Types of Structural Steel Frames

A structural steel frame is a system of beams and girders that connect to form a comprehensive grid comprising the walls, floors, and roofs of buildings. The beams and girders are commonly made from structural steel, a material known for its impressive strength and ductility. Different types of structural steel frames are used in constructing buildings, or parts of buildings, depending on how the building is designed to bear weight. Common types of structural steel frames include:

Skeleton Steel Frames

Typically used for multi-story buildings, skeleton steel frames support a building’s walls and floors by channeling the weight of the structure into the foundation. Beams and girders are connected by a variety of components, including brackets, haunches, gusset plates, and shims. Spandrel beams are often installed around the perimeter of skeleton steel frames to support masonry walls.

Wall-Bearing Frames

Ideal for single-story and other low structures, wall-bearing frames allow interior and exterior walls to support the floor and roof loads. They are typically attached to the main structure via anchor bolts and end steel plates. The use of wall-bearing frames depends on the shorter distance between supports and the load intensity of the structure.

Long-Span Frames

For large buildings with wide spans between the beams and girders, long-span frames are used. Common examples of these types of structures are arenas, theaters, auditoriums, and large industrial buildings. These structures often have heavier load-bearing requirements, which are supported by long-span frames. Long-span frames can be used as:

• Trusses – Ultra rigid against bending, trusses can span longer distances than single beams.
• Girders – Thicker than traditional structural steel beams, girders provide the necessary strength to bear heavy loads across wider distances.
• Rigid frames – Designed as a continuous system, rigid frames are strong enough to withstand intense shear forces.

Structural Steel & Plate Fabrication

When it comes to fabricating structural steel to be used in building frames, professionals rely on the power of BeamCut. This remarkable CNC plasma cutting technology is equipped with the industry’s leading features to take structural steel fabrication shops to the next level of success. These features include:

• Advanced robotics – BeamCut’s six-axis FANUC robotic arm can bevel 360 degrees and process nearly any shape or profile required by the blueprints.
• X-Definition plasma – Hypertherm’s plasma system, a standard feature of BeamCut, is one of the most powerful of its kind on the market.
• CNC software – BeamCut’s CNC controls are a cinch to use and help eliminate cutting mistakes and wasted materials.

Thanks to BeamCut’s automated operations, structural steel and plate fabrication professionals can improve the quality of their work, speed up their production, maintain a lean workforce, and reap a significant return on investment!

Support When You Need It

If the advanced capabilities of BeamCut weren’t impressive enough, consider that this amazing CNC plasma cutting technology includes free and unlimited support for life. For more information about how BeamCut can take your structural steel and plate fabrication shop to the next level, contact us today.