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Home>>> Steel Building Design I-Beam Building Design
Frame Types
Unlike our competitors, we allow you to
price all building frame types. Select from Clear-span or Modular
rigid-frame buildings. We allow you the full
 flexibility
to choose Gable, Single Sloped or Offset Peak building shape. By far,
we offer the widest selection of building and frame types. For options
not available through the online system, you will need to request a
special quote. Just about every steel building has at least one framed
opening. It is not unusual for buildings to have several openings.
Most openings are created for an overhead door, but can be used for
the installation of glass fronts or other entries. Most sellers offer
"field located" framed openings, which require cutting and fabricating
on the job site. DB always provides factory-located openings unless
your project requires something otherwise.
Clear-span Frames
A clear-span rigid frame offers strength and economy. Since no
interior supports are necessary, this design is best when you require
large areas of clear and uninterrupted space. Factories, warehouses
and agricultural buildings are just a few building types that may
utilize a clear-span frame building. A clear-span design does have
size limitations. As the desired width increases, the frames will
become larger and heavier to carry greater loads across the length of
the frame. At some point the cost will outweigh the benefit. Even so,
clear-span buildings are still effective for buildings as wide as 150'
feet and wider in some cases.
Modular Frames
Modular frames use interior columns to evenly distribute the load;
reducing the cost of both the frame and foundation of extra wide
buildings. The economical advantages become obvious when a building
width is about 100' wide or wider. As a result, almost all buildings
100' wide or wider have interior support columns. Modular designs are
often used for large factories and warehouses.
Single Slope Frames
Single slope frames have high and low eave heights creating a roof
that "slopes" from side to side. To select a single slope design, you
specify one eave height and define the roof pitch. Single slope
designs are frequently used for strip shopping centers, offices, and
RV/Boat storage facilities. Roof
Options Roof Pitch
The angle of a steel building's roof is determined by roof pitch. Roof
pitch indicates the rise vertically for every 12 inches of travel
horizontally. Our system allows you to choose up to a 6:12 pitch.
There are many
 considerations
with both higher and lower roof pitches. Higher pitched roofs may add
to the cost of the building, but can add performance to a building in
a heavy snow region. Additionally, you can take advantage of extra
space above. High-pitched roofs are less likely to leak and can add
style to your building.
Low-pitched roofs require less material
and therefore cost less. Also it is easier to heat and cool a building
with a low-pitched roof. One major advantage of a low-pitched roof is
expandability. If you ever add-on to your building you will be able to
add more space while keeping the loss of headroom to a minimum.
Roof Extensions and Overhangs
Extensions can improve the appearance of a building but will cost
more. Roof extensions add "curb-appeal" to some buildings, but will
take more time to complete the erection of the building because of the
amount of extra covering trim. Extensions can also help a building
merge in better in an environment of conventionally constructed
buildings in commercial areas. An overhang offers you some protection
from the rain and shade from the sun. These options can be important
when you receive many visitors to your building, by offering shelter
from the elements. We offer two
types of roof extensions: (1) Gable Extensions for end walls (2) Eave
Extensions for sidewalls. Using our system, you can easily and quickly
design and price buildings with overhangs up to 5' on any or all of
the walls. When in the Building Accessories section select Roof
Extensions. Framed Openings
Just about every steel building has at
least one framed opening. It is not unusual for buildings to have
several openings. Most openings are created for an overhead door, but
can be used for the installation of glass fronts or other entries.
Most other online sellers offer "field located" framed openings, which
require cutting and fabricating on the job site. DB always provides
factory-located openings unless your project requires something
otherwise. Connection Clips
Specially fabricated clips are designed to securely connect structural
components. Many companies supply only blank plates that must be cut,
drilled and/or welded to components before assembly can begin. In some
cases it may require many hours of work to connect required clips. DB
details and supplies each clip and placement to every building. We
factory weld all clips onto rigid frames and guarantee the correct
placement of all component connections. Don't waste your time and
money attaching clips that should have been factory located.
Structural Bracing
Most buildings less than 60' have sufficient diaphragm action or
"panel shear" that provides all the bracing needed to stabilize the
building. In some cases of high winds, seismic or snow loads may cause
more stress than panel shear can handle, so additional reinforcement
may be required. In these extreme cases we will employ the use of X
bracing to reinforce the frame. In situations where X bracing cannot
be used a wind column is an excellent addition to strengthen a
vertical rigid frame column. A portal frame is sometimes used in
extreme load circumstances. Portal frames are fairly expensive and
only necessary in rare circumstances.
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