Span of Building
Overview
The span of the building is a significant factor when designing for cost efficiency.
In SMS, the maximum building span that can be generated depends on several variables, including:
Design wind speed
Building orientation
Building height
Cladding type
Bracing configuration
Why this is important
Determines engineering feasibility and cost-effectiveness.
Impacts material selection, building stability, and design load calculations.
Ensures SMS applies correct design limitations automatically.
Maximum span limits
A 30-metre span can be achieved if all elements of the design are within an acceptable range.
However, when using skillion designs, the building height cannot exceed the span.
These constraints ensure the structure remains within safe engineering tolerances.
Tips, best practices & troubleshooting
Always verify wind classification and bracing before attempting large spans.
For spans over 24 metres, confirm engineering requirements with the Steelx operations or engineering team.
In skillion designs, reduce height proportionally if the system flags a “height exceeds span” warning.
Consider material upgrades or additional bracing to achieve longer spans safely.
Related resources
Review & updates
Version history:
v1.0 – 19 April 2025
v2.0 – 6 October 2025
Article information
Category: Estimation View & Shed Design
Target audience: Estimators, SMS users, sales and engineering teams
Business owner:
Version: v2.0
Last reviewed: 6 October 2025