Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

LECTURE (2): GENERAL LAYOUT OF A STEEL FACTORY BUILDING

The arrangement of general layout of any project is the most important step in
constructing a steel structure. In this step, the main supporting elements together with bracing
systems are determined in simple drawings which fit the building function and taking into
consideration stability and economy of the building.

Problem:
A factory building is to be constructed over an area of dimensions (L x B) ms as shown in
figure. The main system of the building is made up of steel trusses. Steel columns are only
provided along the outer perimeters. The covering material used is galvanized steel sheets.
Clear height inside the building is 6.0 ms. It is required to draw a complete general layout
showing main systems (plan, sections, …...etc.) as well as all bracing systems.

General notes in drawings the General Layout:

• The main systems are to be taken in the short direction.
• Spacing between main systems (Trusses or frames) S = (4 – 8) ms [Optimum 6.0 ms].
• Spacing between Purlins a = (1.5 – 2.0) ms Without Sub-Divided members
2a = (2.5 – 4.0) ms With Sub-Divided members
Span of Truss = ( L)
• Height of the truss at mid span: H =
12 − 16
• End Height of the truss: h = minimum (1.0 – 1.25) ms
• It is preferable that: h < a < H in order to get diagonal members of the truss with inclined
angle α = (35-55).
• Inclined slope of the roof: Z:1 = 20:1 or 10:1 or 5:1 (or any slope between them)
S
• Depth of Purlins can be assumed: d= ≈ Channel (120→200)
40
• Cross sections of Main Columns can be assumed = I.P.E (360→600)
• Cross sections of End Gable Columns can be assumed = I.P.E (240→360)

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 1

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

2.1 General Layout of Steel Trusses Supported on Steel Columns:

1:Z

h H
α = 35−55

a=1.5 2.0m clear

height
MAIN SYSTEM {TYPICAL TRUSS} Steel Columns
(SEC 3-3)
Span L = n x a

End Gable

(1)

(2)
Horizontal Column
Bracing

K
Horizontal (4)
Bracing Vertical
Bracing
J

α = 30−60

Main
Trusses
I

(3)
Purlins
LONGITUDINAL BRACING (SEC 2-2)

H
VERTICAL BRACING (SEC 1-1)

PLAN
B
F
E

S=4.0 8.0m
D
S

S
C
S

S
B

S
A

4 8m
H h
L
2

5
1

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 2

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

(1)

) (2)
-2 (3) MA
C2 IN
(SE
G (S SYS
IN EC TE
RAC 3-
3) M
L B
NA
U DI
IT
NG
LO

(4)

-1)
C1
SE
G(
IN
R AC
LB
ICA
R T
EN VE
D
(S GAB
EC L
4- E
4)

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 3

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

Horizontal
bracing Main Trusses

Purlins

End gable column

Column

End girt

Vertical bracing

longitudinal bracing (vertically)

horizontal bracing

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 4

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

Different Types of Steel Trusses:

1:10 or 1:20 1:10 or 1:20

H
h
H

a=1.5-2.0 m a=1.5-2.0 m
For Span L ≤ 32 ms Clear height For Span L ≤ 32 ms
Clear height

Span of Truss = L Span of Truss = L

N-Truss W-Truss

1:20

2a=2.5-4.0 m
For Span L > 32 ms

Span of Truss = L

N-Truss with Sub-divided members

1:20

a=1.5-2.0 m
For Span L > 32 ms

Span of Truss = L

K-Truss

m Sub divided members m

.0 .0
.5-2 (Added if need) .5-2
a=1 a=1
H = L / (4-5)

H = L / (4-5)

Longitudinal
Bracing

For Span L ≤ 24 ms For Span L ≤ 20 ms

Span of Truss = L Span of Truss = L

FINK TRUSS HOWE TRUSS

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 5

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

End Gable Section:

H
h

1.5-2.0 m

Side girts
1.5-2.0 m
Window
2.0-3.0 m
Wall

4 8m

End gable columns End girts

END GABLE (SEC 4-4)

Purlins and Side (or End) Girts:

Purlins are the roof beam used to support corrugated steel sheets and supported on the main
structural system. Side (or end) girts are horizontal side beams used to support the side
cladding steel sheets and supported also on the main structural columns (or end gable column).
The cross sections of purlins and side (or end) girts can be Hot-Rolled section or Cold formed
sections which are commonly used nowadays, as shown in the following figures.

Cross sections used for Purlins and Side Girts

UPN IPE Channel Lipped Channel Z-Section

Hot-Rolled sections Cold formed Sections

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 6

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

Covering materials:

The corrugated steel sheets are usually used in the cladding of roofs and walls of industrial
buildings. Generally, steel sheeting is hot dipped with zinc and aluminum compound to give it
the strength to stand up to the worst weather and prevent rust and corrosion.

a) Single Layer
Single roof sheeting and wall sheeting is obviously the
most economic way of covering steel framed storage
warehouses. Depth of corrugation usually ranges between
40 and 70 mm, its thickness between 0.50 and 0.70 mm,
and its weight between 7 and 10 kg/m2.

b) Double Layer (Sandwitch Panels)

Double skin insulated roof or wall sheeting will
reduce condensation and temperature change in a
storage warehouse. Insulation is essential if the
storage space is to be heated or cooled. A double skin
roof will reduce the chances of leaks. If insulation of
storage warehouses is required then the double skin
system is possibly the most cost effective solution.

Composite Double Skin Sandwich Boards can be used

for roofing steel framed storage warehouses. A nearly
flat mini rib sandwich panel can be used on walls. It
can have windows and doors fitted for a smart look. It
is often used around main entrances and offices. Total
Depth of sandwitch panel usually ranges between 40
and 100 mm and its weight between 10 and 15 kg/m2.

c) Metal Deck Panels

The corrugated steel decking sheets is used to cast the concrete floor slabs without using any
shoring to the slab. Thickness of steel decking sheets usually ranges between 0.70 and 1.0 mm
and its weight between 10 and 15 kg/m2.

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 7

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

Bracing Systems:

Bracing systems are considered as a main supporting element during erection and essential for
the stability of the building. They usually used to resist any horizontal loads (as wind or
earthquake loads) in the longitudinal direction which is the direction perpendicular to the main
system which can carry these loads only on its plan.

1) Horizontal Bracings:

Horizontal Bracing systems are usually used at the first and last spacing. Also, they used at the
intermediate spacing such that the clear distance between two successive bracing is between 25
and 30 meters. They usually resist the wind loads in the longitudinal directions and transmitted
it to the vertical bracing. Also, they reduce buckling length of the chord members outside
plane.

Horizontal
Bracing 4 8m

Vertical
Bracing

α = 30−60

Main

S
Trusses

2) Vertical Bracings:
Vertical bracing systems are used at each horizontal bracing to transmit its reaction to the
foundations.
Horizontal
Bracing

h h
h
α = 30−60 α = 30−60
Added for
h1 > 6.0 ms
h1
α = 30−60

α=30−60

S S S

Various Arrangement of Vertical Bracing

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 8

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

3) Longitudinal Bracings:

Longitudinal bracings are used to connect all the structural elements in the longitudinal
direction achieving the space action and reducing the total deflection of the main trusses.

h H
(6−10) ms
Longitudinal
Bracing

H
α = 30−60
S OR

H
α = 30−60
LONGITUDINAL BRACING (SEC 2-2)

Why Bracing systems are used in steel structures?

• Resist any horizontal force in the direction perpendicular to the main system direction
(which can’t carry it).
• It is considered as a main supporting element during erection.
• Reduce buckling length of the chord members outside plane.
• Connect all the structural elements in the longitudinal direction achieving the space
action and reducing the total deflection of the main trusses.

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 9

Structural Design (II) Spring 2010 Building Engineering Program

2.2 General Layout of Steel Trusses Supported on Concrete Columns:

The reinforcement concrete columns resist the reaction of the horizontal bracing due to wind
load in the longitudinal direction and transmit it to the foundations.

1:Z

h H
α = 35−55

R.C. Beam a=1.5 2.0m clear

height
MAIN SYSTEM {TYPICAL TRUSS} Concrete Columns
(SEC 3-3) (depth ? clear heigh/10)

End Gable
Reaction from (1)

(2)
Horizontal Bracing Horizontal Column
Bracing
R

My (4)
No Vertical
Bracing

α = 30−60

Main
R.C. Beam Trusses

(3)
Purlins
LONGITUDINAL BRACING (SEC 2-2)

VERTICAL BRACING (SEC 1-1)

PLAN
B
4.0 8.0m
S

S
S

H h 4 8m
L

Dr. Ahmed Hassan yousef General Layout 10