PORTAL FRAMES

INTRODUCTION-Portal frame construction is a method of building and designing simple structures,

primarily using steel or steel-reinforced precast concrete although they can also be constructed using
laminated timber such as Glulam.
The connections between the columns and the rafters are designed to be moment resistant, i.e. they can
carry bending forces. Because of these very strong and rigid joints some of the bending moment in the
rafters is transferred to the columns. This means that the size of the rafters can be reduced or the span can
be increased for the same size rafters. This makes portal frames a very efficient construction technique to
use for wide span buildings. Portal frame construction is therefore typically seen in warehouses, barns and
other places where large, open spaces are required at low cost and a pitched roof is acceptable.
Generally portal frames are used for single storey buildings but they can be used for low rise buildings with
several floors where they can be economic if the floors do not span right across the building (in these
circumstances a skeleton frame, with internal columns, would be a more economic choice).
A typical configuration might be where there is office space built against one wall of a warehouse. Portal
frames can be classified into the following categories:-Portal frames are a form of arch construction but
whereas true arches are curved, portal frames may consist of straight members as can be seen. As with
contemporary arches portal frames can be of three types, 3-pin, 2-pin or completely rigid.

HINGLESS PORTAL FRAME:

Many single story buildings are constructed from basic portal frames. Portal frames are generally two
dimensional rigid frames based on support columns and traversing beams. The frames have the basic
characteristics of a rigid joint between column and beam.
THREE-PIN PORTAL FRAME:
Similar to the three-pin arch the three-pin portal frame has three pin joints two at each of the supports
and one at the crown.

TWO-PIN PORTAL FRAME:

The two-pin frame has two pin joints at the supports. The bending moments are more evenly distributed
and as a result the two-pin frame is more economical.

TYPES OF PORTAL FRAMES :

Many different forms of portal frames may be constructed. Frame types described below give an overview
of types of portal construction with typical features illustrated. This information only provides typical
details and is not meant to dictate any limits on the use of any particular structural form.
1) Pitched roof symmetric portal frame :

Generally fabricated from UB sections with a substantial eaves haunch section, which may be cut from a
rolled section or fabricated from plate. 25 to 35 m are the most efficient spans.
2) Portal frame with internal mezzanine floor:

Office accommodation is often provided within a portal frame structure using a partial width mezzanine
floor.
3) Mono-pitch portal frame:

A mono pitch portal frame is usually chosen for small spans or because of its proximity to other buildings.
It is a simple variation of the pitched roof portal frame, and tends to be used for smaller buildings (up to 15
m span).
4) Crane portal frame with column brackets:
 Where a travelling crane of relatively low capacity (up to say 20 tonnes) is required, brackets can be fixed
to the columns to support the crane rails. Use of a tie member or rigid column bases may be necessary to
reduce the eaves deflection.
The spread of the frame at crane rail level may be of critical importance to the functioning of the crane.
5) Tied portal frame:

In a tied portal frame the horizontal movement of the eaves and the bending moments in the columns and
rafters are reduced. A tie may be useful to limit spread in a crane-supporting structure.
6) Propped portal frame

Where the span of a portal frame is large and there is no requirement to provide a clear span, a propped
portal frame can be used to reduce the rafter size and also the horizontal shear at the foundations.

7) Mansard portal frame:

A mansard portal frame may be used where a large clear height at mid-span is required but the eaves
height of the building has to be minimised.
8) Curved rafter portal frame:
 Portal frames may be constructed using curved rafters, mainly for architectural reasons. Alternatively, the
rafter can be fabricated as a series of straight elements. It will be necessary to provide purlin cleats of
varying height to achieve the curved external profile.
9) Cellular beam portal frame:

Rafters may be fabricated from cellular beams for aesthetic reasons or when providing long spans. The
sections used cannot develop plastic hinges at a cross-section, so only elastic design is used.

FOUNDATION POCKET
Precast concrete columns penetrate 600mm into foundations and are supported on an engineering brick
or steel shims. It is possible to decrease foundation requirements by using base plates or up stand pockets.
ROOF PURLINS
Either galvanized pressed metal purlins or precast concrete purlins can be used. Holding down bolts can be
provided to suit steel purlins or precast concrete purlins.
GUTTERS
Precast concrete eaves gutters act as eaves ties giving a robust design. They also ensure a clean fascia line
at eaves level.
BENEFITS
Larger span capabilities, allowing increased design flexibility.
Competitive pricing Hygiene - ledges where dust and dirt collects can be minimized, which is ideal for
high precision industries (such as pharmaceutical, computer or food processing facilities).
Inbuilt fire ratings avoid additional board or sprayed protection.
Factory production, quality checks prior to arriving on site.
Speed of erection.
Decreased maintenance costs the frame is virtually maintenance free.
Clean finish.
Overhead gantry cranes supports for overhead gantries can be provided in columns if requested at
design stage.
PORTAL FRAME STRUCTURE
Multiple spans are accommodated by sing balanced valley rafters. We recommend that expansion joints
(i.e. double columns) should be used where building length exceeds 60 m. Lean-to Frames of up to approx.
8.1 m can be added as part of a future extension.

Connection types
Connections between structural elements is one of the most important areas of design structural
steelwork. There are three principle types of connection .
Simple connections transmit negligible bending moments across the joint . This joint allow the beams to
rotate relative to each other . They are effectively pin joints.
Continuous connections are designed to transmit shear forces and bending moments across the joint.
The connection should have sufficient stiffness to allow design using either elastic or plastic analysis.
Semi-continuous connections are designed to transmit the shear forces and a proportion of the bending
moment. These provide a partial restraint to the beam rotation with a relatively less complicated
structural joint. This is often a more complicated arrangement to design.

APEX JOINT
KNEE JOINT
COLUMN TO FOOTING

END JOINT
ADVANTAGE:
The primary advantage of castellated beam is the improved strength due to the increase in depth of the
section without any additional weight. However one consequence of the increased depth of the section
is the development of stability problem during erection.
This beams have proved to be efficient for moderately loaded longer spans where the design is controlled
by moment capacity or deflection.
Their high strength-to weight ratios and their lower maintenance and painting cost can sometimes
advantageously replace built-up girders.
Increasing the depth of the beam, strong axis bending strength and stiffness are improved as the strong
axis moment of inertia, and section modulus are increased.

DISADVANTAGE:
Disadvantage is the increased Fabrication costs associated with the cutting and welding of the section.
With the increase in span length, stability issues during erection have presented themselves and need to
be examined. During erection the bracing that allows the castellated beam to reach its design strength is
not present.
Due to the presence of the holes in the web, the structural behaviour of castellated beams will be different
from that of the plain webbed beams.
The shear capacity of the web posts is a limiting factor, and castellated beams are not appropriate for
short heavily loaded spans.
The re-entrant corners at the openings give rise to stress concentrations and limit the usefulness of
castellated beams in situations where dynamic effects are severe.

Application:
One example of usage structural steel is the construction of Sunshine Tower, the tallest commercial steel-
framed building in India located on Tulsipipe Road, Dadar, Mumbai.
It must be noted that all the diagonal steel bracings in the tower block are installed in the same plane as
the peripheral columns and beams. Thus, eccentric connections were avoided. However, the erection
sequence of the columns, beams and diagonal bracings had to be worked out very carefully to avoid
delays. The accompanying diagram shows the erection sequence adopted successfully. It can be seen that
the junction of columns was staggered specifically to simplify erection and the bolted connections
between columns and beams were moved away from the main grids. The diagonals were connected by
using single pins and all other joints were bolted connections.