Infrastructure Projects - Construction Technology
A Practical Guide to Construction Techniques and Practice
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Welcome to class 16. This is a continuation of our investigation of building commercial towers. in this case with the steel frame. Steel frame construction is quite typical when you get two structures of this height.
Here is the structural frame - in this case, it's a steel frame with concrete-filled floor slabs. This is the hung ceiling. The space above the ceiling is a planum, which will contain HVAC duct work, lighting, fire safety and other utilities. The space below, of course, is the occupied space. This suggests a window, but it's quite possible that you might have a completely glass exterior, but this suggests a window with the sill. The space between the windows are called spandrels. They are panels that occupy the space between the windows. This arrangement is an important feature in commercial buildings. It allows you to proceed with the structural frame independent of all of the utilities. That, of course, speeds up construction. There is no delay waiting for the various trades to install their piping and ductwork. You simply proceed from floor to floor and the utilities and the ceiling, all of the Interior finishes are applied later, and they are done independently. That's typically called tenant work. It's a very important profit center for the project. Since it is free and independent of the structural frame, the frame can go up that much more quickly. |
![]() This is quite different. This tower is very short, and it climbs with the structural frame of the building. This is the tower. Below it is the foundation for the tower. This red frame is the bottom frame, which is supporting the tower. It is also attached to the four columns by means of retractable lugs. Here you see a bracket on the column ready to receive it in its next position.
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