Light Steel Frame Research Articles

Hybrid lattice structure with micro graphite filler manufactured via additive manufacturing and growth foam polyurethane

The utilisation of lightweight structures is a common practice across a range of disciplines, including the construction of light steel frames, sandwich panels, and transportation infrastructure, among others. The advantages of lightweight structures include design flexibility, weight reduction, and the sustainability of materials that can be easily recycled. However, these advantages also present significant weaknesses. Compared to solid materials with compact weight, lightweight structures do not have the same characteristics. With the reduction in material weight, the strength of the lightweight structure decreases significantly compared to solid materials. In this study, the lightweight structure was made using additive manufacturing and reinforced with solid Composite Polyurethane Foam reinforced with graphite filler expanded into the lightweight structure. The results showed that in the compression test, the mixture with 2 % graphite filler had the highest value of 2.5 kN. The highest hardness test on the specimen with a 2 % graphite mixture was 19.8 HA. FT-IR testing showed that the carbon bonds from graphite in the 2 % specimen had the highest intensity. The test results showed that the addition of Polyurethane Foam into the structure could enhance material strength effectively without adding significant material weight.

Hybrid modular construction system “INNO3DJOINTS”: Experimental behaviour and numerical modelling of isolated sub-frames

With the growing demand for sustainable, cost-effective and overall-efficient building solutions, the need for dependable modular construction systems is steadily on the rise. In the present paper a novel hybrid modular construction system named INNO3DJOINTS is introduced, employing cold-formed welded steel tubular columns, fabricated according to EN 10219, and cold-formed steel thin-wall section based truss-girders, joined by the innovative plug-and-play (P&P) connector, designed to provide ease-of-assembly and -disassembly. The experimental investigation conducted on isolated sub-frame configurations of the novel system is presented, where 6 full-scale specimens were subjected to horizontal and vertical loading. The test configurations differed in the P&P joint socket thickness and the absence/presence of the light steel framing (LSF) wall, encased with oriented strand board (OSB). In addition, a numerical model for predicting the system's global behaviour is proposed, developed in SAP2000. Initially, the behaviour of the employed P&P joint configurations, categorized as partial-strength, is characterized using experimental and validated ABAQUS finite element model (FEM) data, resulting in a spring model implemented into the global FEM. Finally, the numerical and experimental results are compared and discussed, leading to conclusions regarding the system's 2D structural performance, identified behaviour governing phenomena, P&P joint influence, LSF wall and OSB contribution, as well as the capabilities of the developed FEM.

Sustainable Structural System Selection Using Hybrid Fuzzy Multi-Criteria Decision Model Based on Seismic Performance

In the rapidly evolving field of sustainable construction, this study aims to address the critical need for advancement in the building industry, focusing on vital indicators like energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness, as well as improving occupant comfort. This research introduces a novel approach to support the choice of suitable structural systems for mass housing projects, with a case study on Iran’s national housing scheme. This methodology involves a four-phase process, beginning with compiling a database from existing studies to outline primary and secondary indicators affecting structural system selection. It utilizes the fuzzy AHP method for criteria prioritization and the fuzzy TOPSIS technique for alternatives (LSF, 3DP, ICF, TRC, and RCCF). The study identified the light steel framing (LSF) system as the optimal choice for Iran’s housing needs based on various criteria. Then, in the final phase, the study evaluates the seismic performance of cold-formed steel (CFS) frames with various sheathing panel types (OSB, DFP, CSP, and GWB) under monotonic loads, examining key seismic parameters across 38 frame setups. The findings reveal that LSF structures can effectively withstand seismic events within the elastic behavior range, suggesting that this construction approach is viable for enhancing mass housing production in Iran’s construction sector.

Implementasi Sistem Hidrolik Pada Mesin Spandek Produksi di PT Primaland

The purpose of this journal article is to provide research findings regarding the application of automated production control system theory to the construction industry. from expediting work processes. The method used in this research is to observe the production process of a Primalland light steel construction company in real time. Please note, raw materials can be obtained from literature studies, with a focus on their implementation in industrial processes. There are many challenges in the development sector in Indonesia, both in terms of quality and quantity, PT. PrimaLand Light Steel Frame was founded on December 25 2008 in Pandeglang. Based on the research that has been carried out, the data obtained from this research is then analyzed in detail to determine whether there is a significant difference between price changes that affect sales volume and price changes that affect sales volume. Research on sales volume at PT PrimaLand Pandeglang between 2014 - 2016. PrimaLand light steel tries as best as possible to maintain the quality of the roof truss profile produced by using high quality steel coils, or what can be called High Tension, namely with a yield strength range of Mega Pascal 400 Mpa – 500 Mpa and generally standard G550, or reaching 2x the strength from conventional melted steel which is more than 240 Mpa.

Impact of heating strategies towards energy-efficient buildings

Mitigating climate change and its impact requires intensive efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, transition to renewable energy sources, and implement sustainable practices. Intermittent heating is considered a sustainable and effective way to achieve energy savings compared with continuous heating mode. However, recent studies have found that energy savings from intermittent heating depend on several factors, namely the building envelope solution. Therefore, this work intends to fill the research gap by comparing the energy efficiency and thermal performance of different construction systems, using two real-scale test cells, one built with a Light Steel Framing (LSF) solution and the other with concrete and Hollow Brick Masonry (HBM) solution. An experimental monitoring campaign was performed during the heating season, aimed at analysing the energy consumption, the responsiveness of the test cells to the heating system, and the influence of the outdoor climate on energy consumption, considering different heating strategies (intermittent patterns and continuous). In general, the LSF test cell registered lower energy consumption when compared to the HBM test cell. However, the LSF test cell presented significant fluctuations of the indoor temperature, confirming that it is more susceptible to the outdoor climate conditions. This research concluded that a system with lower thermal inertia has superior energy saving potential.

Innovative Point Cloud Segmentation of 3D Light Steel Framing System through Synthetic BIM and Mixed Reality Data: Advancing Construction Monitoring

In recent years, mixed reality (MR) technology has gained popularity in construction management due to its real-time visualisation capability to facilitate on-site decision-making tasks. The semantic segmentation of building components provides an attractive solution towards digital construction monitoring, reducing workloads through automation techniques. Nevertheless, data shortages remain an issue in maximizing the performance potential of deep learning segmentation methods. The primary aim of this study is to address this issue through synthetic data generation using Building Information Modelling (BIM) models. This study presents a point-cloud-based deep learning segmentation approach to a 3D light steel framing (LSF) system through synthetic BIM models and as-built data captured using MR headsets. A standardisation workflow between BIM and MR models was introduced to enable seamless data exchange across both domains. A total of five different experiments were set up to identify the benefits of synthetic BIM data in supplementing actual as-built data for model training. The results showed that the average testing accuracy using solely as-built data stood at 82.88%. Meanwhile, the introduction of synthetic BIM data into the training dataset led to an improved testing accuracy of 86.15%. A hybrid dataset also enabled the model to segment both the BIM and as-built data captured using an MR headset at an average accuracy of 79.55%. These findings indicate that synthetic BIM data have the potential to supplement actual data, reducing the costs associated with data acquisition. In addition, this study demonstrates that deep learning has the potential to automate construction monitoring tasks, aiding in the digitization of the construction industry.

BUILDING LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF A COLLECTIVE HOUSING BUILDING IN PORTUGAL CONSIDERING DIFFERENT STRUCTURAL MATERIALS

AbstractIn recent years, the focus on reducing the environmental impact of construction has shifted from operational carbon emissions to embodied carbon or materials due to the constant decarbonization of the energy sector. This paper compares the life‐cycle assessment (LCA) of a collective housing building in Portugal, examining four structural solutions: composite steel and concrete, light steel framing, prefabricated reinforced concrete, and cross‐laminated timber load‐bearing walls. This study aims to aid construction professionals in making environmentally informed decisions by comparing design options composed of different materials and highlighting potential improvements in environmental performance.

STUDY ON THE STRUCTURAL AND THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF A COLD‐FORMED STEEL FRAME PANEL UNDER FIRE CONDITIONS

AbstractThe Light Steel Frame (LSF) construction system is a method that utilizes light and galvanized steel structures composed of cold‐formed profiles. These profiles come together to create both structural and non‐structural frames, with various coatings. However, in fire situations, the metal structure can be affected, altering its mechanical properties and potentially leading to collapse. This study examined the behavior of a Steel Frame structural panel coated with gypsum boards during a fire, using numerical analyses with the ANSYS software. The results provided insights into the fire resistance of the structure.

Numerical investigation and design of lightweight aggregate concrete-filled cold-formed built-up box section (CFBBS) stub columns under axial compression

Cold-formed built-up box sections (CFBBS) have emerged as a promising solution for applications in light gauge steel framing systems and modular construction. However, they suffer from the inherent local buckling effect. Concrete infill has proven effective in mitigating this issue, yet existing codified provisions lack specific guidelines for the design of concrete-filled CFBBS stub columns. This paper proposed a design methodology that aims to predict the ultimate compressive strength of lightweight concrete-filled CFBBS stub columns. Leveraging finite element (FE) modelling techniques, this study augmented the existing test database and shed light on parametric influences, considering practical considerations, on the structural performances and axial compressive behaviour. The proposed design approach demonstrated superior prediction accuracy and consistency compared to other evaluated design approaches in this study.

Sound Transmission Loss in Light Steel Framing Walls With Vermiculite and Recycled-pet Fiber

Due to the demand for multifamily constructions, there is an increasing need for buildings with enhanced acoustic comfort. This study evaluated the acoustic performance of facade walls in the Light Steel Framing (LSF) construction system, using recycled-PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate) fiber and vermiculite board according to ISO 10140:2021 (Acoustics – Laboratory measurement of sound insulation of building elements). Experimental tests on sound transmission loss (STL) were conducted on LSF walls, comprised of two plates (a fiber cement board and an OSB (Oriented Strand Board) separated by an air gap. Four different internal cavity configurations were considered herein: a prototype without any material inside the wall; the second configuration with only recycled-PET fiber inside; the third configuration with solely vermiculite board inside; and the last model with both recycled-PET fiber and vermiculite board inside the wall. The ‘composite’LSF wall with two sound absorbing materials inside, achieved the value of STL equal to 37 dB. It complies with the minimum requirements of the Brazilian Standard NBR 15575-4 (ABNT, 2021) for facades. Furthermore, this study introduces a new approach for LSF walls which considers the introduction of vermiculite boardin between the external boards.

Customary light-gauge steel framing construction with flat strap bracing: seismicity limits for low to mid-rise buildings in Europe

AbstractOrdinary (customary) light gauge steel framing is a convenient construction technology; however, given the studs low axial capacity, it has been considered mainly for low-rise buildings in low seismicity regions. This paper investigates the boundaries of application of this type of steel framing (in moderate and high seismicity areas) by designing the structures of three representative 5, 7 and 10-storey buildings in order to examine their feasibility. The necessity of using built-up columns consisting of two or more sections is investigated. The axial capacity of studs is estimated by code-type analyses. The critical buckling stress is determined with well-known closed-form expressions; as they do not contemplate the flexibility of the screwed connections (in built-up sections), the obtained results are complemented with those of the finite strip method and generalized beam theory formulations.

Experimental Assessment and Validation of the Hygrothermal Behaviour of an Innovative Light Steel Frame (LSF) Wall Incorporating a Monitoring System

Currently, the construction sector is witnessing a growing demand for lightweight solutions, which can be justified by the need to adopt high-performance solutions and the fact that the industry is struggling with a shortage of skilled labour. In this sense, this study focuses on a novel and flexible building wall system, constructed using an innovative extensible LSF profile. To enhance its functionality, a monitoring system comprising printed sensors was integrated into the wall. These sensors underwent a thorough verification process. To evaluate the hygrothermal performance of the complete LSF wall solution and validate the novel monitoring system, an extensive ageing test focused on heat/rain, freeze/thaw cycles was conducted on a large-scale wall prototype. Additionally, this research introduces a novel approach by simulating exceptional solar radiation conditions, surpassing the standard cycles outlined in EAD 040083-00-0404, for the first time in this kind of solution. The results cover the measurements taken inside the building system using the incorporated monitoring system. Additionally, supplementary external temperature and heat flow sensors were used to determine the thermal transmittance. Visual and thermography inspections were also carried out. The findings reveal no instances of failures or defects that could potentially impact the hygrothermal behaviour of the system. The hybrid LSF constructive solution leads to more stable temperatures on the inner surface. The presence of direct solar radiation can raise surface temperatures by up to 5 °C compared to surfaces not exposed to such radiation, even when a light-coloured surface is used. The monitoring system worked correctly. In conclusion, the innovative profile proved to be resistant to hygrothermal cycles and the monitoring system developed is efficient.

Numerical study of the fire behaviour of external walls in light steel framing

This study focuses on the fire behaviour of external walls in Light Steel Frame (LSF) structures. Previous investigations have primarily addressed the fire behaviour of internal wall configurations, however, the increasing number of fires affecting external walls shows that their behaviour must also be understood.Therefore, this work investigates the fire behaviour of these elements, presenting a numerical study of six different typologies usually found in LSF practice by analysing the temperature evolution across the wall and in the steel profiles. The results show that the temperature evolution is slower when the fire is impacting the outer side of the wall but, in these cases, the recommended critical temperature of 350 °C is reached earlier in the steel profiles. Finally, this work shows that more studies are necessary to describe the fire resistance of external walls, in particular when these elements have a loadbearing function.

Intelligent Design Concept of Rural Light Steel Frame Structure Based on BIM Technology and Genetic Algorithm

Intelligent Design Concept of Rural Light Steel Frame Structure Based on BIM Technology and Genetic Algorithm

Investigation on Buckling Performance of Prefabricated Light Steel Frame Materials under the Action of Random Defects during Construction.

This investigation proposes an analytical approach for analyzing the impact of random defects on light steel frame materials. The addition of random defects for the overall and the component units was achieved by integrating Matlab R2022a and Ansys R19.0 finite element software. Nonlinear analysis was conducted to calculate ultimate load factors and nodal ultimate displacements of the materials under various random defects at each stage of construction. A two-factor analysis was employed to investigate the effects of random defects on the calculation results during different construction stages. The investigation reveals that the response of the light steel frame materials to initial defects is more pronounced during the construction stage. Moreover, the construction stage is the main factor that affects the ultimate load factor and nodal ultimate displacement, compared with random defects. The influence of different random defects on structural displacements varies significantly. The displacement development of the light steel frame materials under the influence of component unit defects tends to be more rapid than that of the overall defects. However, their buckling critical loads are essentially similar.

Experimental Study on Axial Compressive Performance of Light-Steel Skeleton–Cement–Fly Ash Foam Wallboard

Foamed cement fly ash is a new type of lightweight construction material that can be combined with a light steel frame to form light-steel skeleton–cement–fly ash foam wallboard (LSSCFAFW). The research on the axial compressive performance of light steel and light concrete composite wallboard is relatively limited. Four pieces of LSSCFAFWs were manufactured, and the impact of stand column quantity and various filler parameters on the LSSCFAFW was investigated. The failure mode of the wallboard and the influence of different parameter variables on its axial compressive performance were obtained through experiments. Moreover, the test results indicated essentially the same damage patterns in terms of stand-column buckling, filler crushing, and self-tapping screw failure. The addition of polypropylene fiber to this wallboard can prevent filler from falling off. The axial compressive performance of the LSSCFAFW demonstrates a direct proportion with the number of columns and cement content, improving as the number of stand columns and the cement content increase. However, the addition of polypropylene fiber to the filler has a minimal effect on the axial compressive performance of this wallboard. Compared to the control group, increasing the number of stand columns, adding 0.4% polypropylene fibers, and increasing the cement dosage to 50% improved the ultimate bearing capacity of the wallboards by 12%, 8%, and 56% respectively. The result of this study can provide references for the research and application of light steel frame to form LSSCFAFW.

Automated Optimum Design of Light Steel Frame Structures in Chinese Rural Areas Using Building Information Modeling and Simulated Annealing Algorithm

Many manual calculations and repeated modeling are required during the traditional structural design process. However, due to the high cost, rural buildings in China cannot be professionally designed and verified by designers as urban buildings, and their safety and economy cannot easily meet the requirements. Building Information Modeling (BIM) technology and intelligent optimization algorithms can effectively improve the structural design process and reduce design costs, but their applications in the field of rural residential buildings in China are limited. Therefore, this paper presents an innovative framework that realizes the structural design of rural light steel frame structures on the BIMBase platform (widely used BIM software in China, BIMBase 2023R1.3). Based on the parametric library of structural components built on standardized component coding, the framework completes the rapid modeling of rural light steel frame structures and the interaction between the BIMBase platform and structural analysis software, SATWE. The improved two-stage simulated annealing (SA) algorithm is applied to the structural design of rural buildings to obtain a design scheme that meets the design requirements and reduces the material consumption as much as possible. Two prefabricated rural light steel frame structures were analyzed to evaluate the efficiency of the proposed framework. The results show the feasibility of the proposed framework. Compared with traditional manual design methods, the design period can be reduced by six times while maintaining comparable levels of material consumption and structural design indicators.

Effect of seismic load on behaviour of RCC, composite and light steel building analysed using ETABS software: A comparative study

In the modern world, light steel framing system is increasing progressively owing to its advantage over conventional RCC construction. RCC structures are bulky and have more seismic weight. On the other hand, light steel structures are more ductile which increases the seismic performance of buildings. In composite construction, the properties of RCC and steel structures are combined adding to some more advantages such as fire protection and speedy construction. This research emphasizes the use of light steel frame building over RCC construction. In the present study, seismic performance of a G + 3 residential building which is located in Earthquake Zone II is evaluated using Equivalent Static Method of seismic analysis. The 3D model for each type of structures i.e., RCC, composite and light steel building is modelled separately and compared with each other. ETABS 2016 software is used and results are compared on the basis of story drift, maximum story displacement, shear force and bending moment. In addition, material cost of all building frames is also determined.

CORROSION OF GALVANISED AND UNGALVANISED COLD-FORMED STEEL IN CHLORIDE AND SULPHATE SOLUTIONS

The light steel framing is widely use around the world to replace the conventional construction method. However, there are some factors that affect the corrosion rate of the steel framing structures. The factors are oxygen, humidity, sulphate, chloride and copper sulphate which highly contain in seawater regions or specifically coastal area. Hence, all these factors that influence the corrosion rate of the steel framing shall be study to determine the service life and the maintenance required throughout their service life. This paper studies the effect of the chloride, sulphate and the rainwater to the light steel framing structure and the corrosion resistance that provided by the zinc coating on the surface of the steel. The galvanized steel and ungalvanized steel are immersed in different concentration of sodium chloride and copper sulphate solutions for 28 days. The corrosion rate is obtained by measured the weight loss of the steel coupons in the interval 7-days of the immersion time. Other than that, the corrosion rate in seawater is analysed by the result of 0.5 Mol of NaCl and 0.016 Mol of CuSO4. The corrosion rate for the NaCl and CuSO4 is much higher than the corrosion rate in the rainwater. The corrosion resistance that provided by the zinc coating is extremely higher compared to the steel that without the protection. Prediction equation of metal loss from experimental study is proposed for a reliable light steel structure in a function of time.

Delivering Sustainable Housing through Material Choice

Increasing importance is being placed on sustainability worldwide to limit climate change’s effects. In New Zealand, a sizeable increase in demand for housing is driving a residential construction boom, with new dwelling consents increasing yearly for the last decade. The New Zealand Government’s commitment to sustainability has become legislation through the Climate Change Response (Zero Carbon) Amendment Act 2019. Therefore, the next stage is how the construction industry can limit and reduce its carbon emissions through one of the strategies, namely material choice. This study was intended to examine the influence of various building materials on climate change and to identify how more sustainable home construction and design in New Zealand may contribute to the government’s 2050 emissions reduction targets. A life-cycle assessment (LCA) was used in this study to investigate the global warming potential (GWP) produced by five case study houses and various material options for building envelope components. The study focused on the environmental impact of materials with high usage in industry and potential new materials that have shown an ability to conform to the New Zealand Building Code standards. It was found that case study House 1 (with timber flooring founded on senton piles with concrete footings, a timber frame, plywood wall cladding, and metal roof cladding) and House 2 (with a concrete waffle slab, a light steel frame, masonry wall cladding, and metal roof cladding) had the lowest GWP emissions compared to the other case study houses, with 631.13 and 633.16 kg CO2eq/m2, respectively. However, it should be noted that all the case study houses were not similar in size and design. In addition, the study investigated the different building envelope material options for the foundation, wall cladding, framing, and roof cladding. The study found that some new materials or materials that are not common in New Zealand could be used as an option for the housing envelope by having lower carbon emissions, such as 3D-printed concrete blocks compared with brick and concrete masonry for wall cladding systems.