Laced Column

A Laced Column isn't made from a single, solid piece of material. Instead, it's built up from individual "chords" (the main load-bearing members) and "bracing elements" that connect them.

Put simply, think of a ladder. The two vertical side rails act as the "chords," and the horizontal rungs are the "batten plates" (a type of bracing). If you replaced those rungs with diagonal supports, they would be "lacing bars." When you push down on the ladder from the top, both side rails work together to carry the load, and the connecting pieces keep them from buckling apart. A lattice column takes this two-dimensional "ladder" concept and expands it into a three-dimensional structural column.

When explaining the benefits of lattice columns to our clients, we start with their core advantage: exceptional material efficiency and cost-effectiveness. They offer superb stability, making them particularly well-suited for slender compression members (those that are tall and relatively thin), resulting in significant steel savings.

Additional characteristics include a lightweight structure, reduced wind resistance, and relative ease during certain installation and maintenance phases.

Complex Fabrication: They require precise cutting, assembly, and welding in a factory setting, making their manufacturing process more involved than using hot-rolled sections.

Intricate Connection Details: Connecting lattice columns to other members can be more complex.

Aesthetic Finishing: Achieving a desired architectural finish can be challenging due to their open structure.

Larger Surface Area for Corrosion Protection: The extensive surface area increases the scope and cost of corrosion protection measures.

In essence, the Laced Column is a solution engineered by engineers to tackle challenges of great height and heavy load. It's not the standard choice, but rather a highly efficient "ace in the hole" for situations where a solid web column is no longer an economical or effective option.