The construction of houses with a metal frame at the base is a relatively new trend in the domestic market of construction services. Despite this, this technology has gained great popularity and is widely used in the construction of residential buildings, industrial and commercial facilities. It allows you to significantly reduce the cost and speed up construction. At the same time, the end result is in no way inferior in terms of its technical parameters and economic indicators to traditional structures.
Metal Frame Buildings Applications
Frame houses began to be erected quite a long time ago. Initially, the supporting structure was usually made of wood. But today, consumers prefer a metal profile. In principle, the materials are comparable in cost, but at the same time, steel supports are more reliable,have a much greater margin of safety, are not subject to decay. Yes, they can oxidize and rust. But modern technologies make it possible to create a reliable anti-corrosion coating on the surface (both diffusion type and galvanic spraying). Thus, the device of the metal frame is fully justified.
Scope of application
For a long period of time, such houses were built for the needs of agriculture (greenhouses, barns, barracks), small industry (workshops, workshops) and storage facilities (terminals, warehouses). In parallel with the improvement of technology, the metal frame was increasingly used in the construction of luxury buildings on expensive and exclusive architectural projects. Today in Japan, as well as in Western Europe and the USA, most buildings are being built using this technology.
Why should I choose a frame base?
Frame construction has many advantages over other construction methods:
- relatively low cost of building materials;
- speed of construction (you can build a full-fledged good house in the shortest possible time - in just a month);
- the ability to build continuously, regardless of the weather factor, even if it snows with rain;
- such buildings are lightweight, so there are no shrinkage processes leading to cracking of the walls and partitions of the metal frame;
- opportunity to build a house on your own, forrequiring only short-term assistance from a few people (perhaps family members).
Main flaws
Before you start building, you need to weigh all the advantages and disadvantages of a particular technology. The frame building has many advantages, but there are also disadvantages. Thus, its design is associated with a number of complex calculations that are very difficult to carry out on your own, without being a civil engineer and without special knowledge. An error in the calculation of the load and the wrong choice of profile or bearing capacity of the supports are fraught with catastrophic consequences.
The profile material is, as a rule, ordinary quality steel, which does not have alloying elements (chromium, nickel, etc.). Such material is the cheapest. But at negative temperatures, the bearing capacity of such a structure drops significantly (a property of the so-called cold brittleness). Therefore, in conditions of climatic cold, such a frame should not be used.
The imperfection of such a material also affects high temperatures, which can be caused by fire. When heated, ordinary quality steel loses its elasticity and strength, and this can lead to the collapse of the building.
Steel, like any iron material, has a very good thermal conductivity, so the metal frame of the building absorbs and removes heat to the outside. Therefore, the insulation of such a structure requires high costs for materials and work. This is another drawback that should be paid attention to, especially in the conditions of our harsh winters and high prices forenergy carriers.
Requirements for the design and manufacture of structural elements
The project must comply with the regulations in the field of construction, take into account the purpose of the building, the nature of the soil, the features of the transport delivery of components, frame assembly, operating conditions (including weather), the properties of the materials used.
The production of each individual element of the metal structure must comply with GOST and industry standards, the manufacturer's specifications. Deviation from the technology adopted at the plant is not allowed. Each element must meet the requirements, provide a regulated load-bearing capacity. Welded joints must undergo thorough inspection (visually and by means of ultrasound). Anti-corrosion and decorative coatings are applied at the factory using specialized equipment. It is allowed to apply a protective coating at the place of installation of metal structures in case of damage to the layer during transportation and during assembly of the frame.
At the factory, all elements are cleaned of oxides, degreased (an ultrasonic bath can be used for these purposes).
It is not allowed to exceed the maximum deviations of the values specified in the design documentation.
Elements of a frame house and materials used
The house is a complex engineering object and consists of the followingelements: base (concrete foundation), directly the metal frame of the walls, partitions, roof, decoration (both internal and external), insulation.
The foundation is an indispensable element of the house, without which the dwelling will not last long. Its absence is allowed only during the construction of small buildings (for example, a greenhouse or greenhouse).
The most common material for the frame is a square metal rolled profile with a side of 100 centimeters. In some cases, you can use an element with a square of 60 centimeters.
For interior decoration, it is recommended to use boards made of coniferous wood. Outside, the house is usually finished with siding or plaster. It is also possible to use natural wood for these purposes, but such a solution will cost more.
The buildings are insulated with foam boards 6 to 10 centimeters thick. The bearing elements of the frame are insulated with penoizol strips.
Attic or roof can be designed as separate elements, or can be a logical continuation of the main frame. The profile for the rafters depends on the roofing materials that will be used, as well as on the size of the roof slope. In general, the greater the slope of the roof surface, the thinner the profile applied.
Building the frame of the building
In order for a design to meet safety requirements and serve for many years, it must have a number of mandatory elements. This is a horizontal frame, columns for connection with the foundation and reliable fixation, constructiveelements for slings, beams, runs for fastening materials. Thus, a frame is a set of structural elements linked into a single system.
There are frames of bonded, frame, as well as frame-bonded type. Frame-bonded are used in the construction of small architectural forms (horizontal frames are fastened with vertical columns). But the connection type is used for the construction of large-scale high-rise buildings.
Features of the assembly of the frame structure
Installation of a metal frame can be carried out only after the arrangement of the foundation. For the construction of such houses, lightweight materials are used, therefore a non-capital foundation is allowed. If necessary, it can be disassembled, transported to a new location and reassembled.
Assembling a factory-made frame is relatively easy. After all, all elements have holes for bolts. It is necessary to assemble this constructor in strict accordance with the instructions from the manufacturer. By the way, when erecting a frame, the use of collapsible joints is preferable to non-collapsible types (in particular, welding). Such a design will absorb vibrations much better and will not collapse. A welded joint can simply burst with a significant gust of wind or a small earthquake.
Assembling a non-standard house will bring much more trouble. It is difficult to do without a welding machine in such a case. As is known, weldability deteriorates greatly as the percentage of carbon in the steel composition increases. For this reason, for such purposes it is necessary toopportunities to use rolled products from low-carbon steel grades.
Stages of frame assembly
First of all, vertical columns and racks are installed. In the future, these elements are interconnected by means of thin vertical profiles. The rigidity of the entire frame is provided by braces. You should start at the top and work your way down.
The roof (attic) is assembled last. In parallel with the assembly of the roofing part, finishing work can begin.
Features of stairs
The basis of any ladder on a metal frame are individual modules that are securely interconnected by welding.
It is easy to make such a staircase yourself, but it is unlikely that it will have a decent and stylish appearance. However, if a transition to the second floor from a metal frame is being arranged in a garage or warehouse, then this is not scary. But if you need a staircase to the living room of the cottage, then it should look neat and stylish. There are many companies that are ready to make a staircase specifically for your needs, develop a good design project and implement it. There will be no difficulties with fixing the stairs to the metal frame of the structure.
