Structural & Framing

About Structural and Framing

Structural and framing elements in construction hold the building together, providing adequate support against all applied forces. This category comprises a variety of features, from foundations, beams and columns, to wall panels, trusses, and other roofing components. Each piece plays a vital role in keeping the construction safe and stable, maintaining the right balance from the roof to the foundation. 

Types of Structural and Framing

Beams and Columns

Beams and columns sometimes share a similar appearance, especially when made from the same materials. However, the similarity ends at the surface - they typically feature different structures and serve different functions. Beams are placed horizontally to carry loads of roof and floors, while columns provide vertical support. 

Most beam types are distinguished by their profiles - H, W, T, and so on. The same applies to columns, divided into circular, square, rectangular, and L/T models. Typical materials to make beams and columns include wood, concrete, and steel. 

Applications of beams and columns are broad, including residential and commercial to industrial. 

Firewalls

Fire-resistant barriers, also called firewalls, are specially designed to enhance the passive fire protection levels of the building. They can be placed around a building or between two adjoined ones, to prevent/slow down the spread of fire between separate areas. 

Fire-resistant panels are separated into three basic forms:

• Firewalls
• Fire barriers
• Fire partitions

Each type refers to a specific installation and protection level it provides, defined by factors such as duration and life safety.

Foundations

Every building starts at the foundation, the load-bearing segment of the structure laid mostly below ground. It's separated into three different types, slab, crawl-space, and deep/basement foundations.  

• Slab foundations are simple and affordable, in smaller scopes easy to install even by DIY-ers. A solid concrete slab is placed on concrete footers, followed by two or more layers of concrete block laid on top. 
• Crawl space foundations feature short walls laid on footings, allowing safe building on sloped lots. Wall heights can vary from very short to over one meter tall. 
• Basement foundations go up to two meters or more, producing additional, potentially functional space, while also enhancing overall insulation levels of the building. 

Masonry Blocks

Modern structural masonry blocks are commonly made of concrete due to a range of advantages that material provides compared to the other common choices. They are available in various shapes and sizes, with profiles either solid or hollow.

Masonry blocks are classified by their features, as well as the manufacturing process.

• Solid concrete blocks: The most common type used in construction, dense and heavyweight.
• Hollow concrete blocks: Lightweight with over 25% empty space, these blocks are easy to handle and install.
• Corner blocks: Designed for installation in corners and at door and window openings.
• Pillar blocks: Commonly applied to connect two visible corner ends.  
• Jamb blocks: Connect to the stretcher and corner elements to provide space for the window casings.
• Partition blocks: Exceptionally tall, with the hollow part divided into segments. 
• Lintel blocks: Mostly used in beams or lintel beams, featuring a deep groove for added reinforcement.
• Frogged: Distinguished by a "frog" designed to provide a strong link with the top laying block.
• Bullnose: A corner block used in the creation of rounded corner edges.

Rigid Air Barriers

Rigid air barriers provide effective weather-resistant building envelopes used to enhance insulation levels of the building. They make the interiors more comfortable during summer and winter, reducing the costs of heating and cooling. At the same time, rigid air barriers decrease air-transmitted moisture levels and improve overall indoor air quality.

Roof Frames and Trusses

Roof frames and trusses transfer the roofing loads to building walls, beams and columns, and down towards the foundation. Pre-made trusses, standardised and manufactured from engineered wood, are uniformly cut to provide efficient installation and excellent structural balance.

Trusses are available in a variety of types, including:

• Standard
• Girders
• End trusses
• Energy trusses
• Post-frame trusses
• Spread web
• Scissors
• Speciality trusses
• Bobtail trusses, and more.

Structural Flooring

Structural floor systems comprise a set of beams and joists positioned to connect with the walls in the most stable manner. A floor sheathing is then laid on top of the joists, over a concrete slab or in layers of timber.

Concrete floor slabs transfer the loads applied from above to the structural elements below. Their thickness depends on the floor span, and their surface can be transformed into a concrete floor. 

Structural Steel

Structural steel is stable, durable, and - if properly coated - resistant to corrosion. It's also affordable and easy to handle; however, excellent strength to weight ratio is the steel's key advantage.

Steel is also resistant to mould, non-combustible, highly adaptable, flexible, and easily expanded. In addition, it supports architectural variety, allowing for the creation of unique designs.

Standard structural steel types are defined by the alloy composition and its most common applications. They include:

• Carbon steel
• Forged steel
• High strength low alloy
• Quenched and tempered alloys  

Structural Wall Panelling

Structural wall panels can be prefabricated, manufactured off-site and only assembled on-site, providing a cost- and labour-efficient alternative to conventional walling methods. Along with shortening construction times, this kind of cladding allows more coordinated processes from manufacturing and supplying to project management and installation. 

Two main types of structural wall panels are open and closed, while their further categorisation identifies:

• Concrete insulated panels
• Structural insulated panels (SIPs)
• Wooden frame panels
• Lightweight steel frame panels
• Insulated concrete formwork (ICF)

Wall Framing

The wall framing can be light or heavy, based on its components and the materials used. Its role is to form a stable enclosure for wall coverings with proper connections between horizontal elements (joists) and vertical columns (studs).

Wall framing elements include:

• Structural (bearing) wall 
• A partition wall 
• Joists 
• Top and bottom plates 
• Studs 
• Jack studs 
• Lintels 
• Noggins 
• Bracing 
• Sill 
• Sheathing 

Heavy frames include large timber framing, pole building framing, and steel framing. Light-frame constructions typically comprise plywood and similar composite materials, connected by the western, balloon, or braced method. 

Things to Consider Before Buying Structural and Framing

Concrete is made using cement, sand, and additives. Common aggregates include fly ash or bottom ash, clinker, and others, each with different densities and qualities, that consequently affect the properties of the finished concrete mass. 

Concrete slabs, columns, beams or blocks greatly vary by size, shape, hollow space, and type. Regardless of the application, concrete should be homogeneous and damage-free to maintain maximum structural integrity. 

Inserting steel into concrete greatly increases its strength and resistance. Structural steel needs to be treated and coated in order to become corrosion resistant. 

Similar to concrete blends, timber and steel's application determines the best type to use. Different buildings require different structural designs and material properties. 

The quality of the material/manufacturing is one of the essential factors to consider before making any purchase. The structure is only as strong as its weakest element. It's therefore strongly recommended to deal with reputable suppliers and established brands. 

It's always important to check local regulations before buying structural and framing elements. Building codes may vary regarding both preferred types and materials used in specific constructions.