Structural steel for the construction of buildings comes in multiple parts.
In fact, we can split the structure of a building into three main parts: the substructure, superstructure, and plinth.
It is these building parts (that we will explore in more detail below) that will sit on one or several of the load-bearing walls, with the weight of the elements transferred toward the continuous foundations below.
Structural steel fabrication is a series of processes involved in manufacturing and assembling these building parts to form the final structure. A final structure that is robust, reliable, and safe.
Load-bearing structure
A building’s three main parts consist of the following:
Superstructure – building parts that include every structural part of a building that are placed above ground level.
Substructure – parts of the building that are placed below ground level.
Plinth – the part of the building that is higher than ground level but also lower than the ground floor level.
When we talk about the types of structures like above, it is also important to know if these structures are load-bearing.
What is a load-bearing structure?
Load-bearing structures are where the building load is evenly spread across its foundations, where the weight is held in the walls, which is then transferred to the foundations below.
The wall footing sits directly on the foundations, transferring the weight to the base. Beams can also be used to support the weight of the structure. Beams come in various widths and depths to help support the varying loads, and structural calculations will be used to determine the most suitable size and shape of beam for you.
When using this type of load-bearing structure, there is no need for separate columns to support the load or any additional supporting frameworks.
As an alternative, structural steel contractors may opt for a steel frame structure. This is opposite to load-bearing structures as, in this instance, each column has its own foundation, and the columns are then connected with a beam. Building walls are then used to fill the space, making load distribution less important as the columns and beams carry the entire load.
Other types of load-bearing structures include:
Braces – used to help stiffen structures.
Trusses are mainly used to support roof structures, bearing the weight of a building roof. (Note: Trusses aren’t exposed to movement).
To find out more about steel truss structure, definitions, properties, and applications, check out our latest post here.
Pros and cons of load-bearing structures
Load-bearing structures are a popular choice. However, one of the biggest drawbacks is that a load-bearing structure with continuous foundations beneath is unsuitable for buildings more than two stories high. This does, however, make this structure suitable for residential properties.
Pros of load-bearing structures:
- Materials used are economically valuable
- Having thick walls helps with insulation
- Steel beams provide good soundproofing
- Offers high performance and stability
- Safe and with secure transference the load weight is moved to the foundation
- Can stabilise the entire structure
- The construction process is simple
- Cost-effective
- You can’t easily remove or take down a load-bearing wall
- Offers a high level of fire resistance.
Cons of load-bearing structures:
- Construction can take time
- More labour intensive
- Internal space can be reduced due to wall density
- Limited to a height of two stories
- The placement of supporting walls can’t be changed once building work begins
- It is not always a suitable solution in areas that suffer from earthquakes
- Unable to have rooms larger than a specific size.
Structural steel fabrication
Load-bearing structures support the entire structure of a building and direct the weight to the foundations below, with the load transferred vertically down through supporting walls.
If you’re thinking about changing the layout of your home or maybe extending your property, it’s vital that you work with an architect, structural engineer, and professional structural steel fabricators who can help with accurate designs and detailed drawings showing all supporting load-bearing walls in the property currently.
What’s important to note is that as a building extends, walls will need to increase in density, which will reduce usable floor space.
However, these walls can be seen as multi-functional as they offer heat retention through thermal insulation, they can block out and limit noise, they help to make properties more resistant to fires and weather elements, and the materials used support sustainability.
Structural steel contractors
Load-bearing structures are vital to supporting the design and layout of a building. Health and safety must be adhered to, and accurate structural calculations must be worked on to ensure that shear and compression forces have been taken into account and the foundations in place can handle the load.
At Morfabrication, we’re proud to be the structural steel contractor of choice for many commercial and residential customers throughout the UK.
Working with you to provide the most appropriate steel structures to meet your requirements and design specifications, we offer a range of fabrication services, providing high-quality solutions, always.
Drop us an email to find out more and see how we can help you with your next project; info@morfabrication.com