7.2 HSS Columns vs. W Shapes 1. Occupancy or Use.

The design of columns in industrial buildings includes con- 2. Design Loads (Uniform and Concentrated).
siderations that do not apply to other types of structures.
Interior columns can normally be braced only at the top and 3. Deflection Criteria.
bottom, thus square HSS columns are desirable due to their
equal stiffness about both principal axes. Difficult connec- 4. Surface Type.
tions with HSS members can be eliminated in single-story a. Raised pattern plate.
frames by placing the beams over the tops of the HSS. Thus b. Smooth plate.
a simple to fabricate cap plate detail with bearing stiffeners c. Concrete composite slab.
on the girder web may be designed. Other advantages of d. Concrete non-composite slab.
HSS columns include the fact that they require less paint e. Hollow core slabs (topped or untopped).
than equivalent W shapes, and they are pleasing aestheti- f. Plywood.
cally.
W shapes may be more economical than HSS for exterior 5. Guard rail requirements, including removable sections.
columns for the following reasons:
6. Future Expansion.
1. The wall system (girts) may be used to brace the weak
axis of the column. It should be noted that a stiffener 7. Vibration Control.
or brace may be required for the column if the inside
column flange is in compression and the girt connec- 8. Lateral Stability Requirements.
tion is assumed to provide a braced point in design.
7.4 Economic Considerations
2. Bending moments due to wind loads predominate
about one axis. As previously mentioned, bay sizes and column spacing are
often dictated by the function of the building. Economics,
3. It is easier to frame girt connections to a W shape than however, should also be considered. In general, as bay sizes
to a HSS section. Because HSS have no flanges, extra increase, the weight of the horizontal framing increases.
clip angles are required to connect girts. This will mean additional cost unless offset by savings in
foundations or erection. Studies have indicated that square
7.3 Mezzanine and Platform Framing or slightly rectangular bays usually result in more econom-
ical structures.
Mezzanines and platforms are often required in industrial In order to evaluate various framing schemes, a prototype
buildings. The type of usage dictates design considerations. general merchandise structure was analyzed using various
For proper design the designer needs to consider the fol- spans and component structural elements. The structure was
lowing design parameters: a 240-ft × 240-ft building with a 25-ft eave height. The total

20 / DESIGN GUIDE 7 / INDUSTRIAL BUILDINGS—ROOFS TO ANCHOR RODS, 2ND EDITION