Today, there are various steel frame structural systems available for designers to choose from. The price, functionality, and complexity of each of these systems are different. The trick is to choose one that is the most effective yet the most economical. This post takes us on a journey through the different types of steel frames that you can classify as the most economical amongst all. Let us begin.
Braced Frames – Simple Construction
It is the least complex and the most economical of all the other characters in this post. They make use of a simple yet effective technique, beam to column connections. The columns are lightweight and small-sized, which makes this option easy to use and more economical. One can easily optimize the beams and columns and use a simple analysis for the steel frame as the structure is already laid out.
However, it suffers from a couple of significant disadvantages also. Firstly, the option is not suitable for small-sized structures where the design is governed more by strength. Secondly, this option starts costing more as soon as the height and the number of floors in a building start increasing. If you decide to use braced frames in simple construction, we recommend that you carefully ration their use.
Braced Frames – Continuous Construction
It is the most effective and economically viable option in situations where the firmness or strength of the floors dictate a building’s design. Unlike the previous option that uses ‘simple beam to column connections’, this option uses ‘continuous beam to column connections’.
Although it considerably improves the strength of flooring systems, this option suffers from a few serious limitations. Firstly, it is comparatively more expensive. Secondly, to be able to tolerate imposed impact, the external columns should be considerably large-sized. Lastly, unlike the first option above, one cannot optimize the columns and beams because of the complex analysis method involved.
Unbraced Sway Frames
It is a framing system used when it is architecturally not possible to use the bracing framing system. Yes, you can still use a partly rigid or partly continuous bracing system, but it would cost you dearly. The cost and complexity of the unbraced framing system are far more than the two options listed above, but you can bring down the costs considerably by making some fine-tune adjustments to the structural elements. The most significant advantage of using unbraced sway frames is that you can establish architectural configurations without using bracing elements.
Sadly, like any other framing system, the unbraced framing system, too, does not come without its set of limitations. You will have to be prepared for the fact that beam-to-column connections will neither be easy to execute nor economical. You would need to ensure that hefty external columns withstand the impact of applied moments using whatever techniques you want. And last but not least, please keep in mind that you would not be able to optimize the size of structural steel elements easily because, as we said earlier, the process is a little complicated.
Discrete Stability Frames
Although architecturally more robust and more stable against horizontal forces, Discrete Stability Frames are complicated and uneconomical. The very purpose of using Discrete Stability Frames is to provide total sway stiffness and resistance. Therefore, it becomes essential to use comparatively stronger beams and columns, leading to increased expenses. Besides being a more potent framing option, Discrete Stability Frames allow you to establish architectural configurations without triangulated bracing.
When other framing options do not come without disadvantages, how can Discrete Stability Frames not have one or more than one? Unfortunately, yes. It does have its shortcomings. The disadvantages are pretty much similar to what we have already discussed above. The process of establishing beam-to-column connections is costly and complicated. You would not be able to easily optimize the size of structural steel elements because the analysis is complicated. Finally, you would need to ensure that external columns are large enough to combat the impact of applied moments.
Final Thoughts
Always remember folks. Whether you are constructing a house, multiplex, hospital, commercial complex, or any other structure, you would need a framing layout that lets you build upon your dreams. It is senseless to spend on a framing job that collapses like a pack of cards once you apply a little pressure. Ensure you choose the right contractor and the proper framing structure if you do not want your dreams to fall off the sky, just like your building.
For more information on truss saw
