Buildings are everywhere! We see them every day as we drive or walk to where we need to go. However, how often do we pay attention to any detail of the structures themselves? Have we ever wondered what buildings were made of? How long did it take to build from start to finish?
Or do you want to know what it's like inside?
Most of the time, the answer to these questions is no, because we are too busy with other aspects of our lives to have time to care or question ourselves. However, it is important that we all know the main types of building structures, although we hardly use this knowledge unless we are in the construction field.
When a person is trying to determine what type of building structure they want, they often ask themselves certain questions. These questions include the following:
- What is the purpose of the structure? – The answer to this question will give you why you are building the structure to begin with, as well as how you plan to use it.
- What is the size of the structure? – It is important to know the size of the structure because it will allow you to plan according to the materials you want or need to use.
- Are there load bearing restrictions? – The taller the building, the more load-bearing restrictions there may be. This information is needed sooner or later so that appropriate issues and changes can be resolved.
- Are there environmental factors to consider? – Everyone wants to be eco-friendly these days, which is good news. This question will allow you to see potential problems before the construction process and make any necessary changes before work even begins.
- How long does construction need to be completed? – Some people want their buildings to be built faster than others, so it may be necessary to choose a different type of building to get the desired results.
- What are the material costs? – The cost of the materials used may make you choose a different type of construction over another.
Here are some of the building structures found in the construction field:
1. Wooden frame
Timber frame buildings have been around for many years and in fact this type of building structure is the oldest of all. It is also the most used type around the world. These building structures are entirely made of wood that is cut and then assembled on site. This means that workers are cutting the studs, boards, beams and joists as needed and putting them in place before installing the drywall, paneling and all other materials.
The advantages of timber frame building structures are that the materials are renewable, the cost is quite low, and they can be assembled quickly using basic construction tools. Of course, there are disadvantages as well, which include the structure being flammable, subject to deterioration due to the elements, and not being strong enough to withstand the winds of hurricanes and tornadoes.
2. Light steel
Steel is becoming more commonly used in the construction of some buildings because it allows buildings to be constructed much more quickly. All materials arrive at the job site ready to be placed, so there is never any need for cutting once construction begins. All beams, girders, beams and plates are made of steel. Each steel piece is protected by a galvanized coating, protecting it from the elements. Currently, this material is being found more in commercial buildings, but some owners are choosing to build their homes with it as well.
When considering lightweight steel for a building structure, you will find that it has many advantages. Some of these include high strength in relation to the building's weight, low construction cost and ability to quickly assemble.
This material is also flame resistant, so you'll never have to worry about it catching fire. The disadvantage of lightweight steel is that if any adjustments need to be made on site, the tools needed will not be everyday construction tools. Specific cutting and fastening tools are required to build with this material.
3. Steel Structure
A steel frame is slightly different from light steel in that it is much stronger and typically used for larger buildings. These types of building structures are made of steel columns and trusses, which easily support larger roofs and floors. You will see this being used in many skyscrapers as it is simple to lift materials using a crane before quickly welding them together.
The advantages of steel framing include being strong, flexible in assembly, easy to weld to construct the building faster, and all components are readily available. This material is perfect for areas prone to hurricanes and tornadoes and the material can be easily recycled and used again in the future. Disadvantages include the tendency to corrode in areas with high humidity and the fact that the material loses strength at temperatures above five hundred degrees.
4. Concrete Structure
Tall buildings and parking garages are typically constructed with a concrete structure because it is stronger than many other building materials. Concrete structure construction uses reinforced concrete columns as well as concrete slabs and beams to construct the building's supporting structure. Most reinforced concrete is readily available, but it can be a time-consuming process if it needs to be poured at the construction site. Unfortunately, building structures often require concrete components to be cast in place. This means it takes longer to complete due to the curing process.
The advantages of a concrete building structure are that it can use recycled steel for the reinforced steel portions. Concrete can also be locally sourced and molded into almost any desired shape. As mentioned above, this can be a time-consuming process, plus the concrete may need to be substantially engineered if the building is in an earthquake-prone area.
5. Pre-designed
Sometimes the best building structure is pre-engineered because it goes together quickly and you can start using it sooner than you thought possible. You can often design the building to meet your specifications and then the parts are made and assembled to be shipped to the construction site.
The advantages of pre-engineered ones are that they assemble quickly, are strong, and are easy to customize. Unfortunately, they are more expensive than other types of construction and you must keep your project square or rectangular in shape.
Now that you know the different types of building structures under construction, you can easily decide which one you want to use in the future for your home, business, or other building you need. The best part is that you can even mix and match some of these building structures to have the building that best suits your needs.
