Rigid wood frame

[Stever60]

New here but I found this interesting. This frame has some advantages for someone accustomed to framing with wood. Insulating would be easier than a steel rigid frame. Protecting the side wall insulation would be simple framing. I imagine some time to build a complete rib though. I live in Alabama and fairly familiar with wood and steel framing. Don't believe I have seen framing like this but wonder if it might be common in other parts of the U.S.

I am researching a larger garage for myself. I have access to steel left over from fabrication projects where I work that is no longer carried in our inventory. So it is almost free, scrap is not much currently and longer shapes have to be cut up to scrap. Hanging steel is not very exciting at my stage of life but I could get it done - stick build a rigid frame building with leftover steel. Probably take me a year after I get a slab down.

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/bitstream/handle/2142/33057/1154119.pdf?sequence=2

 

[matt_i]

It could consume a lot of timber, some of those sizes use 2x10s and 12s.

Also they also point out that there are horizontal loads on the walls, they have a rebar detail which dowels the slab to the wall, sort of using the slab as a tensioned member.

I still think the truss is the way to go, for minimal expense you get a triangulated rigid setup with a lot more engineering in it than the nailed plywood gussets.

Maybe I misunderstand....you are proposing to weld-up the rigid frames from steel? Seems like this would work, but a lot of work. A lot of scrap would have to be had imo to make it viable.

Then there's the issue of connecting to it...self tappers into drilled holes for metal skin would also seem like a lot of drilling, I'm WAG-ing that you are using 1/8" wall material or more.

 

[firebirdparts]

That does not look at all strong to me. They are saying they can span 36 feet using 2 x 8's on 18" centers. That is reasonable lumber economy, but not great. i am an engineer but I did not study wood joints in school. the dead + snow load seems reasonable. Wind load seems reasonable.

I have seen several rigid frame farm buildings collapsed in my life, it's fairly common. They were not however built exactly like this. I have never seen a trussed building collapse and I don't expect to. So for the lumber consumed, it doesn't seem like a good deal to me.

 

[jives]

There are a couple of places that build building like that. I considered going that way, but too expensive and too far away. I really wanted a Branstock Building or an Eagle Rigid Span (see links). I had not seen the old construction guide, thanks for posting.

https://www.facebook.com/eaglerigidspan/

http://www.dandisystems.com/

http://www.branstockbuildings.com/boxbeam.html


If you check out wood portal frame you will find this type of structure more common in the UK and Australia.

https://www.woodsolutions.com.au/Applications-Products/timber-portal-framing

 

[Stever60]

I think there is a reason this building system did not catch on. I agree with the trusses.

For a DIY rigid frame steel frame I would use leftover stock wide flange beams. We have pile of W14 x22s & 26s that I can use. I would have to buy Z-purlins & girts but those are economical sections. I would need to set my steel span and column bay widths to accommodate the steel I have. Reverse engineer the W14s and size the span and tributary load area to suit.
I have a 24'x40' shop that is over run with stuff but I can manage to fabricate the rafters and columns. Big undertaking though and I haven't decided if I want to go that route.

 

[Stever60]

Thanks jives for the links. I have seen the large portals, gyms, churches - but not the smaller with just dimensional lumber versus "gluelam beams".