By definition, everything Legacy builds is a long span structure and part of the broader family of long span structures. Long span generally refers to the width of the building and the span of the roof frame across the entire structure. Anything more than 20 meters is considered a long span, but for Legacy, that’s on the low side. These wide span buildings are also known as clear-span or free-span buildings and are prime examples of long span roofs and long span roof structures.
One key architectural advantage of our long span architecture is that there aren’t central column supports, which gives our customers unobstructed floor space. Among the advantages of long span structures, this clear interior space is one of the most important characteristics of large span structural systems and a defining characteristic of large span structure design.
Long span fabric buildings are for people (or organizations or horses) who need a lot of space. A typical long span fabric structure or long span structure building is ideal for sports facilities, warehouses, hangars, equestrian arenas, and bulk storage (even for highly corrosive materials). These long span building examples illustrate how long span construction and long span roofs support a wide range of uses and show how long span structures types can be adapted to many industries.
Professional Design, Engineering, and Installation
To ensure the successful construction and long-term performance of a long span structure, there are several key considerations to keep in mind. Understanding what is long span structure design and how long span structures construction details affect performance is critical to project success and to the actual lifespan of a fabric structure beyond the initial design assumptions.
It is crucial to verify the contractor and building installation crews possess prior experience on buildings of a similar size and with similar long span structures types. For instance, Legacy has an in-house engineer review all plans and design work. We employ our own crews for installations, thereby leveraging our extensive training and expertise to ensure proper long span construction. This streamlines the work on a Legacy build site and helps us consistently deliver long span building examples that perform as intended for decades.
Beyond design, factors such as correct tensioning of the fabric, proper foundation design, accurate frame alignment, and attention to details like flashing and penetrations all influence how a fabric structure ages. Well-executed installation reduces stress concentrations, prevents premature wear at connection points, and protects the fabric from chafing and water intrusion—all of which extend the real-world lifespan of the building.
Just because you select tensioned fabric for your building’s cladding does not mean you need to be boxed in from an architectural standpoint. Make sure your builder has experience working with architects if you want to customize your span structure with things like windows, openings, or mezzanines. Legacy buildings are extremely customizable, and we have worked with architects around the world to create long span structure building projects that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing. This collaboration is central to long span architecture and to realizing the full advantages of long span structures.
Kelly Fisher, Training & Exercise Coordinator and Field Operations Specialist at the Hennepin County Emergency Management Center in Minnesota, shares their experience working with Legacy to design and install a long span building.
“The style of the building gives us more usable space and a more robust frame than the other options we considered. Construction was so easy–the crews showed up and were completely self-contained. The entire project was boom–done–easy.” Their project now stands as one of our long span structures examples and demonstrates the practical benefits that come from thoughtful long span structures construction details.
Materials, Manufacturing Quality, and Long-Term Durability
Certain construction materials are better suited for long span structures. Long span structure systems must be made of materials light enough not to require interior supports yet sturdy enough to withstand the pressures placed on the structure. These characteristics of large span structural systems are part of what defines long span meaning in modern engineering practice and play a direct role in how long a fabric structure will actually last.
- Steel is a common building material for long span structures. Steel is strong and relatively lightweight, so it is suitable for the building frame and/or the outside cladding. Legacy was an innovator when we introduced solid steel frames to the fabric building industry. Our steel frames allow you to customize your project with a long span space that is up to 300 feet wide. These steel long span structures are durable, versatile, and align with the key characteristics of large span structure design. The quality of the steel, the protective coatings used, and the precision of fabrication and welding all impact corrosion resistance and fatigue life, which in turn affect the overall lifespan of the structure.
- Wood, particularly wooden trusses, may be used for smaller long span buildings. Long wooden beams are more expensive and harder to locate, making wood less common for larger buildings. As a result, steel long span structures and hybrid systems are more typical in famous long span structures around the world.
- Structural fabric is a common choice for long span structures because fabric structures are lightweight, cost-effective, and can quickly cover large surfaces. A long span fabric structure combines a robust steel frame with advanced fabric cladding. Legacy uses a PVC-based fabric called ExxoTec™ that is unique to our buildings. It’s tough, beautiful, and has a 25-year pro-rated warranty (for the 28 oz. fabric), making it ideal for long span roof structures and other span structure applications. Fabric weight, UV stabilization, coating quality, and seam construction are all manufacturing details that strongly influence resistance to tearing, UV degradation, and chemical exposure, thereby extending the usable life of the cladding.
In addition to strong frames and tough exterior cladding, Legacy fully customizes every building we install. There are no off-the-shelf buildings because we believe every customer has unique requirements. Our design team isn’t interested in shoe-horning you into a building that only partially meets your needs. Instead, we focus on delivering wide span buildings that reflect the best practices of long span architecture and the proven advantages of long span structures.
Whether you are researching what is long span structure design, comparing long span steel structures examples, or looking at famous long span structures for inspiration, our team can help you evaluate long span structures types and long span structures construction details for your project. Contact Legacy if you want the whole package: a long span building that is state-of-the-art in terms of engineering, manufacturing quality, and functionality, and a standout among long span structures examples in your industry.
