Steel Framework

What is a steel frame?

Steel frames are also known as skeleton frames in the building industry. They are made up of vertical steel columns and horizontal I beams. These are constructed in a rectangular grid to support the floors, roof and walls of a building which are all attached to the frame.

It's immense strength is of great advantage to buildings. An important feature of steel framing is its flexibility. It can bend without cracking, which is another great advantage, as a steel building can flex when it is pushed to one side by say, wind, or an earthquake. This means that when subjected to great force, it will not suddenly crack like glass.

Where steel frame structures are used.

• High rise buildings because of its strength, low weight, and speed of construction
• Industrial buildings because of its ability to create large span spaces at low cost
• Warehouse buildings for the same reason
• Residential buildings in a technique called light gauge steel construction
• Temporary Structures as these are quick to set up and remove

Advantages of steel framework.

• super-quick to build on site, as a lot of work can be pre-fabbed at the factory.
• flexible, which makes them very good at resisting dynamic (changing) forces such as wind or earthquake forces.
• They can be made to take any kind of shape, and clad with any type of material.
• A range of joining methods is available, such as bolting and welding

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