Building Steel Shed Portal Frames pt 1

Portal frames are the most common form of structural framing used in Steel Sheds. This is part 1 of “Building Steel Shed Portal Frames” part 2 is here

Portal frame construction is typically seen in sheds, garages, warehouses, barns and other places where large, open spaces are required at a low cost and a pitched roof is acceptable or desired. Portal frames can be clad with all sorts of material, the most popular being metal cladding like Colorbond or Zincalume. The Roof and wall sheeting are fixed to Battens or Girts that are placed between the Portal Frames.

Generally portal frames consist of 2 Columns, 2 Rafters, 2 Knee plates, 2 footing brackets and an Apex plate. These components are fastened together with either nuts and bolts or tek screws, usually depending on the size, design or engineering requirments of the shed and the windspeeds and location of your building.An integral part of your Portal Column is the method that is used to fix the building down. Sheds are most commonly fixed down to a concrete slab or to concrete pad footings. Cast in slab brackets , straps or bolts are generally considered the most effective method to fix your shed down. Other methods that are used are on slab footings plates fixed down with either chemical anchors, screw bolts or sleeve anchors (dynabolts)

Most.portal.frame cee section columns are often connected to the rafters by folded brackets or plates called Knee Plates or Haunches. Depending on the shed brand and the engineering requirements for the building they are fastened with either nuts and bolts or self drilling metal screws. Even the number of bolts securing knee and apex plates to columns and rafters varies from brand to brand. Example of apex and knee plate varieties from two major shed suppliers.

 

Assembling and standing a Portal frame – Click here to continue reading.

You can purchase the components to build Portal Frames here, online, and have them delivered to you Australia wide.

Buy Portal Frame Component Kits – Click Here Buy Knee Plates – Click Here Buy Apex Plates – Click Here Buy Base Plates / Footing Brackets – Click Here