- April 17, 2024
If you are looking for new infrastructure for a large-scale project, clear span steel buildings would be most suitable. Where conventional materials like wood or concrete take a long time to set up and demand high upkeep, metal structures take less time, labor, and upkeep costs.
Traditional structures become more complex in design as they scale in size. However, with structural steel, building large-scale structures is not only possible but also affordable and simple. With clear span buildings, anyone can build large-scale infrastructure without any obstruction. Let’s see what it is and some potential applications.
What Are Clear Span Buildings?
A clear span is a steel building with no internal beams or support columns. It allows the free flow of space and maximum use of available square footage. The frame is made with rafters, side columns, and eave & ridge haunch.
These are simple to design. The roof’s weight is distributed equally among rafters, side columns, and the base. We recommend concrete slabs for steel clear span buildings.
What Are Its Features?
Length: How long do you want your metal building to be? The length can be chosen according to the project and the land available.
Width: The clear span can be up to 300 ft. wide. Some builders even offer a wider span.
Height: You can generally construct a steel building as high as 40 ft., but some metal builders offer up to 60 to 80 ft. as well.
For instance, Boeing’s Everett Factory complex has a clear span of 350 ft. and is about 90 ft. high. Its main building is about 1 km long and ½ km wide. It can accommodate a total of 911 basketball courts.
Types Of Clear Span Buildings
Rigid Frame
Here, the frame is constructed using rigid. It is the joint where two metal beams meet each other. This type of clear span is used to build larger structures. You can have either straight side columns or tapered side columns.
Single Slope
As the name suggests, here, the frame is tilted to one side, creating a single slope. This facilitates one-sided drainage. This type of clear span is good for a smaller metal building. It drains rainwater quickly.
Why Are Clear Span Steel Buildings Most Suitable Choice For Large-Scale Projects?
1. Large Obstruction Free Space
Steel clear span buildings are the most economical when it comes to offering space for infrastructure. You get 100% of usable space without any hindering support columns. So, you can easily set up a large warehouse, distribution center, or theater with an unobstructed view.
The large size and clear span option make a metal building extremely versatile. You can even customize these structures by adding features like:
- A mezzanine floor for creating extra space
- A lean-to for creating a shaded patio area
- Extra windows, including clerestory windows
- Various door styles like roll-on, side-hinged, walk-in, etc.
- Natural lighting sources include skylights, solar tubes, ridge lighting, etc.
Time and money are crucial factors when it comes to large-scale projects. Building a metal building takes less time than conventional buildings, and since assembling is quick, a business can start early on. Installing clear-span metal buildings is less labor-intensive and saves money.
2. Best Acoustics
When insulated and sealed properly, clear span structures reduce the amount of noise transfer and help shut out external noise from falling rain or hail storms. So, you can easily construct an auditorium to organize a play or set up a manufacturing or processing unit without disturbing neighbors.
The walls will absorb any machine work or loud activities inside. This will help find a space close to the city and reduce the time and cost of transportation of goods from and to the retail shops.
3. Low Maintenance
Metal structures are extremely durable and robust by nature. High-quality galvanized steel is rust-resistant and can last for decades without needing a touch of re-painting. Steel structures can withstand high-speed winds, hail storms, seismic activities, and heavy snowfall. They are all weather-resistant.
Not only that, but you don’t need to worry about frequent pest control, as metal panels and frames do not attract termite colonies to feed and nest. Rafters do not need trusses to hold them, so there is no place inside the clear span structure for birds to rest or nest.
Since steel clear span buildings are large, you may think cleaning them will take a lot of effort. But that isn’t so. You will need water, a pressure washer at the lowest setting, and a mild detergent to clean the building. Once cleaned, let it air dry.
Metal is inorganic and non-porous, so it does not absorb water from air or rain. The same is not true for wooden beams. They absorb water, which leads to fungus buildup that slowly eats away the timber. Since there is no fungus, mold, or mildew, metal structures need less repair or replacement.
Overall, a steel clear span structure retains its structural integrity with time. These buildings can be designed to be energy efficient, reducing pressure on the HVAC system and thereby decreasing energy bills. Being said that, let’s see where you can use clear span metal buildings.
Clear Span Structures Are Versatile Buildings For Large Scale Projects
Here are a few common applications for clear span structures for large-scale projects.
1. Agricultural Industry
A large structure such as a clear span can be sectioned and used as follows:
- Hay & feed storage along with livestock shelter and tack room or milking parlor
- Storage house for farm vehicles, large machinery, farm tools, and crop sacks
2. Industrial Use
- Warehouse with a mezzanine floor to create extra space for logistics, distribution centers, goods, and products
- Manufacturing unit setup with long conveyor belt for operations
- Large retail and factory outlets with sections at the back to store inventory
- Cold storage for perishable items like packaged food and medicines
3. Transportation
- Aviation storage and maintenance area for keeping aircraft for personal to commercial uses
- Automobile assembly lines and showrooms
- Crane metal buildings for loading and unloading container shipments at port
4. Recreational
- Commercial large sports complexes for indoor archery, baseball, or basketball
- Indoor riding arenas for horse enthusiasts
- Concert events, exhibitions, and auditorium for play
Learn More About Clear Span Buildings
Call (704)-741-1587 to discuss your dream project with our team. We offer a range of customization options tailored to each client’s project. Viking Metal Garages designs clear span steel buildings for commercial, residential, and agricultural purposes. So, don’t delay! Call now to get the most amazing offers.
Alabama