Public Funding for Startlink Systems Limited

The study will develop and test a novel joint to be used for building Warren, Howe and Pratt trusses out of pultruded GRP box and tube. The Spacelink joint uses no metal, so that very light trusses and gantries can be built from strong composites alone. The joint is made by a ¼ turn component, allowing rapid assembly and disassembly. Disassembly allows space-saving, compact delivery. Composite trusses that do not corrode, will be able to replace steel and aluminium trusses, economically. Better thermal properties will avoid thermal bridging in metal structures, saving energy. The new joint will enable the construction of demountable, all-composite trusses and rectangular gantries for applications which include lightweight bridges, long span roofs, electrical distribution structures, temporary structures, transport and infrastructure. Joint manufacture can be automated and the wide availability of low-cost pultruded GRP box and tube means that composite structures can compete with metals on cost, saving weight, saving energy and resisting corrosion.