Which types of structural framing systems and materials are most commonly used in the US for residences? For office buildings?
Structural framing for commercial buildings is commonly made of concrete and steel. Concrete is cheaper and more easily procured, although it does produce high carbon emissions. Steel is more expensive but still readily available. It is also more resistant to lateral loads compared to concrete. Low cost and material availability are why these are the most used materials.
Structural framing for residential buildings is typically made of wood. This is because it’s lighter than concrete and steel, readily available, and easy to work with. Residential projects are typically simpler than commercial projects, so there isn’t a need to use concrete or steel that can provide additional element stiffness or bracing.
Why do different teams of designers and subcontractors link and share their models during the design process?
Linking and sharing models during the design process helps ensure that all parties involved in the design process stay up to date with the changes being made from the different designers and subcontractors. It also keeps models consistent.
However, if there are a lot of details being modeled by multiple parties, linking these models can result in a very busy and confusing workflow. More complicated models also take longer to process
At what point in the project development process should design coordination start?
Design coordination should start in the beginning phases of design and planning so that all parties involved can establish a common goal for the project. It should continue through all phases and stages of the project, from SD (schematic design) all the way through CD (construction documents). It is essential to coordinate designs because it can significantly improve the workflow and collaboration between different design teams as well as help avoid any delays that may arise due to miscommunication between teams.