In a steel structure, a girt is a key horizontal structural element in a framed wall.
Understanding Girts in Steel Structures
Based on structural engineering principles, a girt, also sometimes referred to as a sheeting rail, serves a crucial function within the wall system of a building, particularly in steel-framed structures.
Primary Role of Girts
The main purpose of girts is to provide lateral support to the exterior wall cladding or panels. Without girts, wall sheeting would need to span vertically between larger structural columns, which would require thicker, more expensive material or risk failure under lateral forces.
Function Against Loads
Girts are primarily designed to resist wind loads. When wind pushes against the wall panels, the girts transfer this lateral force back to the main vertical structural members (like columns or wall studs), which then carry the load down to the foundation.
Key Characteristics
- Location: Horizontal members running between vertical supports (columns or studs).
- Purpose: Support wall panels and resist lateral loads.
- Main Load: Wind pressure and suction.
- Alternative Name: Sheeting rail.
- Material: Typically made of steel in steel structures (e.g., C-channels, Z-sections).
Practical Application
Consider a large industrial building with a steel frame. The main structure consists of vertical columns and roof beams. To enclose the building, wall panels (like metal sheeting) are attached. Girts are installed horizontally along the walls, spanning between the columns, to which these wall panels are fastened. This system allows for lighter, more economical wall cladding while ensuring the structural integrity of the wall against forces like strong winds.
Essentially, girts act as the intermediate support system for the wall's outer skin, transferring loads efficiently to the main frame.
