DIRE DAWA INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

DEPARTMENT OF CONSTRUCTION TECHNOLOGY

AND MANAGEMENT

Chapter Two
Framed Structure Construction

2.1 Frame Structures

Frame is a structure used to resist vertical forces (for example gravity loading) and lateral forces
(for example wind, and earthquakes).

2.1.1 What is framed structure?

Framed structure is structure that is made stable by a skeleton that is able to stand by itself as a
rigid structure without depending on floors or walls to resist deformation. Or Framed structures
are structures having the combination of beam, column and slab to resist the lateral and gravity
loads. These structures are usually used to overcome the large moments developing due to the
applied loading.
2.2 Members for Framing
 Vertical members
 Horizontal members
 diagonal members

Requirement: (the main requirement for some material to be used for framing purpose is its
strength in both tension and compression).

2.3 Advantages and limitation

 Advantages of Frame Structures

 Ease in construction.
 It is very easy to teach the labor at the construction site.
 Can be constructed rapidly.
 Frame structures have economical designs.
 Limitation of Frame Structures

 Restriction in span length, usually up to 4o feet is limited in concrete structure.

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2.3 Types of Frame Structures

2.3.1 Types of Frame Structures based on component and arrangement

FRAMES

RIGID BRACED PIN ENDED FIX EDED GABBLED PORTAL

FRAMES FRAMES FRAMES FRAMES FRAMES FRAMES

Figure 2 : Types of Frame Structures Based on arrangement

1. RIGID FRAME
The word rigid means ability to resist the deformation. Rigid frame structures can be defined as
the structures in which beams & columns are made monolithically and act collectively to resist
the moments which are generating due to applied load. They can effectively resist rotations more
effectively.

It is the load-resisting skeleton constructed with straight or curved members interconnected by
mostly rigid connections which resist movements induced at the joints of members. Its members
can take bending moment, shear, and axial loads.
This type of frame structures resists the shear, moment and torsion more effectively than any
other type of frame structures. That's why this frame system is used in world's most astonishing
building Burj Al-Arab in Dubai.

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 Figure 2: Showing free body diagram of a typical rigid frame structure.
The two common assumptions as to the behavior of a building frame are:
(1) Its beams are free to rotate at their connections or
(2) Its members are so connected that the angles they make with each other do not change
under load.
Frame works with connections of intermediate stiffness will be intermediate between these two
extremes. Frame works with connections of intermediate stiffness are commonly called semi
rigid frames.
 Advantages of rigid frames

 Feature positive and negative bending moments throughout the structure due to
interaction of walls, beams and slabs.

2. BRACED FRAMES
In this frame system, bracing are usually provided between beams and columns to increase their
resistance against the lateral forces and sideways forces due to applied load. Bracing is usually
done by placing the diagonal members between the beams and columns.

This frame system provides more efficient resistance against the earthquake and wind forces.
This frame system is more effective than rigid frame system.

 Advantages of braced frame

 Stabilize the frame against earthquakes and strong winds.

 More efficient than a rigid frames.

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 Figure 3: Showing a free body diagram of a typical braced frame.

3. PIN ENDED FRAME

A pinned ended rigid frame system usually has pins as their support conditions. This frame
system is considered to be non-rigid if its support conditions are removed and will be considered
rigid if retains its original shape when supports are removed.

Figure 4: Showing a free body diagram of a typical pin ended frame.

4. FIX ENDED FRAME

Fix ended frame is a frame in which one or more than one members are fully constrained. In this
type of frame systems end conditions are usually fixed.

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 Figure 5: Showing a free body diagram of a typical fix ended frame.

5. GABBLED FRAME
Gabled frame structures usually have the peak at their top. These frames systems are in use
where there are possibilities of heavy rain and snow.

Figure 6: Showing a free body diagram of a typical gabbled frame.

6. PORTAL FRAME
The members are usually made up of curved laminates & the members are thickened in the
region of the knee or eaves joint to allow for the large moment.

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 Figure 7: Showing a free body diagram of a typical portal frame.

2.3.2 Types of Frame Structures based on construction material

The following can be the best example and are commonly used materials during framing.

1. Engineered Wood (Timber)

2. Steel

3. Reinforced concrete

 TIMBER FRAMING

Timber is also known as a post and beam. As the name suggests timber framing is construction
method using timber frame as the primary structural support for the building. Timber Framing is
a centuries old construction method of creating timber framed structures jointed together with
wooden pegged mortises and tenon joints.

Figure 8: Showing a mortise and tenon joint in timber framing.

BENEFITS OF TIMBER FRAMING

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  Fast, efficient and cost effective
 Flexible to add further extensions.
 Environmentally friendly.
 Hand crafted.
 Unique character.
 Buildings with an organic, natural, earthly charm.

TYPES OF TIMBER FRAMES

1. CLOSED TIMBER FRAME

CLOSED TIMBER FRAME Has form of a triangle, the horizontal member of the triangle (tie-
beam) which is jointed in to two angled members called the principal rafters?

Purpose: the main purpose of the closed timber frame is to deflect the loads on the roof to the
wall post who then direct the load to the foundations.

The main purpose of the horizontal member, the tie-beams is to prevent the walls from being
pushed apart by the load of the roof.

A) QUEEN POSTS TRUSS AND KINGPOST TRUSS

The queen posts truss has the shape of a triangle with two curved members running from the
principle rafters to the tie-beam.

The king post truss has a triangular shape with vertical member (kingpost) in the center running
from the tie beam to the ridge. It is mainly used to make frames with larger spans. The kingpost
prevents the tie beam from sagging.

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 Figure
9: queen post truss framing. Figure 10: queen post truss framing.

2. OPEN TIMBER FRAMING

A) ARCH BRACE TRUSS

Arch brace truss is made up of two principal rafters connected with a collar. Underneath the collar
there are two curved full braces jointed into the collar and rafters. It is used to create a curved
ceilings as are often seen in churches or some churches.

Figure 11: Showing an arch brace in timber framing.

B) SLING BRACES TRUSS

Sling braces truss has two angled curved members that run from the horizontal wall post up to
the collar. As with the interrupted tie beam truss this truss also has two interrupted tie that are
jointed to the sling braces to stop the rafters and walls from spreading.

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 Figure 12: Showing a sling brace in timber framing.

 STEEL FRAMING

Steel frame usually refers to a building technique with a "skeleton frame" of

vertical steel columns and horizontal I-beams, constructed in a rectangular grid to support the
floors, roof and walls of a building which are all attached to the frame.

The development of this technique made the construction of the skyscraper possible. Mostly

done using mild steel.

BENEFITS OF STEEL FRAMING

 Excellent design flexibility (allows longer span).

 Resist wind and earthquake loads.
 Bend without cracking.
 Immense strength. 
 Super-quick to build at site.
 Wide ready-made structural sections
 Wide range of joining methods.

LIMITATION OF STEEL FRAMING

 Quickly loses its strength in a fire .Practically at 500 degrees Celsius (930 degrees F),it
loses almost half of its strength), 
 Corrosion in humid or marine environments.

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ALTERNATIVES IN USING STEEL FRAME

 High rise buildings (strength, low weight, and speed of construction).

 Industrial buildings (large span spaces @ low cost).
 Warehouse buildings
 Residential buildings
 Temporary Structures (quick to set up and remove).

1.6.4 TYPES OF STEEL FRAMING

A) CONVENTIONAL STEEL FRAMING

In these type of steel framing the members of steel will be cut to the correct lengths, and then
welded together to make the final structure.

The conventional steel framing is done entirely at the construction site, (labor-intensive), or
partially in a workshop, (better working conditions & reduce time).

B) BOLTED STEEL FRAME

Bolted Steel Frame is produced, finished and painted steel components, which are then shipped
to the site and simply bolted in place.

C) STICK FRAMING
Stick Framing Most commonly used to build steel framed homes today, and involves assembling
the floors and walls using individual studs and joists on the construction site.

D) COLD FORMED STEEL FRAMING

Using thin sheets of galvanized steel by cold forming into steel studs for use as a structural or
non-structural building material.

 CONCRETE FRAME STRUCTURES

Concrete frame usually refers to a building technique with a "skeleton frame" of

vertical concrete columns and horizontal concrete beams, casted in a required shape in to the
form work. The development of this technique made the construction of different
skyscraper possible.

BENEFITS OF CONCRET FRAMING

 Excellent in both tension and compression strength.

 Resist wind and earthquake loads.

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  Not require repetitive maintenance.
 Super-quick to build at site when it is prefab system.
 Wide range of design flexibility 

LIMITATION OF CONCRETE FRAMING

 Less tensile strength (faced to cracking)
 Required more time to dry the concrete structure when it is cast in situ
 Difficult to make further extension and joining
.

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