Light Steel Frame Wall Thickness

Light steel frame houses can be erected 30 faster than traditional homes.

Light steel frame wall thickness. This light gauge steel frame is developed through a cold formed process without the use of heat. An economical light gauge steel frame system is increasingly being used in america europe australia and new zealand. Hot rolled structural steel framing steel ranges drastically between 0 50 75 per linear foot and is the only type of metal framing available for both residential and commercial structures. The non combustibility of steel allows a significant density increase in commercial and multi family structures offering building owners with the potential for higher revenue.

Balconies can also be incorporated into light steel external wall systems. There are two types of steel used cold rolled light gauge and hot rolled structural beams both types are impervious to rot and insects while being nearly fire proof. Figure 4 shows light steel balconies fixed back to the primary concrete frame and integrated with a panelised light steel wall system. Steel is green because it contains a minimum of 5 recycled steel and is 100 recyclable.

The outer shell of a light steel frame home can be erected in less than a week providing a weather tight environment in a very short space of time. The light steel components used in infill walls consists of c sections and u sections of 75 to 150 mm depth that are cold roll formed from galvanized steel strip of 1 2 to 3 2 mm thickness specified to bs en 10346. This is in contrast to thicker hot rolled sections that are shaped while the steel is molten hot. Figure 1 2 housing using light steel framing built over a supermarket photo courtesy of metek uk ltd figure 1 3 medium rise accommodation building using light steel framing photo courtesy of fusion building systems.

While performance and thickness vary between different types of insulation 70mm frames generally allow r 1 5 added insulation 90mm frames allow r2 and 140mm frames allow r3. The structural steel frame can be erected quickly since the structural members are prefabricated and can be easily handled due to their lightweight. The steel sections used here are called cold formed sections meaning that the sections are formed or given shape at room temperature. Steel framing has proven performance in high wind and seismic zones.

The onsite advantages of steel frame construction. The strength of light gauge steel frames permit longer spans larger open spaces without the need for intermediate columns or load bearing walls. Figure 1 elements of a light steel infill wall panel figure 2 large window openings in light steel walling. Light gauge steel framing vs.

Upgrading from 70mm to 90mm frame depth adds around 25 to the cost of external frames.