L5: Steel Frame Systems Flashcards
How is steel different from other materials?
Brittle materials fail abruptly at the fracture point but steel is ductile and continues to strain
What happens when steel stretches and reaches the plastic region?
It cannot return to its original shape
How is steel made?
Produced from cast iron and altering carbon content
What happens when there is the wrong amount of carbon in steel?
Too much - hard, brittle
Too little - soft, weak
How can steel be made corrosion resistant?
Weathering steel (low-alloy) Coated in zinc
How are structural shapes produced with steel?
Running hot steel through a series of rollers
Why is New Zealand’s steel industry unique?
Uses magnetic ironsand formed from volcanic activity in Taranaki
What does New Zealand’s steel industry focus on?
Sheet steel products rather than structural steel members
What are the key advantages of steel frames?
Ease and speed of erection (no formwork)
Dimensional control (factory fabricated)
Ability to modify frame (extensions/strengthening)
Superior strength/weight ratio (allows large column free spans)
What are the key disadvantages of steel frames?
High cost (depending on market; more volatile)
Fireproofing (weakens rapidly in high temperatures)
Tendency to corrode (painted regularly or expensive corrosion-resistant)
Susceptible to buckling (require support)
What are the main steel structural shapes?
Wide flange Channel Angles Structural tee, Bars/plates Pipes/tubes
What makes up a wide-flange beam?
Top flange
Web
Bottom flange
How are steel sizes written?
Shape letter depth x weight
What is an alternative to a wide-flange beam?
Joist girder (constructed from angles)
What makes up a bar joist/open-web steel joist?
Top chord (angles) Web (bar) Bottom chord (angles)
What do wide-flanges and joist girders do and what is the difference between them?
Supports loads from bar joists
Joist girders are more lightweight and economical than wide flanges, but are also deeper so may not suit high rise
What do bar joists commonly require?
Bridging with horizontal bars/angles welded to bottom chords
OR
Cross bridging placed at midspan to maintain correct orientation and help support loads
What are the different types of connections?
Rivets (obsolete) Bolts Welding Beam-to-column Column-to-column
What are the methods for verifying bolts?
- Turn of nut
- Load indicator washer
- Tension control bolts