PORTAL FRAME

STRUCTURE
LECT 8

INTRODUCTION
Portal frames are made in a variety of shapes and sizes.
They are usually made from steel, but can also be made
from concrete or timber. The portal structure is designed in
such a way that it has no intermediate columns, as a result
large open areas can easily be created within the structure.
Portal Frames are generally used for single storey
construction which require a large unobstructed floor space
ie
Factories
Shopping Centres
Warehouses

Portal Framed Construction

Large unobstructed floor space

PORTAL FRAME definition

Portal frames are single storey, single( or multi-bay) frames with

pitched or flat roof. Fabricated from universal beams, it is an ideal
structural solution in many circumstances, regarding its economic
and structural efficiency. The system is specially ideal for
industrial buildings due to its ability to span large areas of
unobstructed open space within its building envelope. This is
made possible through the design and use of prefabricated steel
sections. Technological advance in the footing system also
cooperate for the large span achieved due to their ability to carry
greater loads (or its efficiency to transfer and distribute the loads
to the foundation).

Three major elements are; cladding for both roof and walls;
secondary steel to support the cladding and form framing for
doors, windows and the like; and the main framework of the
structure, including all necessary bracing. In addition, the building
requires appropriate footings designed to transmit all the load to
the foundations( supporting soil).

The design is essentially to provide a

structure which is without, or has a
limited number of internal columns, in
principle the requirement is for the
construction of four walls and a roof for
a single or multi-bay structure.
Light latticed portal frame structure for
the roof of an industrial buildings
provide a neat efficient structure which
is simple to design, economic to
execute and frequently satisfies
architectural requirements.
Example of Portal frame structure in 26mspan.

Internal view of a portal framed

warehouse
From this slide you can see the
internal outline of the portal frame.
At this stage the floor is not in place.
Also note the clear unobstructed floor
area available.
With single storey buildings natural
lighting is gained by placing clear
sheets in roof layout.
These sheets will run from eaves to
ridge at suitable intervals.

Portal Frame
A high percentage of roofs are
covered with composite profile metal
sheets with a coloured external skin.
These composite sheets have
approximately 50mm of insulation
sandwiched between two thin metal
sheets or aluminium sheets. Coated
steel is lowest in cost but limited in life
due to the durability of the finish.
Aluminium develops its own
protective film. Profile sheets are
quick to erect, dismantle and repair.
Galvanised steel purlins span
between the steel rafters.
Wall panels

FOOTING
S
Due to the point loads
applied to the
foundation, Pad footings
are respectably the
most suitable in longspan portal frame
construction. Also in
achieving a workable
surface and the
distribution of loads to
the foundation,
combined concrete slab
would be used along
with the Pad footing.
The reinforcements and
metal dowels also play
a big part in the
sufficient footings
behaviour.

Strip or combined column footing

Concrete Pad Footing

There are 3 types of connection systems for a Portal Frame structure.

Rigid base

2 pin

3 pin
The 3 types mentioned above are of purely how rigid or flexible the
connections are at the apex, knee, and the base. This however relates greatly
to the load transfer of the structure, as the bending moment becomes a big
issue. Rigid bases are used much commonly in the current construction due to
its ability to carry the bending moment and axial loads, thus giving the
framework a much lighter finish. (Max bending moment at the knee, apex and
base)
Pinned bases however transmit the bending moment straight through to the
foundation. (max bending moment at the apex and knees for the 2 pin, max
bending moment at the knee for the 3 pin.)

FIXED BASE CONNECTION

PINNED BASE TO PORTAL

The advantage of using steel as the material is due to the ability

to design relatively light, long-span, durable, and is easy to erect
safely and quickly.
A primary requirement is flexibility of planning which results in a
demand for as few columns as possible. The ability to provide
spans up to 60m (most commonly around 30m), using steel has
proved very popular for commercial and leisure buildings. The
lightness and flexibility of this kind of steel structure reduces the
sizes and the costs of foundations and make them less sensitive
to the geotechnical characteristics of the soil.
The structural envelope are simple, it is essential to ascertain
correctly the load applied to the structure and to predict the load
paths from the load applied through to the foundations.
(e.g. Sheeting to the purlins and side rails, through the roof
girder to the column and finally to the foundation and supporting
soil.

Diagram- shows the difference in the base,

rigid and pin.

Base joint for Portal Frame

The legs or stanchions of the portal frame
need connecting at the bottom to a
foundation.
Here we can see the base joint connection
in place.

THE BENDING MOMENTSPURLINS and RAFTERS; Purlins and Rafters are the essential beams that make up
the portal frame structure. Purlins are the beams that run the length of the frame
connected to the rafters, the purlins are bolt connected by the cleat that is welded
to the rafter. The purlins are directed towards the apex with a pitch to achieve the
best possible performance. The size of the sections of these beams is specified by
the engineer, along with the size of the web and flange, depending on the spans
and load derived from the design.
EAVES connection;
The eaves connections are in many different forms and changed forms
through history of construction. Originally the diagonal connection plane
was considered, however there was a major stability problem at the
inside corner.
Tapered portal frames fabricated by automatic welding can be
utilised to create aesthetic and economical industrial buildings.
The behaviour of fabricated sections with slender webs is more
complex than that of rolled sections; the resistance checks must take
account of local buckling, cross-section distortion and the interaction
between the primary and secondary structure through the stays.

LONG SPAN TIMBER

STRUCTURES:
Long-span structures( span 30m or
greater) can also be constructed
using timber (mainly plywood) as the
material. Long-span structures
require a level of technical
sophistication that indicates a
confidence in timber as a structural
and aesthetic medium on the part of
the designers.
The spanning potential of timber
portal frame structure can reach
around 50 metres, and provides an
extremely economic solution.

The Plywood Gusset

The Steel Plate and Dowel Knee Joint Bracket; although this is not
a timber product, it is used in conjunction with timber columns and
rafters to provide a steady connection system.
The various timber products used in those of Timber Portal Frame
structures are;

diagram- a typical plywood gusset (solid

section)..

diagram Timber portal frame structure

By collaborating steel knee joints with glue-laminated Timber products,

Timber portal frame structures to form large-span structure can be produced.
The economical aspect of this material can not be surpassed.

TIMBER
PORTAL
FRAME
DURING
CRANE LIFTING
THE STRUCTURE;
the rafters,
purlins and roof process
bracing are :
construction
fabricated on the site, the roof is then
lifted on and joined to the columns (this
process can be done as a whole, or by
sections). Elements such as the gussets
and purlins are then installed. All purlins
should have all connections installed,
including joist brackets, tension straps
and fly braces. The rest of the major
connection joints such as the knee
gussets must also be fixed along with
required bracings. Temporary bracing is
also fitted, due to the support the
structure needs when the support from
the crane is released.
AFTER CRANE DETACHED;
After the cranes are detached, the
remainder of the fixing/nailing takes
place, this is when the detailed
installations are carried out, such as;
girts, eaves, mullions, remaining purlins
and additional roof wind bracings.
Though Timber being a highly economic
solution in structural frames, it is also
highly flammable and prone to elemental
attacks, and due to the natural property
of the material, it needs to be tested
before any type of work is done to check
the performance of the timber. The tests
include trial fabrication and treatments
(paints and chemical protection coating

Spatial requirements of the client:

The selected system provide the client with adequate space to utilise the floor
space according to their business needs. As buildings will often change hands
throughout their working life, a re-fit of the warehouse and/or office space may
be necessary. Structural members with significant spanning capacity allow the
occupant to carry-out such activities without the expense of making structural
alterations.
Appropriateness of steel portals in this issue.
Steel has extremely high material strength in both compression and tension.
With a Youngs Modulus of 200,000Mpa, it is by far the stiffest of all conventional
building materials. These two characteristics of steel are most exemplified in the
design of universal beams and columns. Universal beams have excellent
spanning capacity, making their application in portal frame construction the
most desired framing option for medium-sized industrial construction.
Appropriateness of saw-tooth construction in addressing issue.
Saw-tooth trusses were used in close span construction, which was prevalent
prior to the mid 1970s. Unlike portal frames, buildings with saw-tooth trusses
had to be designed in a series of bays, supported by load-bearing columns. Such
design is far more restrictive than portal framing in allowing spatial freedom to
the end user.
Adaptability of the structural system to a variety of site conditions.
Structural systems that can be constructed in extreme conditions are likely to be
popular with building designers. On sites with high, extreme or abnormal
moisture conditions, differential movement may cause excess structural
deflection. This can adversely affect the aesthetic quality of the building, leading

Ridge joint for Portal Frame

Shown here is a ridge joint or apex
joint.
It is Important that this joint is
strong hence the use of wedge
shaped pieces called gusset pieces
to strengthen and increase the bolt
area.

Knee joint for Portal Frame

Again the knee joint must be

strong to support the roof loads
and prevent bending.
Gusset pieces will be used to
increase strength, give greater
bolt area and prevent deflection
under load.

Diagonal bracing for Portal Frame

With all types of frameworks we must think on stability ie

movement. To help strengthen the framework and prevent
movement diagonal bracing will be used.

Cladding rails for Portal Frame

This slide shows the
cladding rails for
attaching the external
metal cladding panels
to.
These rails can be
fixed horizontal or
vertical depending on
the way the cladding
panels are fixed.

Tie cables for Portal Frame

These wire and tubular
ties are used to
prevent sagging of the
cladding rails which
can add considerable
force unto the joints of
the external cladding.

External wall detail

Here we see the finish
of the external
cladding panels with
the lower level facing
brickwork.
The blockwork behind
creates a protective
wall or firewall.

Advantages and disadvantages

of steel Portal Frames
Advantages
Speed and ease of erection
Building can be quickly closed in and made water tight.
Framework prefabricated in a workshop and not affected by weather.
Site works such as drainage, roads etc can be carried out until
framework is ready for erection.
No weather hold up during erecting the framework.
Connected together in factories by welding and site connections should
be bolted.
Disadvantages
Although steel is incombustible it has a poor resistance to fire as it
bends easily when hot.
Subject to corrosion

HOMEWORK
Sketch in detail a sample of the non-rigid
connection
the maintenance procedure to maintain
the steel structure performance.
Find out the method to prevent the steel
from corrosion problems

THANK YOU