Structural Framing Designs for Commercial Buildings in Texas
- JRH Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc.
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
Updated: Oct 9
Commercial building construction in Texas presents unique challenges and opportunities that require careful consideration of structural framing systems. The state’s diverse climate—from hurricane-force winds along the Gulf Coast to expansive clay soils inland—demands robust, adaptable solutions.
As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, JRH Engineering & Environmental Services delivers expert design and implementation of the most effective structural framing designs for commercial buildings throughout the Lone Star State.
Steel Frame Construction: The Foundation of Modern Commercial Buildings
Advantages of Steel Framing Systems
Steel frame construction offers exceptional strength-to-weight ratios and design flexibility. Steel’s non-combustible properties enhance fire safety, while its resistance to high winds and seismic forces meets Texas’s stringent structural demands.
Open-Plan Flexibility
Structural Framing Designs utilizing steel permit large column-spacing and clear spans, maximizing interior leasable space in retail centers, offices, and manufacturing facilities.
Pre-Engineered Metal Buildings (PEMB)
PEMB systems combine off-site fabrication with rapid on-site assembly, reducing labor costs and schedules. Ideal for warehouses and distribution centers, PEMB delivers both economy and customization.
Light-Gauge Steel Framing
For interior partitions and smaller commercial structures, light-gauge steel studs resist moisture, pests, and thermal expansion—critical in Texas’s climate.
Concrete Frame Systems: Durability and Performance
Reinforced Concrete Construction
Concrete frames provide superior fire resistance, acoustic performance, and thermal mass—benefitting office buildings, hospitals, and educational facilities. Reinforced concrete handles heavy loads and minimizes maintenance.
Post-Tensioned Concrete Systems
Post-tensioned slabs use high-strength tendons to compress concrete, reducing cracking and accommodating expansive clay soils found throughout Texas. This allows longer spans and thinner slabs—ideal for parking garages and retail centers.
Precast Concrete Systems
Off-site casting ensures quality control and accelerates schedules. Precast panels and beams deliver structural efficiency and aesthetic versatility, popular for parking structures and mixed-use developments.
Tilt-Up Construction: Efficiency and Economy
Advantages of Tilt-Up Systems
Tilt-up construction casts wall panels on-site and cranes them into place—a cost-effective, durable method suited for Texas’s flat terrain and mild winters. Common in warehouses, retail centers, and offices, tilt-up offers rapid schedules and minimal maintenance.
Design Flexibility and Performance
Modern tilt-up façades incorporate varied textures and architectural finishes. Texas leads in record-setting tilt-up projects, demonstrating heights once deemed impractical.
Hybrid Construction Systems: Innovation and Adaptability
Combining Multiple Technologies
Hybrid systems integrate steel, precast, and tilt-up components to optimize performance and cost. By leveraging each method’s strengths, hybrid framing designs meet complex commercial requirements with precision.
Modular and Prefabricated Integration
Prefabricated modules for interior offices or specialized spaces accelerate delivery and ensure quality—while conventional framing handles high-bay or manufacturing zones.
Texas Building Code Requirements and Structural Considerations
Wind Load Requirements
Texas codes, based on IBC with local amendments, mandate wind-resistant designs—especially in coastal regions. Engineers use ASCE 7 methodologies to size bracing, connections, and load paths.
Seismic and Soil Considerations
Expansive clay soils necessitate foundations and framing that accommodate movement. Post-tensioned floors and flexible connections mitigate settlement risks.
Energy Efficiency and Sustainability
Codes require high-performance envelopes. Concrete’s thermal mass and steel’s compatibility with continuous insulation support energy goals. Framing must integrate solar and green roof systems where applicable.
Final Thoughts:
As the premier provider of civil engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering services in Texas, North Carolina, and Florida, JRH Engineering & Environmental Services delivers expert design and implementation of the most effective structural framing designs for commercial buildings throughout the Lone Star State.
Contact JRH Engineering & Environmental Services today for a free consultation.
References:
City of Austin Structural Plan Review Checklist (includes concrete design requirements)https://austintexas.gov/sites/default/files/files/Development_Services/COM_StructuralPlanReviewCommercialChecklist.pdf
University of Houston Master Construction Specifications - Structural Steel Framinghttps://uh.edu/facilities-planning-construction/vendor-resources/owners-design-criteria/master-specs/pdf/05-12-00-structural-steel-framing.pdf
AISI Code of Standard Practice for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framinghttps://www.buildusingsteel.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/AISI-S202-20.pdf
Texas Building Codes Explained: What Commercial Developers Need to Know (wind load & soil considerations)https://ncsturgeon.com/texas-building-codes-explained-what-commercial-developers-need-to-know/
Texas Minimum Construction Standards (TMCS)https://www.tdhca.state.tx.us/single-family/training/docs/14-TMCS.pdf
International Building Code (IBC) - Structural Framing Systems Requirementshttps://codes.iccsafe.org/s/IBC2018/chapter-22-steel/IBC2018-Ch22-Sec2211.1
Texas Administrative Code - Plans, Approvals, and Structural Framing Detailshttps://www.law.cornell.edu/regulations/texas/26-Tex-Admin-Code-SS-559-44
