Posted on August 30, 2018 by Heritage
In our last blog post, we discussed the different framing systems of a steel building. However, it might be helpful to give a frame overview of the parts that make up these framing systems. Your contractor may allude to some of these terms, so we’ll dissect the technicalities and make it easily digestible (in case he starts speaking metal building language to you).
A main frame is an assemblage of rafters and columns that support the secondary framing members, runs laterally from one side of the building to the other and transfers loads directly to the foundation. Main-frame components may be “hot-rolled” (made by extruding molten steel through a mold) or “built up” (made by welding plate steel), depending on your building’s needs.
An endwall frame is a frame located at the endwall of a building that supports the loads from a portion of the end bay. In most steel building designs, endwall frames only support half the load of a main frame. In those cases, Heritage uses a lighter, less expensive bearing frame. A bearing end frame is a structural system consisting of a series of rafter beams supported by columns and is used at the end frame of a building. Our endwall rafters and columns may be either hot-rolled or “cold-formed” or built up (shaped by running coils of steel through a former).
Secondary framing includes the wall girts, roof purlins and eave struts. These cold-formed components support the wall and roof panels, transfer load to the frames and help stabilize the building.
Heritage will provide you with important information and documents on your building. You can also download these forms from our Brochure and Literature section. If you still have questions, one of our project consultants will be more than happy to help you find the answers you are looking for.