Load-Bearing Beam Measure and cut pieces of drywall to match the three exposed sides of the beam. Attach the drywall pieces to the beam using drywall screws. Apply drywall tape to the inside corners where the beam meets the ceiling. Apply joint compound to the inside and outside corners to finish the beam.

What Is Superstructures | Difference Between Load-Bearing and Framed Structures

Q: Load Bearing Structure

A load-bearing structure is a structure in which loads are transferred to the foundation through walls. This type of structure doesn't have beams and columns. The load-bearing walls are constructed over a continuous foundation and they're designed to carry the complete load, including their load.

Q: Load Bearing Construction

Load-bearing walls are made out of resistant materials, such as stone, steel, concrete, or brick. These materials make it possible to bear large loads without any deformations. Load-bearing walls act to support the building. They differ from other types of walls whose function is to separate spaces.

Q: Bearing Structure

A load bearing structure is a building structure where the load is moved vertically downwards through the walls of the structure. The weight is transferred from the roof to the walls which transfer to the foundation. The load bearing building structure is preferred for constructions of up to 2 floors only.

Table of Contents

What Is Superstructures?

The portion above the ground level and below the ground floor level is known as a plinth. The portion above the ground floor level is known as super-structure.

It includes columns, walls, beams, floors, roofs, doors, windows, lintels, staircases, etc. In this article types of super-structures based on the method of load, a transfer is first presented and then the various components are discussed giving their functions and types.

Also Read: Detail of Beam Connection | Simple Framing Connection | Semi-Rigid Framing Connection | Rigid Frame Connection

Types of Super Structures

On this basis, there are two types

Load Bearing Structures.
Framed Structures.

What Is Load Bearing Structures?

In this type of structure, the load in the structure is moved vertically downward through walls. Loads from roof and floors get moved to wall and then the wall must transfer these loads as well as self-weight.

Such constructions are used in residential buildings in which the dimension of rooms is less. Residential buildings up to ground + 2 floors can be built economically with such structures.

Also Read: What Is Pad Foundation | Failure of Pad Foundation | Pad Foundation Detail | Types of Pad Foundation | Design of the Pad Footing Depends on Several Factors

What Are Framed Structures?

In this type of structures, a framework of columns, beams, and floors is built first. Then the walls are built to partition the living area.

The walls are subjected to self-weight only. This type of super-structures is needed when the number of stories in a building are more and also when larger areas must be covered free from walls.

Also Read: All About Gabion Wall | What Is the Purpose of the Gabion Wall | Gabion Wall Construction

Load-Bearing Vs Framed Structures

[su_table responsive=”yes” alternate=”no”]

Sr. No.	Load Bearing Structure	Framed Structure
1	Cost is less.	Cost is more.
2	Suitable up to three stories.	Suitable for any number of stories.
3	Walls are thicker and hence floor area is reduced.	Walls are thinner and hence more floor area available for use.
4	Slow construction.	Speedy construction.
5	Not possible to alter the position of walls, after the construction	Position of walls may be changed, whenever necessary.
6	Resistance to earthquakes is poor.	Resistance to earthquake forces is good.
7	Taken deep into the subsoil foundation.	Only columns are taken deep into subsoil and provided with foundation footing.
8	Load Bearing Structure type of construction does not favor too many openings for windows, doors, ventilation, etc., in the ground floor as required for show room etc., as the load bearing length of wall is considerably reduced	The space between columns can remains as open space as the case with multi-storeyed residential flats where the ground floor is left with no walls for easy parking of vehicle.
9	In case of multi-storeyed buildings, the room area is reduced as we go down due to thicker walls.	Thickness of wall remains uniform, therefore the carpet area on any floor remains the same.
10	Plans for the different floors must be the same. Very little changes are only possible between one floor and the one above.	Plans of different floor are independent of each floor. The ground floor may have a commercial complex, first floor an office or a bank, and second floor onward of residential complexes of different types of plans and function within the same building.
11	May not withstand seismic forces and other forces and other types of vibration because composed of different blocks as bricks and stones being bonded together.	More rigid and withstand seismic forces because the entire frame of column, beam, and slabs act as one unit of R.C.C.
12	This construction was more labor-intensive.	This construction less labor-intensive, but it needs different skills.
13	In this Construction Life is not much affected even though some standards are not strictly followed.	In this Construction Life is reduced if not done with proper technique, and specifications i.e. codes are not strictly followed.
14	Construction of a load-bearing structure is cumbersome, particularly for earthquake-resistant structures.	Construction of a framed structure is otherwise simple.
15	Limitations for providing openings in walls, which will affect the light and ventilation in room.	Large openings in walls are possible.
16	Load-bearing structures can be constructed without expensive plants and machines as compared to a framed structure.	Framed structures require expensive plants and machines to construct.
17	Walls have to be built first as they support the slab/roof and hence all walls have to be built simultaneously which is time-consuming	Generally, RCC framed structure is constructed first and the external as well as partition walls are constructed later, hence speed is more.
18	In case of a load-bearing structure, large span areas are not possible. Limitation of span i.e. room sizes.	In case of a framed structure, large span areas are possible. No Limitation of span i.e. room sizes.

[/su_table]

[su_box title=”FAQ” style=”default” box_color=”#333333″ title_color=”#FFFFFF” radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

Load Bearing Structure

A load-bearing structure is a structure in which loads are transferred to the foundation through walls. This type of structure doesn’t have beams and columns. The load-bearing walls are constructed over a continuous foundation and they’re designed to carry the complete load, including their load.

Load Bearing Wall

Load-bearing walls, sometimes called simply “bearing walls,” support the weight of the floor or roof structure above them. They are designed to transfer the weight from the roof, through the floors and down to the foundation.

Load Bearing Construction

Load-bearing walls are made out of resistant materials, such as stone, steel, concrete, or brick. These materials make it possible to bear large loads without any deformations. Load-bearing walls act to support the building. They differ from other types of walls whose function is to separate spaces.

Rcc Framed Structure

RCC stands for Reinforced Concrete Cement. In a RCC framed structure, the load of the building structure is transferred from slabs to beams, then to the columns and lower columns, and eventually to the foundation.

Bearing Structure

A load bearing structure is a building structure where the load is moved vertically downwards through the walls of the structure. The weight is transferred from the roof to the walls which transfer to the foundation. The load bearing building structure is preferred for constructions of up to 2 floors only.

Load Bearing Beam

Load-Bearing Beam

Measure and cut pieces of drywall to match the three exposed sides of the beam.
Attach the drywall pieces to the beam using drywall screws.
Apply drywall tape to the inside corners where the beam meets the ceiling.
Apply joint compound to the inside and outside corners to finish the beam.

[/su_box]

[su_note note_color=”#F2F2F2 ” text_color=”#333333″ radius=”3″ class=”” id=””]

Like this post? Share it with your friends!

Suggested Read –

[/su_note]