Types of Frames

Kavita Ramnarine-Ramsawak
BSc. Civil Eng., MSc. Coastal Eng. & Mngmt,
M.ASCE, MAPETT, R.Eng
External Envelope
Primary Functions
of External
Envelope
 Framed Buildings
The purpose of any framed building is to transfer the loads of
the structure plus any imposed loads through the members of
the frame to a suitable foundation
This form of construction can be clad externally with
lightweight non-load bearing walls to provide the necessary
protection from the elements and to give the required degree
of comfort in terms of sound and thermal insulation.
Framed buildings are particularly suitable for medium and high
rise structures and for industrialized low rise buildings such as
single storey factory buildings
Transfer of loads
in a Domestic
Structure
Transfer of loads in a
Framed Structure
 Types of frames
PLANE FRAMES

SKELETON FRAMES
Plane frames
• Also known as trusses or girders according to their elevation shape
and are fabricated in a flat plane. They are designed as a series of
connected rigid triangles which gives a lightweight structural
member using the minimum amount of material
• Main uses are in roof construction and long span beams of light
loading

PLANE FRAMES
 Space frames
• Similar in conception to a plane frame but are designed
to span in two directions as opposed to the one-
direction spanning of the plane frame
 Skeleton frames
• Basically these are a series of
rectangular frames placed at
right angles to each other so that
the loads are transmitted from
member to member until they
are transferred through the
foundation to the subsoil.
• The three major materials used
in the construction of skeleton
frames are reinforced concrete,
precast concrete and structural
steel.
SKELETON FRAMES
 Choice of Frames
• The choice of material for a framed
structure can be the result of a number of
factors such as site conditions, economics,
availability of labor and materials, time
factor, statutory regulations, capital costs,
maintenance costs and personal
preference.
Functions of Skeleton Frame Members
• Main Beams/Primary – Span between columns and transfer
the live and imposed loads placed upon them to the
columns
• Secondary Beams – Span between and transfer their
loadings to the main beams. Primary function is to reduce
the spans of the floors or the roof being supported by the
frame
• Tie Beams – Internal Beams Spanning between columns at
right angles to the direction of the main beams and have the
same function a main beam
Different
Beams
Tie Beam
Functions of Skeleton Frame Members
continued
• Edge Beams – as tie beam but spanning between
external columns
• Columns – Vertical Members which carry the loads
transferred by the beams to the foundations
• Foundation – the base or bases to which the
columns are connected and serve to transfer the
loadings to a suitable load-bearing sub-soil
 • Floors – may not be an integral part of the frame,
Functions of they provide the platform on which equipment
Skeleton can be placed and on which people can circulate.
Besides transmitting these live loads to the
Frame supporting beams they may also be required to
Members provide a specific fire resistance together with a
continued degree of sound and thermal insulation.
• Roof – Similar to floors but its main function is to
provide a weather resistant covering to the
uppermost floor
• Walls – the envelope of the structure which
provides the resistance to the elements, entry of
daylight, natural ventilation, fire resistance,
thermal insulation and sound insulation
Timber Framing
Balloon Frame
• Consists of two-storey height panels with an
intermediate floor suspended from the framework. In
the UK, the platform frame is preferred with
intermediate floor support directly on the lower
panel. It is also easier to transport and easier to
handle on site and has fewer shrinkage and
movement problems.
Background
 Portal Frame

A portal frame building comprises a series of transverse frames braced

longitudinally. The primary steelwork consists of columns and rafters, which form
portal frames, and bracing. The end frame (gable frame) can be either a portal
frame or a braced arrangement of columns and rafters.
References
• Chudley, Roy and Greeno, Roger. (2016) Building
Construction Handbook. 11th Edition Routledge
• Construction Technology Volume 1-4
By R. Chudley