General Information

Figure 1 shows the construction site of a commercial building extension.

Commercial building extension.
Commercial building extension

Beams and Purlins

Figure 2 shows a schematic cross-section of the structure.

Cross-section.
Schematic cross-section of a commercial building extension

The new steel structure consists mainly of columns, beams, purlins, sag rods, and metal roofing sheets. The continuous I-beam has five supports (A to E); the overhang m ≅ 2.5 m, and the main span s ≅ 12 m. Figures 3 and 4 show the main span (s).

Main span (s).
I-beam 150 for a 12 m span

The I-beam height h ≅ 15 cm, and the purlin height hp ≅ 10 cm.

Span (s).
I-beam and purlin span

The purlin span p ≅ 5 m, while the purlin span q ≅ 9 m. A purlin consists of a built-up section made of two side-by-side placed rectangular hollow sections that are joined by intermittent welding. Figure 5 shows a roof structure sector, while figure 6 shows a schematic cross-section of the I-beam and the purlin.

Steel roof structure.
Steel roof structure sector of a building extension

Sag rods are installed between the purlins.

I-beam and Purlin.
I-beam cross-section and built-up purlin cross-section
  • What are some possible reasons to install the above shown purlin type?
    What is the purpose of the installed sag rods?
  • The finished building extension has a suspended ceiling with gypsum boards, as shown in figure 7.

    Suspended ceiling.
    Suspended ceiling structure

    The suspended ceiling is connected to the purlins by steel ceiling wires.

  • Is the I-beam probably over-, under-, or standard-designed?
  • Connection Between I-Beam and RC Column

    Figure 8 shows the I-beam between supports A and B, while figures 9 and 10 show the connection to the RC column (support A).

    I-beam and supports A and B.
    I-beam between two steel columns
    Connection between I-beam and RC column (support A).
    Connection between I-beam and reinforced concrete column

    The I-beam is connected to an end plate by a welded rebar, and the end plate is connected to four anchor bolts. The anchor bolt layout is asymmetric, and two of them adjoin the end plate, which has three circular holes and a broken corner.

    Connection between I-beam and RC column (support A).
    Connection between I-beam and reinforced concrete column
  • What are the main problems of the above shown connection?
  • Metal Roofing Sheets

    Figure 11 shows a roof structure sector.

    Steel roof structure.
    Holed metal roofing sheet

    There is a hole in the metal sheet.

  • What are some possible causes of the hole?
    What are the main consequences?