Common Types of Steel Structures in Construction

In the realm of steel structure construction, various framing systems are employed to cater to different industrial, commercial, residential, and agricultural needs. Here are the descriptions of some common steel framing systems and their characteristics. For more detailed information about metal manufacturing buildings, you can visit our metal building categories.

1. Portal Frame Structure:

• Characteristics: Portal frames are commonly used for single-story industrial buildings such as warehouses and factories. They consist of rigid frames formed by columns and beams, creating a planar force system. Longitudinal stability is ensured by column braces and roof braces. The members of portal frame structures are typically made of H-section steel, offering high economy and construction efficiency.
• Example: A factory.

2. Truss Frame Structure:

• Characteristics: Truss structures consist of multiple steel bars connected by nodes, forming triangular or other shapes to disperse loads and provide extensive coverage. Truss structures are effective in roof and bridge construction, efficiently withstanding tension and compression.
• Example: The Eiffel Tower is a classic example of a truss structure, supporting the tower's weight through its intricate lattice of trusses.

3. Steel Frame Structure:

• Characteristics: Frame structures are composed of beams and columns that provide support for buildings. These structures are widely used in multi-story and high-rise constructions, offering good lateral stiffness and seismic performance.
• Famous Example: The Empire State Building in New York is a renowned example of a steel frame structure, known for its rapid construction and Art Deco style, making it an iconic structure in the city.

4.Grid Structure:

• Characteristics: Grid structures consist of multiple planar trusses forming a three-dimensional spatial force system. Effective in large-span constructions like sports arenas and airport terminals, these structures provide stability and load-bearing capacity.
• Example: King's Cross Western Concourse serves as an exemplary case of grid structure in modern architecture, showcasing the innovative use of steel in creating large, open spaces.

5. Suspension Structure:

• Characteristics: Suspension structures use main cables to bear the weight of the structure, suitable for bridges spanning large bodies of water or valleys. These structures are known for their significant spans supported by the tension in the cables.
• Example: The Golden Gate Bridge is one of the world's famous steel suspension bridges and a marvel of modern bridge engineering.

6. Shell Structure:

• Characteristics: Shell structures are thin-walled steel structures that can withstand large spans and areas of load, suitable for large public buildings. These structures distribute loads across their curved surface, providing excellent stability and load capacity.
• Example: The Sydney Opera House features a series of precast concrete shells that form its iconic roof, offering a stunning combination of form and function, and efficiently supporting the roof while maintaining the design's curvature.

These steel structure buildings not only demonstrate the application of steel in modern construction but also showcase the strength, speed, and design flexibility of steel structures. Through these projects, we can see the broad prospects and significant value of steel structure construction in the industrial field. To explore our metal building solutions and services, please visit our metal manufacturing building section.