Picture One: Exterior of BuildingBuilding: Spotlight Australia
Address: 227 Ballarat Road
Braybrook, VIC, 3019
Architect: Unknown
Built: 1998
Picture Two: ElementElement: Structural Universal Beam/Column
- This picture shows the internal structure or Portal Frame of Spotlight Australia.
- The Columns are spaced far apart and they are all connected in union with the Rafters.
- The Portal Frame structure is very important as it:
· Keeps the building in its shape.
· Helps the walls resist lateral loads (wind loads)?
· Supports the roof load and its large surface area.
· Supports high walls against wind loads, which is very important because the walls have such a large surface area that will trap more wind, causing the suction forces to be stronger (The bigger the surface area = more exposure to wind = more wind is traped).
Each beam that contributes to the formation of a Portal Frame, works in union to support and hold together the entire building.
Picture Three: DetailDetail: Connection of Universal Beams
- The Rafter Beams are connected by cleats and large bolts (They are attached to the web of each beam)
- At least 4 large bolts are used for each cleat.
- Both bolts and cleats work together to connect each beam and enhance the buildings overall stability (rigid connection?).
- An interesting aspect of this detail, is the way the Beams are situated/sitting.
- As you can see, there is a gap between the two Beams.
- I'm assuming that this is probably to allow for movement as steel tends to expand in warmer temperatures.
- It is also interesting how there is no column or vertical beam connected to the rafters to create a rigid connect.
- It looks like it's connected to the concrete panel walls , instead of a column.
However, the previous photo shows that the end of each rafter is connected to a column, creating a rigid connection.
In this detail, there is no cloumn to create a rigid connection or to tranfer loads to the footings.
2 comments:
forgive me if i read your description wrong, but would it be possible that the roof beams are connected to an external column such as what i have found in some of my observations, however the column is hidden from view and located on the exterior of the building? i don't believe that any form of wall would be strong enough to support the weight of the roof. even a concrete wall would have issues with shear failure and concretes tendency to crack, and for lack of a better word, crumble under pressure.
WM
In answer to your question wayne, i also thought the same thing.
But in this building, the roof beams, or rafters, are not connected to a column situated on the exterior. In fact, they are connected to the concrete panel, as it is strong enough to be used as a load bearing wall and as a connection for the rafters.This is because the concrete panels are reinforced in order to successfully support the rafters/roof beams.Without reinforcement, then cracking and other defects will occur.
AS
Post a Comment