Conservation & Heritage Issue 50 Winter 2025/Spring 2026 - Flipbook - Page 89
Tension bars are rather uncomplicated products to use which,
provide a significant benefit; the simplicity of the threaded
ends allowed the workshop team to easily assemble and
disassemble the neck and tail. Throughout the assembly, this
had to be done numerous times as the tension forces were
set, tested, and modified until the dinosaur was perfectly
positioned. As the body and tail were shipped in separate
pieces, it was a straightforward task to put them together
using the hydraulic Jack and the two Macalloy nuts.
The prestressing assembly is the design’s only non-bronze
component. The tendons are possibly the most critical part
of the entire design since they sustain the heavy weight of
the neck and tail under tension. During assembly, a quartertonne weight was hung from the neck and tail ends, and the
Macalloy bars held the load.
Under load, the Macalloy 1030 system will stretch and relax
less than its cable counterparts, which allows for a more
robust and rigid structure and minimised movement. The
visibility of these manufactured features had to be kept
to a minimum so that the dinosaur’s anatomy could be
appreciated.
Image © The Trustees of the Natural History Museum, London
Most crucially, the engineers at Macalloy were able to create
a method of fabricating the curved bars that followed the
structure of the dinosaur’s spine. Without this innovation,
the design would not have been as successful.
Macalloy are global leaders in the manufacture
of threaded tension steel bars and cable systems
Macalloy Architectural Bar Systems are the perfect fusion of engineering precision and timeless
design, making them ideal for the restoration and renovation of historic buildings, heritage sites, home
designs, public artworks and sculptures.
Whether reinforcing the structure of a centuries-old cathedral or
supporting the delicate balance of a contemporary sculpture in a
heritage setting, Macalloy systems offer:
Discreet integration into traditional architecture
Custom finishes that complement historic materials
Proven durability for long-term conservation
Design flexibility for modern interventions in old spaces
Bespoke designs for specific
Macalloy can support architects, engineers, and
conservationists in preserving cultural heritage, without
compromising on modern performance.
www.macalloy.com/architectural-building-solutions
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