Topic 3: Framed Construction

Framed Structure,
It is a structure in which weight is carried by a skeleton or framework, as opposed to being supported by
walls.
Framing means to give shape and support to a structure by combining components in building. Hence, a
framed structure is a structure having the combination of beam, column and slab to resist the gravity and
other lateral loads. These structures are generally used to overcome the large forces, moments developing
due to the applied loading.

Load Bearing Structure

It is a structural system where loads of buildings i.e. weight of building itself plus the live loads get
transferred to the ground through walls. Walls bear the load of roofs, floor and of course self weight.
Types of Frames
There are basic three frames depending on material used in construction:

01. Steel Frame

02. Concrete Frame
03. Wooden Frame
1.Wooden Framed Buildings
Wood offers several advantages like beauty, versatility, durability, high strength to weight ratio, good
electrical insulation, low thermal inductance, and excellent strength at low temperatures. It has high
shock absorption capacity. It can withstand large over-loads of short time duration. It can be bent
easily to sharp curvature.
2.Steel Framed Structure
These buildings are made up of a steel framework which supports all the loads. The columns, the beams,
and girders in these buildings are made of steel sections. These buildings should be adequately braced in
order to resist the wind and earthquake forces. Fire-resistant materials and other light materials are generally
used for the partitions and exterior walls of these buildings.
3.RCC Framed Buildings
RCC framed structure consists of series of frames which are formed by interconnecting columns and beams
at floor and roof levels, so as to form a grid of the beams and girders. Walls are constructed within these
frames.
Advantages of Framed Structure
 Speedy construction is possible due to its simple geometry.
 The strength and stability of the structures is more.
 Multi storied structures can also be constructed.
 A framed structure is better resistant to vibration.
  Framed structures are very rigid and stable.
 Dead load is reduced due to absence of thick load bearing walls
 Framed structure provides more floor areas without obstacle between columns.
 Adaptable to almost any shape.

Important High Rise Building Design Considerations

Structural Safety
-Serviceability
-Value Engineering

1.Site Assessment & Alignment With Regulations

Your starting point should be to understand — and to work within — the building location’s local
compliance requirements and geological realities.

In terms of compliance, you should verify factors such as building height restrictions, the city’s design
preferences, and other requirements, such as adherence to LEED.

Regarding geology, you must acquire survey information (e.g., soil stress-strain, groundwater dynamics,
etc.) about the area’s ability to handle load bearing strain.

2. Structural Integrity

In terms of ensuring structural integrity, you should validate elements such as your building’s spatial
rigidity and load-bearing.

Validating the vertical and horizontal load-bearing is essential: the building must not lose its overall
integrity from the loss of a few internal load-bearing structures due to accidents.

In general, a civil engineer will be on-hand to do these calculations. In practical terms, structural integrity
issues should register as design clashes in your computer-aided design (CAD) suite; it is imperative that you
address them during the design process.

3. Mechanical, Electrical & Plumbing (MEP)

In terms of high rise building design considerations, MEP infrastructure could be among the most complex
internal design elements. In general, MEP systems include the following:

 Elevators
 Lighting
 Telecommunications Infrastructure
 Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning (HVAC)
 Fire Protection
 Water Supply & Management
 Waste Disposal Systems
An HVAC system, for example, will require a ductwork system to distribute air to each floor and room of
the building. Also, you will need to connect the HVAC system to the electrical and water
supply/management system.

4. Energy Efficiency

The question of energy efficiency builds off MEP. If you are responsible for achieving a LEED
certification, for example, then you will need to identify ways to lower your building’s electricity and water
usage. You can make strong in-roads by targeting the most significant energy user.

5. Sustainability & Green Friendliness

The energy savings you accrue through an efficient HVAC system (as well as other methods, such as
promoting the use of natural sunlight) will elevate your building’s green friendliness.

The HVAC system alone will result in the reduction of electricity usage and water waste.

Additionally, you can also improve your sustainability level by selecting eco-friendly suppliers and
sustainable materials, such as recycled steel, insulated concrete forms, etc.

6. Occupant Comfort

In terms of occupant comfort, you will need to look at ensuring good indoor air quality (IAQ) as well as
high levels of thermal comfort and acoustic comfort.

You can address all three through an effective HVAC solution.

For example, an UFAD-based HVAC system will diffuse warm air from the floor (i.e., closest to the
occupant) and use warm air’s natural upward flow to heat the room. The occupants do not need to crank-up
their fans to maximum (and bear with the noise) to keep themselves warm.

7. Aesthetic Appeal

You can influence the visual appeal of the building’s exterior through your design work and by selecting the
right materials. In terms of the interior, you can free up floor space by leveraging raised access floors to
house the HVAC ductwork as well as electrical wiring and cables.

It’s clear that HVAC systems play a significant role in influencing a high rise building’s design. However,
integrating HVAC systems into your building’s design is a complex task; going at it alone could put your
project risk of delays and cost overruns.

Compare load bearing and framed structure

1.Components
Load Bearing Structure
Load bearing structure consists of heavy masonry walls of brick or stone that support the entire structure.
Framed Structure
Framed structure consists of beam, column, and slab.
2. Load Transfer Path
Load Bearing Structure
In load bearing structure, vertical load transfer path is from slab/floor to walls and walls to load bearing
footing i.e. soil.
Framed Structure
In a framed structure, vertical load transfer path is from slab/floor to beams, beams to columns and columns
to load bearing footings and then to soil.
3.Height of Structure
Load Bearing Structure- Limited storey buildings can only be constructed.
Framed Structure- Multi storey buildings of any heights can be constructed.
4.Resistant to Earthquake
Load Bearing Structure
Load bearing structures are poor resistant to earth quake, as they are constructed with masonry units like
stone, brick bonded together. (If it is not done correctly.) However, for low rise buildings, it performs
equally well. It needs meticulous designs and details.
Framed Structure
Framed structure is more rigid and more resistant to Earthquake as entire frame made of column, beam and
slabs act as one unit. However, the horizontal load path needs to be clearly defined, designed and detailed.
5.Thickness of Wall
Load Bearing Structure-In load bearing walls are thicker.
Framed Structure-In framed structure all the walls are thinner.
6.Walls Construction
Load Bearing Structure- In load bearing system, beams and columns are not there. Hence walls have to be
built first.
Framed Structure- In framed structures, walls are constructed after the frame is ready.
7.Carpet Area
Load Bearing Structure- In these types of structures less carpet area is available, as walls are thicker and
hence carpet area efficiency of planning is less.
Framed Structure- In these types of structures more carpet area is available, as walls are thinner.
8.Labour Required
Load Bearing Structure-It is more labor intensive.
Framed Structure-It is less labor intensive, but it needs different skills.
9.Span in Structure
Load Bearing Structure
In case of a load bearing structure, large span areas are not possible. Limitation of span i.e. room sizes.
Framed Structure
In case of a framed structure, large span areas are possible. No Limitation of span i.e. room sizes.

Steps in Construction of Reinforced Concrete framed structures

Introduction
Once the design has been completed, a team of experienced and knowledgeable construction workers and
supervisors is required to transform the structural design into the finished
construction. Concrete construction is a complex process that involves several activities, from hatching and
mixing the ingredients to pouring fresh concrete into forms and curing the new construction. There are
several factors that might influence the quality of the final product in this process, that is, the built structure.
The critical activities associated with the construction of cast-in-place reinforced concrete structures are
described below.
1.Development of Structural Drawings
Structural design should be based on the sound application of fundamental principles of reinforced concrete
design and a knowledgeable use of building codes and standards.
2. Construction Estimating and Tendering
Once the structural drawings have been completed, the contractor produces an estimate of the concrete and
reinforcing steel quantities, as well as the amount of formwork and shoring. This estimate is based on
structural drawings and specifications that are issued for construction. Based on these drawings, the
estimator should be able to estimate the quantity of materials and also the extent of complexity in the
construction procedures, any unusual complications associated with the erection, formwork, and shoring,
etc.
3.Site Works
Site preparation is the first activity of post-contract construction work. It involves cleaning the project site
from debris and roots of trees, removing obstructions such as loose soil, old building if present, sloping
grounds, and specifying the position of underground services are present and relocating them if necessary.
4.Site Surveying and Layout
After cleaning the building site, the building's layout is established with the help of surveying equipment
such as level, theodolite, total station, etc. In this stage, the precise position of the building is determined
based on the drawings.

5.Excavation
After setting up the structure's layout, the excavation process begins using suitable machines based on the
type of soil and size of the excavation work. The excavation work is carried out with the help of surveying
equipment to reach the required depth based on the design drawings.
6.Compaction of Excavation Bottom
After designated depth is reached, the bottom of the excavation trench needs to be compacted to reduce
possible future settlement. Various machines such as smooth wheel roller, sheep foot roller, rubber tire,
crawler, and tamping plate compactor can be used to achieve the required degree of compaction, which is
90% based on international building code.

7.Placing of Reinforcement (steel fixing)

Once the reinforcement has been detailed and cut in the shop, it is delivered to the site in bundles. In some
cases, rebars are cut and bent at the construction site. Placement of the reinforcing steel is carried out by
rebar placers. Their role is to interpret structural drawings along with the detail sheets and then place the
reinforcing steel as precisely as possible. Rebar clearances must be properly shown on the structural
drawings in order for the rebar placer to accurately place bar supports to ensure proper bar position.
8. Installation of Concrete Formwork and Shoring
Formwork and shoring support the weight of the wet concrete and other construction loads. Form work is a
temporary structure made of wood, metal, or plastic, and it is constructed to form the final shape of a
concrete member.

9.Supplying the Concrete (Concrete mixing)

The concrete ready-mix company will supply concrete based on the concrete strengths specified on the
structural drawings and the mix designs that meet the specific climate and workability requirements of the
site. Special concrete placement procedures, such as placement by pumps or wheelbarrows; site batching; or
cylinder testing by an independent testing agency, must be carried out in accordance with the structural
drawings and specifications.

10.Placing and Curing the Concrete

The proper amount of concrete must be placed such that the slab thickness, beam sizes, and wall and
column dimensions are in accordance with the structural drawings.
 The curing process is critical for fresh concrete to gain the required design strength. Improperly cured
concrete tends to exhibit extensive cracking and creep-induced deflections.
10. Finishing Work
construction operations relating to the exterior and interior finishing of buildings and structures to enhance thei
r service and aesthetic qualities. Finishing work is the concluding stage of construction; in many cases, the over
all quality of a building or structure being put into service depends on the quality of its execution. The main ty
pes of finishing work include facing, plastering, flooring (and parquetry), painting, wallpapering, and glazing.
11.Project handover
A ‘handover’ comes at the end of the project to install, construct, or modify an asset. It usually involves
the client formally accepting the asset, the work area, and relevant information from the contractor .