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It was thought, for many years, that wind should only be expressed as a horizontal quantity when calculating its effect on a structure. The building industry has adjusted this analysis to include perpendicular wind forcing to all structural forces, along with measurements of suction and pressure, both externally and internally. The analysis of the correct wind loading for steel buildings continues to evolve.
(to be cont. Fri. … )
At General Steel we understand wind loads and all the technical jargon pertaining to it. Call us today at 1-800-745-2685 and we’ll be happy to explain all the numbers to you.
Understanding Wind Load (continued from Saturday) Not all wind damage is the same. In fact, there are four ways that a wind gust can damage a building. Let’s briefly look at each level of damage now. (1). The first type of damage is “sliding.” In this situation, even though the integrity of the structure remains in tact, per se, the building as a whole unit will “slide” off the foundation due to inadequate attachment to the foundation. (2). Another example of wind damage is “overturning.” This type of damage, similar to “sliding,” is a result of inadequate attachment to the foundation. However, in this instance, the building as a whole will not only slide laterally off the foundation, but will turn over on its side (or even upside down). (3). A third example of wind damage is called “component damage.” This type of destruction occurs when only a part of the building collapses or falls. For example, there may be a partial roof collapse, garage doors blown inward, or portions of the wall ripped out. (4). The fourth and most catastrophic of these types of damage is “total collapse.” This is the complete failure of the structure in the face of wind forces that cause the structure to totally collapse upon itself, not unlike a “house of cards” effect. All of these four types of damage can be costly and potentially life-threatening. Therefore, it is wise to buy a building from a supplier that provides a well-built structure.
High wind damage analysis shows that the failure of roofs and walls in any structure are most often at the roof eaves and corners of the building. These two areas of the structure, then, should get the most amount of engineering attention so that the supporting components in these areas are more resistant to higher winds. These areas of high wind loading focus on a “salient corner” approach that typically pays greater engineering and reinforcing attention to the four corners of a building. As we continue to say, we at General Steel do not sell steel buildings that have shoddy workmanship. We know that you want the most for your money which is why we at General Steel make it a priority to deliver to you just that.
Let’s talk a bit about wind speed and how it figures into what is known as “wind-loads.” First, there is a design wind speed that is expressed in miles per hour for any given area of the country. The new indicator for this wind speed at any given location is measured during a maximum three second wind gust (this is the same way the National Weather Service measures wind gusts). The wind speed that is measured in that three second period is then converted to a figure expressed in pounds per square foot (psf) velocity pressure by a standardized formula. The needed design wind pressure factors that will affect a specific structure can then be determined by a working formula involving the height and exposure of the building to the local ground surface readings. Obviously, each area of the country will measure different wind measurements. For that reason, there is no “cookie-cutter” design. In other words, the wind-loads of Colorado may not be sufficient for an area along the Gulf Coast which can receive annual wind gusts during hurricane season.
The correct structural design for steel buildings to be wind resistant involves engineering the key affected building components. Will the roof remain intact? Will the walls blow over? As new research emerges and demands the need for new innovations in design, adjustments are made in order that the finished building will meet the building code requirements as new dynamics in wind force are determined. In such a process, no detail is considered unimportant, none is overlooked.
(to be cont. Mon.… )
The necessity of furthering technology to help all-steel buildings in becoming more durable to the forces of nature, including high wind, is never more apparent than when film of hurricane damage is broadcast. The devastating and destructive force of the wind has been demonstrated by recent hurricanes and tropical storms along the Gulf Coast, as seen with Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina. However, the structural integrity and strength that General Steel buildings can provide was seen in the survival of the T&M Video store in Lumberton, Mississippi. At General Steel, we don’t want to just sell you a building. We want to sell you a high-quality building that will last your business or organization for decades to come. We’re not just concerned about our reputation, but we also are concerned about your safety. We want you to have a building that you can depend on to be around for tomorrow no matter what the weather will be.
The past two weeks we’ve been going over a two-part series on “finding a right building” and we hope that it has giving you some you some useful information. If you having any questions then don’t hesitate in calling us at 1-800-745-2685 and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions and get you started on your new steel building project.
WebMaster
The first process (where you purchase the building pre-engineered and involve the services of a contractor) is generally recommended. As we continually tell our customers, a pre-engineered steel building system has many money-saving advantages. The last two methods (“design-build” and “conventional delivery”) may result in the decision to use a steel structure but only after an intermediate phase called design development. Preliminary drawings, at that time, along with a study of building code parameters, will help engineers to determine if the design load and framing options favor the choice of a steel building for the project. Nevertheless, which ever method you decide to follow, make sure that if you use a general contractor that he is licensed with the State he originates from and in the State he will be working for you. To do a background check on him you may check with the State and or check with the National Association of State Contractor Licensing Agencies, or NASCLA. (If you wish, you may go to their website right here: http://www.nascla.org/ .) Once again, as we’ve said before … perform your due diligence. Make sure that you have done everything right and if you have to, hire someone just to double-check the designing and development process. Don’t put your building project in the hands of some incompetent fool.
Speaking strictly in general terms, a steel building project can proceed in several ways. Here are three rather common ways that projects tend to go. First, the building itself can be directly purchased with pre-engineered steel construction. A local General Contractor, or a contract manufacturer, or a dealer for a steel building manufacturer, contracts a deal directly with you, the buyer. This may or may not require the use of an architect as most general contractors and contract manufacturers have enough design resources “in house” to help with renderings and final design specifics. A second way a building project could develop would be the “design-build” option. The “design-build” option is where the structure is designed and then erected by a consortium of designers and builders. A third choice in developing your building could be the “conventional delivery.” The “conventional delivery” method involves the use of an outside architect followed by the selection of a General Contractor through the negotiations. This is a common practice for those projects requiring a public bidding process.
Yes, this step we were just talking about (the preliminary design process) is indeed important because it is here where a particular floor layout, the building’s dimensions, and of course the cost analysis (since everything, eventually comes down to money) is all put together. Engineers are especially careful and skilled in this phase of the designing process as they can usually identify any potential design and structural problems that may occur with the chosen building system and design. Again, we cannot emphasize enough the importance of hiring a competent, qualified, professional who will take his time to thoroughly look at the blue prints backwards and forwards, left to right, up-ways and down-ways looking for anything that can be changed (or improved upon). The more time spent on the initial design analysis can save you a LOT of money later from delays (as well as from accidents or liabilities). Obviously, saving money without compromising on quality or safety yet while actually improving on both is very desirable.