Commercial Structural Framing
Systems
© 2010 Project Lead The Way, Inc.Civil Engineering and Architecture
The Skeleton of the BuildingThe structure of life I have described in buildings . . . is deeply and inextricably connected with the human
person, and with the innermost nature of human feelings. - Christopher Alexander
Commercial Structural Framing
Systems
•Purpose
•Low Rise Framing Systems
•Cast-in-Place Concrete
•Structural Steel
•Load Bearing Walls
•Hybrid Systems
•Cost
•Structural Efficiency
PURPOSE
•The purpose of structural framing is
provide
• Strength – Holds the structure up (and holds
it down) despite
• Gravity (vertical) loads
• Lateral (sideways) loads
• Stability – Maintains the shape and
minimizes movement
Commercial Framing Systems
•Low Rise (three stories or less) commercial
framing systems may be similar to residential
construction
• Wood framing
• Light gauge steel framing
Commercial Framing Systems
•Commercial building considerations
• Heavy traffic
•Heavier loads
•More wear and tear
• Larger open spaces
• Easy Maintenance
However, usage of commercial buildings often differs from
residential usage.
Common Commercial Framing Systems
Cast-in-Place
Concrete Framing
Structural Steel
Framing
Load Bearing Walls
Hybrid Systems
Cast-in-Place Concrete
Forms are built
Reinforcing is placed
Concrete is poured and finished in place
Wooden forms used to
cast slabs
©iStockphoto.com
Cast-in-Place
Concrete Frame
Concrete Column
Structural Concrete Slab
Structural Steel
Structural members are fabricated off site
Members are delivered to the site
Members are erected per the design
©iStockphoto.com
Structural Steel Framing
Structural
Steel
Column
Open Web
Steel Roof
Joists
Structural Steel
Floor Beams
Steel Decking
Lateral Brace
Courtesy Connie Bertucci
Load Bearing Walls
• Masonry
• Pre-cast concrete
• Tilt-up concrete
Load Bearing Walls
• Wood Framing
• Light Gauge Steel Framing
• Structural Steel
Floor and Roof
Masonry load bearing walls with
light gauge steel trusses
Courtesy IOP Rec Center
Tilt-up load bearing walls with
structural steel and open web steel
joist floor and roof framing
Courtesy Tilt-up Concrete Association
Load Bearing Walls
Courtesy Carolina Concrete Masonry Association
Load Bearing
CMU Wall
Open Web Wood
Floor Joists
Hybrid Framing Systems
Hybrid Systems combine two or more
different framing systems
Courtesy TexAZ Business Park
Cast-in-Place
Concrete Load
Bearing Walls
Structural Steel
Framing
Cost
• The cost of construction is an important
consideration when choosing a
structural system
• The cost of a structure is directly related
to the weight of materials used to build
the structure
• Lower material weight = Lower cost
• Higher material weight = Higher cost
Structural Efficiency
• Ratio of the maximum design load that a
structure will carry to the weight of the
structure itself
• Higher structural efficiency means less material
weight = Lower cost
• Lower structural efficiency means more material
weight = Higher cost
=Maximum Design Load
Structural E fficiencyWeight of S tructure
Design Load = Load a structure is designed to carry
Commercial Structural Framing
Systems
•Purpose
•Low Rise Systems
•Cast-in-Place Concrete
•Structural Steel
•Load Bearing Walls
•Hybrid Systems
•Cost
•Structural Efficiency
References
Ching, Francis D. K., and Cassandra Adams. Building
Construction Illustrated, 3rd Edition. (2000) New
York: Wiley.
Ramsey, Charles George. Ramsey/Sleeper architectural
graphics standards. (2000) New York: John Wiley.
Image Sources
• Tilt Up Concrete Association. http://www.tilt-up.org/
• iStockphoto. http://www.istockphoto.com/index.php
• Connie Bertucci, Victor Senior High School, Victor, NY
• TexAZ Commercial Properties, LLC
• Carolinas Concrete Masonry Association.
http://ccmaonline.com/about-carolinas-concrete/about-
us.htm
