Addressing Demand and Finding Solutions
Businesses must be flexible to survive. Flexibility in the construction of a business facility is not always achieved. Operation requires flexibility in location as well as the ability to adapt to changes over time. From a construction perspective, steel has a tremendous advantage for flexibility in all aspects of building a business facility. If a steel frame is used, there are long-term advantages in flexibility for changes in business operation when compared to the traditional frame materials.
Engineering Versatility and The Clear-Span Advantage
Architectural Flexibility with Clear-Span Design
The complete absence of interior support columns enables a completely flexible arrangement of floor plan. An arrangement of framing and support lateral to provide completely unrestricted horizontal movement of heavy equipment. This increases the throughput in materials storage and distribution.
Modular Scalability for Future Expansion
Flexibility and modularity in design permit a variety of size options, and the ease of structural expansion, something that would otherwise require an extended period of time and a significant investment. This modular design allows for the minimum of business interruption during the expansion, as the cost of structural engineering is reduced.
Input: Framing Component Engineering Purpose Business Advantage
Main Rigid Frame
Heavy-duty frame provides lateral and vertical load transfer
Maximizes clear-span space
Cold-formed Purlins
Supports roof and wall panels, resists lateral loads
Provides attachment locations
Tension Rod Bracing
Resists lateral wind and seismic loads
Maintains lateral stability
Real World Commercial Application Case Study
Background
Scenario: Growth of the Agricultural Sector
A cooperative of farmers located in the Pacific Northwest was experiencing an increased demand for their services and needed a way to store more grain. Additionally, they needed a facility to safely house their combines and other harvesting equipment from the winter. Due to the equipment’s size and weight, they required a facility that would provide a clear area large enough to house and move the combines without obstructions.
Limitations of Traditional Construction
There were significant limitations with using a traditional timber-frame construction system due to the height of the building, the length of the bays, and fire/insect/barrier concerns. Placing wooden posts in the bay to support the roof created obstructions that increased the potential for collisions by the combine harvesting equipment. Also, the costs and long construction times associated with a concrete tilt-up wall system went beyond their budget and would extend past the harvest season.
Engineered Solution
A custom-engineered Steel Building was used to provide a clear span of 120’ with an eave height of 24’. A system of heavy-duty, commercial roll-up doors, and mezzanine floors, were integrated to provide office space and a lighting system of translucent panels to reduce energy consumption, was used to reduce the cost of providing artificial lighting during the day.
Measurable Operational Outcomes
Using steel warehouse kits reduced build time by 45% compared to the use of concrete warehouse kits. The lack of internal columns also meant that the cooperative was able to store 30% more equipment. The stone wall like design of the steel frame also meant that surrounding equipment was protected and also remained dry in the case of a fire in the equipment storage facility. The use of steel frame technology also meant that the cooperative was able to secure a 20% reduction in their commercial insurance premiums during the first two years of operations.
Diversified Applications of Prefabricated Steel Structures
E-Commerce Fulfillment and Warehousing
Logistics service providers construct temperature controlled distribution centers using prefabricated metal workshops. High performance insulation packages like fiberglass blankets with vapor barriers help reduce condensation. The high ceiling clearances easily allow the accommodation of automated storage and retrieval systems.
Specialized Agricultural Storage Facilities
The use of industrial steel frames provide protection for bulk grain and fertilizers. The frames are also termite proof, mold proof and rot proof and do not require chemical treatment. Also, engineered ventilation systems like ridge vents and gravity louvers prevent moisture from building up and also provide air circulation.
Commercial Automotive and Aircraft Hangars
Preengineered steel buildings have many benefits and can provide large clear areas to move aircraft. Bridge cranes can be installed to provide lifts of 10 tons or more. Concrete Foundations can be constructed to provide large mechanical equipment footings.
Technical Standards and Longevity Strategies
Compliance with International Building Codes
Despite the specialized nature of steel design and fabrication, the assembly of structural steel components is fairly standardized and automated. Therefore, the cost to fabricate steel is relatively low and the process can be fairly quick. The automation and specialization of the labor, along with the scale of the business contribute to the process time and cost efficiencies. The steel fabrication industry is fairly consolidated and competitive on a global scale. As a result, the industry has many large, multinational firms.
Essential Preventive Maintenance
To extend the useful life of a Steel Building, facility managers should perform structural audits on a routine basis. Depending on a facility’s exposure to the elements, structural audits should be performed semi-annually. The audits should assess the integrity of the protective zinc coatings, as well as the drainage paths for water, and the tightness of fasteners. Paint abrasions should be addressed immediately to prevent the spreading of oxidation.
Can a prefabricated steel building be fully insulated to store temperature sensitive inventory?
Yes, there are numerous insulation methods available to use on steel structures. The most common are: fiberglass blankets, rigid board insulation, and spray polyurethane foam (SPF) insulation. Double-layer insulation systems with thermal spacer blocks greatly improve energy efficiency and prevent condensation in the metal panel enclosure. Thermal bridging is minimized using these systems.
How does a clear span steel building handle extreme weather events?
Each of the Steel Buildings designed and sold by the company is engineered to meet or exceed the local wind and snow load requirements defined in the International Building Code. Because of the high tensile strength of the steel and the rigid frame design of the building, lateral winds can be deflected from the building and heavy vertical snow loads can be safely distributed to the foundation of the building.
What kind of foundation specification is needed before industrial steel framing can be put up?
Most of the larger steel structures require a deep, engineered concrete, slab on grade foundation. The anchor bolts on the foundation must be aligned and embedded in the foundation to receive the column base plates. This allows the building to be fixed to the foundation to account for movement caused by earthquakes or high wind events.
Is it possible to expand a commercial steel building in the future?
Yes, the modular nature of a bolted steel frame allows for expansion by simply adding additional frame bays to the building. This helps reduce waste and allows for minimal disruption to business operations.