OK Steel Buildings are framed with steel columns and rafters and usually anchored to a concrete foundation. These building components are typically galvanized or coated with red oxide paint.

Unlike wood-framed structures, steel buildings feature clear-span framing, providing ample space for your tools, equipment, and storage. These structures also allow you to quickly expand the building without the cost of relocating your business.

Steel is an excellent material for building because it’s solid and durable. It’s also highly customizable. It’s ideal for commercial buildings because it withstands various weather threats and is fire-resistant. Many types of steel structures exist, including rigid frames and trusses. Rigid frames are the most common option for pre-engineered metal building designs.

A rigid frame is a steel backbone of I-beam main frames that are spaced at regular intervals along the end walls of your building. These frames are the primary support system for your building and transfer shear and moment loads to the foundation. This type of structural system eliminates the need for additional bracing systems.

Unlike steel trusses, rigid frames are not designed to flex as the structure is loaded. Rather, they are designed to resist shear and moment forces with their stiff connections. This creates a rigid skeleton that can withstand much more force than traditional wood framing.

Rigid frames also allow for a higher roof pitch and floor space than truss frame structures. Additionally, rigid frames can be designed with clear span framing, which eliminates the need for interior columns. This is ideal for large warehouses and storage facilities.

When choosing a frame design, consider the location of your building and how it will be used. The size and type of equipment will also impact the frame needed. Rigid frames are typically easier to install than other types of steel construction.

Ironbuilt offers many different types of rigid frames to suit your unique needs. The gable symmetrical clearspan frame is the most popular option because it provides the best combination of strength and cost. It also allows for a higher roof pitch and floor space availability without the need for interior support columns. The gable unsymmetrical clearspan frame is an effective solution when site conditions prevent the extension of a gable symmetrical frame past one side of the peak.

Another frame option is the modular rigid frame, which uses interior columns to provide additional support for wide metal buildings. This type of frame is commonly used for warehouses, bulk commodity storage and other larger applications.

Multi-Span

If you’re looking for more space in your building, you may want to consider a multi-span steel building. These structures are engineered to allow for increased widths and can be used as warehouses, manufacturing facilities, or large retail spaces. However, the added width requires additional roof support. Hence the name, “multi-span.” These structures utilize internal columns to distribute the load across a larger area, making them a cost-effective choice for wide commercial and industrial buildings.

With clear span structures, you can enjoy a wide open interior that’s easy to maneuver large machinery or vehicles. This is particularly important in industrial buildings such as ice rinks, indoor sports arenas, and aircraft hangars. This type of construction also allows you to partition your spaces according to activity, which maximizes your use of space. Traditional constructions, on the other hand, require more space because they have columns and walls in the way.

While clear span steel buildings are able to accommodate an incredible amount of width, there is a point at which they need additional support to remain stable. The additional width can create a lot of movement and vibrations that could damage your equipment. To prevent this, the steel structure is designed to include internal columns that will absorb any extra load.

The steel building store offers a range of colors for these structures so you can customize them to fit your business needs and aesthetic preferences. They can even be painted with graffiti-resistant paint to protect the exterior. In addition to these customization options, you can add insulation, wall panels, doors, windows, electrical, and a host of other features.

Unlike Rigid Frame multi-span steel buildings, the clear span framing system from Package Steel includes straight sidewall columns and tapered rafters that can be bypass, flush, or inset. This design can be suitable for extremely wide structures, but the additional column and rafters increase the overall steel consumption of your building. Alternatively, you can opt for the Single Slope clear span framing system that uses the same sidewalls but eliminates the need for interior columns. This design is ideal for buildings that need one-way drainage, such as distribution centers and manufacturing plants.

Pre-Engineered

Pre-engineered steel buildings are a time-saving alternative to more traditional construction projects. They are designed to meet your specific project requirements and provide a simple and cost-effective building solution for any commercial or industrial application. In addition, they are more efficient than standard buildings and can reduce your energy costs by up to 30%.

The primary components of a pre-engineered building include a rigid frame, insulation and roof. The structure is built in a factory, which speeds up the construction process and makes it more accurate. This type of construction also provides a much more durable building than traditional construction and can resist the elements, such as blizzards, tornadoes and hurricanes.

Steel framing dominates the industrial construction market, encompassing nearly 95% of new construction projects. Pre-engineered metal buildings are an excellent choice for many different types of facilities, including distribution warehouses and retail stores. They are also used for manufacturing and storage applications and can be adapted to fit many different needs.

Unlike standard construction, which can take weeks or even months, a pre-engineered steel building can be set up in just days. The steel is already cut to the required size, and all the components are labeled. They can be assembled by a team of skilled installers in less than half the time of a conventional building.

Another benefit of pre-engineered buildings is that they can be expanded easily to accommodate growth. New sections can be added by removing the end of the building and adding additional framework and panels. This is a cost-effective solution, and it also allows you to expand the length of your building without having to demolish any existing walls.

When designing a steel building, you should consider how it will be used and the location. For example, you should consider the weather conditions in the area and choose the right insulation for your building. Gaps in insulation can lead to condensation and impact occupant comfort. Additionally, thermal bridging can cause air leakage and increase your energy bills.

It’s also important to choose the right roofing for your building. Depending on your climate, you may want to consider a cool metal roof that will keep the interior temperature cooler and lower your energy costs. You should also consider how the structure will be oriented. For example, orienting your building to the south can help you save money by taking advantage of the Sun’s heat during winter.

Modular

Modular steel buildings are prefabricated, meaning they’re built in a factory before being shipped to the building site. This allows the builder to ensure that each module is made correctly and fits together perfectly. This type of modular construction can help reduce the risk of mistakes during the on-site assembly, which can cause delays and add to overall cost. It also ensures that the materials used are up to national standards and are safe for workers to handle.

In addition to time-saving, the modular process can also result in 10-25% lower design and construction costs. The process is also more environmentally friendly than traditional construction methods, with less material waste and less need for transportation. This makes it an ideal solution for construction projects that are in tight time constraints or require a limited budget.

Prefabricated modules can also be constructed to withstand various climatic conditions, making them an excellent choice for global construction needs. They can be designed to meet the local environmental requirements, including insulation, water drainage, air conditioning, and wind load. In addition, the modules can be designed to meet local earthquake and tsunami resistance standards.

Another benefit of modular steel buildings is their ability to be installed quickly on-site. The process involves less labor and materials than traditional construction methods, and the structures can be erected on any surface, even uneven ground. The building materials are also highly recyclable, so they won’t harm the environment when they’re eventually demolished.

Modular buildings are a great choice for commercial, industrial, and residential uses. They can be used as classrooms and student housing, office space, and warehouses. They can also be custom-designed to fit your specific needs. Before deciding on modular or metal construction, think about your needs and the location of your project to determine which type of building will be best for you.

The connection between the modular sections of a steel building plays a critical role in its seismic behavior. It is crucial that the connections between modules transfer flexural and shear forces, which may occur during earthquakes or typhoons. Several methods have been proposed for these connections, such as bolted connections and gusset plates. However, they have limitations.