STEEL BUILDING FRAME SYSTEM
A frame assembly for a wide span steel building is disclosed. The assembly employs columns and rafters formed from two pieces of webbed channel stock that are joined together at their webs. A pre-drilled haunch plate connects the column and rafter. A brace formed from two lengths of channel stock joined together at their webs extends at an angle between the columns and rafters and each respective end of the brace is connected to the respective column and rafter via a brace plate. The brace provides increased strength in the frame assembly and enables the construction of wide span steel building from channel stock.
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This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/079,328, filed on Jul. 9, 2008 and entitled “IMPROVED STEEL BUILDING FRAME SYSTEM,” which is hereby incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention generally relates to a steel frame building system, and more specifically to systems for connecting structural members of a steel frame.
BACKGROUNDBuilding systems using steel members tend to be preferred for many construction applications such as, for example, small factory buildings, garages, and aircraft hangers. Steel members such as rafters and beams are stronger than their wood counterparts, and thus, a smaller steel member can be used in place of a wooden structural member. In addition, the use of steel members allows for designs that would not be possible with wood members. Steel members may also be more durable and resistant to problems such as infestation and rot. Further, steel building systems can be provided as prefabricated components that can be assembled on site.
Traditionally, in order to provide a steel building having a wide span, i.e. a span between side walls of the building of more than approximately 25 feet, cast steel members had to be used for the columns and rafters. Although cast steel members allow for wide span buildings, using cast members has several disadvantages. Cast steel members (e.g. structural I-beams) are heavy, which can increase the cost and difficulty of transporting, off-loading, and handling. Cranes are often required to move cast members such as I-beams within the manufacturing facility. In addition to their weight, cast steel members require high levels of raw material, which increases their cost. Further, the lengthy casting fabrication process can increase the time period between receipt of an order and shipment of a steel frame building.
In view of the problems with cast steel members, there has been a tendency to form steel building components by bending lighter gauge steel and to use these components as construction members in steel frame buildings. These light gauge channel members weigh less than cast members thereby reducing material and transportation costs. One folded steel member that is widely used is folded into a C-shaped cross-section and is referred to in the trade as a C-channel member. Buildings constructed with such members are often referred to as C-channel buildings. The advantages of using C-channel construction members as the framing components include for example, lighter weight, making them easily transportable, and easier handling on the construction site. These advantages make such components preferred building materials.
Although C-channel frame structures offer significant savings in weight and material costs, it has generally been difficult to employ them in construction of wide span (width) buildings. Conventional C-channel steel building systems are limited to a span (i.e., width of the building) of approximately 25 feet because the lighter gauge C-channel members used in conventional frame designs are typically not strong enough to support the building under design wind and snow loads safely. However, it would be desirable to provide wide span light gauge steel buildings, for example having spans more than 25 feet and up to 50 feet, well beyond the limits of customary light gauge steel building systems.
There have been some attempts at providing wide span (width) light gauge steel buildings. One such steel building system employing light gauge C-channel steel members is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,342,177 of Smith. The frames of the building include a pair of columns and a pair of beams. Smith discloses that the frames between the end walls have back to back steel members in which the webs of two C-channel members are bolted together to form a column or beam. The column-beam connections are provided by a flat plate that is sandwiched between the two C-channel members of the column and beam, respectively. Referred to as a haunch plate, this component has an angled portion that extends between the column and beam. The angled portion forms a web that occupies the corner of the frame. The web increases the weight of the haunch plate, making it more difficult to transport and install.
The Smith haunch plate design requires extra material to form the web portion, which increases the weight of the plate and the material costs. Also, the need to form the haunch plate with the web portion results in a plate with a more complicated shape, making manufacturing of the plate more difficult and costly. Further, the web portion of the haunch plate requires additional reinforcement from two separate stiffener angles that are attached to each side of the web portion of the haunch plate. Thus, the complex shape of the haunch plate and the need to connect additional reinforcements to the haunch plate makes this type of haunch plate more costly and difficult to install.
While Smith discloses that his construction system can be used to form a steel frame building having a span (width) greater than 25 feet, in order to achieve this objective, the haunch plate having the web portion discussed above is required. The Smith haunch plate is not configured to fit within the profile of the column and beam, but requires an angled web portion that extends out beyond the edges of the column and beam and occupies the corner of the frame, and thereby is considerably heavier and more costly to make.
It would be advantageous to provide an improved frame and corner connection system that would allow the use of light gauge C-channel steel members, avoid the use of cast metal components, and would permit construction of steel frame buildings having a span greater than about twenty-five feet wide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention overcomes the drawbacks of prior art systems by providing a steel frame construction system that enables construction of wide span C-channel steel frame structures. (As used herein, the term wide span means a building span (width) of between twenty-five and about fifty feet.) According to one aspect of the present invention, a frame system for a metal frame building made of formed metal channel stock components includes metal columns, rafters, a haunch plate configured to fit substantially within the profile of the column and rafter, and a brace extending between each column and rafter.
In a further aspect of the present invention, each column of the steel frame system comprises two lengths of formed metal channel stock, each length having a web, two flanges, and two lips. The two lengths of channel stock of the column have their webs fastened together to form the column. Each rafter comprises two lengths of formed channel stock, each having a web, two flanges, and two lips. The two lengths of channel stock have their webs fastened together to form each rafter. The rafter is positioned above the column and the haunch plate is disposed between the two lengths of formed channel stock of the column and the two lengths of formed channel stock of the rafter at adjacent ends of the column and the rafter.
In a further aspect of the present invention, each brace comprises two lengths of formed channel stock, each having a web, two flanges, and two lips. The two lengths of channel stock have their webs fastened together to form each brace. A first brace connection plate is disposed at one end of the brace between the two lengths of channel stock of the column and the two lengths of channel stock of the brace. At the other end of the brace a second brace connection plate is disposed between the two lengths of channel stock of the rafter and the two lengths of channel stock of the brace. The brace, columns, and rafters formed of channel stock are employed together with the haunch plate of the invention to fabricate a wide span steel frame building. Thus, the invention provides a frame system for a wide span steel building comprising a brace, haunch plate, and columns and rafters.
In further aspect of the present invention, the column, rafter, and brace are all fabricated from C-channel stock.
According to another aspect, the present invention comprises a brace plate for connecting a structural member, which includes a column or rafter, and a brace that extends at an angle with respect to the structural member. The brace and structural member each comprise a length of formed channel stock having a web and two flanges. The brace plate includes first and second portions. The first portion of the brace plate has a first set of mounting holes and is adapted to be attached to the web of the structural member. The second portion of the brace plate has a second set of mounting holes arranged in an angled configuration with respect to the first set of mounting holes and is adapted to be attached to the web of the brace. The second portion of the brace plate extends at the same angle at which the brace extends with respect to the structural member. The brace plate also includes a flange that extends at an angle from the second portion of the plate. The flange of the plate is adapted to align with a flange of the brace.
Further aspects and features of the steel frame building system disclosed herein can be appreciated from the appended Figures and accompanying written description.
The foregoing and other features of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description and drawings of illustrative embodiments of the invention in which:
Referring now to
Each column 12 and 14 comprises two lengths of channel stock 20. As can best be seen in
Similarly, each rafter 16 and 18 comprises two lengths of channel stock 30. The channel stock 30 is also formed, preferably into a C-channel shape. As can best be seen in
The channel stock members 20 and 30 are made from formed light gage steel sheets. Typical members are formed of steel between 16 gauge and 10 gauge. The gauge thickness is selected depending on the designed wind load, snow load, and span of the building. Heavier (thicker) gauge materials are used to construct buildings requiring the ability to withstand heavier wind or snow loads. In one embodiment, the channel stock members 20 and 30 are formed from 10 gauge steel. Steel, sold under the trade designations A653, A570, or A792 may be used in constructing the frame members of the present invention. In one embodiment, channel stock members 20 and 30 conform to the requirements of ASTM A-653 with a minimum yield point of 55 ksi. The channel stock for the columns and rafters can have the same profile shape and size. In other embodiments, the shape of the columns and rafters is not limited to Cee-channels, and other shapes, such as U-channels, may be used.
Referring now to
The haunch plate 42 is formed from solid steel plate. In one embodiment, the haunch plate 42 is formed from ¼ inch thick steel; however, the thickness of the plate can range between about 3/16 inch to about ¼ inch. Referring to
In addition to connection via the haunch plate 42, the column-rafter connection assembly 40 also includes a brace 72. The brace 72 extends at an angle between the column 12 and rafter 16. The brace 72 extends at an acute angle A with respect to column 12 and at an acute angle B with respect to rafter 16, as shown in
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
If nesting elements are included, each nesting element 165 is positioned within the channel created by the flanges 24 (
Referring to
Referring to
If nesting elements are included in the rafter 16, each nesting element 170 is positioned within the channel created by the flanges 34 (
Referring to
Use of brace 72 results in an improved reinforcement for the column 12 and rafter 16. The attachment points for brace 72 can be changed without significantly altering the design of brace 72 by moving the attachment point of brace plate 83 vertically along column 12 and brace plate 84 laterally along rafter 16. The ability to change the attachment points of brace 72 affords improved flexibility in design, permitting the brace 72 to be optimally positioned based on the design loads of the structure created with the framing system of the present invention. Also brace 72 eliminates the need for an angled haunch plate that includes a web portion and also eliminates the haunch plate material that would occupy the corner between the column 12 and rafter 16. As can be seen in
Surprisingly, the inclusion of brace 72 in the frame assembly 10, which includes columns 12 and 14, rafters 16 and 18, and haunch plates 42, permits the construction of buildings having spans of up to 50 feet or more. Thus, a frame assembly 10 that includes brace 72 permits the construction of wide span steel buildings using C-channel members. C-channel steel frame buildings of similar construction but without the brace 72 of the present invention are generally limited in the distances that they can span. A typical C-channel steel building constructed without the brace 72 of the present invention is limited to a roof span (width) of about 25 feet. Such a building is customarily designed with bays of 15 feet, snow loading of about 30 pounds per square foot, and wind loads of about 90 mph. A similar steel building that includes the brace 72 of the present invention can achieve much larger spans, for example a 40 foot span with bays of 15 feet, and will withstand snow loads and wind loads equal to or greater than that of the smaller span building. Thus, a corner connection 40 that includes a haunch plate 42 and brace 72 as described above permits construction of buildings with larger roof spans designed to withstand equivalent snow and wind loading characteristics without significantly increasing the cost or difficulty of manufacturing.
Referring now to
Peak plate 106 is formed from steel plate which can range in thickness between about 3/16 inch to about ¼ inch. Peak plate 106, brace plates 83 and 84, and haunch plate 42 should preferably be the same thickness in order to maintain uniform spacing between the channel stock members 20 and 30 of the columns 12 and 14 and rafters 16 and 18. As shown in
As discussed above and depicted in
In one embodiment, depicted in
Referring now to
As shown in
Girts 140 are provided on the outside of columns 12 and 14 to structurally reinforce the building and to provide support for the outer wall sheathing 142. The girts 140 and outer wall sheathing 142 join the columns 12 and 14 to the two end walls 132. The girts 140 are attached to the columns 12 and 14 via holes 144 provided in the flanges 24 of the columns (
Referring now to
In one embodiment, the wall sheathing panels 142 and the roof panels 150 attached to the girts 140 and purlins 146 are 26 or 29 gage structural roof and wall panel (known in the trade as PBR panel). PBR panels are formed with transverse major (large ribs which may be 1½ inches high) and minor (small which may be 3/16 inches high). Known in the trade as “through-fastened panels,” panels 142 and 150 are fabricated from cold-formed steel.
Referring to
The steel framing system of the present invention permits the design and construction of wide span metal frame buildings using lightweight, inexpensive C-channel stock. The wide span structures constructed with the framing system of the invention can withstand wind and snow loads at least equal to those of structures having narrower spans while utilizing inexpensive lightweight materials that are inexpensive to fabricate, transport, and install.
While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A steel frame building, comprising:
- a plurality of generally vertical C-channel columns;
- at least one roof peak element comprising C-channel rafter elements joined at a first end of each rafter element to form an oblique angle;
- a haunch plate joining a second end of each of the rafter elements to the upper portion of a respective one of said plurality of columns;
- a C-channel brace connected between an upper half of each of said vertical columns and a portion of each of the rafter elements that is proximate to the haunch plate;
- two end wall frames located at opposite ends of said building and on opposite sides of said columns;
- a roof comprising steel roof panels connecting the roof peak element and the end wall frames;
- side walls comprising steel wall panels connecting each column and the end wall frames; and
- front and rear end walls at opposite ends of said building comprising steel wall panels provided on the two end wall frames.
2. The steel frame building according to claim 1, wherein the oblique angle is between 143 and 175 degrees.
3. The steel frame building according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a brace plate joining each end of each brace to each column and rafter element, respectively.
4. The steel frame building according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a peak plate connecting the first ends of the two rafter elements that comprise the roof peak element.
5. The steel frame building according to claim 1, further comprising:
- a plurality of girts extending between each column and the two end wall frames and joining each column and the steel wall panels; and
- a plurality of purlins extending between the roof peak element and the end wall frames and joining the steel roof panels and the roof peak element.
6. The steel frame building according to claim 5, further comprising:
- a plurality of flange stabilizers extending between the columns and girts, and the rafters elements and purlins.
7. The steel frame building according to claim 1, wherein each of the columns, rafter elements, and brace comprise two C-channel members each having a web and the webs of the two C-channel members are joined together.
8. The steel frame building according to claim 7, wherein the haunch plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of each column and the two C-channel members of each rafter element.
9. The steel frame building according to claim 8, wherein the haunch plate includes a first portion that is narrower than the width of the column, and a flange extending from the first portion, the flange being disposed along a side of the column when the first portion of the haunch plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of each column.
10. The steel frame building according to claim 9, wherein the building has a span of between twenty-five and fifty feet.
11. The steel building according to claim 8, further comprising:
- brace plates joining each end of each brace to each column and rafter, respectively;
- one of the brace plates being disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the column and the webs of the two C-channel members of the brace, and another one of the brace plates being disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the rafter element and the webs of the two C-channel members of the brace; and
- a peak plate joining together the first end of each rafter element, and located between the webs of the two C-channel members of each rafter element.
12. The steel frame building according to claim 11, wherein the haunch plate is predrilled with a pre-determined hole pattern.
13. The steel frame building according to claim 7, further comprising:
- reinforcing column nesting elements, each reinforcing column nesting element being joined to the web of one of the two C-channel members of each column such that the webs of the two C-channel members of each column are disposed between the reinforcing column nesting elements; and
- reinforcing rafter nesting elements, each reinforcing rafter nesting element being joined to the web of one of the two C-channel members of each rafter such that the webs of the two C-channel members of each rafter are disposed between the reinforcing rafter nesting elements.
14. A metal construction frame for a wide span metal building, comprising:
- a first generally vertical C-channel column connected at one end to a first haunch plate;
- a first C-channel rafter element connected at one end to the first haunch plate at an oblique angle to the horizontal;
- a first C-channel brace connected between an upper half of the first column and a portion of the first rafter element that is proximate to the first haunch plate;
- a second generally vertical C-channel column connected at one end to a second haunch plate;
- a second C-channel rafter element connected at one end to the second haunch plate at the same oblique angle to the horizontal as the first rafter element;
- a second C-channel brace connected between an upper half of the second column and a position on the second rafter element that is proximate to the second haunch plate;
- a peak plate connecting, at an obtuse angle, the first and second rafter elements at an end of each rafter element that is opposite the end connected to the haunch plates.
15. The metal construction frame according to claim 14, wherein the obtuse angle is between 143 and 175 degrees.
16. The metal construction frame according to claim 14, wherein the first and second braces are connected to the first and second columns at an acute angle.
17. The metal construction frame according to claim 16, wherein the acute angle is equal to ½(90°−arctan(the oblique angle to the horizontal)).
18. The metal construction frame according to claim 14, further comprising:
- a first brace plate at an end of each of the first and second braces connecting the end of each of the braces to the column; and
- a second brace plate at an opposite end of each of the first and second braces connecting the opposite end of each of the braces to the rafter element.
19. The metal construction frame according to claim 18, wherein the first and second columns, first and second rafter elements, and first and second braces each comprise two C-channel members each having a web, wherein the webs of the two C-channel members are joined.
20. The metal construction frame according to claim 19, wherein each haunch plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the column and rafter element joined together by such haunch plate, each first brace plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the column and brace joined together by such first brace plate, each second brace plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the rafter element and brace joined together by such second brace plate, and the peak plate is disposed between the webs of the two C-channel members of the rafter elements joined together by such peak plate.
21. The metal construction frame according to claim 19, wherein the columns and rafter elements are formed of 16 to 10 gauge steel.
22. The metal construction frame according to claim 19, wherein each haunch plate contains two patterns of pre-drilled holes that pass through the haunch plate, one of said hole patterns arrayed at an acute angle to the other of said hole patterns.
23. The metal construction frame according to claim 19 comprising A653 steel.
24. The metal construction frame according to claim 19, comprising 10 gauge steel.
25. The metal construction frame according to claim 19, wherein the first and second columns each comprise two reinforcing column nesting elements, each reinforcing column nesting element being joined to the web of one of the two C-channel members of each column such that the webs of the two C-channel members of each column are disposed between the reinforcing column nesting elements, and
- wherein the first and second rafters elements each comprise two reinforcing rafter nesting elements, each reinforcing rafter nesting element being joined to the web of one of the two C-channel members of each rafter such that the webs of the two C-channel members of each rafter are disposed between the reinforcing rafter nesting elements.
26. A brace plate for connecting a structural member and a brace that extends at an angle with respect to the structural member, wherein the structural member and the brace each comprise a length of formed metal C-channel stock having a web and two flanges and the structural member is a member selected from the group consisting of a column and a rafter, the brace plate comprising:
- a plate element having first and second portions;
- the first portion of the plate element having a first set of mounting holes and being adapted to be attached to the web of the structural member;
- the second portion of the plate element having a second set of mounting holes and being adapted to be attached to the web of the brace, the second portion having an angled edge that extends at an angle complimentary to the angle at which the brace extends; and
- a flange that extends at a angle from the angled edge of the second portion of the plate element, wherein the flange of the plate element is adapted to align with a flange of the brace.
27. The brace plate according to claim 26, wherein the angle at which the flange of the plate element extends is a right angle.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 7, 2009
Publication Date: Jan 14, 2010
Applicant: King Solomon Creative Enterprises Corp. (McKees Rocks, PA)
Inventors: George Abdel-Sayed (Bloomfield Hills, MI), Gary J. Bonacci (Burgettstown, PA), Arnold A. Davis (Pittsburgh, PA), Sara E. Ohler-Schmitz (Moon Township, PA), Phillip Ostrowski (Munhall, PA)
Application Number: 12/498,420
International Classification: E04H 12/10 (20060101);