DonoBeam

Donovan Group’s five-decade commitment to advanced manufacturing, automation, and understanding what construction needs, stands behind DonoBeam—a carbon-reducing structural steel beam that’s been tried, tested and proven in New Zealand, and is now transforming building around the world.

Interested in savings of over 40% in carbon emissions while achieving impressive clear spans? DonoBeam tapered steel box beams can deliver a large unobstructed space economically, with the architectural freedom to incorporate a wide range of aesthetic and practical elements that a project might require. Developed in partnership with BlueScope steel, DonoBeam eliminates unnecessary steel and the need for obtrusive knee or apex braces, while never compromising structural integrity.

Why DonoBeam?

Reduce carbon & cost

Reduce surface area & labour

High spans & design flexibility

Faster construction

Bird & vermin resistance

DonoBeam is tapered to reduce the amount of steel needed for any given design, without reducing structural integrity. With the volume of steel significantly reduced, DonoBeam commits to less waste, less costs and carbon emissions savings of over 40%.

Efficient and economical design flows throughout the entire DonoBeam structure. Alongside significant cost savings in steel volume, DonoBeam also produces significant cost savings on surface area. DonoBeam’s tapered, hollow box sections with internal flanges produce a surface area of up to 28% less than conventional I-beams, creating significant cost savings and labour savings—especially when high-level paint systems are specified.

The unobstructed space of a big building is a valuable commodity. DonoBeam structural steel beams can deliver it economically, delivering impressive spans while incorporating virtually any architectural or practical element your business needs—all with a unique and distinct architectural aesthetic.

From design to assembly, DonoBeam allows for economically-fast production. Buildings can be prefabricated, and the entire frame can be assembled safely and quickly on the ground without the need for welding on site—less risk, less resource, less cost required.

Smart design means there’s no room for birds or vermin. With bird-resistant purlins and vermin-resistant girts, there’s no chance for birds and rodents to use DonoBeam surfaces to stand or roost.

DonoBeam key project:

Marua Road, Mt Wellington

Length:: 70.5m
Width:: 58m
Knee Height:: 9m
Floor Area:: 4,100m²
Building Use:: Large warehouse
Portal System:: DonoBeam

Structural Points of Difference

Cross section diagram of a building built using DonoBeam

DonoBeam's torsional stiffness significantly reduces the need for fly bracing

Traditional I-Beam portal frames tend to buckle rotationally under load and lose their strength. To compensate for this, they require a lot of buckling restraints (fly-bracing) to be installed. DonoBeam is significantly more stiffer rotationally, and can carry high loads with minimal buckling restraint. As a result, DonoBeam buildings also look cleaner and more appealing without the cluttered look of fly-bracing.
Reduction in steel weight due to tapering of portal structure

DonoBeam frames are designed to be efficient, providing structural strength where it is required and removing material where it’s not. This reduces the overall weight of the structure and makes better use of Earth’s valuable resources.
Fully bolted for easy erection

Our structural connections are fully bolted and structural members appropriately sized for easy handling, transport and erection.
Easily partners with DonoBrace® - Donovan Group's tension-only bracing system

DonoBrace is the only steel rod bracing product in Australia and New Zealand which is dynamically tested in a simulated earthquake environment.
Bird and vermin-resistant sections

DonoBeam frames are fully sealed box sections making them resistant to birds, vermin, and dust. They can be paired with “bird-proof” purlins to create a complete solution for building owners.
Fully-welded tapered section

DonoBeam is manufactured by folding two halves of steel plate and welding them together to form a sealed hollow box section. It is tapered through its length, utilising only the amount of steel required for a given design.

An innovative tapered box beam design which reduces carbon by more than 40%