16 Co-ordination of

Dimensions

16.1 Introduction
As used in this chapter, the term co-ordination of dimensions in buildings means the
determination at the planning stage of the main and secondary dimensions of a building
on a methodical basis that will result in a simple, orderly and therefore more economical
layout of the structure. It implies that no dimension should be decided upon without
thought being given to its inter-relationship with other dimensions. It embraces the choice
of the main overall dimensions, the division of these into suitable sub-multiples, as well as
the choice of the dimensions of the components in the building. The latter would include
such pre-fabricated items as windows, doors, cladding panels, pre-cast floor slabs, etc.
As these items are usually available in standard sizes it may in fact be their dimensions
that will have a bearing on the choice of the main dimensions of the structure rather than
the other way around.

Some of the advantages of pre-determining dimensions on a methodical basis instead of

in a haphazard manner are:

a) Simplification and convenience in the planning stage.

b) A better relationship between the various parts of the structure.
c) A greater opportunity for the incorporation of standard components.
d) The simplification of setting out on site.
e) Economy of construction resulting from the achievement of maximum similarity,
compatibility and repetition of the structural elements and their dimensions.

16.2 Modular co-ordination

Modular co-ordination is the principle whereby a standard module is used as the basis of
measurement for dimensional co-ordination. A module is therefore a linear dimension
that, when used in whole-number multiples, gives the dimensions used in a planning grid.
Modular co-ordination as referred to here, and dimensional co-ordination as outlined
above, both form part of the overall physical planning of the building.

In South Africa a basic module of 100 mm has been adopted, as in most Western
countries where modular co-ordination is being applied. This is in line with
Recommendation R 1006 of the International Standards Organisation, which states that
the international standard value of the Basic Module is 100 mm. For convenience, the
symbol M is used to denote the basic module.

16.1
Derived modules are multiples or sub-multiples of the basic module. According to
SABS 993-1972 the preferred multi-modules for horizontal dimensions of large
components and structural work are 3M (300 mm), 6M (600 mm) and 12M (1 200 mm).

Therefore, in choosing values for the main setting-out dimensions of buildings, multiples
of the above multi-modules should preferably be used.

An important advantage of modular co-ordination is that, when applied to standard

building components, it yields a range of products that, though widely diversified in shape,
size and material, are all inter-related dimensionally in a way that will enable them to be
used together in a building without modification. It is clear that if the building framework
on the one hand and the components that go into it on the other are both designed on the
same modular principles, their combination in the final structure will be made so much
easier.

So far, full advantage has not been taken of metrication in South Africa in the
implementation of the modular dimensioning of components, but it is to be hoped that the
manufacture of prefabricated components on a modular basis will become more
widespread as time goes on.

16.3 Application to steel framed buildings

In the context of the structural framework for steel buildings, the co-ordination of
dimensions has to do with the orderly selection of controlling dimensions for the main
planning grid (e.g. column centres), which in turn is a measure of the span sizes and bay
lengths, and then the division of these dimensions into suitable sub-multiples such as
truss and intermediate column spacings, truss and girder panel sizes, etc, to achieve
maximum simplicity, convenience and repetition.

The best way to illustrate the idea is by reference to a typical building structure, and the
following paragraphs deal with particular aspects of building framing, viz. main
dimensions, bay lengths, spans, truss spacings, lattice girder framing, crane girders,
handrailing, etc. The principles outlined can of course be applied to almost any part of the
structure.

16.4 Main dimensions in plan

Fig 16.1 shows the arrangement of a typical steel-framed crane gantry building with one
main bay and a lean-to. It will be used as an example of how the main or controlling
dimensions are divided up in accordance with the concept stated above. It is assumed
that the building length, width and height have been dictated by functional requirements,
but that the bay lengths (along the building) are left to the designer.

In this case it is suggested that a bay length of 12,0 m be chosen, for the following
reasons:

16.2
Fig 16.1: General arrangement of typical steel-framed building

16.3
• This dimension is a multiple of 3,0 m (= 30 M) and is therefore a preferred multiple
of the basic module.

• It is divisible by 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 8 without yielding awkward numbers, thus

facilitating the sub-divisions described in 16.5 and 16.6 below.

• It approaches the longest length (13,0 m) of steel sections normally available from
mills, and all longitudinal members in the building (e.g. purlins, girts, crane girders,
lattice girder chords, etc) can thus be made in one length without splices.

• It is an economical dimension for a building of this size.

Other suitable bay lengths might have been, 9,0 m, 15,0 m and 18,0 m, depending on
whether the building spans and heights were smaller or greater.

16.5 Bay-length sub-division

Having determined the bay length, the next most important decision is how to divide this
to suit intermediate truss spacings, post spacings, lattice girder panel sizes, crane girder
stiffener spacing, etc so as to yield maximum economy. The figure shows in detail how
this is done and in Fig 16.2 the exercise is taken further to include all items on the gantry
girders, viz. lateral plate splices and stiffeners, auxiliary girder panels, rail clips and
handrailing. An examination of the spacing of these items will show how each dimension
is co-ordinated into the whole system, yet at the same time represents an optimum
spacing of the item in question.

The following comments can be made with regard to these spacings:

• Trusses (Item 4): For trusses of this span the spacing of 6,0 m is economical and
yields a good balance between truss and purlin content in the roof. The 6,0 m span
of the purlins and girts is efficient and enables a light section to be used. These
members may be designed in either the two-span or the fully-continuous
configuration. The purlins and girts require only one sag bar per span.

• Roof girders (Item 5): Here again the span of 12,0 m is suitable. Each girder carries
a truss reaction at mid-span. An economical depth of these girders would be about
1 8 span = 1,5 m. The division of the span into eight panels gives an efficient slope
of 45º for the web diagonals. Note that an alternating web compression-tension
(Warren girder) configuration is used for economy. If a double unequal angle with
long legs outstanding is used for the top chord it will not need to be stabilised
laterally on the 6,0 m length. The centre vertical member in each girder forms part
of the intermediate side post (Item 2) and is extended downwards to support a lean-
to intermediate rafter. The intermediate roof trusses are connected to the centre
verticals.

• Crane girders (Item 6): The sub-division of the span into eight panels gives a 1,5 m
spacing of web stiffeners. The likely web thickness for this girder would be 10 mm
and the 1,5 m panel size would be suitable for this thickness.

The rail clips, at two per panel length, would be at 750 mm centres, which is about
the recommended spacing for a Class 2 crane.

16.4
• Lateral plates (Item 1, Fig 16.2): The stiffener spacing matches the crane girder
panel length and the plate is made up of two 6,0 m lengths, spliced at mid-span, this
being a suitable length for ordering.

The central or mid-span stiffeners act as bearing stiffeners to pick up the horizontal
wind loading from the intermediate side posts.

• Auxiliary girders (Item 7): The configuration follows that of the roof girders (Item 5)
and the 1,5 m panel lengths tie in with the crane girder panel sizes. The girder
depth is about 1,2 m, so the slope of the diagonals is slightly flatter than the
preferred slope of 45º, but this is not serious because of the very light loading on
these girders.

• Handrailing (Item 7, Fig 16.2): The spacing of the posts at 1,5 m is commonly used
and is the maximum recommended for the usual handrail size of 34 mm diameter.
The handrail posts are located at auxiliary girder node points, with stronger base
support as a consequence.

• Eaves bracing: The nodes coincide with roof girder nodes, thus simplifying their
connection.

• Girt sag bars: The suspension of the sag bars at the top is facilitated as the location
again coincides with the roof girder nodes.

16.6 Span sub-division

In the transverse or truss span direction of the building there is also scope for a
systematic subdivision of the main dimensions. The following should be noted:

• Truss panels: The panel points or nodes coincide with the purlin positions, thus
eliminating local bending in the rafters, which usually needs to be overcome by
specifying a larger rafter size.

• Truss bracing system: The web bracing configuration used for the trusses is of the
same general type (subdivided Warren) as in the roof girders, thus producing a
more harmonious effect than incompatible systems.

• Gable rafter bracing: The nodes of the bracing system coincide with the purlin
positions, which makes for simpler detailing and improved appearance. They also
coincide (in plan) with the tops of the gable posts, so that the horizontal wind
reactions from the posts are transmitted directly into the bracing without inducing
lateral bending in the truss rafters.

• Gable posts: These are placed at equal sub-divisions of the truss span in order to
have them coincide with the rafter bracing and purlin positions (see above) and also
to ensure equal gable girt spans.

If desired, a horizontal wind girder could be placed at about mid-height of the gable
posts, as shown dotted in Fig 16.1, to reduce the size of the posts. This is
discussed in detail in Section 5.5 of Chapter 5.

16.5
 1 2 3

4
Plan on Lateral Plate

8 x 1 500 = 12 000

Elevation on Crane Girder

7

Elevation on Auxiliary Girder

1. Lateral plate
2. Lateral plate stiffeners
7
3. Lateral plate splice
1 4. Rail clips
5. Crane girder stiffeners
6. Bottom bracing (if required)
8 2 7. Handrailing
8. Auxiliary girder
1 240

Section through Girder

Fig 16.2: Details of crane girder

16.6
 Longitudinal ties to truss bottom chords: These are not shown in the figures. They run
longitudinally down the length of the building from truss to truss to provide lateral
restraint to the bottom chords when in compression under uplift forces. There are three
ties, located at the quarter-points of the truss span, to coincide with the gable post
positions. They are thus connected directly to the posts, which provide the necessary
restraint in the lengthwise direction of the ties, thereby obviating the need for horizontal
bracing at the level of the truss chord.

16.7 Vertical dimensions

All that has been stated above refers to the plan dimensions of a building, i.e. in the
longitudinal or the transverse direction.

In the vertical direction there is less scope, but also less need, for dimensional co-
ordination. The vertical dimensions are mainly governed by required overhead
clearances, which in turn are dictated by the functional requirements of the building. Thus
in multi-storey industrial buildings the floor-to-floor levels usually vary, depending on the
operations or activities occurring on the different floors. Likewise in multi-bay buildings the
heights of the different bays will often be different. While it would obviously be an
advantage from the point of view of simplicity to have equal storey and bay heights, the
lack of uniformity would be less serious, economically, than in the plan directions.

In other multi-storey buildings such as offices, warehouses, garages, etc the storey
heights would usually be uniform and here economy would be gained from the equal
column lengths from floor to floor.

16.8 Conclusion
It is clear that a detailed consideration of all the aspects discussed above at the planning
or design stage will result in the achievement of considerable simplification and hence
economies in the subsequent activities of detailing, fabrication and erection. This may
appear self-evident, yet it is remarkable how frequently the spacing of components is
determined haphazardly and without reference to other components.

The building shown in Fig 16.1 is of course a hypothetical one, used for the purpose of
illustrating the principles of dimensional co-ordination. It was therefore possible to choose
main dimensions that were amenable to suitable sub-division. In reality, however, the
main dimensions of structures are usually governed by functional requirements or are
determined by a client without considering co-ordination. It is then more difficult for the
structural designer or the steelwork detailer to apply the principles to all details, but there
is nevertheless always scope for the application of the method, even within these
constraints, with beneficial results.

16.7