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Re: Building Types (was - shop/slab questions)

To: ericm@lne.com
Subject: Re: Building Types (was - shop/slab questions)
From: George P Dausch IV <gpd4@juno.com>
Date: Thu, 7 Dec 2000 20:36:53 -0500
Derek/Eric
As noted below, stick framing is the traditional method.  2x4's or 6's,
wood or metal, 16" or 24" on center.  Evenly distributes the building
dead load, wind loading, and live loads into the perimeter of the
foundation, which should consist of a thickened slab or footing/frost
wall/slab.  Been done this way for years.  The loads imposed upon the
foundation are essentially straight down (i.e., vertical).

Pole buildings (or post and beam type) generally utilize treated wood
posts set on a small concrete pier several feet deep into the ground.
Posts are every 8 to 16 feet on center, depending upon eave height, wind
and snow loading requirements.  A horizontal board at the top running
from post to post then supports standard triangular roof trusses every 2'
to 6' on center, again depending on wind and snow loads, and the type of
roof covering.  Some pole builders are now building clear span trusses as
wide as 80' but with a tall roof pitch because wood can't support much
but itself at that width.

Pre-engineered metal buildings generally use primary steel frames every
20' to 30' on center.  Widths can range up to 250' wide clear, with
anything below 100' considered normal as clear.  No interior columns. 
Logically, because you're now supporting everything on fewer points,
these systems require pier column/footings of 3' or 4' cubes of concrete
below the slab with embedded bolts.  However, the slab no longer is
structural, or is not required at all.  For those wishing to construct
mezzanines, or use the roof system to lift engines, cars, etc., all steel
is probably the best way to go.  Have seen any number of wood frame
buildings pulled down when overstressed.

There are also systems now available that utilize structural metal studs
and steel trusses that combine the best of both worlds,  Also allow
exterior finishing with horizontal vinyl siding, wood, brick, etc., to
match whatever you want.
GPD4

On Thu, 7 Dec 2000 08:36:02 -0800 Eric Murray <ericm@lne.com> writes:
> 
> On Wed, Dec 06, 2000 at 11:35:02PM -0500, Derek Harling wrote:
> > 
> > Pls explain the different building types you refer to -
> >  - pre-engineered steel - think I understand that
> >  - pole style structure - ?
> >  - or one of its many derivatives - ?
> >  - stick framing - ?
> 
> Stick framing is the traditional way that suburban houses are built
> these days.  The walls are framed in with 2x4s or 2x6s and are
> load bearing.
> 
> Pole construction is used often for barns.  There are some number of
> large poles which are load bearing.  My old barn is a pole building
> and has two rows of 4x4s down the middle of the building to support 
> the roof.  
> 
> The problem with the pole design IMHO is the poles- they're in the 
> way.
> In my barn there's the two rows of poles which pretty much split the 
> barn
> into two 10x60 areas and one 20x60.  That's fine for a dairy/storage
> barn (which is what it was, there's still molded-in feed troughs), 
> but
> it makes it more difficult to lay out a car shop since you can't fit
> the cars around the poles.
> 
> -- 
>   Eric Murray           Consulting Security Architect         
> SecureDesign LLC
>   http://www.securedesignllc.com                            PGP 
> keyid:E03F65E5

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