9 Braced multi-storey buildings – general

9.1 Introduction
This Section offers advice on the general principles to be applied when preparing a scheme
for a braced multi-storey structure. The aim should be to establish a structural scheme that is
practicable, sensibly economic, and not unduly sensitive to the various changes that are likely to
be imposed as the overall design develops. This aim has also to embrace the principle of designing
for safety expressed in Section 2.2.
Loads should be carried to the foundation by the shortest and most direct routes. In
constructional terms, simplicity implies (among other matters) repetition, avoidance of congested,
awkward or structurally sensitive details, with straightforward temporary works and minimal
requirements for unorthodox sequencing to achieve the intended behaviour of the completed
structure.
Sizing of structural members should be based on the longest spans (slabs and beams) and
largest areas of roof and/or floors carried (beams, columns, walls and foundations). The same
sections should be assumed for similar but less onerous cases – this saves design and costing time
and is of actual advantage in producing visual and constructional repetition and hence, ultimately,
cost benefits.
Simple structural schemes are quick to design, easy to build and can be erected safely.
They may be complicated later by other members of the design team trying to achieve their
optimum conditions, but a simple scheme provides a good ‘benchmark’. Scheme drawings
should be prepared for discussion and budgeting purposes incorporating such items as general
arrangement of the structure including, bracing, type of floor construction, critical and typical
beam and column sizes, and typical edge details, critical and unusual connection details, and
proposals for fire and corrosion protection. When the comments of the other members of the
design team have been received and assimilated, the scheme should be revised and the structural
members redesigned as necessary.

9.2 Loads
Loads should be based on BS 648:19647, BS 6399-1:19966, -2:19979, -3:19888.
Imposed loading should initially be taken as the highest statutory figures where options
exist. The imposed load reductions allowed in the loading code should not be taken advantage of
in the preliminary design except when assessing the load on foundations.
The load factors, γf , for use in design should be obtained from Table 1.
Temperature effects should also be considered where appropriate.
The effect of using beneficial load factors should be considered, and adverse load factors
used if these will result in the use of a larger section.
Care should be taken not to underestimate the dead loads, and the following figures
should be used to provide adequate loads in the absence of firm details:
• floor finish (screed) l.8kN/m2 on plan
• ceiling and service load 0.5kN/m2 on plan
• demountable lightweight partitions 1.0kN/m2 on plan*

IStructE/ICE Manual for the design of steelwork building structures 3rd edition 45