Rigid Frame Steel Building Systems for Industrial & Commercial Applications
At Kammerer Dynamics, we design and fabricate custom rigid frame steel building systems built for the structural demands of industrial and commercial construction. As a third-generation, family-owned metal fabricator based in Kendallville, Indiana, we've delivered precision-fabricated structural steel framing components to manufacturers, warehouse builders, OEM operations, and construction projects across the country.
A rigid frame system is the most widely used structural framing configuration in industrial and commercial building construction. It relies on moment-resisting connections between columns and rafters to distribute loads efficiently across the entire frame—eliminating the need for interior bracing walls and creating open, functional interior spans. Whether you're building a new manufacturing facility, warehouse, or agricultural structure, our rigid frame steel components are custom-fabricated to your engineering specifications and built for long-term structural performance.
Explore our full line of steel building framing systems, or keep reading to learn how a rigid frame building system can work for your project.
What Is a Rigid Frame System?
A rigid frame system is a structural steel framing configuration where columns and rafters are connected using moment-resisting—or rigid—joints. Unlike pinned connections, these fixed joints allow the entire frame to act as a single structural unit, transferring loads through the frame rather than relying on additional bracing walls or interior supports.
Key advantages of rigid frame steel building systems include:
- Clear Interior Spans – Moment-resisting connections eliminate the need for interior columns in many configurations, creating open, unobstructed floor space
- Structural Efficiency – Tapered members optimize steel usage based on actual load distribution along the frame, reducing material weight without sacrificing strength
- Design Versatility – Rigid frame systems accommodate a wide range of building widths, heights, roof slopes, and load requirements
- Cost-Effective Construction – Widely understood, efficiently fabricated, and compatible with most building types and site conditions
- Long-Term Durability – Steel rigid frames are engineered for decades of structural performance under industrial and commercial loading conditions
Rigid frame systems are the most common structural framing choice for industrial buildings, warehouses, manufacturing facilities, and agricultural structures—and for good reason. They deliver the ideal combination of structural performance, open interior space, and fabrication efficiency.
Built for Structural Performance. Engineered for Your Project
When you partner with Kammerer Dynamics, you're not getting generic structural steel off a shelf—you're getting rigid frame components engineered around your building dimensions, load requirements, and project specifications. Our in-house fabrication capabilities mean we handle the full scope—from design drawings to finished structural members—under one roof.
Our capabilities include:
- Laser cutting and CNC plasma cutting for precision structural components
- MIG, TIG, and robotic welding for structural-grade integrity
- Custom steel forming, bending, and rolling
- Design support using advanced 3D modeling software
- Finishing options including powder coating
- Delivery and installation coordination across the U.S.
Whether you need rigid frame components for a single building project or repeat structural fabrication across a product line or multi-site build, we have the experience, equipment, and capacity to deliver consistently.
Types of Steel Building Framing Systems We Build
At Kammerer Dynamics, rigid frame systems are one part of our broader steel building framing systems offering. We fabricate multiple types of structural framing configurations, each suited to different building applications, span requirements, and site conditions:
Rigid Frame Systems
The most common and widely used structural framing configuration for industrial and commercial buildings. Moment-resisting column-to-rafter connections create structural rigidity and allow for clear interior spans without the need for interior columns or bracing walls in many configurations.
Clear Span Framing Systems
Structural framing systems engineered to eliminate all interior columns across a building's full width—ideal for applications requiring completely unobstructed interior floor space such as hangars, arenas, and large-format warehouse facilities.
Multi-Span Frame Systems
Multi-bay framing configurations that use interior columns to support multiple structural bays side by side—a cost-effective solution for large-footprint industrial and commercial buildings where interior columns are operationally acceptable.
Not sure which framing system fits your project? Contact our team and we'll help you evaluate the right structural approach based on your building dimensions, load requirements, and budget.
Rigid Frame Engineering & Load Considerations
Structural performance starts with proper engineering. Rigid frame systems must be designed to handle a range of loading conditions across the full life of the building—and our team works with you to ensure every component is fabricated to the right specification. Key engineering considerations include:
- Dead loads – The weight of the structural frame itself, roofing, wall panels, and any permanently attached building components
- Live loads – Occupancy loads, roof loads from snow accumulation or rooftop equipment, and any operational loads imposed on the structure
- Wind loads – Lateral and uplift forces determined by geographic location, building exposure category, and local code requirements
- Seismic loads – Ground motion forces applicable to the building's seismic design category and jurisdiction
- Collateral loads – Hanging loads such as cranes, conveyors, HVAC equipment, lighting systems, and fire suppression
- Bay spacing and building width – Frame depth and member sizing optimized for your specific span, bay configuration, and interior clearance requirements
All rigid frame components are engineered to applicable building codes—including IBC, AISC, and ASCE 7 load standards—and you'll review all structural drawings before a single piece of steel is cut.
Precision Fabrication. Code-Compliant by Design
Structural steel framing components for industrial and commercial buildings must be fabricated to exacting tolerances and engineered to meet applicable structural codes. At Kammerer Dynamics, code compliance and fabrication precision are built into every rigid frame component we produce from the start—not addressed after the fact.
Our rigid frame fabrication is designed to meet:
- International Building Code (IBC) structural requirements
- AISC steel construction standards for structural members and connections
- ASCE 7 load standards for dead, live, wind, snow, and seismic loading
- AWS welding standards for structural weld quality and inspection
- Local jurisdiction building permit and plan review requirements
Need documentation support for your building permit or engineering review? Our team can support the process from day one.
Industries We Serve
Our rigid frame steel building systems support structural projects across a broad range of industrial and commercial applications. If your project requires precision-fabricated structural steel framing, we can build the components to make it happen.
- Manufacturing – Structural frames for production facilities, fabrication shops, and equipment buildings requiring clear interior spans and high collateral load capacity
- Warehouse & Distribution – Rigid frame systems for large-format storage, fulfillment, and distribution buildings
- Agriculture – Durable structural frames for grain storage, livestock, equipment storage, and processing facilities
- Transportation & Logistics – Structural building frames for fleet maintenance facilities, terminals, and parts storage buildings
- Construction – Structural steel framing components for commercial, industrial, and institutional building projects
- Military & Defense – Mission-critical structural framing fabricated to meet demanding load, durability, and specification requirements
Why Choose Kammerer Dynamics?
As a third-generation, family-owned fabricator, we've built our reputation on relationships, precision manufacturing, and the ability to deliver on complex structural projects. Sourcing rigid frame steel building components from Kammerer Dynamics means working with a team that:
- Invests in capability – We continuously grow our people, equipment, and technology to take on more complex structural work
- Operates with transparency – You see every print before production starts. No hidden changes, no late surprises
- Finds a way to win – If a structural solution exists, we'll engineer it and fabricate it
- Delivers consistently – Whether it's a single building project or repeat structural fabrication across a product line, your specs and timeline are our priority
Our customers are manufacturers, OEMs, construction firms, and industrial operations who need structural components done right. We earn their trust on the first project—and keep it on every one that follows.
Rigid Frame Components We Fabricate
A rigid frame building system is made up of precision-fabricated structural members and connection components that must work together as a unified structural system. We fabricate and coordinate all of the primary structural components needed to complete your frame:
- Primary Columns – Tapered or straight structural steel columns fabricated to your building height, bay spacing, and load requirements
- Primary Rafters – Tapered structural steel rafter sections connecting column peaks across the full building width
- Moment Connections – Engineered end plates, bolted connections, and welded joints designed to transfer moment forces at column-to-rafter junctions
- Base Plates & Anchor Assemblies – Column base plates and anchor bolt assemblies for foundation-to-frame structural connections
- Flange Braces – Lateral bracing components that stabilize primary frame members against out-of-plane buckling
- Eave Struts & Ridge Members – Structural members at eave and ridge lines that tie frames together longitudinally and carry secondary framing loads
- Custom Connection Hardware – Fabricated gussets, stiffeners, and connection plates for specialized load conditions or complex geometry requirements
All components are fabricated in-house at our Kendallville, Indiana facility—giving us full quality control from raw steel to finished, delivered structural members.
Our Rigid Frame Fabrication Process
Here's what to expect when you work with Kammerer Dynamics on a rigid frame steel building project:
- Discovery & Requirements – We start by learning your building dimensions, span requirements, load conditions, local code requirements, and project timeline
- Engineering & Design – Our team develops structural drawings and 3D models for review before anything moves to production
- Customer Approval – You get the final look at all prints before fabrication begins. If something doesn't work for your project, we adjust—or you can cancel the PO. No surprises, ever
- In-House Fabrication – All cutting, welding, forming, and finishing is completed at our Kendallville, Indiana facility
- Delivery & Coordination – We coordinate shipping and delivery to your project site and can support erection planning
- Ongoing Support – We stand behind what we build and maintain long-term relationships with our customers after the project closes
Request a Quote for a Custom Rigid Frame System
If your project requires precision-fabricated rigid frame steel building components built to your exact structural specifications, Kammerer Dynamics is ready to help. Tell us about your project and we'll provide a fast, accurate quote—backed by real engineering support and a fabrication team that delivers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a rigid frame steel building system?
A rigid frame steel building system is a structural framing configuration where columns and rafters are connected using moment-resisting joints. This fixed connection type allows the entire frame to act as a single structural unit, transferring loads efficiently without the need for interior bracing walls. Rigid frame systems are the most widely used structural framing type for industrial, warehouse, and commercial building construction.
What is the difference between a rigid frame and a clear span framing system?
Rigid frame systems and clear span framing systems are closely related—many clear span buildings use rigid frame principles as their structural foundation. The key distinction is span: a clear span framing system is specifically engineered to eliminate all interior columns across the full building width, which typically requires deeper or heavier primary members. Rigid frame systems may incorporate interior columns in wider buildings where a fully unobstructed span is not required. We'll be expanding on clear span framing systems in an upcoming dedicated page.
What loads must a rigid frame system be designed for?
Rigid frame systems are designed to handle dead loads (structure and cladding weight), live loads (occupancy and roof loads), wind loads, seismic loads, and collateral loads such as cranes, conveyors, or HVAC equipment. Load requirements vary by building location, occupancy type, and applicable building codes. Our engineering team works through all applicable load conditions as part of the design and fabrication process.
How are rigid frame components connected on site?
Primary rigid frame members—columns and rafters—are typically connected using bolted end-plate moment connections. These connections are engineered to transfer both shear and moment forces at the column-to-rafter joint, creating the structural rigidity that defines this framing type. All connection details are engineered to your specific loads and verified in structural drawings before fabrication begins.
Do rigid frame steel building projects require permits?
Yes. Structural steel buildings are subject to local building permits, plan review, and inspection requirements. The scope of permitting review depends on your jurisdiction and building use. Our team can support the documentation and engineering review process to help you navigate permitting requirements from the start.
What size rigid frame system can Kammerer Dynamics fabricate?
We fabricate rigid frame structural steel components across a wide range of building widths, heights, bay spacings, and load configurations. Tell us your building dimensions, span requirements, collateral loads, and applicable code jurisdiction, and we'll engineer and fabricate the components to fit.
Why Choose KDi?
Build your next project with custom rigid frame steel building systems from Kammerer Dynamics. Our team designs and fabricates precision structural steel components engineered to deliver exceptional structural performance, long-term durability, and full code compliance. Contact us today to discuss your project requirements and request a customized quote.
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Ready to start your metal fabrication project? Contact us now to discuss your requirements, get a quote, and experience the Kammerer Dynamics, Inc. difference. We look forward to becoming your trusted partner for all your metal fabrication needs.
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