A combination of various components/elements connected/joined together in such a way to offer a useful function is called structure. These are often categorized according to the geometry by which they gain strength to withstand different types of loads. It is the structure’s geometrical configuration which determines its capacity to resist loads. The most common structures used in modern-day buildings are frames and walls. These are known popularly as framed and load bearing walls.
A framework or ‘skeleton’ of beams and columns of steel is used in a steel framed structure to carry the different loads down to the foundations. The wall themselves are load bearing in the load bearing structure. Typically these load-bearing walls are constructed in masonry but they can also be made of reinforced concrete. The walls here transfer the loads to the foundations.
The key difference between the configuration of the load bearing and the steel framed structure is that the members who are responsible for bearing and transferring the load to the foundation. Load-bearing members’ means walls carry load in a load-bearing structure, while in a steel framed structure, steel beam & columns carry the load and transfer it to foundation.
The fundamental differences between steel framed Vs load bearing structure are described below.
Steel Framed Vs Load Bearing Structure
To sum up, relative to the steel framed structures, the load bearing systems are economical. But it is only true, if the masonry units used in load bearing structures have low prices relative to the steel used in beam and column for steel framed structures, and the foundation depth is not more than 1.00 m to 1.2 m. When the structures are large and you need flexibility in construction, i.e. you don’t want a wall over the wall and if you have large span structures, steel framed structure is often preferred, as load bearing structures have many limitations. Load bearing construction is economical only when the bricks, stones and blocks are conveniently available at a reasonable price. We hope this blog will help you to choose the appropriate structural system for your home or next project as per your needs.
