Introduction
Atrium structures, which provide enclosed spaces between building blocks, invariably use steel framing.
Atria are, by definition, voids between occupied blocks of building. Their enclosures, usually predominantly transparent or translucent, are technologies in themselves but interact strongly with the structure and treatment of the buildings surrounding them. The main building frame will probably derive economies from the use of an atrium, being lower and wider than it would otherwise have been. The atrium form encourages lower, site-covering buildings which will have more foundations but less wind load problems than a taller structure.
This section concentrates on the design of structures carrying the roof, and walls if any, of the atrium space. Although there are small numbers of atria constructed using other structural materials, steel is used for the great majority of atria because its high strength to weight ratio facilitates a transparent form.
