Difference Between Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure | What Is Load Bearing Structure? | What Is Frame Structure?

Introduction of Load Bearing Structure and Framed Structure

The design for the building is made up of various components combined for a useful purpose. This structure can be represented by numerous models. These models include solids, frames, shells, membranes, trusses, cables and arches.

This geometry acquires the ability to resist different types of loads depending on the figure. Therefore any geometric configuration defines the load resistance as required.

Load bearing structure and frame structure are used as structural framing methods for building construction. Load-bearing structures have traditionally been popular in building construction. But it is widely used in modern times due to the comparative advantage of the frame structure method.

This article provides information about what is the difference between a load-bearing structure and a frame structure as follows.

Load Bearing Structure and Framed Structure

The main difference between the load-bearing structure and the frame structure is that their various members are responsible for transferring the load to the subsoil. In a load-bearing structure, the load is transferred through the walls. When in a framed structure, the load is transferred through the beams and columns.

What Is Load Bearing Structure?

Brick wall in load-bearing structure serves as a foundation as well as the main component in building framework.

In a load-bearing structure, the load is carried through the wall and transferred to the ground by the base. The foundation is also made of brick masonry. In this type of load-bearing structure, the load is transferred to the ground through the wall without any column, beam-like framework.

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What Is Frame Structure?

The load is transferred to the ground by concrete elements like beams, columns and foundations in the frame structure of the building. The frame structure consists of a beam and a column.

In this type of frame structure, the load coming from the building is transferred The load is transferred from the beam to the column. And the load is transferred from the column to the footing. In this way, the load of the building is safely placed on the ground by footing in the frame structure.

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Difference Between Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure

1. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Definition

The use of load-bearing structures is the oldest and most common method of building construction. In this type of load-bearing structure the load as well as external load such as earthquake, wind etc. is carried through the walls. This type of structure is known as wall bearing structure.

A framed structure is a combination of elements such as a beam and a column. Beams, columns and slabs work together to withstand external loads. These structures are specially used to resist external natural forces. It can be defined as a beam-column structure.

2. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Components

In a load-bearing structure the whole structure is supported by a component like brick or stone masonry walls.

In a framed structure load transfer is done by beams, column components.

3. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Resistant to Earthquake

Load-bearing structures are less resistant to earthquakes. However, it works well for low-rise buildings.

The frame structure is more earthquake-resistant than the load-bearing structure. It can be used for high rise buildings.

4. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Height of Structure

Load bearing structure is used for limited storey buildings. But in some countries, a 6 storey building is built using a load-bearing wall.

The frame structure method is used for high rise buildings. Usually, these frame structure buildings are made for offices, hotels, residential apartments. Stairs and lifts are also used for vertical rotation in the frame structure building.

5. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Thickness of Wall

In a load-bearing structure, the walls are thicker than the frame structure.

This type of framed structure is thinner than all the walls and load-bearing structure.

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6. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Speed of Construction

Speed of construction in load-bearing structures is less than frame structures.

The speed of construction in frame structure building is higher than that of load-bearing structures.

7. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Material Required

The load-bearing structure requires material intensive. Hence the dead load is higher in this type of structure. The load-bearing structure uses less cement and steel than the frame structure.

Frame structure requires less material intensive. This type of frame structure requires more cement and steel than a load-bearing structure.

8. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Repair Cost

The cost of repair in a building of load-bearing structure is less than that of a building with a frame structure.

The cost of repairs in a building with a frame structure is higher than in a building with a load-bearing structure.

9. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Life of Structure

This type of load-bearing structure has a shorter lifespan than the frame structure. It is not particularly used in high-rise buildings.

This type of frame structure has a longer lifespan than load-bearing structure. It is especially used in tall buildings.

10. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Walls Construction

In a load-bearing system, the wall is constructed before the construction of the slab.

In a framed structure the walls are made after the frame is finished by a component like a column and beam.

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11. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Carpet Area

The load-bearing structure has less carpet area due to thicker walls. Therefore the efficiency of carpet area is less in planning this type of structure.

This type of frame structure building has more carpet area due to thinner walls.

12. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Popularity

Load bearing structure is a commonly used method. Load-bearing walls were the earliest form.

The frame structure is the most widely used form of construction.

13. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Worker Required for Construction

The construction of a load-bearing structure requires skills as well as unskilled workers.

The construction of the frame structure requires a variety of skilled workers.

14. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Flexibility in Design

In a load-bearing structure, the load of the building falls on the wall. So can’t change the location of the wall. The result is not easy to design.

Flexible design can be done in the frame structure. In this type of frame structure, the location of the walls can be changed.

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15. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Room Dimension

The dimensions of the room cannot be changed as the walls are fixed in the load-bearing structure.

The framed structure is designed on beams and columns. So the dimensions of the room can be changed.

16. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Cantilever Elements

The cantilever element is included in the load-bearing structure only for short spans.

Cantilever elements in the frame structure can be easily provided for design.

17. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Span in Structure

In a load-bearing structure building, wide spans cannot be designed. This type of structure is constructed for a limited span.

In framed structures, can be designed for wide spans. Room size can be made as per requirement.

18. Load Bearing Structure and Frame Structure: Opening in Wall

In a load-bearing structure opening in walls is done in limited length.

Large openings can be provided in the wall in frame structure buildings.

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