safety on site
Fewer steps at height and fewer environmental variables, installation is faster and safer. - Less skilled labor on site
Assembly of prefabricated components requires little manpower.
The evolution of the MTR® System as a model for more efficient construction
With the MTR® P column, Metal.Ri brings MTR® System to its most complete form: the MTR® beam-pillar system does not simply replace traditional elements with prefabricated components, but introduces an industrial and safe logic to the construction process.
For the designer, MTR® total prefabrication guarantees greater control and reliability of the structural model; thanks to elements characterized by constant and certified mechanical properties, perfectly consistent with the analytical calculation.
For theconstruction company, it means speed, safety and reduction of indirect site costs, as complex work is transferred to the production workshop, solving the problem of chronic lack of personnel on site and ensuring consistent and verifiable construction quality.
The innovations introduced by Metal.Ri with the MTR® P column will be presented at the upcoming industry trade shows, SAIE (Stand R17 - New Pavilion Fiera del Levante Bari) and MADE Expo (Stand H01, Pad.04 - Rho Fiera Milano), where there will be an opportunity for designers, companies and operators to learn more about the potential of the system, directly confronting the technical team and the latest application solutions. The possibility of fully prefabricating the structural skeleton paves the way for lighter, higher-performance and more durable buildings, in line with the needs of contemporary construction and the most advanced safety and quality control regulations.
