Structural Building concept is a new conception of multi-storied industrial building construction, especially for warehouses. The methodology is very versatile not only due to its quality pre-designing and prefabrication, but also due to its light weight and economical construction. The concept includes the technique of providing the best possible section according to the optimum requirement. This concept has many advantages over the Conventional Steel Building concept of buildings with roof truss. We herewith present a comparative study of Structural Building concept and Conventional Steel Building concept. The study is achieved by designing a typical frame of a proposed Industrial Warehouse building using both the concepts and analyzing the designed frames using the structural analysis and design software.
1. Introduction
Steel is a material which has high strength per unit mass. Hence it is used in construction of structures with large column-free space. Most of the Industrial Structures require this criterion. An Industrial Warehouse is a storage building and is usually characterized as single storey steel structures with or without mezzanine floors. The enclosures of these structures may be brick masonry, concrete walls or GI sheet coverings. The walls are generally non-bearing but sufficiently strong enough to withstand lateral forces caused by wind or earthquake. The designing of industrial warehouse includes designing of the structural elements including principal rater or roof truss, column and column base, purlins, sag rods, tie rods, gantry girder, bracings, etc. A combination of standard hot-rolled sections, cold-formed sections, profiled sheets, steel rods, etc. are used for the construction of industrial steel structures. Industrial buildings can be categorized as Structural Buildings (Structural Building) and Conventional Steel Buildings (conventional steel building), according to the design concepts. The paper starts with the discussion of methods adopted in the study. Introduction to Structural Building systems and conventional steel building systems are then described followed by the details of case study. Loads and the load combinations adopted for carrying out the analysis of the structure is well defined in the further portions. A section depicting the importance of the software used and the software procedure followed is included. Final portion explains the results obtained from the software analysis of the case study and the inferences from the literature studies. The paper aims at developing a perception of the design concepts of Structural Building structures and its advantages over conventional steel building structures.
2. Methodology
The present study is included in the design of an Industrial Warehouse structure located at Kolkata. The structure is a chemical warehouse of an explosive chemicals manufacturing company. The actual structure is proposed as a Structural Building with four spans each of 120 meters width, 42 bays each of 32 meters length and an eave height of 32 meters. In this study, a typical Structural Building frame of 20 meter span is taken into account and the design is carried out by considering wind load as the critical load for the structure. conventional steel building frame is also designed for the same span considering an economical roof truss configuration. Both the designs are then compared to find out the economical output. The designs are carried out in accordance with the Indian Standards and by the help of the structural analysis and design software.
3. Structural Buildings
Structural Building concept involves the steel building systems which are predesigned and prefabricated. As the name indicates, this concept involves pre-engineering of structural elements using a predetermined registry of building materials and manufacturing techniques that can be proficiently complied with a wide range of structural and aesthetic design requirements. The basis of the Structural Building concept lies in providing the section at a location only according to the requirement at that spot. The sections can be varying throughout the length according to the bending moment diagram. This leads to the utilization of non-prismatic rigid frames with slender elements. Tapered I sections made with built-up thin plates are used to achieve this configuration. Standard hot-rolled sections, cold-formed sections, profiled roofing sheets, etc. is also used along with the tapered sections. The use of optimal least section leads to effective saving of steel and cost reduction. The typical Structural Building frame of the structure considered for the study is as shown in Figure 1.
4. Conventional Steel Buildings
Conventional steel buildings (conventional steel building) are low rise steel structures with roofing systems of truss with roof coverings. Various types of roof trusses can be used for these structures depending upon the pitch of the truss. For large pitch, Fink type truss can be used; for medium pitch, Pratt type truss can be used and for small pitch, Howe type truss can be used. Skylight can be provided for day lighting and for more day lighting, North light type truss can be used The selection criterion of roof truss also includes the slope of the roof, fabrication and transportation methods, aesthetics, climatic conditions, etc. Several compound and combination type of economical roof trusses can also be selected depending upon the utility. Standard hot-rolled sections are usually used for the truss elements along with gusset plates. The conventional steel building frame of the structure considered in the study is as shown in Figure 2.
5. Warehouse Particulars
Type of Building : Explosive Chemicals Warehouse
Type of structure : Double Storied Industrial Structure
Location : Kolkata
Area of site : 173392 m2
Type of building : Industrial Warehouse
The building plan of the proposed Industrial Warehouse structure considered for the study is as shown in Figure 2.
6. Loads
The loads acting on the structure includes dead load, live load, snow load, wind load, earthquake load, crane load, erection load, accidental load, etc. The load calculation for the structure can be carried out in accordance with IS : 875 – 1987 and IS : 1893 – 2000. For this structure wind load is critical than earthquake load, as in [8]. Hence, load combinations of dead load, live load, crane load and wind load are incorporated for design.
6.1. Dead Load
Dead load comprises of self-weight of the structure, weights of roofing, G.I. sheets, gantry girder, crane girder, purlins, sag rods, bracings and other accessories. The dead load distributed over the roof is found to be 0.438 kN/m excluding the self weight. This load is applied as uniformly distributed load over the rafter while designing the structure by Structural Building concept. For conventional steel building concept the load is applied as equivalent point load of 0.657 kN at intermediate panel points and half the value at end panel points over the roof truss. As per the procedure for dead load calculation.
6.2. Live Load
According to IS : 875 (Part 2) – 1987, for roof with no access provided, the live load can be taken as 0.75 kN/m2 with a reduction of 0.02 kN/m2 for every one degree above 10 degrees of roof slope, explicitly as in [6]. Total uniformly live load acting on the rafter of the Structural Building structure is found to be 4.5 kN/m. Similar to dead load, live load is also applied as point loads at panel points for conventional steel building structure and is found to be 6.75 kN at intermediate panel points and half this value at end points. As per the procedure for live load calculation.
6.3. Crane Load
Cranes are used in warehouse for lifting heavy materials from one point to another. The cranes are supported by crane bridge end trucks bearing on rails that are supported on the top of the crane beams, as in [14]. The crane bridge itself moves over the rails on the gantry girder which is in turn supported on the column brackets, in passing [14]. The crane load is calculated by positioning the moving load for maximum effects of shear force and bending moment.
The dead load contribution of crane system along with the gantry girder is found out to be 7 kN acting over the column brackets. The horizontal and vertical crane live loads come in four different combinations
6.4. Wind Load
Wind load is calculated as per IS : 875 (Part 3) – 1987. The basic wind speed for the location of the building is found to be 39 m/s from the code, in passing [8]. The wind load over the roof can be provided as uniformly distributed load acting outward over the Structural Building rafter, and as point loads acting outward over the conventional steel building panel points. For side walls, the wind load is applied as uniformly distributed loads acting inward or outward to the walls according to the wind case. The wind loads over the roof and side walls comes in four different combinations.
6.5. Load Combinations
Load combinations can be adopted according to IS: 800 – 2007. Sixteen different load combinations adopted for the analysis of the frame in both the concepts, and are listed as follows:
1) 1.5DL+1.5LL+1.5CL1
2) 1.5DL+1.5LL+1.5CL2
3) 1.5DL+1.5LL+1.5CL3
4) 1.5DL+1.5LL+1.5CL4
5) 1.5DL+1.5WL(θ=0+)
6) 1.5DL+1.5WL(θ=90+)
7) 1.5DL+1.5WL(θ=0-)
8) 1.5DL+1.5WL(θ=90-)
9) DL+LL+CL1
10) DL+LL+CL2
11) DL+LL+CL3
12) DL+LL+CL4
13) DL+WL(θ=0+)
14) DL+WL(θ=90+)
15) DL+WL(θ=0-)
16) DL+WL(θ=90-)
Note:
DL – Dead Load
LL – Live load
CL – Crane Load WL – Wind load
7. Design Procedure
The software package is a structural analysis and design software which helps in modeling, analyzing and designing the structure. The software supports standards of several countries, including Indian standard. The procedure includes modeling the structure, applying properties, specifications, loads and load combinations, analyzing and designing the structure. This software is an effective and user-friendly tool for three dimensional model generation, analysis and multi-material designs.
8. Warehouse Design and Layout
Somewhere between the strategic decisions regarding its character and a warehouse’s actual start-up, there’s a whole world of operational decisions that have to be made. Entirely too many warehouses are built without that operational input.
While historically a warehouse has been a large box used to store surplus inventory for long periods of time, tomorrow’s warehouse facilities are becoming “distribution activity hubs” that add value by processing goods, not storing them.
Such value-added services are, by definition, very labor-intensive. This change speaks volumes for the need to focus attention on productivity and operational efficiency.
While a warehouse in fact is a large box, the input of experienced operational people, like managers, supervisors and operations managers, can drastically improve the productivity and efficiency of the material handling as well as the use of storage space. Architectural design, construction techniques and warehouse operational know-how are easily compatible if they work together through the initial planning stages.
Here’s a checklist of things that was discussed with operations team in the early stages in conceptualizing the design:
- Finalization of management strategy
- Growth plans and alternatives
- Conceptual design developments
- Material handling system alternatives
- Detailed layout and alternative layout planning
- Staffing and manpower requirements
- Developing operational outlines
- Detailed design along with equipment specification
- Drafting operations procedures
Through operation’s personnel participation in these steps, not only can their input, but also their commitment to the process can be insured.
Last-minute modifications and after-construction rework, to accommodate operational necessities, are interruptive and time consuming, not to mention considerably more costly than original construction.
For example, dock locks and automatic dock levelers are costly, even in construction, but their expense may approach four-fold if they are installed after initial construction is complete.
Below is a checklist of operational issues that must be considered when making your plans:
- Loading dock requirements
- Location and ventilation for battery changing areas
- Building support columns configured for optimal aisle layout
- Adequate doors to handle volume
- Offices and break area locations
- Adequate lighting throughout the facility
- Obstacles that impede the smooth flow of traffic
- Minimal travel distances from receiving docks to storage areas and shipping docks
- Sprinkler requirements, which include high-pressure pumps, reservoirs, in-rack sprinklers, high-density systems
- Aerosol and/or explosion-proof rooms
- Adequate foundation drainage
- Knock-out expansion walls
- Roof design that minimizes maintenance
- Building insulation
- Heat rotation systems
- Heavy-duty landing wheel pads
- Computer station hook-up locations
- Radio frequency installation issues
- Empty pallet storage areas
- Waste disposal dumpster staging locations
- Security issues, which include a parking area that is not contiguous with the building
- Considerations that will accommodate future plans for expansion, automation and/or a change in product offerings
Good operational design isn’t an accident. It takes a lot of hard work and planning. The results will often reward the effort.
9. Results & Confab
The structural analysis and design of the structural frame considered was done using the Staad. Pro software which is very user friendly and effective. First a typical frame is selected from the structure. First the frame was analysed and designed according to the Structural Building concept and then by the conventional steel building concepts. On comparing the results of both the analysis, the following results were obtained as in Table.
9.1. Confab
Structural Buildings have vast advantages over the Conventional Steel Buildings. The results of the software analysis and literature studies conducted for both the concepts suggest the same. The various inferences made from the studies are described below.
9.1.1. Material Take off
Structural Building structures are lighter than conventional steel building structures. From the software analysis it was found that the Structural Building roof structure is almost 30% lighter than the conventional steel building structure. Regarding the secondary members, light weight Z purlins are used for Structural Building structure whereas heavier hot-rolled sections are used for conventional steel building structure.
9.1.2. Design
Structural Building design is rapid and efficient compared conventional steel building design. Basic design steps are followed and optimization of materials while software analysis is possible for Structural Building, increasing the quality of design, in passing [11]. conventional steel building design is done with fewer design aids and each project needs to develop the designs which require more time. Connection design is also lesser for Structural Building when measured up to conventional steel building
9.1.3. Foundation
Support reaction for Structural Building is much lesser than conventional steel building as per the analysis. Hence, light weight foundation can be adopted for Structural Building which leads to simplicity in design and reduction is cost of construction of foundation. Heavy foundation will be required for conventional steel building structure.
9.1.4. Delivery of materials
For Structural Building, delivery is done in around 8 to 10 weeks and for conventional steel building it is 26 to 30 weeks.
9.1.5. Erection
Erection procedure is standard for all the projects and it is done free of cost by the manufacturer which results in faster and cost effective erection for Structural Building. Erection of conventional steel building differs from project to project and separate labour has to be allocated, leading to 20 percent more expense than Structural Building.
9.1.6. Earthquake resistance
Low weight flexible frames of Structural Building offer higher resistance to earthquake loads than rigid heavy frames of conventional steel building.
9.1.7. Cost
Structural Building costs 30% lesser than cost for conventional steel building. Outstanding architecture can be achieved at low cost for Structural Building. Single sourcing and co-ordination of Structural Building is highly cost effective than multiple sourcing system of conventional steel building. Building accessories are mass produced for Structural Building which also leads to economy.
9.1.9. Change of order
Due to standardized design, Structural Building manufacturers are able to stock large amount of elements and accessories which can be flexibly used in many types of Structural Building construction. Hence change of order can be fulfilled easily at any stage of construction. Cost for change of order is also lesser in this case. In case of conventional steel building, change of order is expensive and time consuming as substitute sections are infrequently rolled by mills.
9.1.9. Future expansion
Single sourcing of Structural Building is advantageous for future expansion whereas multiple sourcing of conventional steel building poses difficulty. Future expansion is easy and simple for Structural Building whereas it is most tedious and costly for conventional steel building.
9.1.10. Performance
All components of the Structural Building system are specially designed to act together as a system for highest efficiency. Structural Building designs are revised regularly with respect to the actual field conditions and in accordance with various country codes, which resulted in improved standardized designs leading to high performance of the structure. Conventional steel building system components are conventionally designed for a specific project and the performance depends on how the individual project is designed.
9.2. Advantages of Structural Building
The concept of Structural Buildings is extensively used for the construction single storey industrial steel buildings. This system has many benefits than the conventional construction concepts that have been using. Structural Building systems have numerous advantages including cost effectiveness, quality control, speed in construction, ease in expansion, achievement of large span, long durability, exceptional architecture, standardization of materials, standardization of design, single sourcing and co-ordination, speed in delivery, etc. By understanding the preliminary design concepts, it is easy to achieve the design of Structural Building system.
9.3. Applications
Structural Building concept have wide applications including warehouses, factories, offices, workshops, gas stations, showrooms, vehicle parking sheds, aircraft hangars, metro stations, schools, recreational buildings, indoor stadium roofs, outdoor stadium canopies, railway platform shelters, bridges, auditoriums, etc. Structural Building structures can also be designed as re-locatable structures.
10. Conclusion
This paper effectively conveys that Structural Building structures can be easily designed by simple design procedures in accordance with country standards. In light of the study, it can be concluded that Structural Building structures are more advantageous than conventional steel building structures in terms of cost effectiveness, quality control speed in construction and simplicity in erection. The paper also imparts simple and economical ideas on preliminary design concepts of Structural Buildings. The concept depicted is helpful in understanding the design procedure of Structural Building concept.
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