Modern construction values portal steel frame buildings. They have great strength, and durability, and cost less. This structure not only meets the needs of industrial warehouses, providing generous storage space but also adapts to the specific requirements of agricultural buildings, such as durability and adaptability. In this guide, Xinguangzheng Group will take you on an in-depth look at key aspects of portal steel frame buildings. These include key benefits, types, design factors, and uses in many scenarios.
Table of Contents
What are Portal Steel Frame Buildings?
A portal steel frame building is a modern construction technique. It is known for its speed, low cost, and efficiency. This structure consists of a series of vertical columns and horizontal rafters that form a rigid framing system. The columns and beams connect rigidly. This lets them effectively transfer bending moments (i.e., forces carried by the beams) to the columns. This increases the stability and load capacity of the whole structure.
Portal steel-framed buildings usually consist of two parts: the mainframe and the sub-frame. The primary frame is the heart of the building and includes the main rigid frame, floor beams, and crane beams (if required). These members are responsible for supporting the main loads of the building. The secondary frame consists of roof purlins and wall beams. They further support the roof and walls. They also ensure the structure’s integrity and stiffness.
In addition, the structure provides large open spaces while still maintaining a strong structure. This structural feature is ideal for industrial/commercial/agricultural building requirements.
Types of Portal Steel Frame Buildings
Single Span Portal Frame
Portal steel building is favored for its diverse design and application range. The single-span portal frame is known for its simple design. It usually has two columns and a rafter. This makes it ideal for small to medium-sized buildings, such as garages and workshops. This type of structure is easy to construct, cost-effective, and meets basic building needs.
Multi-Span Portal Frame
For applications requiring more open space, multi-span portal rigid frames are ideal. This structure has multiple columns and rafters. They create large, column-free spaces. These spaces are ideal for large warehouses and factories. The multi-span design provides more flexibility. It also allows for dividing and using space to fit specific needs.Compared to a single-span portal rigid structure, it will be more complicated to design and build, and the overall price will be higher.
Curved Portal Frame
Curved door frames are favored for their elegant roofline and aesthetic appearance. The curved roof of this structure not only provides visual beauty but also good structural performance. Curved portal frames are common in places that need a special shape, like community auditoriums and churches. These places need a building that is not just functional but also looks nice.
Each type of portal steel building has its features and advantages. Xinguangzheng Group can meet the needs of different customers. It can be a single-span design that pursues simplicity and practicality. Or, it can be a multi-span structure that needs spaciousness. It could also be a curved door frame that seeks to combine aesthetics and functionality. Portal steel structures can provide solutions for all of these needs.
At the same time, such structures fulfil an aesthetic need and are often used in churches and community halls. However, they often require additional support to maintain structural integrity.
Benefits of Portal Steel Frame Buildings
Portal steel frame building has many benefits, Xinguangzheng is here to collate the more important 7 advantages:
Large span
Portal steel frame buildings can create a large column-free space for you without any column support inside. This is ideal if you want to build a logistics warehouse as well as a production workshop.
Strength and Durability
Portal steel buildings are known for their superior strength and durability. The type of structure you choose can withstand strong winds and heavy snowfalls. It can handle other environmental loads thanks to the strength and stability of steel. The steel resists corrosion. It keeps its performance over time. So, portal steel buildings last a long time and need little maintenance.
Cost-Effectiveness
The cost-effectiveness of portal steel buildings is one of its significant advantages. The components are made in the factory. This greatly cuts on-site construction time and labor costs. Prefabrication also means fewer errors during construction and easier quality control. This construction speeds up the building. It also improves accuracy and consistency.
Versatile
Portal steel frame buildings are widely used in the design of steel buildings and they can cater for a wide range of industries. From industrial/agricultural/commercial as well as residential sectors are being used.
Customisable
These frames can be designed in any width as well as height and are fully customisable as per the client’s requirements. Special requirements such as appearance/colour/height can also be catered to. And if you are planning to expand in the future, it can be quickly expanded to meet the future needs of the building design. For example, a steel warehouse is a common type of expandable building.
Low Maintenance Requirements
Portal steel buildings need little maintenance. They give you long-term ease and savings. The steel structure is so strong. It needs little to no maintenance. This greatly cuts your costs. However, you need regular inspections. They are to keep the structure safe and find and fix any problems quickly.
Longevity
When it comes to longevity, steel buildings exhibit exceptional durability. They resist pests and rot. They are highly resistant to weathering. This means they stay stable in many climates. Also, protective coatings can prevent corrosion. They also extend the building’s life.
With proper design and construction, steel buildings can last for decades. They won’t need much repair or replacement. These qualities make portal steel structures cost-effective and sustainable. They are durable and need little maintenance.
Start your project today with a tailored price estimate for your steel building.
Design Considerations
Load Considerations
During the design process, it is also important to consider the future loads that the frame will be subjected to. Common influences such as wind, snow and equipment. Ensure that the frame is able to meet these load requirements to ensure the safety and durability of the structure.
Frame Dimensions and Spacing
When you design a portal steel building, there are key factors to consider. They ensure the structure is safe, functional, and cheap. The size and spacing of the frames are critical. They are typically 15m to 50m wide and 4m to 8m tall. The size depends on the building’s purpose and the needed space. The slope of the roof is important. It should generally be between 5° and 10°. This optimizes drainage and reduces snow buildup.
Material Selection
For materials, people commonly use S355 steel for portal steel structures. This is because it has good strength and weldability. When designing, pick the right material and thickness for specific loads like wind, snow, and equipment. This choice ensures the structure can carry the loads and lasts.To learn more about design considerations on how to deal with snow loads, you can refer to the related information
Foundation and Anchoring
Foundations and anchoring are critical. They ensure the stability and flexural strength of portal steel structures. Anchoring columns properly is key. This involves using pre-buried elements and ground bolts. It can improve wind resistance and overall stability of the structure. Also, foundations must be designed with care. They must consider soil and water to prevent uneven settlement and damage.
Construction Process
Prefabrication and On-site Assembly
During the construction of a portal steel building, you will see an efficient process. It is organized. First, all structural parts like columns, beams, and purlins are made in the factory. This ensures quality and cuts on-site construction time. These parts are prefab. They are then moved to the construction site. They are placed there with cranes.
Bracing and Stability
On site, these large components are bolted together for fast and efficient assembly. This method not only speeds up the construction process but also increases the safety of the process. To make the building stronger, you will see purlins, rails, and diagonal ties in the design. They add support and stability. These extra braces make the structure stiffer. They also ensure the building can withstand wind and snow.
This method uses prefabricated and site-assembled construction. It lets portal steel buildings be completed faster. They are of better quality and at a lower cost. In the end, you get a building that is both strong and flexible. It can be used for many things and is safe in many conditions.
Common Applications
Industrial and Commercial Buildings
Portal steel buildings are used commonly used as warehouses, factories, and retail units. These buildings are favored for their spaciousness, accessible interior layout, and cost-effectiveness. Portal steel structures are great for storing goods, manufacturing, or retail displays. They offer the flexibility and durability needed.
Agricultural Buildings
Portal steel structures excel for agricultural buildings. They are great for storing farm equipment, grain, and livestock. These structures are robust. They are designed to withstand harsh weather and environmental conditions. They ensure the safety of agricultural assets.
Residential and Recreational Buildings
In homes and recreation, portal steel buildings can be customized. They can be used in garages, workshops, sports facilities, and more. The design can fit the needs of one person or a community. It gives personalized spaces. Portal steel buildings meet diverse needs. They work well as residential extensions or standalone recreational facilities. They are efficient and economical.
Innovations in Portal Steel Frame Construction
Sustainable Building Practices
Using green materials and energy-efficient design cuts the building’s impact. It also improves efficiency. Integrated solar panels and green roofs are prime examples of this practice. They integrate nature and architecture while providing renewable energy.
Advanced Design Tools
Advanced design tools, such as 3D modeling and design software, have allowed for better planning. The tools make planning more accurate and efficient. The tools let designers anticipate every structure detail before building it. They help optimize materials, cut waste, and ensure structure stability and safety.
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Case Studies and Success Stories
Logistics Center
A logistics center built by the Xinguangzheng Group in Angola is a typical example of a large warehouse with portal steel frames. With a span of 50 meters and a height of 10 meters, the building provides ample space for warehousing and logistics operations. The use of portal frames significantly reduced construction time and costs. Combined with the outstanding strength and durability of the rigid frame structure, this ensures that the facility can withstand heavy loads and harsh weather conditions. Operational efficiency is also improved due to the spacious, unobstructed interior that allows for optimal organization and movement of goods.
Grain storage facility
Xinguangzheng Group contracted and constructed the portal frame building in France for equipment storage and livestock rearing. The durability of the steel frame ensures that the structure can withstand harsh environmental conditions such as heavy snowfall and strong winds. The adaptability of the portal frame design allows for easy expansion as the farm’s needs grow. This flexibility, combined with the durability of steel, provides our client with a reliable and cost-effective solution to their agricultural storage needs.
Lakeside Sports Center
The Domestic Lakeside Sports Center we took over was designed with a multi-span portal frame to provide expansive indoor space for a variety of sporting activities. The robust structure supports the installation of heavy sports equipment and facilitates the hosting of large events. Coupled with precise planning and customization using advanced design tools, this creates a facility that meets the specific needs of the local community.
Summary
Portal steel frame buildings are versatile, durable, and cost-effective. They work for many uses. They are used as industrial warehouses, agricultural warehouses, and community centers. They offer big benefits in strength, efficiency, and adaptability. Before starting your pre-engineered steel building project, you must understand one key fact. Almost all of these buildings are tailored to your needs. Our engineering team at Xinguangzheng Group is specialized. They will consider local climate, like wind speed and rain. They will also consider your building’s size and any special needs. This will allow them to create a precise design. If you already have ready-made drawings, we can also follow them to create your dream building. Simply share your specific requirements and let us take care of the rest, we’ll make sure everything goes smoothly.
FAQ
Portal steel buildings have key benefits. They include high strength and fine durability. They are also cost-effective, fast to build, and have flexible designs. They also have low maintenance needs.
Portal steel buildings are made in a factory with prefabricated parts. They are then taken to the site for quick assembly. Cranes lift and bolt. They are aided by purlins and diagonal ties. These parts give extra support and ensure stability.
Portal steel frames can be used to build many building types. These include industrial warehouses, farms, stores, community centers, sports facilities, garages, and workshops. This type of structure is adaptable and can be used for a variety of purposes.
Portal steel frame buildings typically use S355 or higher grade steel due to its high strength and good welding properties. In addition, a coating or plating may be used to provide additional corrosion resistance and aesthetics.
Portal frame buildings are stabilized by rigidly connected columns and beams. The columns are anchored using pre-embedded elements and ground bolts. These are supplemented by elements such as purlins and diagonal ties to improve the overall stiffness. External factors such as wind and snow loads are also taken into account in the design to ensure structural safety.