Just like the human body, which has a skeleton and the rest of the organs and limbs are located on or inside it, and this skeleton supports the body’s organs, the structure plays the same role in building construction. But what is the structure of a building? The structure acts as a skeleton, and the rest of the building materials enclose the structure and strengthen it. The strength of the structure must be such that it can both withstand and properly transfer the load applied to it.

In architectural structures, the force is transferred from the beam to the main beam and from the main beam to the columns; the columns also transfer this force to the foundation of the building. So, the foundation of the building is a structure to bear structural loads and distribute loads on the ground. The structure is the first part of building construction. First, the structure is designed and implemented, and then the rest of the building parts are implemented. Various structures are used in building construction; the structure must be implemented correctly, and the use of high-quality materials also affects the quality and stability of the final structure. Before choosing a structure, it is also recommended to pay attention to phase zero studies .

Types of structures in architecture

Types of building structures are divided into different categories based on the materials used and the method of implementation:

• ICF building structure
• LSF building structure
• Panel building structures
• Prestressed building structure
• Space-based or space-based building structure

Next, we will examine each type of structure in more detail.

ICF building structure in architecture

One type of structure in construction, the ICF building structure, which stands for Insulating Concrete Formwork, is known as permanent insulating formwork. In this model, concrete walls that include permanent concrete formwork are used. After the concrete is poured, these forms are considered part of the wall and play the role of thermal insulation. This model of new building structures in Iran is somewhat included in the category of types of concrete structures.

ICF structure

The ICF system consists of components such as: expanded polystyrene, connectors connecting the polystyrene on both sides of the wall, horizontal and vertical rebars and concrete. The connectors can be either made of expanded polystyrene or made of materials such as: high-density polypropylene, high-strength polystyrene, galvanized sheet or rebar. These connectors must be of such dimensions and number that they can withstand the load from concreting and fresh concrete. The concrete used in the ICF system must be at least C10 class and its slump must be between 100-150 mm.

Methods of implementing the ICF system

The ICF system is implemented in three ways, based on the shape of the insulation and formwork:

• Flat or flat system (Flat wall core with foam in place)
• Continuous grid systems (Waffles grid core with foam removed for clarity)
• Discontinuous perforated grid system (Screen grid core with foam removed for clarity)

Advantages of the ICF system

This system has several economic and technical advantages:

• High speed of implementation and as a result, rapid return on investment
• Creating integrated insulation and thus reducing energy costs
• No need for skilled labor
• No need for roof piling and skeleton construction
• Increases building strength and earthquake resistance due to system integrity
• High thickness of concrete walls and minimal pores inside the walls, resulting in sound insulation of 45 dB.
• Thermal insulation up to 82%
• Moisture insulation up to 90%
• Fire resistant for up to two hours
• High speed installation of doors, windows, wiring and plumbing of the building

LSF building structure in architecture

LSF stands for Lightweight Steel Frame, which is a type of building structure. This is a prefabricated building structure that is manufactured in a factory and shipped to the installation site; then, these components are connected together based on a pre-determined plan.

In this model of building structures, thin steel sheets with galvanized coating are used, which are earthquake-resistant and are also a type of lightweight structure. Bolts and nuts and welding are used to connect these steel structures, and the walls can be filled with different materials as desired. Panel models are also a type of lightweight building structures, which we will discuss below.

The LSF structure is composed of various components such as cold-rolled steel sheets, gypsum board sheets as the inner covering, and a heat and sound insulation layer.

LSF structure implementation method

To implement this structure, the foundation is built; (As we said, a structure that is built to bear structural loads and distribute loads on the ground is called a foundation.) Then the walls are installed, and then the roof is built, and the interior and exterior coatings are made with different materials. After the coatings are implemented, the electrical and mechanical installations are implemented, and finally the doors and windows are installed.

Advantages of the LSF system

LSF structures have many potential benefits, including:

• Very low weight
• Simple installation and operation, resulting in reduced labor costs and downtime
• High and uniform quality in all structures
• High resistance and hardness
• Possibility of implementing and installing the structure in all weather conditions
• High resistance to heat, fire, chemical corrosion and weathering, earthquakes, etc.
• Very long life
• The ability to fully recycle materials and very little need for other non-recyclable materials

Of course, this structure has disadvantages, including the need for specialized personnel to implement it and a limit on the number of floors.

Panel building structure in architecture

This model is a type of reinforced concrete building structure that uses semi-prefabricated load-bearing walls using permanent insulation formwork instead of beams and columns. The parts of these prefabricated structures are transported to the installation site in advance. After the walls and roof are constructed, their sides are insulated with concrete. Because the walls and roof are integral in this system, the load distribution and resistance to external forces such as earthquakes are almost uniform and homogeneous. Prefabricated panels are used as load-bearing walls or horizontal diaphragms as the load-bearing structure of the building or as non-load-bearing separating walls. In typical concrete and steel structures, this type of system is used as a shear wall for lateral load-bearing.

Panel structures are made up of components including two layers of metal mesh placed on the sides, a layer of polystyrene foam placed between the two metal layers, and side wires to connect the three layers together.

Advantages of the panel system

The advantages of the panel system include:

• Low thickness of exterior walls
• High speed of installation and preparation of panels
• Easy preparation of materials
• Resistant to transportation
• High resistance to shear forces caused by earthquakes due to structural integrity
• Proper ventilation of perimeter walls
• Low weight of the building due to the lightness of the roof and prefabricated walls
• Insulation against heat, moisture and sound
• Increasing the useful life of the building
• No need for plaster and soil due to concrete spraying on the sides of the panels
• Short construction time

Of course, this system has disadvantages such as: the inability to recycle materials, the high thickness of the interior walls, the inability to repair and replace parts, and the possibility of water absorption by the outer concrete layer.

Prestressed building structure is one type of structure.

Prestressed building structure is another type of structure. Although concrete has high compressive strength, which is one of its advantages, it does not perform well against tensile stresses. For this reason, concrete is mostly used as a building material. In prestressing theory, applying permanent pressure before applying operating loads is used to reduce or eliminate tensile stresses. With a stretched steel cable and restraining it from both sides, permanent compressive stress is created in the concrete. In prestressed sections, by moving the position of the cable, the amount and distribution of compressive stress can be controlled.

Prestressed building structure

Prestressed structures consist of components including: precast concrete, protective channels, anti-corrosion coatings or grouts, and stainless steel strands or bars that are tensioned before or during construction. In the case of protective channels, prestressed steel is placed in place, thereby allowing the steel to have the necessary movement capability when necessary and after applying tensile force to the concrete.

Implementation of prestressed concrete structure

These structures are manufactured in a factory and transported to the desired location. The prestressed strands are installed as specified in the drawing and the concrete is poured. The strands are stretched and locked when the required strength, which is between 3000-3500 psi, is achieved.

Prestressing has different types such as: free and bonded. In the free state, the steel cable or rebar is not bonded to the surrounding concrete and this system is usually a single strand. In the bonded system, two or more strands are passed through a metal or plastic protective conduit. This conduit is pre-embedded in the concrete.

Space-working or spatial building structure in architecture

A space-frame building structure is another type of structure. This structure is a three-dimensional truss system with spans extending in both directions and its components are under tension and compression. From a morphological perspective, a space-frame structure is a collection of similar structures that include: grids, arches, towers, cable networks, shell and membrane systems, folding structures, and tension-braced combinations. This system is usually used to build structures that do not require columns. A space-frame structure consists of components including nodes, main body members including profiles, and supports. Nodes are used for connections. The most common sections used in space-frame structures are circular sections, either solid or hollow, and angle or box sections. The shape and position of the supports in space-frame structures have a great influence on the distribution of forces.

Space-working structures come in different types in terms of structure:

• Two-layer networks
• Three-layer networks
• Steel structures
• Dome structures
• Folding structures
• Wind-blown structures
• Satellite structures
• Space bridge structures

In addition, space-saving structures are divided into categories based on materials: steel structures, aluminum structures, and wooden structures.

Advantages of the space-saving structure

The advantages of the space-saving structure are as follows:

• Reduce construction time
• Passage of facilities through the implemented structure
• No span restrictions in space-saving structures
• Light weight
• High structural safety
• High resistance to events such as fire, storm, explosion, etc.
• Having the ability to open and close the structure again

Now that you are familiar with the types of structures and their resistances, it is better to learn a little about building insurance. What is building insurance and what does it include? What types of insurance should we have for buildings so that we can compensate for some of the damages in the event of an accident?

Building insurance

One of the discussions that is raised about buildings is the issue of their insurance. Much has been said about the benefits of building insurance, automobile insurance, etc., and we are all aware of these benefits. As for insurance, it is enough to know that by insuring our property and belongings, we only have to pay a small fee, which is not actually a fee, because it is considered a kind of investment. When your building has the necessary coverage according to the fire insurance guide, in the event of fire, explosion, or lightning, if any damage is caused to your building, the insurance company will compensate you for the damage. So, in fact, the fee you have paid will be returned to you on the day of the accident.

Fire insurance is not just for accidents like fire, lightning, and explosions. It also includes other coverages, including earthquake, flood, and other accidents, which you can optionally add to your building insurance coverage for a small additional fee.

Building fire insurance has different prices depending on the strength and type of structure. To be aware of the cost of insuring your building, whether industrial or non-industrial, the easiest way is to use the Bimah.com system. Using this system, which is the most reliable and comprehensive online insurance system in the country, you can not only inquire about the cost of fire insurance for your building, but also compare different insurance companies and, after making sure that you have chosen the desired insurance, purchase fire insurance through this system.

Final words

In this article, we introduced the types of structures , their advantages and resistances. The structure is the skeleton of the building and its resistance is very important, so to choose the right structure, you should do a lot of research and studies so that you do not get into trouble in the future. What is your experience or opinion on this matter? If you have any questions about this, you can ask them in the comments section so that the engineers of BorjSazan Parsian Company will answer you as soon as possible.