CVE40002: Lecture 6

Use of steel in house construction, timber and

masonry deterioration
Light gauge cold formed steel framing
Steel is commonly used is the construction of light weight low rise building in
two main forms:-

1. As light gauge cold formed sections in steel framed housing.

2. As structural steel sections such as hot rolled (UB, UC, PFC, EA,UA)
sections or (SHS, RHS) cold formed sections in conjunction with timber framed
or steel framed housing.
 Benefits of Steel Framing
• Steel framing systems offer the benefits of:
– The strength, rigidity and reliability of steel – a versatile man-made
material manufactured to high standards of quality control
– Close dimensional tolerances in the members themselves, including a
high degree of straightness, resulting in a frame that is accurately
square with dead-flat wall surfaces
– No shrinkage or warping, so that linings and cornices stay in place – no
unsightly cracks or ‘popping’ of nails
– Freedom from attack by termites, dry rot, and borers
– Non-combustibility, which may attract a lower insurance premium
– A galvanised or aluminium/zinc coating which provides protection
from any possible dampness under floors or in wall cavities
– Complete freedom in floor layout and architectural style
– Availability in a variety of fully engineered proprietary systems at
economical and competitive cost.
Types of Systems
Because manufacturers and /or fabricators have developed a variety
of different steel framing systems, with different sections, steel
thickness, and joining methods, the following descriptions are
generic.
There are two approaches to making up steel house frames.
a. The most widely adopted method is that of factory prefabrication
of floor frame units, wall frame units, and roof trusses of
transportable size, which are then assembled and erected in place
on site.

b. The less popular approach is to deliver the pre-cut straight

members to site and to carry out all fabrication and assembly on
site.
Fabrication

Initially most manufacturers welded their steel frames together, although a significant number
of manufacturers are now using other connection methods as shown below.
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• Tab and slot

Units have nesting members and are factory pre-assembled using tabs and slots. Final site
erection is carried out using connector plates and self-tapping screws.

• Lock and clip

Units are either assembled in the factory or on site by locking devices.

• Factory clinched together systems

In a clinch joint two thicknesses of sheet steel are joined by extruding one sheet into the other
using a punch and die to form a swaged joint, in such a way that the two pieces cannot be
subsequently separated. With no introduced connection material, these joints are fast, simple,
clean and economical

• Riveted Systems

Units are either assembled in the factory or on site by conventional riveting.

• Combination Rivet-Clinch System

This joint comprises a half rivet/half swage where one material layer is pierced by the rivet
and the adjacent layer is swaged.
 Fabrication
• Initially most manufacturers welded their steel
frames together, although a significant
number of manufacturers are now using other
connection methods
 Fabrication
• Tab and slot
– Units have nesting members and are factory pre-
assembled using tabs and slots. Final site erection
is carried out using connector plates and self-
tapping screws.
 Fabrication
• Lock and clip
– Units are either assembled in the factory or on
site by locking devices.
 Fabrication
• Factory clinched together systems
– In a clinch joint two thicknesses of sheet steel are
joined by extruding one sheet into the other using
a punch and die to form a swaged joint, in such a
way that the two pieces cannot be subsequently
separated. With no introduced connection
material, these joints are fast, simple, clean and
economical

Surelok 22 Gauge Steel

 Fabrication
• Riveted Systems
– Units are either assembled in the factory or on
site by conventional riveting.
• Combination Rivet-Clinch System
– This joint comprises a half rivet/half swage where
one material layer is pierced by the rivet and the
adjacent layer is swaged.
 Sub-Floor Systems

There are three types of conventional steel floor framing

systems as shown in Figure 3, Figure 4 and Figure 5.

a) Prefabricated Ladder Floor

Systems
• These are completely factory
manufactured into a ladder type
configuration.
• The completed frame is delivered
to site, set up, levelled and fixed
into position with self-drilling
screws or other approved
fasteners.
• This system is typically used in
lower floor applications.
b) Site Assembled Ladder Floor Systems
Special bearer sections are installed on piers with drop-in joists fixed
between them using self-drilling screws.
As above, these are also typically used in lower floor applications.

Site assembled ladder type floor system

a) Other Site Assembled Systems
(Long Span) 1. These are usually installed
in a similar manner to
timber systems. Rolled steel
members (typically C-
sections) are installed on
bearers or on lower floor
wall frames.
2. Typical applications are
upper or intermediate floors
or longer span applications
than are suitable for ladder
floors.
3. There are also several
proprietary sub-floor
systems available that
incorporate easily
adjustable levelling
mechanisms that make them
very easy to install.
a) Other Site Assembled Systems
(Long Span) 4. Because of their longer
spanning capability, it is
generally possible to build
using fewer piers.
5. Steel eliminates shrinkage
which is the most common
reason for callbacks to
completed projects.
6. Shrinkage causes squeaky
floors, cracks in cornices
and tiles, and doors and
windows that stick.
7. Elevated steel sub-flooring
facilitates under-floor
inspection.
 Steel Upper-Level Floor Framing Systems
• Several systems available that are suitable for use as upper level flooring.
• These feature steel beams of different configurations designed to give high
strength, light weight, long spans, no "bounce", and provision for services.
• Precision made and will not shrink or twist, hence flooring sits uniformly
flat on joists.
• Some of the proprietary sub-floor system beams are also suitable for use
between upper floors.
Prefabricated wall system
Wall frames are generally pre-fabricated in lengths up to 7.5 m maximum, for ease of
transport and site handling.
Methods of framing vary among manufacturers but the following members are generally
present:
• Top and bottom plates • Bracing • Studs • Lintels or beams • Noggings
 Prefabricated wall system
• After delivery to site, the frames are erected in a manner similar to timber frames.
• Placed in position, aligned, squared, levelled and fixed through the bottom plates and
corner junctions.
• Choice of fixing is dependent upon the system used or requirements of local
government authorities and engineers.
• Most manufacturers provide factory-punched holes at convenient locations in the steel
studs to allow for the installation of plumbing and electrical wiring.
• Plastic grommets or bushes are available to avoid metal-to-metal contact between
copper piping and the studs, and to prevent damage to cable insulation.
 Pre fabricated roof trusses

• Provision can be made in the trusses for the easy attachment of

fascia boards which can be either steel types or timber.
• Modern pre-painted steel fascia/gutter systems are particularly
compatible with steel house frames, are easy to fix and will not
warp or twist.
Fixing of Claddings, Linings etc.
• Because the steel studs are at the same spacing as in a
timber frame, all of the normal cladding and lining materials
are suitable for fixing to the steel frame.
• The use of gun nailing technologies to fix materials to steel
frames has come about through the development of higher
strength and thinner steel components and suitable nails.

• Fine head nails are now used to fix skirting boards and
architraves, floor sheets are nailed down to steel floor joists
and claddings can be nailed to the external faces of buildings.
Fixing of Claddings, Linings etc.

• Development is continuing on steel-to-steel nailing

and methods for fixing plasterboard to steel frames.
• For brick veneer, most systems provide a special wall
tie to fix the brickwork to the frame.
Fixing of Claddings, Linings etc.

• The spacing of roof trusses varies.

Where the truss spacing is greater than the ceiling board can
span, the ceiling board is fixed to steel battens which
themselves attach to the underside of the trusses.

• Self-drilling screws are used extensively to fix claddings and

linings to steel frames. The distinguishing feature of a self-
drilling screw is its point, which is designed to drill through
the steel member.
Typical screw fixings used are shown in Table 1.
 NASH Handbook ( National Association of Steel Framed Housing)

The Handbook supports the previously released NASH Standard

for Residential and Low-Rise Steel Framing Part 1: Design
Criteria.
It covers the structural design of floor, wall, roof and bracing
systems as well as assisting with the design of connections,
testing structures, durability, fabrication and construction
practices. Design tables and manufacturers testing data are
included for connections.
The NASH Handbook and the NASH Standard Part 1 do not
include steel framing span tables and related information;
this will be included in two new standards currently being
developed by NASH - Part 2 Span Tables for non-cyclonic areas
and Part 3 Span Tables for cyclonic areas.
Typical Australian Traditional Framing
Single or upper storey lintel
Lower storey lintel of a double storey frame
Use of structural steel sections in residential construction

When timber sections or light gauge steel

sections are not adequate to support loads (
from dead, live and wind load) either from the
strength or serviceability requirements ,
structural steel section are used to support
these loads.
Open sections such as TFB (Taper Flanged
Beams), UB (Universal Beams), PFC (Parallel
Flanged Channel) sections are used for floor
beam and roof beams and lintels for the
timber frame.
There are instances where a (built-up) welded
section is used to support both timber frames
and brick walls over.
Use of structural steel sections in residential construction

• When timber sections or light gauge steel sections

are not adequate to support loads ( from dead,
live and wind load) either from the strength or
serviceability requirements, structural steel
section are used to support these loads.
• Open sections such as TFB (Taper Flanged Beams),
UB (Universal Beams), PFC (Parallel Flanged
Channel) sections are used for floor beam and
roof beams and lintels for the timber frame.
• EA (Equal Angle) sections are commonly used to as
brick lintels in masonry veneer or full masonry
construction. There are instances where a (built-
up) welded section is used to support both timber
frames and brick walls over.

PFC EA
TFB UB
• The steel sections can be designed using
the Australian Standard for steel Structures
AS 4100, however steel manufacturers
have also produced span tables in a similar
way to the span tables for timber framed
structures.
• A number of span tables (prepared by
OneSteel) have been included in next
section.
Span Tables form One Steel publication (Structural Steel in Housing 3rd edition)