These factors all add up to a stable frame that doesn’t move or sway. And it’s not just building manufacturers and end users who recognize these advantages. Many sub-suppliers, such as those providing con- veyors or cranes, will often avoid installing their products in truss buildings because flexing of the frame can lead to premature component wear and higher maintenance costs on their equipment. With a rigid frame structure, these companies can stand behind their offerings with an understand- ing that any wear-and-tear will only occur through normal use. In situations where a building user wants to relocate a structure, rigid frame structures are also built to be moved and reassembled more easily. Furthermore, the design is amenable to making environmental load modifications should different codes apply at the new location. Controlled Manufacturing
By investing in their own production facilities and installation crews, fabric building manufacturers have asserted more control over product quality and delivery timelines.
Another fabric building industry trend is the transition some have made from being a fabric structure supplier to becoming a true fabric build- ing manufacturer. Companies like Legacy have invested in their own fabric production and steel beam fabrication facilities, allowing them total control over their supply chains and delivery timelines instead of relying on third-party fabricators. For all the initial planning that goes into a building design, modifica- tions from the customer as the project progresses are a way of life. Having an on-site factory allows far more flexibility to make minor adjustments without major disruptions. For example, if a building user needs electrical wiring to pass through the solid rafter web, holes can be cut right away in the shop, thereby saving time later in the field. Quality control is another clear benefit. Having the team that designs the building under the same roof as the team that produces it helps en- sure proper manufacturing and consistency from start to finish. Some even employ full-time AWS/CWB weld inspectors to verify that every beam leaving the manufacturing facility meets all necessary quality and safety criteria. Those with their own in-house, professional instal- lation crews to erect the building can take this a step further and claim full responsibility and control from concept to completion. Steel Protection Manufacturers working with rigid I-beam design have commonly used hot-dip galvanizing to protect steel frames against corrosive elements. But at the behest of clients, some are preparing to make epoxy paint a more readily-available option through their typical production lines.
Whereas galvanizing essentially slows down the corrosion process by sacrificing itself over time, epoxy is a coating that creates an actual barrier between corrosive elements and the steel. Another advantage that makes epoxy paint a superior choice is that if an area of a steel beam were to be damaged, the coating is repairable just by cleaning the affected area and re-applying more epoxy. Epoxy is already prevalent in highly corrosive applications like potash mining, where organizations working in that field typically require epoxy for all equipment and steel structures. Although epoxy paint can sometimes be more expensive, certain industries have determined it is worth the added investment to extend the lives of their equipment and buildings. Universal Standard While historical fabric structure framing was often characterized by having to make engineering compromises of one kind of another, rigid frame design is universally regarded as providing long-term, time- tested engineering principles. Everyone involved in the construction process—from the client, to engineers and consultants, to the building manufacturer—is able to proceed with more confidence in the long- term viability, durability, and performance of a rigid frame building.
DWAYNE MOENCH is a senior structural engineer and Nathan Stobbe is general manager for Legacy Building Solutions. They can be reached at dmoench@legacybuildingsolutions.com and nstobbe@legacybuildingsolutions.com, respectively.
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csengineermag.com february 2020
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