Vivek Kamlesh Karelia

Fifth year B.Arch

Roll no 13
Asmita college of architecture
PORTAL FRAMES


PORTAL FRAMES
Definition A Portal Frame can be defined as a continuous or rigid frame which has the characteristic of a rigid or restrained joint between the
supporting member (or column) and the spanning member (or beam).
Portal frames are generally low-rise structures, comprising columns and horizontal or pitched rafters, connected by moment-resisting connections.
Resistance to lateral and vertical actions is provided by the rigidity of the connections and the bending stiffness of the members, which is increased by
a suitable haunch or deepening of the rafter sections.
This form of continuous frame structure is stable in its plane and provides a clear span that is unobstructed.
The main objective of this form of design is to reduce bending moment in the beam which allows the frame to act as one structural unit.
They are very efficient for enclosing large volumes; therefore they are often used for industrial sheds, factories storage, ware houses, sports halls as well
as for agricultural purposes.
Generally, the centre-to-centre distance between frames is 6 to 7.5m, with eaves height ranging from 6 --15 m.
Generally designed for two types of loads that are roof load and wind load.
The most common form of portal frame used in the construction industry is the pinned-base frame with different rafter and column member size and
with haunches at both the eaves and apex connections.
Portal frames are made in steel, concrete and timber.
But now a days they are mainly made from steel.


A TYPCAL ARRANGEMENT OF A PORTAL FRAME


ANATOMY OF A TYPICAL PORTAL FRAME

Portal frames are the most commonly used structural forms for single-storey industrial structures.
They are constructed mainly using hot-rolled sections, supporting the roofing and side cladding via cold-formed purlins and sheeting rails.
They may also be composed of tapered stanchions and rafters fabricated from plate elements.
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.

PRIMARY COMPONENTS OF A PORTAL FRAME CROSS SECTION SHOWING THE PORTAL FRAMEN AND ITS RESTRAINTS

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.
TYPES OF PORTAL FRAMES ACC. TO THE USE OF HINGED JOINTS

A. FIXED OR RIGID PORTAL FRAMES


All connections between frame members are rigid.
This will give bending moments of lower magnitude more evenly distributed than other forms.
Used for small to medium size frames where the moments transferred to the foundations will not be excessive.

B. TWO PIN PORTAL FRAMES

Hinges are used at the base connections to eliminate the tendency of the base rotate.
The bending moments resisted by the supporting members will be greater than those encountered in the rigid portal frame.
Main use is where high base moments and weak ground conditions are encountered.

C. THREE PIN PORTAL FRAMES

This form of the frame has high hinged joints at the base connections and at the centre of the spanning member.
The effect of the third hinge is to reduce the bending moments in the spanning member but to increase deflection.
To overcome this latter disadvantage a deeper beam must be given a moderate pitch to raise the apex well above the eaves level.
Two other advantages of the three pin portal frame are that the design is simplified since the frame is statically determined and on the
site they are easier to erect, particularly when preformed in sections.
Portal frames constructed of steel, concrete or timber can take the form of the usual roof profiles used for single or multi-span buildings
such as flat, pitched, north light, monitor and arch.
The frames are generally connected over the spanning members with purlins designed to carry and accept the fixing of lightweight roof
coverings or decking.
The walls can be of similar material fixed to sheeting rails attached to the supporting members or alternatively clad with brick or infill
panels.

TYPES OF PORTAL FRAMES ACC. TO THE USE MATERIALS

A. CONCRETE PORTAL FRAMES

Concrete portal frames are invariably manufactured from high quality precast concrete suitably reinforced.
In the main use of precast concrete portal frames is confined to low pitch (4 to 22) single a wide range of design from only a few
standard components.

Wall finishes can be varied and intermixed since they are non-load bearing and therefore have to provide only the degree of resistance
required for fire, thermal and sound insulation, act as a barrier to the elements and resist positive and negative wind pressures.
Precast reinforced concrete portal frames are supplied for the economic benefit of repetitive casting in standard moulds and close control
of mixing, placing and compaction of concrete that is possible only in the factory conditions.
For the convenience of casting, transport and erection on site, precast concrete portal frames are generally cast in two or more sections
which are bolted together on site either at the point of contraflexure in rafters or at the junction of post and rafter, or both.


CONCRETE PORTAL FRAME
FOUNDATION AND FIXING

The foundation for a precast concrete portal frame usually consists of a reinforced concrete isolated base or pad designed to suit loading and
ground bearing conditions.
The frame can be connected to the foundations by variety of methods:


1. POCKET CONNECTIONS:
The foot of the supporting member is located and housed in a void or pocket formed in the base so that there is an all-round
clearance of 25mm to allow for plumbing and final adjustment before the column is grouted into the foundation base.



2. BASE PLATE CONNECTION:
A steel base plate is welded to the main reinforcement of the supporting members, or alternatively it could be cast into the
column using fixing lugs welded to the back of the base plate.
Holding down bolts are cast into the foundation base; the erection and fixing procedure is same as that of steelwork.


3. PIN JOINT OR HINGED CONNECTION
A special or bearing plate is bolted to the foundation and the mechanical connection is made when the frames are
erected.
The choice of connection method depends largely upon the degree of fixity required and the method adopted by the
manufacturer of his particular system.

ADVANTAGES

Maintenance not usually required.
Own built in resistance to fire.
Wind resistance is such that wind bracing is not required.
Aesthetically pleasing.


B. STEEL PORTAL FRAMES

Steel portal frames can be fabricated from standard universal beam, column and box sections.
Alternatively a lattice construction of flats, angles or tubular can be used.
Most forms of roof profiles can be designed and constructed giving a competitive range when compared with other materials used in portal
frame construction.
The majority of systems employ welding techniques for the fabrication of components which are joined together on site using bolts or
welding.
An alternative system uses special knee joint, apex joint and base joint components which are joined on site to square cut standard beam or
column sections supplied by the main contractor or by the manufacturer producing the jointing pieces.
The frames are designed to carry lightweight roof coverings of the same loading conditions as those given for precast concrete portal
frame.


STEEL PORTAL FRAME
FOUNDATION AND FIXING

The foundation is usually a reinforced concrete isolated base or pad foundation designed to suit loading and ground bearing conditions.
The connection of the frame to the foundation can be by:


1. POCKET CONNECTIONS:
The foot of the supporting member is supported and grouted into a pocket formed in the concrete foundation as described
for precast portal frames.
To facilitate levelling, some designs have gussets welded to the flanges of the column.


2. BASE PLATE CONNECTION:

Traditional structural steel work column to foundation connection using a slab or a gusset base fixed to a reinforced concrete
foundation with cast in holding down bolts.


3. PIN JOINT OR HINGED CONNECTION
Special bearing plates designed to accommodate true pin or rocker devices are fixed by holding down bolts to the concrete
foundation to give the required low degree of rigidity at the connection.

ADVANTAGES

Standard range of manufactures systems.
Less overall dead load.
Good wind resistance.
Quick assembly.

DISADVANTAGES
Corrosive material hence regular protective maintenance required.
Lower fire resistance.

C. TIMBER PORTAL FRAMES

Timber portal frames can be manufactured by several methods which produce a light, strong frame of pleasing appearance which renders
them suitable for buildings such as churches, halls and gymnasiums where clear space and appearance are important.


A TYPICAL TIMBER PORTAL FRAME
The common methods used are:

1. GLUED LAMINATED PORTAL FRAMES
The main objective of forming a laminated member consisting of glued layers of thin section timber members is to obtain an
overall increase in strength of the complete component over that which could be expected from a similar sized solid section
of a particular species of timber.
The selection of suitable quality softwoods of the right moisture content is important for a successful design.
Site work is simple consisting of connecting the foot of the supporting member to the metal shoe fixing or to a pivot housing
bolted to the concrete foundation and connecting the joint at the apex or crown with a bolt fixing or hinge device.
Any form of walling can be used in conjunction with these frames as long as they comply with the applicable building
regulations.
2. PLYWOOD PORTAL FRAMES
These frames are suitable for small halls, churches and schools with spans in the region of 9m.
The portal frames are in boxed beams consisting of a skeleton core of softwood members faced on both sides with plywood
which rakes the bending stresses.
The hollow form of the construction enables electrical and other small services to be accommodated within the frame
members.

3. SOLID TIMBER AND PLYWOOD PORTAL FRAMES

These frames are placed close to each other and are cladded with a plywood sheath so that the finished structure acts as a
shell giving a lightweight building which is very rigid and strong.
The foundations of this type of frame consist of a ground beam or alternatively the frames can be fixed to the edge of the
raft slab.
A timber spreader or a sole plate is used along the entire length of the building to receive and distribute the thrust loads of
the frames.
Connection to this spreader plate is made by using standard galvanized steel joists hangers or by using galvanized steel
angle cleats.
ADVANTAGES

Constructed from readily available materials at an economic cost.
Light in weight.
Easy to transport and erect.
Can be trimmed and easily adjusted on site.
Protection against fungi can be done by impregnation Pleasing finish.
Wood has greater thermal qualities than steel.
Wood will not reverberate sound as clearly as steel would and so will not create high resonance.
Thick wood will last longer in fire than steel.

DISADVANTAGES
Lower fire resistance.
Wood will wrap, crack and root when exposed to moisture unless properly treated.
Wood can shrink over time.
Wood has impurities such as knots, splits and slope of grain unless steel which has quality control.
Wood can be attacked by termites.
Wooden members are non-recyclable once used.
JOINTS IN PORTAL FRAMES





A. BASE JOINT
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.




FIXING OF THE COLUMN TO THE FOUNDATION
B. APEX JOINT
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.


C. KNEE JOINT
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.


If the base, apex and the knee joints are not rigid, they will open up and the frame will be unstable when subjected to loads.
This is the pack of cards effect.
Vertical loading resulting in pushing the knee joint outwards.
If the foundation cant resist horizontal push, outward movement will occur and the frame will lose strength.

Wind subjects the frame to uplift forces.
Overturning forces on the sides & ends of the building.
Drag forces on the roof and sides.
These destabilizing forces are resisted essentially by the weight of the building and in this regard, the foundations contribute significantly to this weight.
The foundations are regarded as buildings anchors.

BRACING

With all types of frameworks one must think on stability i.e. movement.
Bracing is an essential part of each and every structure being erected in almost every country in the world today.
To help strengthen the framework and prevent movement diagonal bracing will be used to make the structure more rigid.

Its function is essentially to increase the structures strength in order to prevent it from falling down while having a load such as wind, rain or snow
applied, as well as being able to support its dead load.


A. FLY BRACING
Fly bracing is an essential element in every long-span portal frame warehouse design, as it not only prevents the purlins from twisting and
overturning, but it also lengthens the influence of the rafter by increasing the roofs strength, which is especially useful for the builders
cladding the roof.


Fly bracing is also sometimes used on the columns and girts of a portal frame to also prevent these elements from twisting, however fly
bracing does add cost to the building and therefore should only be used where needed.

FLY BRACING USED ON COLUMN
B. ROOF BRACING
Crossed roof bracing is another type of bracing which is essential to the erection of long-span design.
Its function is to prevent the rafters/beams of the structure from moving apart from one-another due to a wind load by being placed under
either tension or compression.



BRACING ON ROOF BRACING ON THE WALLS
The primary functions of vertical bracing in the side walls of the frame are:

To transmit the horizontal loads to the ground. The horizontal forces include forces from wind and cranes.
To provide a rigid framework to which side rails and cladding may be attached so that the rails can in turn provide stability to the columns
To provide temporary stability during erection.




STIFFENING PLATES

Stiffening plates are another type of bracing used to prevent 'Universal Beams and Columns' from bending and twisting.

HAUNCHING

For spans of over 20 meters, extra bracing is required to keep the steel substructure from collapsing in on itself.
This bracing is known as 'haunching' and is usually made of a cut-to-shape universal 'I' beam which fits into the corner made by the stanchion and
the rafters.

A haunch's depth is usually about the same as the depth of the rafter, and in terms of length, is usually in the order of about 10-15% of the span of
the rafter.

FIXINNG OF HAUNCH BENDING MOMENT DIAGRAM
Another location where haunching can be found in long-span construction is at the apex of the structure.
Again, the haunch's depth is usually about the same as the depth of the rafter, however in terms of length, the apex haunching is closer to between
30-40% of the span of the rafter.