You are on page 1of 12

UNIT - 5 PORTAL FRAME

Portal frames are generally low-rise structures, comprising columns and horizontal or
pitched rafters, connected by moment-resisting connections.

This form of continuous frame structure is stable in its plane and provides a clear span that
is unobstructed by bracing.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A TRUSS AND A PORTAL FRAME

Truss: In a truss, the joints are of pin type, where end of the members can rotate freely [No
bending moment & Shear forces; only axial loads]

Frame: The members of the frames are connected rigidly at joints, and individual
members can carry transverse loads, which may generate bending moment, shear forces
along with axial forces.
1
Principal components of a portal framed building
A portal frame building comprises a series of transverse frames braced longitudinally.
The primary steelwork consists of columns and rafters, which form portal frames, and
bracing. The end frame (gable frame) can be either a portal frame or a braced
arrangement of columns and rafters.

The light gauge secondary steelwork consists of side rails for walls and purlins for the
roof. The secondary steelwork supports the building envelope, but also plays an
important role in restraining the primary steelwork. The roof and wall cladding separate
the enclosed space from the external environment as well as providing thermal and
acoustic insulation. The structural role of the cladding is to transfer loads to secondary
steelwork and also to restrain the flange of the purlin or rail to which it is attached.

Many different forms of portal frames may be constructed

1. Pitched roof symmetric portal frame

2
2. Portal frame with internal mezzanine floor

3. Crane portal frame with column brackets

4. Tied portal frame

5. Mono-pitch portal frame A mono pitch portal frame is usually chosen for small spans or
because of its proximity to other buildings. It is a simple variation of the pitched roof
portal frame, and tends to be used for smaller buildings (up to 15 m span).

6. Propped portal frame

3
7. Mansard portal frame A mansard portal frame may be used where a large clear height at mid-span is
required but the eaves height of the building has to be minimised.

8. Curved rafter portal frame

9. Cellular beam portal frame

4
Internal view of a portal framed warehouse

With single storey buildings natural lighting is


gained by placing clear sheets in roof layout.

Clear unobstructed floor area available.

Advantages and disadvantages of steel Portal Frames


Advantages
• Speed and ease of erection
• Building can be quickly closed in and made water tight.
• Framework prefabricated in a workshop and not affected by weather.
• Site works such as drainage, roads etc can be carried out until
framework is ready for erection.
• Connected together in factories by welding and site connections should
be bolted.

Disadvantages
• Although steel is incombustible it has a poor resistance to fire as it bends easily when hot.

• Subject to corrosion
5
A high percentage of roofs are covered with composite profile metal sheets with a coloured external
skin.
These composite sheets have approximately 50mm of insulation sandwiched between two thin metal
sheets or aluminium sheets. Coated steel is lowest in cost but limited in life due to the durability of
the finish. Aluminium develops its own protective film. Profile sheets are quick to erect, dismantle
and repair.
Galvanised steel purlins span between the steel rafters.

6
Base joint for Portal Frame
The legs or stanchions of the portal frame need connecting at
the bottom to a foundation.

Here we can see the base joint connection in place.

Ridge joint for Portal Frame

Shown here is a ridge joint or apex joint.

It is Important that this joint is strong hence the


use of wedge shaped pieces called gusset pieces to
strengthen and increase the bolt area.

7
• Again the knee joint must be strong to support
the roof loads and prevent bending.

• Gusset pieces will be used to increase strength,


give greater bolt area and prevent deflection
under load.

Diagonal bracing for Portal Frame

With all types of frameworks we must think


on stability ie movement. To help strengthen
the framework and prevent movement
diagonal bracing will be used.

8
• This slide shows the cladding rails for attaching
the external metal cladding panels to.
• These rails can be fixed horizontal or vertical
depending on the way the cladding panels are
fixed.

Tie cables for Portal Frame

These wire and tubular ties are used to prevent


sagging of the cladding rails which can add
considerable force unto the joints of the external
cladding.

9
North Light and Lattice Girder Roof (or Sawtooth)

This roof consists of a series of trusses fixed to girders. The short vertical (or near vertical) side of the
trusses is glazed so that when the roof is used in the northern hemi- sphere the glazed portion faces North
for the best light; when used in the southern hemisphere the glazing would face South for the same
reason..

The patent glazing is attached to a 75 mm by 50 mm by 8 mm angle which is welded to a larger angle


round which the flashing is dressed and to which the wing of one of the ridge cappings is attached. The
glazing bars should be fixed through slotted holes in the angle (to permit movement) so that when the
girder deflects, damage to the glass is avoided. The roof covering is of fibre-cement sheeting which could
be insulated with fibre-spray on the underside.

10
ROOF LIGHTS
For spans over approximately 12 m (a dimension which is dependent on site conditions), the amount of
natural lighting received from the sides of the building must normally be supplemented by roof lights. A
5 per cent daylight factor is the minimum for factories and it is generally better to distribute the light,
rather than concentrate it, over the roof area.

Excessive amounts of sunlight can be objectionable and so most of the glazing should face north; flat
pitched lighting, rather than vertical, gives a better penetration of daylighting. Some roof structures give
a more even distribution of natural light than others, for example the North light truss tends to create
shadows at the working plane and may not always be suitable.

There are several ways of providing natural lighting and the choice is usually governed by the roof
pitch. For sloping roofs, patent glazing at a pitch not less than 20° is often adopted irrespective of the
type of roof covering. Sloping sheeted roofs clad with fibre-cement or aluminium alloy can be glazed
with clear reinforced glass or glass fibre sheets, having the same profile section as the roofing. These
clear sheets are fixed in the same way as the roof covering and can be inserted anywhere in the slope
where illumination is needed; such plastic-type sheets have a major disadvantage in being combustible.
Flat and sloping concrete roofs can be lit by the reinforced concrete framed light with lenses Pitched
domestic slated and tiled roofs can be provided with dormer windows

DOME LIGHTS
Circular dome lights, made of 10 mm thick rough-cast glass are a pleasing solution, they can be used to
give an interesting patterned effect on the ceiling of large rooms although they are ideally suited for
smaller rooms, a more economical method for large areas being provided by the lantern light.

Dome lights are available in sizes from 600 to 1800 mm in diameter . This comprises copper clips
screwed down to plugs in the curb and a rubber bedding strip. An edge seal can be obtained by using an
asbestos rope stuck down to the curb, if this is omitted, ventilation can be obtained which will diminish
condensation. Similar domes of Perspex [solid transparent plastic made of polymethyl methacrylate (the same
material as Plexiglas or Lucite)] up to 1 200 mm dia. and square and rectangular “dome lights” up to 1800
mm x 1200 mm are also made.

The Glascrete light has a clear span of 1525 mm and is set into a rebate formed in the reinforced
concrete roof. The precast unit is made with glass units set between reinforced concrete ribs and is
positioned so that the top is 12 mm above the main roof level, the frame is grooved to provide a good
key for the edge of the asphalt. The glass units are designed so that light rays diverge on passing
through, hence the danger of fire, that could be caused by converging sun rays, is eliminated.

11
LANTERN LIGHT
The 1800 mm x 1 200 mm lantern light is one of a series ranging from 1200 to 3700 mm square. This
one has a 450 mm high glazed upstand formed with galvanized steel sections, the roof is composed
with patent glazing bars.

A feature of the lantern light type is that opening ventilating lights can be incorporated in the upstand.
In another type known as a sky light, the upstands are omitted.

The modern flat roof rarely has a parapet wall, and the rooflight may therefore be seen from the
roadway. The conventional hipped lantern is not always liked for appearance, and so the type known as
“a back pitched lean-to” has been designed. This comprises a vertical upstand with ventilators on one
side only, and a single roofslope giving adequate light and ventilation.

12

You might also like