Infrastruct North has carried out a targeted structural steel investigation across two Type ‘F’ steel-framed aircraft hangars at RAF Halton in Buckinghamshire for Clegg Associates, both dating from around 1920.

The programme is providing the material and condition data needed for structural reassessment of the century-old frames: XRF/PMI alloy identification, portable hardness testing and ultrasonic thickness surveys across the hangars’ bracing, trusses and connections, together with engineer-approved samples for laboratory analysis.

With the hangars remaining in live use, the fieldwork was planned around aircraft operations and delivered by MEWP under controlled exclusion zones — with XRF testing carried out under Infrastruct North’s HSE IRR17 radiation registration and Radiation Protection Adviser oversight.

Laboratory confirmation and reporting are under way — read the full case study: RAF Halton — Structural Steel Testing, Hangars 287 & 288.

Reassessing an ageing steel structure? See our Materials Testing & Metallurgy page or contact an expert on 0151 727 3796.