MetFloor 55 — shallow composite profile

Framing systems

Structural solutions for walls, floors and roofs formed from light gauge steel shaped sections and trapezoidal decking with concrete cover

System & Services

System Summary

The MetStructures Framing System is a structural solution for walls, floors and roofs formed from light gauge steel shaped sections and trapezoidal decking with concrete cover.

MetStructures profiles are 1.2mm to 3.2mm in gauge, roll formed from pre-coated galvanised coil. Sections are factory assembled into load bearing wall panels consisting of a ‘U’ base track and ‘C’ vertical studs set at regular centres with ledgers at head to suit the application. The MetStructures system can be used to form structures up to a maximum of fifteen storeys in height dependent upon loading, geometry and usage.

Load bearing light gauge steel framing is based on balloon construction providing separate storey height frames. Vertical gravity loads from roof and floors span onto load bearing walls down to supporting foundations or podia. Lateral wind loads applied to the external envelope are taken by roofs and floors using plate action, then into braced walls or cores down to the supporting foundation or podium.

Principles of Balloon Construction
Principles of Balloon Construction

Panels are bolted together on site through pre-punched holes and either anchored to the supporting foundation or screw fixed to panels below. All connections are designed and checked for disproportionate collapse tying requirements derived from the intended use and size of the building. Temporary props are fitted for stability during construction.

Floors are generally formed from composite concrete decking which is seated on the perimeter profiles at the tops of the load-bearing wall panels.

Principles of Balloon Construction Principles of Balloon Construction
Typical Profiles

The deck is then temporarily propped (if required) and secured using self-piercing, self-drilling screws. Reinforcement is laid as per design requirements for fire and disproportionate collapse resistance. Mesh or fibre reinforcement may be used to minimise cracking of the slab.

This construction is most effectively used within simple repetitive structural wall arrangements between storeys, regular floor spans and direct load paths. More complicated structures can also be accommodated using transfer members (e.g. hot rolled beams) or structures for indirect load paths.

Vertical studs are assembled into panels within the ‘U’ head and base track. All joints are assumed to be pinned for simple analysis. Panels are braced with diagonal flat straps (as required by design) and sheathing board may be factory applied to the external walls.

Example of Load-Bearing Framing (boarding omitted for clarity)
Example of Load-Bearing Framing (boarding omitted for clarity)
Wall and Floor Construction (Side Fixed) Isometric
Wall and Floor Construction (Side Fixed) Isometric

Once the floor has adequately cured, construction of the next level begins and loading out of the floor with plasterboard / bathroom pods, etc. takes place.

Where joisted cassette floors are used they are formed in the factory from deeper ‘C’ sections at regular centres with ‘U’ profile end tracks and noggins as required to prevent twist and lateral movement. A working platform of minimum 18mm OSB is provided.

The joists are designed with pinned end connections and effective lengths dependent upon the restraints available from finishes and noggins.

The roof may also be formed from composite concrete decking but can alternatively employ timber or light steel frame trusses or joists. In all instances, floors and roofs are to provide adequate diaphragmatic resistance to distribute lateral loads back to the buttressing side wall bracing systems.

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