Purlins

Purlins are cold rolled sections formed from light steel. These sections are used to support the
external cladding of the building. They are connected to the structural framework by bolting onto
cleats welded onto the columns or rafters. They can also be used to provide lateral stability to the
portal frame by adding stays to restrain the compression flange of the column or rafter. Steel
purlins are designed to carry load in one direction only, that is at right angles to the roof plane.
They cannot be allowed to deflect from that line.

Bridging
Steel purlins are designed to carry load in one direction only, that is at right angles to the roof
plane. They cannot be allowed to deflect from that line. Bridging is a method of stopping
deflection and thereby increasing the carrying capacity of any particular section.

Fly brace
A brace from the bottom flange of a rafter to a roof purlin that restrains the rafter laterally.

Wind brace
A structural member that stiffens a structure against the forces of the wind. It can be timber or
metal, strut (in compression) or a tie (in tension).

Castellated Beam
Castellated beams offer users flexibility, reduced weight, space and aesthetics, while lowering
costs. Castellated beams have greater resistance to deflection, and can accommodate services.
Castellated beams have a deeper section than a comparable solid beam, which has a greater
resistance to deflection. They are therefore most often used in long span applications with light
or moderate loadings, particularly roofs. Since the weight of steel has not changed, the structural
efficiency of the section in bending has been increased. A further advantage of castellated beams
is the holes in the web which provide a route for services.

Haunched Connection
The haunch is an effective method of locally increasing the capacity of the rafter at point of
highest loading. It is cut from the rafter section and extends for 10% of the span at the eaves.
Connection of the haunched rafter to the column is by an end plate. Due to the high loading
transferred to the column, a stiffener is often required in the web of the column opposite the
flange of the haunch to prevent local buckling.
Bracing
Horizontal wind loads are transferred to the foundations through diagonal bracing. There are
many different configurations of bracing but all look to use triangulation to transfer the loading.
Wall and roof bracing is normally provided in selected bays, often at the end of buildings. Eaves
beams or horizontal bracing are used to transfer the loading along the structure to the diagonal
bracing and then to the foundations