Structural Frames Flashcards
With regard to structural frames programme, quality control, design flexibility, sustainability and construction cost: Which is better - steel or concrete?
Programme – Steel frame is quicker to erect and the reduced time on site leads to reduced overheads during project construction.
Quality Control – Off-site prefabrication of steel members in isolated factory conditions means better quality control of manufacturing compared to pouring concrete frames in situ. Furthermore, offsite prefabrication increases the overall speed of construction and facilitates enhanced safety.
Design Flexibility – Longer spanning structural metal frames create column free areas that offer greater flexibility and functionality of floor layouts thereby facilitating sales or lettings of the completed buildings. However with the correct design concrete can offer column free flexible floor plates and you can form any shape out of concrete.
Sustainability – Steel is 100% recyclable without any loss of quality, whereas concrete is not recyclable. Concrete buildings are more energy efficient due to the buildings thermal mass.
Construction Costs – Steel frame is more expensive but programme savings may make up for this fact.
With regard to structural frames which is better - steel or concrete?
Programme – Steel frame is quicker to erect and the reduced time on site leads to reduced overheads during project construction.
Quality Control – Off-site prefabrication of steel members in isolated factory conditions means better quality control of manufacturing compared to pouring concrete frames in situ. Furthermore, offsite prefabrication increases the overall speed of construction and facilitates enhanced safety.
Design Flexibility – Longer spanning structural metal frames create column free areas that offer greater flexibility and functionality of floor layouts thereby facilitating sales or lettings of the completed buildings. However with the correct design concrete can offer column free flexible floor plates and you can form any shape out of concrete.
Sustainability – Steel is 100% recyclable without any loss of quality, whereas concrete is not recyclable. Concrete buildings are more energy efficient due to the buildings thermal mass.
Construction Costs – Steel frame is more expensive but programme savings may make up for this fact.
What is glulam?
Glulam is a structural timber member constructed by pressure laminating sections of wood together with strong adhesives.
Prior to bonding, the sections are placed together with the grain of each piece running parallel to the grain of each of the other pieces.
- What does RSJ stand for? How does it differ to a UB?
RSJ stands for rolled steel joist and is an integral piece and often includes tapered flanges.
UB stands for Universal Beam with flanges that are bolted onto the web and is a uniform thickness.
