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Framed structures
A framed structure in any material is one that is made stable by a skeleton that is able to stand by
itself as a rigid structure without depending on floors or walls to resist deformation. Materials such
as wood, steel, and reinforced concrete, which are strong in both tension and compression, make
the best members for framing. Masonry skeletons, which cannot be made rigid without walls, are
not frames. The heavy timber frame, in which large posts, spaced relatively far apart, support thick
floor and roof beams, was the commonest type of construction in eastern Asia and
northern Europe from prehistoric times to the mid-19th century. It was supplanted by the
American light wood frame (balloon frame), composed of many small and closely spaced
members that could be handled easily and assembled quickly by nailing instead of by the slow
joinery and dowelling of the past. Construction is similar in the two systems, since they are both
based on the post-and-lintel principle. Posts must rest on a level, waterproof foundation, usually
composed of masonry or concrete, on which the sill (base member) is attached. Each upper story
is laid on crossbeams that are supported on the exterior wall by horizontal members. Interior walls
give additional beam support.In the heavy-timber system, the beams are strong enough to allow
the upper story and roof to project beyond the plane of the ground-floor posts, increasing
the space and weather protection. The members are usually exposed on the exterior. In China,
Korea, and Japan, spaces between are enclosed by light screen walls and in northern Europe partly
by thinner bracing members and partly by boards, panels, or (in half-timbered construction) bricks
or earth.
The light frame, however, is sheathed with vertical or horizontal boarding or shingling, which is
jointed or overlapped for weather protection. Sheathing helps to brace as well as to protect the
frame, so the frame is not structurally independent as in steel frame construction. The light-frame
system has not been significantly improved since its introduction, and it lags behind other modern
techniques. Prefabricated panels designed to reduce the growing cost of construction have not
been widely adopted. Modern heavy-timber and laminated-wood techniques, however, provide
means of building up compound members for trusses and arches that challenge steel construction
for certain large-scale projects in areas where wood is plentiful.
Steel framing is based on the same principles but is much simplified by the far greater strength of
the material, which provides more rigidity with fewer members. The load-bearing capacity of steel
is adequate for buildings many times higher than those made of other materials. Because the
column and beam are fused by riveting or welding, stresses are distributed between them, and both
can be longer and lighter than in structures in which they work independently as post-and-lintel.
Thus, large cubic spaces can be spanned by four columns and four beams, and buildings of almost
any size can be produced by joining cubes in height and width. Since structural steel must be
protected from corrosion, the skeleton is either covered by curtain walls or surfaced in concrete or,
more rarely, painted. The steel frame is used also in single-story buildings where large spans are
required. The simple cube then can be abandoned for covering systems employing arches, trusses,
and other elements in a limitless variety of forms in order to suit the functions of the building.
Differences between reinforced-concrete and steel framing are discussed in the section on
materials. The greater rigidity and continuity of concrete frames give them more versatility, but
steel is favoured for very tall structures for reasons of economy in construction and space. An
example is the system called box frame construction, in which each unit is composed of two walls
bearing a slab (the other two walls enclosing the unit are nonbearing curtain walls); this type of
construction extends the post-and-lintel principle into three dimensions. Here, again, concrete
crosses the barriers that separated traditional methods of construction.
Expression
Expression in architecture is the communication of quality and meaning. The functions and the
techniques of building are interpreted and transformed by expression into art, as sounds are made
into music and words into literature.
The nature of expression varies with the character of culture in different places and in different
times, forming distinct modes or languages of expression that are called styles. Style
communicates the outlook of a culture and the concepts of its architects. The boundaries of a style
may be national and geographical (e.g., Japanese, Mayan) or religious (e.g., Islamic)
and intellectual (e.g., Renaissance), embracing distinct linguistic, cultural, and national units;
different expressions within each of these boundaries are produced by the particular style of
regions, towns, groups, architects, or craftsmen. The life span of styles may be long (ancient
Egyptian, over 3,000 years) or short (Baroque, less than 200 years) according to the changeability
of cultural patterns. The principal forces in the creation of a style are tradition, the experience of
earlier architecture; influence, the contribution of contemporary expressions outside the immediate
cultural environment; and innovation, the creative contribution of the culture and the architect.
These forces operate to produce an evolution within every style and ultimately to generate new
styles that tend to supplant their predecessors.
The components of expression, which communicate the particular values of style, are content and
form. Since content can be communicated only through form, the two are organically united, but
here they will be discussed separately in order to distinguish the specific and concrete meaning
(content) from the abstract expression of qualities (form).
Content
Content is the subject matter of architecture, the element in architectural expression that
communicates specific meanings that interpret to society the functions and techniques of
buildings.
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Different types of frame structures are available that have been used in building construction.
They are classified into two major types namely rigid frame structure and braced frame structure.
These are further divided into various forms for instance the former is categorized into fixed end
rigid frame structure and pin ended rigid frame structure whereas the latter is divided into gabled
frames and portal frames.
Different types of frame structures can be constructed from various materials such as reinforced
concrete, steel, and wood. A Frame structure is a structure having the combination of beam,
column and slab to resist the lateral and gravity loads. These structures are usually used to
overcome the large moments developing due to the applied loading.
Contents:
What are the Types of Frame Structures?Rigid Frame SystemBraced Frame System
What are the Types of Frame Structures?Rigid Frame System
Rigid frame system, which is also termed as moment frame systems, consists of linear element
like beams and columns. The word rigid means ability to resist the deformation. It is used in steel
and reinforced concrete buildings. Rigid frames are characterized by the lack of pinned joints
within the frame, and typically statically indeterminate.
A rigid frame is capable of resisting both vertical and lateral loads by the bending of beams and
columns. Stiffness of the rigid frame is provided mainly by the bending rigidity of beams and
columns that have rigid connections. The joints shall be designed in such a manner that they have
adequate strength and stiffness and negligible deformation.
Fig. 1: Rigid Frame Systems (Home Issurance Building, Chicago, USA)
Structural analysis methods such as the portal method (approximate), the method of virtual work,
Castigliano’s theorem, the force method, the slope-displacement method, the stiffness method,
and matrix analysis, can be used to solve for internal forces and moments and support reactions.
Rigid frame structure is classified into two main types:
1. Fix Ended Rigid Frame Structure
The supports of the rigid frame is fix ended as shown in Fig.2.
Fig. 2: Fixed Ended Rigid Frame Structure
2. Pin Ended Rigid Frame Structure
The support of this type of rigid frame is pin ended, and it is not considered to be rigid frame if its
support conditions are removed.
Fig. 3: Pin Ended Rigid Frame Structure
Braced Frame System
Braced frames are composed of beams and columns that are “pin” connected with bracing to
resist lateral loads. This type of frame simple to analyze and simple to construct. The resistance to
lateral forces in obtained through both horizontal and vertical bracing.
Many types of bracing can be used for example, knee-bracing, diagonal bracing, X bracing, K or
chevron bracing, and shear walls that resist lateral forces in the plane of the wall. This frame
system provides more efficient resistance against the earthquake and wind forces. It is more
effective than rigid frame system.
Fig. 4: Braced Structural Frames with Various Types of Bracings
1. Gabled Frames
It usually has the peak at their top. This frame system is used where there are possibilities of heavy
rain and snow
Fig. 5: Gable Frame Steel Structure
2. Portal Frames
Portal frames look like a door and very much in use for construction of industrial and commercial
buildings.
Fig. 6: Portal Frame
Read More:
How to Choose Economical Steel Frames for Buildings and Structures?
Analysis Methods for Buildings Frames
Wood Frame Construction
What are the Types of Structural Steel Framing Systems?
Types of Precast Concrete Frames for Buildings and Structures
Types of High-Rise Buildings Structural Systems
Categories: Earthquake Resistant Design, Structural Engineering, Structures
Tags: Braced frame, Braced frame structure, Rigid frame structure, Structural, structural
engineering, Types of Frames
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Types of Precast Concrete Frames for Buildings and Structures
Gopal Mishra
9 years ago
Contents:
Types of Precast Concrete Frames for Buildings and StructuresSkeletal Frame:H Frame:Portal
Frame:
Types of Precast Concrete Frames for Buildings and Structures
Precast concrete frames are constructed before actual construction starts and is transported to site
for erection. There are various types of precast concrete frames such as skeletal frame, H frame
and portal frame.
Details, methods of design and uses of precast concrete frames are discussed in this article.
Consider the following in-situ frame and its bending moment diagrams.
It can be seen from the diagrams above that the joints in the precast frame are made at positions of
minimum bending moment.
Skeletal Frame:
The correct position for the skeletal frame joint is shown below.
However for the ease of precasting, the skeletal frame joint is formed near the beam-column
connection as shown below.
The bending moment diagrams of the precast concrete skeletal frame will vary from those of the
in-situ frame as the joints are normally taken as being pinned, though moment joints may be
possible. Under vertical loading, greater sagging moments are generated in the beam. The column
moment is much smaller and typically generated in the column itself.
Under lateral loading the column moments have increased to allow for the fact that they can no
longer be distributed into the beams.
The skeletal frame is most widely used in the UK. Common uses are for medium to high-rise
commercial buildings, offices and schools.
Are the frame can be erected as a series of individual components, it offers a degree of flexibility
in design, ease of manufacture and ease in transportation.
However, as the skeletal frame is not normally designed as fixed it cannot generate frame moment,
so bracing is required. The skeletal frame does not therefore have the same degree of design
flexibility as a structure with fixed joints.
H Frame:
The bending moments of the H frame are similar to those of the in-situ frame but require the
provision of essentially pinned joints at the intersection of the frame unit. H frames tend to be used
on the external frame rather than the internal frame, to provide perimeter bracing.
An advantage of the H frame is that it enables components to be designed to act together, resulting
in shallower structural depth. Lateral forces can be carried on the frame itself allowing wind loads
to be transmitted into the frame and joints.
Drawbacks of the H frame mainly concern the size of the frame elements, which can lead to
difficulties with transportation and manufacture. Tolerance may also have to be smaller to permit
joints to be assembled very accurately.
Portal Frame:
The portal frame is similar to the H frame in that the bending moments approximate to those of the
rigid, in-situ frame.
There are essentially two types of portal frame- the flat portal which is less common, and the
pitched portal. Both are mainly used for the industrial warehouses, being relatively cheap and easy
to design and build.
Moment joints at the beam-column connection and certain other features may require special
attention. The portal frame is limited predominantly to tall single-storey work.
The following table shows the connection, uses , advantages and disadvantages of these types of
frames.
Connection positionUsesAdvantagesDisadvantagesSkeletal frameBeam column
connectionCommercial buildingsRelatively flexible, easy to manufacture and transportLacks the
flexibility of a fixed structure.H FrameMinimum column momentPerimeter bracingShallow
structural depthSize can cause problems with manufacture and transportationPortal FrameColumn
connectionIndustrial warehousesLarge storage areaLimited to single storey work
Categories: Concrete Technology, Precast Concrete
Tags: Concrete Technology, Precast Concrete, Precast frames
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The Constructor
What are the Types of Structural Steel Framing Systems?
Madeh Izat Hamakareem
4 years ago
Different types of structural steel framing systems for buildings such as skeleton, wall bearing and
long span framing systems and their applications and configurations are discussed.
Fig.1: Structural Steel Frame System
Fig.2: Structural Steel Frame
Contents:
Types of Structural Steel Framing Systems for BuildingsSkeleton Steel Framing SystemWall
Bearing Steel Framing SystemLong Span Steel Framing
Types of Structural Steel Framing Systems for Buildings
Different types of structural steel framing systems are as follow:
Skeleton steel framingWall bearing steel framingLong span steel framingSkeleton Steel Framing
System
Skeleton steel frame is composed of steel beams and columns which are connected using proper
connection. Steel beams around perimeter of the structure is termed as spandrel beams on which
masonry walls are placed.
Typical plane views of skeleton framing are shown in Figure-3 and constructed skeleton steel
frame are shown in Figure-4. Steel columns, primary and secondary steel beams are shown in the
figures.
Fig.3: Plan View of Skeleton Framing
Fig.4: Skeleton Steel Framing
There are different types and configurations of steel connections which are used to connect steel
beams to columns in skeleton frame structure, for example, bolt connection and welded
connections.
Figure-5 illustrate various types of bolted connection including flexible end plate, fin plate and
double angle cleat.
Fig.5: Different Bolt Connection Arrangement used to Connect Beams to Columns
It should be known that all gravity loads in skeleton frame structure are supported by beams and
columns. The distance between columns can be established according to the functions and
requirements of the structure.
Therefore, there are no restrictions that limit the area of the floor and roof of the building. Multi
storey structures are possible to construct using skeleton framing.
Wall Bearing Steel Framing System
In a wall bearing steel framing structure, building wall whether it is interior or exterior is used to
carry the end of structural members that support floor or roof loads.
Wall bearing should be adequately strong to not only be able to carry vertical reactions but also to
resist any imposed horizontal loads.
Wall bearing framing is suitable for the construction of low rise structure. This is because the size
of the bearing wall must be increased significantly to withstand considerably loads exerted in the
case of multistory buildings.
This problem might be solved to certain extent if the reinforced concrete walls are applied.
There are several cases in which wall bearing frame system is suitable to be used. For example,
single story house in which steel beams are used to carry wall and floor loads and the end of the
steel beams are placed on foundation walls, as shown in Figure-6.
A further application of wall bearing system application is the utilization of steel beams known as
lintels over wall openings like doors and windows.
Fig.6: The end of steel beam, which support floor loads, is installed on walls, intermediary support
(cylindrical steel column) applied to support the beam because the span is large
Fig.7: Using Steel Beam to Support Masonry Lintels
Fig.8: Using Steel Beam to Support Masonry Lintels
Long Span Steel Framing
Long span steel framing is considered when large clearance is required and such long spanning
cannot be realized using steel beams and columns.
Long span steel framing options can be categorized into different types, for instance, girders,
trusses, rigid frames, arches and cantilever suspension spans.
These classes of long span steel framing options along with their applications and various
configurations are provided in Table-1.
Table-1: Long span steel framing types, their applications and various configurations
Long span framing system typesApplication conditionVarious types or configuration of the given
long span framing system classGirdersIt is selected for the case where depth of the member is
restricted over a large unobstructed area in lower storeys. The girder should support loads from
above storeys across cleared area.Roller beams, Riveted girder, welded girder, heavy girder,
hybrid girder, and a girder consist of two girder fastenedTruss, Figure 10It can be used for the case
where restriction on the element depth is not imposed. it an economical way of spanning long
distances provided that depth limitation is not existed. Trusses are better compare with other
option in controlling deflections due to better stiffness.Pratt, warren, fink, scissor, bow string and
VirendeelArches, Figure 11It is used to carry walls and roof with open or solid web archesHinge
less arches, two hinged arches and three hinged archesRigid frames, Figure 12It is used to span
long distances. it is aesthetically pleasing that is why applied in the construction of churches,
gymnasiums, auditoriums, bowling alleys and shopping centersSingle span rigid frame, welded
rigid frame.
Fig.10: Different types of trusses used in steel structure construction
Fig.11: Types of Arches Used for Steel Structure Construction
Fig.12: Single Span Rigid Frame
Read More:
Different Rolled Steel Sections -Shapes, Sizes and Properties for Construction
Methods of Steel Structure Design
Concrete Filled Steel Tube Columns
Braced Frame & Moment Resisting Connection
Categories: Structural Engineering
Tags: Structural
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