1. Commercial Structural Framing Systems
The Skeleton of the Building
The structure of life I have described in buildings is deeply and inextricably connected with the human person, and with the innermost nature of human feelings. - Christopher Alexander
Civil Engineering and Architecture
© 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.

2. Commercial Structural Framing Systems
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Commercial Structural Framing Systems
Purpose
Low Rise Framing Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete
Structural Steel
Load Bearing Walls
Hybrid Systems
Cost
Structural Efficiency
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

3. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
PURPOSE
The purpose of structural framing is provide
Strength – Holds the structure up (and holds it down) despite
Gravity (vertical) loads
Lateral (sideways) loads
Stability – Maintains the shape and minimizes movement
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

4. Commercial Framing Systems
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Commercial Framing Systems
Low Rise (three stories or less) commercial framing systems may be similar to residential construction
Wood framing
Light gauge steel framing
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

5. Commercial Framing Systems
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Commercial Framing Systems
However, usage of commercial buildings often differs from residential usage.
Commercial building considerations
Heavy traffic
Heavier loads
More wear and tear
Larger open spaces
Easy Maintenance
Because commercial buildings are subjected to heavier loads and more wear and tear, commercial buildings must be stronger and more durable than typical residential construction. In addition, the owners of commercial buildings desire easy, low cost maintenance.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

6. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Common Commercial Framing Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete Framing
Structural Steel Framing
Load Bearing Walls
Hybrid Systems
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

7. Cast-in-Place Concrete
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete
Forms are built
Reinforcing is placed
Concrete is poured and finished in place
Wooden forms used to cast slabs
Left picture: Wooden forms were used to cast the concrete slabs.
Center picture: Cast-in-place concrete can be formed to almost any shape.
Right picture: Concrete is pumped to higher floors.
©iStockphoto.com
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

8. Cast-in-Place Concrete Frame
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete Frame
Concrete Column
Structural Concrete Slab
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

9. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Structural Steel
Structural members are fabricated off site
Members are delivered to the site
Members are erected per the design
©iStockphoto.com
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

10. Structural Steel Framing
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Structural Steel Framing
Structural Steel Column
Open Web Steel Roof Joists
Structural Steel Floor Beams
Steel Decking
Lateral Brace
Courtesy Connie Bertucci
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

11. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Load Bearing Walls
Masonry
Pre-cast concrete
Tilt-up concrete
Load Bearing Walls
Wood Framing
Light Gauge Steel Framing
Structural Steel
Floor and Roof
Courtesy IOP Rec Center
Masonry load bearing walls with light gauge steel trusses
Courtesy Tilt-up Concrete Association
Tilt-up load bearing walls with structural steel and open web steel joist floor and roof framing
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

12. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Load Bearing Walls
Open Web Wood Floor Joists
Load Bearing CMU Wall
Courtesy Carolina Concrete Masonry Association
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

13. Hybrid Framing Systems
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Hybrid Framing Systems
Structural Steel Framing
Cast-in-Place Concrete Load Bearing Walls
Courtesy TexAZ Business Park
Hybrid Systems combine two or more different framing systems
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

14. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Cost
The cost of construction is an important consideration when choosing a structural system
The cost of a structure is directly related to the weight of materials used to build the structure
Lower material weight = Lower cost
Higher material weight = Higher cost
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

15. Structural Efficiency
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Structural Efficiency
Ratio of the maximum design load that a structure will carry to the weight of the structure itself
Higher structural efficiency means less material weight = Lower cost
Lower structural efficiency means more material weight = Higher cost
Design Load = Load a structure is designed to carry
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

16. Commercial Structural Framing Systems
Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Commercial Structural Framing Systems
Purpose
Low Rise Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete
Structural Steel
Load Bearing Walls
Hybrid Systems
Cost
Structural Efficiency
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

17. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
References
Ching, Francis D. K., and Cassandra Adams. Building Construction Illustrated, 3rd Edition. (2000) New York: Wiley. Ramsey, Charles George. Ramsey/Sleeper architectural graphics standards. (2000) New York: John Wiley.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010

18. Commercial Frame Systems
Civil Engineering and Architecture
Unit 3 – Lesson 3.1 – Commercial Building Systems
Image Sources
Tilt Up Concrete Association.
iStockphoto.
Connie Bertucci, Victor Senior High School, Victor, NY
TexAZ Commercial Properties, LLC
Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association.
Project Lead The Way, Inc.
Copyright 2010