Concluding summary

• Steel frames are commonly used for multi storey construction, offering advantages of speed of construction, long spans, flexibility and structural efficiency
• The principal consideration is the system to support intermediate floors for gravity loads
• The structural system will depend on functional, technical and aesthetic requirements, and it is important to take a global approach when considering optimum design solutions
• The structural grid is defined principally by column positions and the main beams spanning between them, and is a very important design decision.
• The structural grid should coordinate with the planning module
• A range of alternative structural systems may be used for the floor framing.
• The influences can be considered with respect to the buildings plan, section and three dimensional form
• Simple forms are generally most cost-effective
• A variety of structural forms can be used to provide lateral stability.