Primary

Framing
Systems

VP University
 BlueScope Manufacturing
and VP Service Centers
AB
SK
MB ON

QC
NB
WA

ME
MT ND

OR VT
MN
NH

ID NY
SD MA
WI

MI CT
WY
Evansville
NJ
IA PA Annville
CA NV NE
OH
Turlock St. Joseph IN
MD
DE
IL
UT
BlueScope Buildings
CO
NA – Headquarters WV

KS MO
Kansas City, MO VA
KY
Greensboro
Greensboro
Visalia
Jackson
NC

TN Laurinburg
AZ
OK
Memphis
NM AR
SC
SC
SC
Pine Bluff SC
SC
SC
Rainsville
AL
MS
GA

TX
LA
San Marcos
BlueScope Buildings
Manufacturing
Facility
FL
Sales & Engineering
Monterrey, MX Office

Scale Legend
Mile(s) VP Headquarters
0 200 400
Service Centers / Sales Regions

Northern

West
Central Eastern

12/9/10
Dry Cutting Plasma
(St. Joseph, Missouri)
Webs
Conrac (welding)
Hand Weld
 Structural Steel Beam
Compared to Pre-engineered
Beam of Equivalent Strength
 Geometry

12
X

Roof Slope = Rise/Run

15
 Geometry

Dimension to 1/16”

16
 Geometry

Dimension to 1/16”

17
Eave Height

18
Primary Frames

Modular
(Continuous
Beam)

Clear Span
(Rigid Frame)
Primary Frames
 Primary Frames

http://www.daconstruction.com/steel.htm - Dick
Anderson Construction
 Primary Frames

◼ Carry loads to the foundation

◼ Shop Coat is 1 mil thick and
gray* in color (bronze and red
oxide also available at additional
cost).
◼ Spans and Eave Heights in
increments of 1/16”
* as of VPCommand v8.0 February 14, 2010

VP University
 Bolts
• All Structural Connections use A325T (Full Thread) Bolts
(optional A490)
• ASTM F1852 Tension Control Bolt Option still available.

• All Secondary Connections (except girt to jambs) will

be A325T (T = full-thread bolts) ½” x 1½” plated
bolts.
23
23
 Pre-punched Holes
◼ VP primary frames have pre-
punched holes for purlin
connections

VP University
Typical Connections
(“A” splice plate)

VP University
Typical Connections
(“B” splice plate)

VP University
Typical Connections

Top Bolted Face Bolted Vertical Bolting Plate

 Face-bolted
column/rafter
Factory Welded Clips

Bolted clips
used mainly
on all
export jobs.
Avoids
damage to
welded clips
and allows
for easier
packing of
shipping
containers.
Primary Framing

Solid Web

Open Web
VP University
 Primary Frames
Features & Benefits
◼ What roof pitches are available
for Primary Frames?
–Usually 1/4:12 to 4:12, steeper
pitches available if needed
◼ What is the maximum eave
height allowed?
–As required by the end user
VP University
Good Year Blimp
Hangar
Good Year Blimp
Hangar
Good Year Blimp
Hangar
Two-piece bolted
column
 Exterior Column
Variations

Straight Tapered
Tapered Straight
Tapered Straight
VP University
Straight-Tapered
Tapered-Straight
Tapered-Straight
 Interior Column Options

Tube
3-Plate
(Square)
Built-up

Pipe Wide
Flange
Triangle Tube
 Primary Frames

Rigid Frame

VP University
Rigid Frames
Rigid Frames (with crane
brackets)
Rigid Frame Cross
Section

VP University
RF with an Offset Ridge

VP University
RF Single Slope

VP University
 Loads to the Foundation
LOAD

LOAD

Forces

VP University
 Rigid Frames
Features & Benefits

◼ Why or when should this type of

frame be used?
– When CLEAR SPANS are
required
◼ How wide can a Rigid Frame be?
– VP has done them up to 300’
wide
VP University
 RF (Pitt Panthers-
Pittsburgh Steelers)
 Baumer Construction
Ft. Laramie, Ohio
Hickory Hill Concert Pavilion
Primary Frames

Continuous
Beam

VP University
Continuous Beam Frames

VP University
Continuous Beam Frames

VP University
CB Frame w/ Offset
Ridge

VP University
Interior Column at CB
 CB Frame with
Unequal Modules

VP University
CB with unequal
spacing
CB with unequal
spacing

◼ Remember: Everywhere you add an

Interior Column you have more
foundation and more labor.
◼ Int.Col. Spacing less than 30’-0” usually
not economical.
CB Frame Options – any
building shape

VP University
Continuous Beam Frames
Features & Benefits

◼ When should this type of

frame be used?
– Wide Span Buildings
◼ What does adding interior
columns do to the rafter?
– Makes it lighter

VP University
 Continuous Beam Frames
Features & Benefits

◼ How does this affect the price

of the rafter?
– The price decreases
◼ How wide can a CB frame be?
– VP has done them over 800’
wide

VP University
Primary Frames

Unibeam
Frames

VP University
Unibeam Frames
RF at same Span as
UB

Rigid Frame $2053 1362 lbs.

UniBeam $2380 1582 lbs.

 Unibeam Features &
Benefits

TYPICAL RIGID FRAME

VP University
Unibeam Features &
Benefits

Ceiling Line

• More vertical clearance

at sidewalls with UB
• Straight Column with
UB vs. Tapered with RF
Truss Frames

Wind Bent

CT-2
Patent for Clark Prudhon’s
Truss Frame - 1959
Open Web To Column
Rigid Frame Truss
83
Truss Beam

VP University
Piping and wiring can be run
through an open web frame...
... It doesn’t have to go under
the frame.
Crane – VP / Hybrid
180 x 350 x 20
2009 IBC
35 psf GS
20 LL
90 mph Wind
50 ft. bays

Sample
Project
Frame Comparisons
50000
45000
P&B
40000
RF
35000
30000 WB

25000 CB-1
20000 CT-1
15000 CB-2
10000 CT-2
5000
3P P&B
0
Frame Type
(Non-discounted prices shown)
Primary Frames

Lean-to
Frames
VP University
 Lean-To Frames

At Eave
Lean-to

Below Eave
Lean-to

VP University
Lean-To
End Frames
Post & Beam End Frames
 Materials

Back-to-Back Cees 3-Plate Built-Up

Cornerpost and Endpost G30
Acrylic; Rafter is 3-plate
VP University
 Materials
•Endposts are:
•G30 acrylic
coated cold
formed CEEs
•riveted back-to-
back CEEs
•Single CEE (inset
girts only)
•3-plate welded
Cornerpost and solution as
Endpost G30 Acrylic; needed
Rafter is 3-plate •Tube and Hot
Roll endwall posts
are an option.
Gage Endpost AB
Rigid Frame with End
Posts
End Posts can be
used with any frame
type

VP University
 Post and Beam
Stability
◼ Automated diaphragm check;
◼ If fails, Rods may automatically be
designed…
◼ …Initially at interior bay…
◼ …Then at endbay(s)

100
Post and Beam
Stability

101
Half and Full-load
Endframes
Half and Full-load
Endframes
◼ Endpost
“clipped”
to rafter
for wind
◼ No
vertical
support
provided
Soldier / Wind Column

A Soldier Column is
used to reduce the
span of the
sidewall girts when
long bays ( 30’-0”
+) are required.

VP University
Soldier Columns

VP University
Post and Beam

Applied Design Concepts

and Considerations
 Primary Frames

Moment Resisting Frames

Load
 P&Bs Are
NOT Moment Resisting

Load
 How a Post & Beam
Frame Works
Diaphragm is the metal panel’s
ability to resist loads within its
surface.
Post & Beam Frames

Bracing or the diaphragm

action of wall panels is
required to resist wind loads
from the side of the building
Ledger Angle at End
Frame Location
Pinned and Rigid
Connection Types
Rigid Connections at the
haunches and rafter
splices

Pinned Connections
at the base

VP University
Concrete Compression
Strength
Concrete Compression
Strength

Don’t lose the

opportunity to
take advantage
of higher
strength concrete
when it’s already
specified on the
project.
Pinned Base Sidewall
Columns
Fixed Base
Fixed Base Column

VP University
 Crane
(some may require fixed base condition)
 Frame Deflection
Considerations
Vertical
Deflection

Horizontal
Deflection
VP University
Unsupported Columns
and Rafters

Supported Members
have Flange Braces

Unsupported Members
do not have Flange Braces.
(may or may not have girts)
 Unsupported Columns
and Rafters
◼A column or rafter is considered
unsupported when it does not
have Lateral support.
◼ This condition occurs when there
are no flange braces attached to
the compression (Inside) flange.
◼ Unsupported columns are typically
more expensive than Supported.
Primary Framing Tips

◼ The more you reduce the span

of a member the more you
reduce the cost (to a certain
point)…
◼ Tapered members most
economical
◼ Span frames shortest distance
in building
Primary Framing Tips
◼ Gage Post and Beam most
economical endwall frame
◼ Reduce endbay span if
possible
◼ Reduce Int. Col. Span near
sidewalls
◼ Do Not specify deflection
higher than necessary
◼ Open Web frames economical
with large spans and heavy
loads