Difference between Load bearing structure and Framed structure

There are two types of structure they are load-bearing structure and framed structure. In this post, you will learn the difference between the load-bearing structure and framed structure in detail. So, I recommend you to read all content without skipping any paragraph.

Simply load-bearing structure is the load is taken by a wall and then directly transfer to the soil. whereas in framed structure the load is taken by beam, the o the column, and at last to the soil through footing or foundation of the structure.

Load Bearing Structure

1. Almost all the walls are provided with a shallow or deep foundation.
2. All load-bearing walls are taken deep into the subsoil for the foundation.
3. Load-bearing walls are constructed of bricks or stones.
4. The thickness of load-bearing walls, in any case, is not less than 200mm.
5. A load-bearing wall when once constructed shall remain in position and should never be dismantled.
6. Best suited for small residential houses, rural houses, and houses up to three stories.
7. Plans for different floors remains the same as every wall on the upper floors must be a corresponding wall in continuation.
8. It requires soil of good bearing capacity like rocks, sandy soil, gravelly soil, etc.
9. Too many openings for doors, windows, ventilators, etc. are not permissible.
10. Almost all the walls are load-bearing walls.

Framed Structure

1. All the walls rest on the plinth beam not provided with any footing of foundation.
2. Only columns are taken deep into the subsoil and are provided with footings.
3. Columns beam and slabs are constructed of R.C.C.
4. Only exterior walls are of thickness 200 mm and all interior walls are of thickness 100mm.
5. The walls of framed structure can be shifted at any place as they are lighter and not load-bearing.
6. Best suited for multistoried and high rise buildings, commercial complexes, public buildings, etc.
7. Planning for each floor is independent and free from whatever the planning of the lower floor.
8. Even in the case of soil with poor bearing capacity, the pile may be driven until hard stratum is reached and R.C.C columns are constructed over them.
9. There is no such restriction in framed structure.
10. All the walls are partition walls or screen walls none of the walls is load-bearing.

Difference between load bearing structure and framed structure

S.N	RCC Framed Structure	Load Bearing Structure
Uses	It is Mostly used form of construction.	It is Rarely used form of construction.
Construction	It is Simple to Construct.	It is Cumbersome to construct.
Wall construction	Walls are constructed after the frame is ready	There are no Columns and beams
Thickness of wall	Thickness of wall remains same with increase in height	Thickness of wall increase with increase in height.
Length of wall	There is no limitation on length of wall	There is limitation to construct long walls at a stretch
Flexibility in planning & design	Position of walls can be changed whenever necessary Greater flexibility in planning & design	Not possible to alter the position of walls after the construction No flexibility in panning & design
Soil condition	It can be constructed on any type of soil	It can be constructed on hard strata
Earthquake resistance	It has Good earthquake resisting power.	It has poor earthquake resisting power.
Floor area	Walls are thinner hence more floor area is available for use	Walls are thicker hence less floor area available for use
Excavation	It has Less excavation	It has more excavation
Material requirement	Less materials are required	More materials are required
Cement & steel quantity	Consumes more cement & steel	Consumes less cement & steel
Labour requirement	Less no. of labours as well as skilled labours are required	More no. of labours as well as Skilled & unskilled labours are required
Span area	Large span area are possible	Large span area are not possible
Height	There is no restriction on height	Height is limited & suitable for 2 to 3 stories only
Speed of construction	It can be constructed more rapidly.	It is Slow & time consuming
Room dimension	Flexibility in changing room dimension	No possible to change room dimension
Cantilever element	Cantilever can be easily provided	It is Difficult to provide cantilever & permitted up to short span only
Additional Enclosure	Does not provide additional enclosure	Provides additional enclosure
Life	Life is reduced if not done properly	Life is less affected with the technique of work
Foundation cost	No much increase in cost with increase in depth of foundation	Foundation cost is more
Cost	It is economically for multi-storey building	It is economical up to 2storey only
Load transfer	Load is transferred to the beam, then column and at last to the soil through footing.	The load is transferred to the soil by wall bearing structure

Read Also,

8 Points to improve the Durability of Concrete structure

Advantages and Disadvantages of concrete- Types of Concrete

Minimum clear cover for slab, column, beam, Retaining Structure

Types of Foundation used for different Structure | Shallow and Deep