Ruukki

lightweight
purlins
Technical manual
• Content

1 Ruukki lightweight purlins.......................................................................... 3

1.1 Advantages of lightweight purlins............................................................ 3
1.2 Material of lightweight purlins ............................................................... 3
1.3 Manufacture of Ruukki lightweight purlins ............................................... 3
1.4 Cross-sections of Ruukki lightweight purlins............................................. 3
1.5 Sections ............................................................................................. 4
1.6 Geometries and characteristics of cross-sections ....................................... 5
2 Structural systems.................................................................................... 15
2.1 Single span system.............................................................................. 15
2.1.1 Single span system, purlin designation diagram...................................... 16
2.1.2 Single span system, purlins..................................................................17
2.1.3 Single span system, support cleats........................................................ 18
2.2 Double span system............................................................................ 19
2.2.1 Double span system, purlin designation diagram.....................................20
2.2.2 Double span system, purlins............................................................... 21
2.2.3 Double span system, support cleats...................................................... 22
2.3 Sleeved system – alternative design with Ruukki’s PurCalc software............. 23
2.3.1 Sleeved system, purlin designation diagram...........................................24
2.3.2 Sleeved system, purlins......................................................................25
2.3.3 Sleeved system, support cleats............................................................26
2.4 Overlapped system - recommended by Ruukki......................................... 27
2.4.1 Overlapped system, purlin designation diagram.....................................28
2.4.2 Overlapped system, purlins................................................................29
2.4.3 Overlapped system, support cleats.......................................................30
2.5 Hole design principle for manufacture .................................................... 31
2.6 Types of holes ...................................................................................32
2.7 Support cleats ....................................................................................34
3 Factors to be considered in the use of lightweight purlins ...............................35
3.1 Torsional rigidity ................................................................................35
3.2 Improving torsional rigidity ..................................................................35
3.3 Local buckling ....................................................................................35
3.4 Distortion of section ...........................................................................35
3.5 Resistance to support reactions.............................................................36
3.6 Purlins that are supported at the flange..................................................36
3.7 Transverse rigidity ..............................................................................36
3.8 Unsupported lower flange ...................................................................36
3.9 Unsupported lower flange under compression ......................................... 37
3.10 Cantilever purlin ............................................................................... 37
4 PurCalc purlin design software ...................................................................38
5 Handling, transport and storage of lightweight purlins ...................................38
5.1 Handling ...........................................................................................38
5.2 Transport ..........................................................................................38
5.3 Storage ............................................................................................38
6 Installation of lightweight purlins ..............................................................38

2 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

1 Ruukki lightweight purlins

1.1 ADVANTAGES OF LIGHTWEIGHT PURLINS

Ruukki offers wide range of lightweight purlins with high quality, durability and versatility of shapes and applica-
tions. Production technology and top quality raw materials assure of high load bearing capacity and stiffness leading
to increase of span lengths. Purlins are widely applied as secondary roof and wall structures for almost all kind of
buildings. Ruukki lightweight purlins offer several considerable advantages over alternative structures:
• The purlins are lightweight in proportion to their load bearing capacity. Thus, roof structures built using
lightweight purlins are very light.
• The use of material is very efficient. Owing to the high strength of the base material, the required load bearing
capacity is achieved with a smaller cross-sectional thickness, which translates into savings in materials and
costs.
• Lightweight purlins produce savings in transport costs. The purlins require little space in transport, purlins for
quite a large roof can be transported as a single delivery.
• Local increase of the load bearing capacity of lightweight purlins is easy, by e.g. lapping purlins inside each
other without having to make changes in the structural system of the whole roof or wall. • Longer spans are
possible with lightweight purlins than with alternative applicable solutions.
• Lightweight purlins are made of zinc-coated material with good corrosion resistance. This makes lightweight
purlins applicable also in difficult conditions.
• Lightweight purlins are fully recyclable material. Waste steel can be reused in the roof as weather protection,
and the reuse of the whole roof at the end of its service life requires only little energy.

1.2 MATERIAL OF LIGHTWEIGHT PURLINS

Lightweight purlins are made of cold rolled thin gauge steel sheet, which is delivered in coils. The material of the hot
dip galvanised (20 μm) thin gauge steel sheet is grade S350GD+Z275, in compliance with EN 10346. The yield strength
of the steel sheet is minimum 350 N/mm².

1.3 MANUFACTURE OF RUUKKI LIGHTWEIGHT PURLINS

Lightweight purlins can be roll formed or press braked from cold rolled thin gauge steel sheet. The purlins can also be
pre-punched at factory, also thermoprofile versions available for Z, C and U purlins.

1.4 CROSS-SECTIONS OF RUUKKI LIGHTWEIGHT PURLINS

Z C U Hat

Section dimensions shown at chapter 1.6.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 3

1.5 SECTIONS
• Material thickness of sections 1.0-3.0 mm , 1.0-2.0 mm for thermo profiles
• Length of roll formed purlins 0.4-18 m, <1.6 m partially cut
• Section heights 100-350 mm (roll-formed)
• Maximum length 18 m (roll-formed)
• Max weight for hat purlins 120 kg/pc
• Tolerance standards applied to cross-sections:
- Press braked: EN 1090-2
- Roll formed: EN 10162

The Z section is excellently suited as a roof purlin. The major principal inertia axis is in
pitched roofs with normal inclination in an approximately vertical position and there-
by provides optimum load bearing capacity against the weight of structures and snow.
The second moment of area about the minor axis, on the other hand, is so low that
it is usually advisable to tie the sheet section on the slope of the roof to the opposite
slope by a ridge moulding. The Z section is installed on the roof with the upper flange
pointing toward the ridge. Z sections are applicable also as wall purlins, installed with
the outer flange facing down.

C sections can be used as wall purlins or wall posts. The C section differs from the Z
section by its centre of torsion, which in the C section is on the back side. Due to tor-
sion, a vertical load acting on the section causes a transverse force component on the
flange of the section, acting from the web up toward the upper flange. If C sections
are used as roof purlins, they need to be installed with the upper flange pointing
toward the ridge. As wall purlins, on the other hand, they are installed with the flange
facing up, whereby wind pressure loads partly counteract the self-weight of the wall
structure. With wind suction loads, the transverse force components strengthen one
another, and tie rods may be required to counteract their influence.

Our pre-punched purlins are quick to install and suitable for both insulated and
uninsulated roofs and walls. The thickness and height of the purlin selected depend
on span length and loads. Typical applications are industrial construction, hall and
warehouse construction and extension construction and renovation.

The top hat section is wider than the sections referred to above. This gives it con-
siderably higher lateral stiffness, which makes it suited to applications where the
purlin is subjected to transverse loads, as well. Top hat purlins are attached directly
from the flanges. They are used as roof purlins, wall purlins or, for example, as
truss chords.

4 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

1.6 GEOMETRIES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF CROSS-SECTIONS

Lightweight purlin Z
Steel grade: S350GD+Z
Yield strength: f y = 350 MPa
Tensile strength: fu = 420 Mpa

Purlin Z - Cross-section geometries

Type of Thickness Height Width of Width of Fold Weight Cross Cross Center of Center of
purlin wide flange narrow section section gravity gravity
flange area, area,
gross effective

tnom H A B C g Agross Aeff Yp Zp

mm mm mm mm mm kg/m cm 2
cm 2
mm mm

1,00 45,00 39,00 16,50 1,63 2,03 1,23 40,85 51,35

1,20 45,40 39,40 16,80 1,96 2,45 1,73 40,85 51,35

Z100 100
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,20 2,45 3,08 2,42 40,85 51,35

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,00 3,20 4,13 3,64 40,85 51,35

1,00 45,00 39,00 17,00 1,81 2,22 1,22 40,75 61,54

1,20 45,50 39,50 17,20 2,17 2,68 1,72 40,75 61,54

Z120 120
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,80 2,71 3,37 2,43 40,75 61,54

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,00 3,61 4,52 3,69 40,75 61,54

1,00 45,00 39,00 17,00 2,04 2,50 1,21 40,55 76,75

1,20 45,40 39,40 17,20 2,45 3,02 1,70 40,55 76,75

Z150 150
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,80 3,06 3,80 2,42 40,55 76,75

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,50 4,08 5,10 3,71 40,55 76,75

1,50 70,00 62,00 24,80 4,36 5,44 2,75 63,90 102,40

2,00 71,00 63,00 25,50 5,81 7,30 4,58 63,90 102,40

Z200 200
2,50 72,00 64,00 26,20 7,26 9,15 6,43 63,90 102,40

3,00 73,00 65,00 27,00 8,71 11,00 8,40 63,90 102,40

1,50 70,00 62,00 24,80 4,92 6,17 2,75 64,45 127,35

2,00 71,00 63,00 25,50 6,56 8,28 4,60 64,45 127,35

Z250 250
2,50 72,00 64,00 26,20 8,20 10,39 6,49 64,45 127,35

3,00 73,00 65,00 27,00 9,84 12,49 8,52 64,45 127,35

1,50 89,00 81,00 24,20 5,95 7,45 2,62 83,15 152,65

2,00 90,00 82,00 25,00 7,93 10,00 4,55 83,15 152,65

Z300 300
2,50 91,00 83,00 25,80 9,91 12,54 6,81 83,15 152,65

3,00 92,00 84,00 26,50 11,89 15,08 9,11 83,15 152,65

2,00 90,00 82,00 30,00 8,97 11,20 4,74 176,20 83,60

Z350 2,50 350 91,00 83,00 31,20 11,21 14,05 7,08 176,20 83,60

3,00 92,00 84,00 31,40 13,44 16,89 9,50 176,20 83,60

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 5

 Purlin Z - Cross-section characteristics
Type of Thickness Moment of Section Moment of Section Moment of Section Radius of Max. Max.
purlin inertia, modulus inertia, modulus inertia, modulus gyration Bending Bending
gross gross effective effective effective effective moment, moment,
Top flange Top flange Bottom Bottom span span
com- com- flange flange Top flange Bottom
pressed pressed com- com- com- flange
pressed pressed pressed com-
pressed

tnom Iy Wy Iyeff Wyeff Iyeff Wyeff iy Mb,Rd Mb,Rd

mm cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm kNm kNm

1,00 31,340 6,130 28.831 5,636 29,558 5,556 3,931 1,973 1,944

1,20 37,831 7,384 37,100 7,332 37,828 7,384 3,931 2,566 2,584
Z100
1,50 47,542 9,253 47,542 9,253 47,542 9,253 3,930 3,238 3,238

2,00 63,664 12,330 63,664 12,330 63,664 12,330 3,928 4,315 4,315

1,00 48,158 7,860 42,939 6,795 43,978 6,722 4,658 2,378 2,353

1,20 58,135 9,473 56,685 9,383 57,622 9,319 4,657 3,284 3,262
Z120
1,50 73,064 11,877 73,064 11,877 73,064 11,877 4,656 4,157 4,157

2,00 97,854 15,841 97,854 15,841 97,854 15,841 4,654 5,544 5,544

1,00 81,702 10,689 69,691 8,512 71,328 8,461 5,712 2,979 2,961

1,20 98,635 12,887 92,161 11,948 93,457 11,674 5,712 4,182 4,086
Z150
1,50 123,979 16,166 123,681 16,151 123,316 15,998 5,710 5,653 5,600

2,00 166,071 21,584 166,071 21,584 166,071 21,584 5,707 7,554 7,554

1,50 328,860 32,197 280,475 25,583 289,171 25,867 7,774 8,954 9,054

2,00 440,827 43,053 428,445 42,616 433,778 41,868 7,772 14,915 14,654
Z200
2,50 552,467 53,823 550,938 53,769 552,467 53,823 7,770 18,819 18,838

3,00 663,787 64,510 663,787 64,510 663,787 64,510 7,768 22,579 22,579

1,50 555,474 43,800 454,735 32,411 465,288 32,465 9,485 11,344 11,363

2,00 744,681 58,603 697,620 54,143 701,539 52,625 9,483 18,950 18,419
Z250
2,50 933,377 73,307 926,362 73,088 925,790 72,255 9,480 25,581 25,289

3,00 1121,566 87,913 1121,566 87,913 1121,566 87,913 9,477 30,770 3,077

1,50 983,000 64,627 696,020 38,317 712,846 38,598 11,485 13,411 13,509

2,00 1318,164 86,520 1091,556 65,222 1114,916 65,292 11,482 22,828 22,852
Z300
2,50 1652,585 108,291 1512,011 96,256 1530,451 94,823 11,479 33,690 33,188

3,00 1986,271 129,942 1926,815 128,114 1925,456 123,447 11,477 44,840 43,207

2,00 1956,977 110,463 1585,278 79,693 1611,873 79,741 13,217 27,893 27,909

Z350 2,50 2453,683 138,303 2198,183 117,355 2218,1754 115,895 13,214 41,074 40,563

3,00 2949,381 166,008 2803,870 156,077 2798,258 151,283 13,211 54,627 52,949

6 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

 Lightweight purlin C
Steel grade: S350GD+Z
Yield strength: f y = 350 MPa
Tensile strength: fu = 420 Mpa

Purlin C - Cross-section geometries

Type of Thickness Height Width of Width of Fold Weight Cross Cross Center of Center of
purlin wide flange narrow section section gravity gravity
flange area, area,
gross effective

tnom H A B C g Agross Aeff Yp Zp

mm mm mm mm mm kg/m cm 2
cm 2
mm mm

1,00 45,00 39,00 16,50 1,63 2,01 1,21 15,05 51,45

1,20 45,40 39,40 16,80 1,96 2,43 1,70 15,05 51,45

C100 100
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,20 2,45 3,06 2,39 15,05 51,45

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,00 3,20 4,10 3,60 15,05 51,45

1,00 45,00 39,00 17,00 1,81 2,22 1,22 13,95 61,55

1,20 45,50 39,50 17,20 2,17 2,68 1,71 13,95 61,55

C120 120
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,80 2,71 3,37 2,42 13,95 61,55

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,00 3,61 4,51 3,68 13,95 61,55

1,00 45,00 39,00 17,00 2,04 2,50 1,21 12,45 76,75

1,20 45,40 39,40 17,20 2,45 3,02 1,70 12,45 76,75

C150 150
1,50 46,00 40,00 17,80 3,06 3,80 2,42 12,45 76,75

2,00 47,00 41,00 18,50 4,08 5,10 3,71 12,45 76,75

1,50 70,00 62,00 24,80 4,36 5,44 2,77 20,70 102,10

2,00 71,00 63,00 25,50 5,81 7,30 4,62 20,70 102,10

C200 200
2,50 72,00 64,00 26,20 7,26 9,16 6,48 20,70 102,10

3,00 73,00 65,00 27,00 8,71 11,01 8,46 20,70 102,10

1,50 70,00 62,00 24,80 4,92 6,16 2,75 18,20 127,40

2,00 71,00 63,00 25,50 6,56 8,26 4,58 18,20 127,40

C250 250
2,50 72,00 64,00 26,20 8,20 10,36 6,46 18,20 127,40

3,00 73,00 65,00 27,00 9,84 12,46 8,48 18,20 127,40

1,50 89,00 81,00 24,20 5,95 7,43 2,60 22,40 152,30

2,00 90,00 82,00 25,00 7,93 9,97 4,52 22,40 152,30

C300 300
2,50 91,00 83,00 25,80 9,91 12,50 6,76 22,40 152,30

3,00 92,00 84,00 26,50 11,89 15,03 9,04 22,40 152,30

2,00 90,00 82,00 30,00 8,87 11,19 4,82 22,25 177,45

C350 2,50 350 91,00 83,00 31,20 11,08 14,04 7,17 22,25 177,45

3,00 92,00 84,00 31,40 13,31 16,88 9,57 22,25 177,45

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 7

 Purlin C - Cross-section characteristics
Type of Thickness Moment of Section Moment of Section Moment of Section Radius of Max. Max.
purlin inertia, modulus inertia, modulus inertia, modulus gyration Bending Bending
gross gross effective effective effective effective moment, moment,
Top flange Top flange Bottom Bottom span span
com- com- flange flange Top flange Bottom
pressed pressed com- com- com- flange
pressed pressed pressed com-
pressed

tnom Iy Wy Iyeff Wyeff Iyeff Wyeff iy Mb,Rd Mb,Rd

mm cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm kNm kNm

1,00 31,179 6,097 28,681 5,608 29,531 5,566 3,936 1,963 1,948

1,20 37,635 7,345 36,934 7,294 37,633 7,344 3,935 2,553 2,570
C100
1,50 47,296 9,203 47,296 9,203 47,296 9,203 3,934 3,221 3,221

2,00 63,334 12,263 63,334 12,263 63,334 12,263 3,933 4,292 4,292

1,00 48,090 7,849 42,977 6,811 44,091 6,755 4,659 2,384 2,364

1,20 58,052 9,459 56,721 9,376 57,702 9,349 4,658 3,282 3,272
C120
1,50 72,961 11,859 72,961 11,859 72,961 11,859 4,656 4,151 4,151

2,00 97,715 15,818 97,715 15,818 97,715 15,818 4,654 5,536 5,536

1,00 81,702 10,689 69,841 8,540 71,541 8,499 5,712 2,989 2,975

1,20 98,635 12,887 92,384 11,996 93,703 11,723 5,711 4,198 4,103
C150
1,50 123,979 16,166 123,915 16,163 123,316 15,998 5,710 5,657 5,600

2,00 166,071 21,584 166,071 21,584 166,071 21,584 5,707 7,554 7,554

1,50 328,432 32,245 282,213 25,978 289,081 25,943 7,767 9,092 9,081

2,00 440,256 43,118 430,991 42,777 434,289 42,104 7,765 14,972 14,736
C200
2,50 551,755 53,904 551,755 53,904 551,755 53,904 7,763 18,867 18,867

3,00 662,934 64,607 662,934 64,607 662,934 64,607 7,761 22,613 22,613

1,50 555.167 43.686 456.312 32.529 467.097 32.597 9,494 11,385 11,409

2,00 744.265 58.450 698.615 54.176 702.218 52.611 9,491 18,962 18,414
C250
2,50 932.849 73.116 927.169 72.939 926.734 72.244 9,488 25,529 15,286

3,00 1120.925 87.684 1120.925 87.684 1120.925 87.684 9,486 30,689 30,689

1,50 981,253 64,525 695,224 38,170 713,208 38,652 11,492 13,360 13,528

2,00 1315,814 86,383 1090,689 64,990 1111,827 65,080 11,490 22,746 22,778
C300
2,50 1649,630 108,119 1509,905 95,805 1526,763 94,574 11,487 33,532 33,101

3,00 1982,708 129,735 1922,029 127,271 1921,362 123,186 11,485 44,545 43,115

2,00 1949,034 110,013 1599,629 80,953 1625,144 80,886 13,197 28,334 28,310

C350 2,50 2443,714 137,739 2211,815 118,779 2230,254 117,137 13,195 41,573 40,998

3,00 2937,385 165,330 2811,026 157,100 2805,580 152,270 13,192 54,985 53,295

8 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

 Lightweight purlin Hat
Steel grade: S350GD+Z
Yield strength: f y = 350 MPa
Tensile strength: fu = 420 Mpa

Purlin H - Cross-section geometries

Type of Thickness Height Width of Width of Fold Weight Cross Cross Center of Center of
purlin wide flange narrow section section gravity gravity
flange area, area,
gross effective

tnom H A B C g Agross Aeff Yp Zp

mm mm mm mm mm kg/m cm2 cm2 mm mm

1,00 100,00 48,00 18,30 3,28 4,04 2,06 96,46 47,25

1,20 100,00 48,00 19,30 3,95 4,88 2,94 96,47 47,25

H100 100
1,50 100,00 48,00 20,60 5,00 6,14 4,38 96,47 47,25

2,00 100,00 48,00 23,00 6,67 8,23 6,82 96,46 47,25

1,00 100,00 40,00 17,30 3,60 4,35 2,07 88,45 61,45

1,20 100,00 40,00 18,20 4,32 5,25 2,93 88,45 61,45

H125 125
1,50 100,00 40,00 19,60 5,40 6,61 4,23 88,46 61,45

2,00 100,00 40,00 22,00 7,20 8,86 6,62 88,46 61,45

1,00 100,00 43,00 16,80 4,00 4,88 2,07 91,55 72,95

1,20 100,00 43,00 17,70 4,80 5,89 2,94 91,55 72,95

H150 150
1,50 100,00 43,00 19,10 6,00 7,41 4,29 91,54 72,95

2,00 100,00 43,00 21,50 8,00 9,94 6,82 91,54 72,95

1,50 120,00 45,00 17,10 7,80 9,19 4,37 103,00 100,20

H200 2,00 200 120,00 45,00 19,50 10,50 12,32 7,05 103,00 100,20

2,50 120,00 45,00 23,00 12,75 15,46 10,11 103,00 100,20

1,50 120,00 50,00 19,60 9,00 10,87 4,55 108,00 122,70

H250 2,00 250 120,00 50,00 22,00 12,00 14,58 7,35 108,00 122,70

2,50 120,00 50,00 25,50 15,08 18,28 10,63 108,00 122,70

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 9

 Purlin H - Cross-section characteristics
Type of Thickness Moment of Section Moment of Section Moment of Section Radius of Max. Max.
purlin inertia, modulus inertia, modulus inertia, modulus gyration Bending Bending
gross gross effective effective effective effective moment, moment,
Top flange Top flange Bottom Bottom span span
com- com- flange flange Top flange Bottom
pressed pressed com- com- com- flange
pressed pressed pressed com-
pressed

tnom Iy Wy Iyeff Wyeff Iyeff Wyeff iy Mb,Rd Mb,Rd

mm cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm kNm kNm

1,00 63,878 12,165 44,288 7,056 59,365 11,896 3,975 2,469 4,164

1,20 77,130 14,662 59,244 9,911 74,808 14,525 3,975 3,469 5,084
H100
1,50 96,973 18,385 80,050 13,791 96,973 18,385 3,974 4,827 6,435

2,00 129,954 24,530 116,495 20,757 129,954 24,530 3,973 7,265 8,585

1,00 101,669 16,055 69,565 9,014 94,522 14,569 4,835 3,155 5,099

1,20 122,760 19,358 92,936 12,649 122,104 19,356 4,834 4,427 6,775
H120
1,50 154,339 24,285 129,830 18,692 154,339 24,285 4,833 6,542 8,500

2,00 206,821 32,427 187,274 27,829 206,821 32,427 4,832 9,740 11,345

1,00 159,406 20,752 105,524 11,111 140,833 17,599 5,717 3,889 6,159

1,20 192,486 25,029 141,322 15,587 185,618 24,660 5,716 5,455 8,631
H150
1,50 242,024 31,415 199,881 23,434 242,024 31,415 5,715 8,202 10,995

2,00 324,370 41,980 295,700 36,484 324,370 41,980 5,713 12,769 14,693

1,50 513.342 51.389 383.696 32.748 483.870 46.041 7,475 11,462 16,114

H200 2,00 688.164 68.700 594.947 55.048 687.490 68.569 7,472 19,267 24,000

2,50 862.498 85.866 797.522 76.487 862.498 85.866 7,470 26,771 30,053

1,50 912,797 71,851 646,601 42,241 830,181 62,569 9,165 14,784 21,899

H250 2,00 1223,877 96,168 1008,999 70,966 1182,411 93,313 9,162 24,838 32,659

2,50 1534,196 120,341 1406,512 105,207 1534,196 120,341 9,160 36,823 42,120

10 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

 Lightweight purlin U
Steel grade: S350GD+Z
Yield strength: f y = 350 MPa
Tensile strength: fu = 420 Mpa

Purlin U - Cross-section geometries

Type of Thickness Height Width of Width of Fold Weight Cross Cross Center of Center of
purlin wide flange narrow section section gravity gravity
flange area, area,
gross effective

tnom H A B C g Agross Aeff Yp Zp

mm mm mm mm mm kg/m cm2 cm2 mm mm

1,00 52,50 52,50 - 1,60 190,00 66,00 13,80 50,00

1,20 52,80 52,80 - 1,92 230,00 95,00 13,90 50,00

1,50 53,40 53,40 - 2,40 289,00 146,00 14,05 50,00

U100 100
2,00 51,80 51,80 - 3,12 388,00 248,00 14,30 50,00

2,50 59,20 59,20 - 4,16 518,00 372,00 17,25 50,00

3,00 51,00 51,00 - 4,56 585,00 505,00 14,80 50,00

1,00 50,50 50,50 - 1,60 190,00 67,00 12,80 52,00

1,20 50,80 50,80 - 1,92 230,00 95,00 12,90 52,00

1,50 51,40 51,40 - 2,40 289,00 146,00 13,05 52,00

U104 104
2,00 49,80 49,80 - 3,12 388,00 249,00 13,30 52,00

2,50 57,20 57,20 - 4,16 518,00 375,00 16,15 52,00

3,00 49,00 49,00 - 4,56 585,00 508,00 13,80 52,00

1,00 51,50 51,50 - 2,00 239,00 68,00 11,10 75,00

1,20 51,80 51,80 - 2,40 289,00 98,00 11,20 75,00

1,50 52,40 52,40 - 3,00 363,00 151,00 11,45 75,00

U150 150
2,00 53,20 53,20 - 4,00 487,00 261,00 11,70 75,00

2,50 44,20 44,20 - 4,60 567,00 390,00 9,25 75,00

3,00 48,50 48,50 - 5,64 704,00 544,00 10,80 75,00

1,00 49,50 49,50 - 2,00 239,00 68,00 10,30 77,00

1,20 49,80 49,80 - 2,40 289,00 98,00 10,40 77,00

1,50 50,40 50,40 - 3,00 363,00 151,00 10,55 77,00

U154 154
2,00 51,20 51,20 - 4,00 487,00 261,00 10,80 77,00

2,50 42,20 42,20 - 4,60 567,00 389,00 8,55 77,00

3,00 46,50 46,50 - 5,64 704,00 544,00 10,00 77,00

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 11

 1,00 49,50 49,50 - 2,35 282,00 69,00 8,70 100,00

1,20 49,80 49,80 - 2,82 340,00 99,00 8,80 100,00

U200 1,50 200 50,40 50,40 - 3,52 428,00 153,00 8,95 100,00

2,00 51,20 51,20 - 4,70 575,00 267,00 9,20 100,00

3,00 49,00 49,00 - 6,86 867,00 569,00 9,70 100,00

1,00 47,50 47,50 - 2,35 282,00 69,00 8,00 102,00

1,20 47,80 47,80 - 2,82 340,00 99,00 8,10 102,00

U204 1,50 204 48,40 48,40 - 3,52 428,00 153,00 8,25 102,00

2,00 49,20 49,20 - 4,70 575,00 267,00 8,50 102,00

3,00 47,00 47,00 - 6,86 867,00 568,00 9,00 102,00

1,00 51,50 51,50 - 2,80 335,00 69,00 8,10 125,00

1,20 51,80 51,80 - 3,36 405,00 100,00 8,20 125,00

1,50 52,40 52,40 - 4,20 509,00 155,00 8,35 125,00

U250 250
2,00 53,20 53,20 - 5,60 683,00 271,00 8,60 125,00

2,50 64,20 64,20 - 7,40 911,00 420,00 11,95 125,00

3,00 55,00 55,00 - 8,35 1039,00 586,00 9,70 125,00

1,00 49,50 49,50 - 2,80 335,00 69,00 7,50 127,00

1,20 49,80 49,80 - 3,36 405,00 100,00 7,60 127,00

1,50 50,40 50,40 - 4,20 509,00 155,00 7,75 127,00

U254 254
2,00 51,20 51,20 - 5,60 683,00 271,00 8,00 127,00

2,50 62,20 62,20 - 7,40 911,00 420,00 11,25 127,00

3,00 53,00 53,00 - 8,35 1039,00 585,00 9,10 127,00

1,00 61,50 61,50 - 3,36 401,00 70,00 9,40 150,00

1,20 50,40 50,40 - 3,79 459,00 100,00 6,90 150,00

1,50 50,80 50,80 - 4,74 578,00 156,00 7,05 150,00

U300 300
2,00 63,30 63,30 - 6,56 818,00 276,00 9,90 150,00

2,50 64,20 64,20 - 8,40 1026,00 424,00 10,15 150,00

3,00 51,00 51,00 - 9,36 1170,00 591,00 7,80 150,00

1,00 59,50 63,50 - 3,36 401,00 70,00 8,80 152,00

1,20 48,40 52,40 - 3,79 459,00 100,00 6,40 152,00

1,50 48,80 52,80 - 4,74 578,00 156,00 6,55 152,00

U304 304
2,00 61,30 65,30 - 6,56 818,00 276,00 9,30 152,00

2,50 62,20 66,20 - 8,40 1026,00 424,00 9,55 152,00

3,00 49,00 53,00 - 9,36 1170,00 590,00 7,30 152,00

12 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

Purlin U - Cross-section characteristics
Type of Thickness Moment of Section Moment of Section Moment of Section Radius of Max. Max.
purlin inertia, modulus inertia, modulus inertia, modulus gyration Bending Bending
gross gross effective effective effective effective moment, moment,
Top flange Top flange Bottom Bottom span span
com- com- flange flange Top flange Bottom
pressed pressed com- com- com- flange
pressed pressed pressed com-
pressed

tnom Iy Wy Iyeff Wyeff Iyeff Wyeff iy Mb,Rd Mb,Rd

mm cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm4 cm3 cm kNm kNm

1,00 30,628 6,190 18,976 3,010 18,976 3,010 4,011 1,054 1,054

1,20 36,990 7,461 25,408 4,233 25,408 4,233 4,011 1,482 1,482

1,50 46,521 9,355 34,223 5,859 34,223 5,859 4,011 2,051 2,051
U100
2,00 62,376 12,480 49,770 8,792 49,770 8,792 4,010 3,077 3,077

2,50 85,043 17,015 69,334 12,337 69,334 12,337 4,053 4,318 4,318

3,00 93,977 18,617 84,493 15,708 84,493 15,708 4,009 5,498 5,498

1,00 32,514 6,316 20,454 3,140 20,454 3,140 4,133 1,100 1,100

1,20 39,267 7,613 27,368 4,413 27,368 4,413 4,133 1,545 1,545

1,50 49,384 9,547 37,062 6,168 37,062 6,168 4,132 2,159 2,159
U104
2,00 66,213 12,738 53,766 9,227 53,766 9,227 4,131 3,230 3,230

2,50 90,474 17,406 74,909 12,937 74,909 12,937 4,180 4,528 4,528

3,00 99,751 19,007 90,938 16,405 90,938 16,405 4,130 5,742 5,742

1,00 79,400 10,625 46,725 4,801 46,725 4,801 5,762 1,680 1,680

1,20 95,897 12,815 62,769 6,745 62,769 6,745 5,762 2,361 2,361

1,50 120,616 16,086 89,248 10,181 89,248 10,181 5,761 3,563 3,563
U150
2,00 161,742 21,500 133,398 16,060 133,398 16,060 5,760 5,621 5,621

2,50 176,795 23,579 162,065 20,645 162,065 20,645 5,584 7,226 7,226

3,00 223,716 29,837 208,938 26,844 208,938 26,844 5,636 9,395 9,395

1,00 82,247 10,719 49,014 4,933 49,014 4,933 5,865 1,727 1,727

1,20 99,335 12,929 65,816 6,927 65,816 6,927 5,864 2,424 2,424

1,50 124,939 16,230 93,526 10,448 93,526 10,448 5,864 3,657 3,657
U154
2,00 167,534 21,693 140,214 16,578 140,214 16,578 5,862 5,802 5,802

2,50 182,750 23,740 169,793 21,225 169,793 21,225 5,677 7,429 7,429

3,00 231,556 30,080 218,885 27,580 218,885 27,580 5,734 9,653 9,653

1,00 151,994 15,279 86,415 6,610 86,415 6,610 7,344 2,314 2,314

1,20 183,581 18,435 116,407 9,277 116,407 9,277 7,343 3,247 3,247

U200 1,50 230,912 23,154 166,029 13,982 166,029 13,982 7,342 4,894 4,894

2,00 309,666 30,973 258,684 23,568 258,684 23,568 7,340 8,249 8,249

3,00 466,691 46,446 435,016 41,760 435,016 41,760 7,337 14,616 14,616

1,00 155,586 15,332 89,446 6,741 89,446 6,741 7,430 2,359 2,359

1,20 187,918 18,500 120,442 9,455 120,442 9,455 7,429 3,309 3,309

U204 1,50 236,365 23,235 171,702 14,241 171,702 14,241 7,428 4,984 4,984

2,00 316,973 31,082 267,333 23,982 267,333 23,982 7,426 8,394 8,394

3,00 477,686 46,613 450,038 42,602 450,038 42,602 7,423 14,911 14,911

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 13

 1,00 271,765 21,788 143,520 8,572 143,520 8,572 9,006 3,000 3,000

1,20 328,260 26,297 194,024 12,026 194,024 12,026 9,005 4,209 4,209

1,50 412,923 33,039 278,105 18,129 278,105 18,129 9,004 6,345 6,345
U250
2,00 553,821 44,224 435,885 30,561 435,885 30,561 9,002 10,696 10,696

2,50 774,088 61,937 641,079 46,513 641,079 46,513 9,216 16,280 16,280

3,00 840,827 67,277 773,288 59,372 773,288 59,372 8,997 20,780 20,780

1,00 276,505 21,818 147,451 8,704 147,451 8,704 9,084 3,047 3,047

1,20 333,983 26,333 199,262 12,207 199,262 12,207 9,083 4,272 4,272

1,50 420,118 33,085 285,489 18,390 285,489 18,390 9,082 6,437 6,437
U254
2,00 563,463 44,287 447,204 30,976 447,204 30,976 9,080 10,842 10,842

2,50 788,939 62,131 658,347 47,176 658,347 47,176 9,304 16,512 16,512

3,00 855,848 67,400 794,711 60,356 794,711 60,356 9,077 21,125 21,125

1,00 466,593 31,214 220,610 10,648 220,610 10,648 10,788 3,727 3,727

1,20 509,012 33,973 288,882 14,761 288,882 14,761 10,527 5,166 5,166

1,50 640,318 42,694 415,164 22,228 415,164 22,228 10,525 7,780 7,780
U300
2,00 951,141 63,418 682,468 38,143 682,468 38,143 10,784 13,350 13,350

2,50 1192,855 79,402 962,754 57,030 962,754 57,030 10,782 19,961 19,961

3,00 1294,830 85,904 1204,668 77,022 1204,668 77,022 10,518 26,958 26,958

1,00 473,367 31,249 225,716 10,790 225,716 10,790 10,867 3,776 3,776

1,20 515,669 33,964 295,152 14,939 295,152 14,939 10,595 5,229 5,229

1,50 648,688 42,682 423,994 22,482 423,994 22,482 10,594 7,869 7,869
U304
2,00 964,929 63,491 697,426 38,591 697,426 38,591 10,862 13,507 13,507

2,50 1210,136 79,494 983,475 57,668 983,475 57,668 10,860 20,184 20,184

3,00 1311,708 85,884 1228,367 77,714 1228,367 77,714 10,587 27,200 27,200

14 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2 Structural systems

There are four alternative roof purlin systems for different applications, as well as various combinations of these
systems. The properties of the systems and the selection criteria are discussed below.

2.1 SINGLE SPAN SYSTEM

Used in walls and roofs, in moderate spans

• A simple system
• Same support reactions of primary rafters in centre bays
• Small number of joint components
• Whole roof consists of similar purlins
• Higher consumption of steel
• Higher deflections
• Can be implemented with Z, C, hat and purlins.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 15

2.1.1 SINGLE SPAN SYSTEM, PURLIN DESIGNATION DIAGRAM

W
SS

Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L C_ R

W W W
SL SI SR
Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L L L C_ R

Seen from eaves

Single span purlin Single span purlin

Inner bay Left
(Cantilever Right) (Cantilever Left)
SI SL

Single span purlin Single span purlin

Inner bay Right
(Cantilever Left) SI SL (Cantilever Right)

Seen from eaves

Seen from eaves Seen from eaves

16 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.1.2 SINGLE SPAN SYSTEM, PURLINS

Note! On site the purlin is seen from the eaves

SS
Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L C_ R

W W W
SL SI SR
Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L L L C_ R

Reversed design to be used in reversed purlins

Note! In manufacturing drawings the purlin is seen with the

L=span

Pre-punched single span single purlin SS

50 50
C_ L L C_ R
Cantilever Cantilever

Pre-punched single span purlin, left end bay SL

50 L-35 32 3
C_ L L
Cantilever

Pre-punched single span purlin, inner bay SI

3 32 L-70 32 3
L

Pre-punched single span purlin, right end bay

3 32 L -35 50
L C_ R
Cantilever

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 17

2.1.3 SINGLE SPAN SYSTEM, SUPPORT CLEATS

Support cleat at end support Support cleat at end support

Z100 N

37 30 33

45 30 15

45 30 15
U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4

100
100

90

90
Hole Ø = 14 W 25 70 25

N
37 50 33

U-120*35*4

45 50 15

45 50 15
U-80*35*4
Z120
120
120

110

110
W 25 70 25
Hole Ø = 14

N
48

50 30

50 30
U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
Z150
150
150

52 50

140

140
W
60

60
25 70 25
Hole Ø = 14

N
30

30
48

U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
200

200
100

Z200
190
100

190
100
52

W 25 70 25
60

60

Hole Ø = 18

N
48

30

30
250

Z250
250

U-120*55*4 U-120*55*4
240

240
150

150

150
60

60

W
52

Hole Ø = 18 25 70 25

N
48

30

30
200

200
300

300
200

290

290

Z300 U-120*55*4 U-120*55*4

60

60

Hole Ø = 18 W
52

25 70 25

N
48

30

30
250

250
250
350

350

Z350
340

340

U-160*55*4 U-160*55*4

Hole Ø = 18
60

60

W
52

45 70 45

18 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.2 DOUBLE SPAN SYSTEM

Used in walls in 4-6m spans, and in roofs in moderate spans.

• Small deflections
• Small number of parts requiring installation
• Amount of installation work limited
• Different support reactions of principal rafters
• Long sections, more difficult to handle
• Can be implemented with Z, C, hat and purlins

It is possible to use the same support cleat at intermediate support of each 2-span purlin as at purlin joint.
A top hat purlin always has to be equipped with a brace section. The material thickness of this brace section is
recommended to be the same as the material thickness of the purlin itself. The dimensions of the brace section are
shown together with the cross-sectional dimensions of the top hat purlin, see section 1.6.
Length of brace section L>Max(3*s, 2*H), where s is the support width and H is the height of the section.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 19

2.2.1 DOUBLE SPAN SYSTEM, PURLIN DESIGNATION DIAGRAM

W
Double span single purlin DS

Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L_ L_ L__R C_ R

W W W
DL DI DR
Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L_L L_R L_ L_ L__R L_L L_ R C_ R

Seen from eaves

(Cantilever Right) Double span purlin Double span purlin Double span purlin (Cantilever Left)
Right Inner bay Left
DR DI DL

(Cantilever Left) Double span purlin Double span purlin Double span purlin (Cantilever Right)
Left Inner bay Right
DL DI DR

Seen from eaves

Seen from eaves Seen from eaves

20 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.2.2 DOUBLE SPAN SYSTEM, PURLINS

Note! On site, the purlin is seen from the eaves

W
DS

Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L_L L_ R C_ R

W W W
DL DI DR
Cantilever Cantilever
C_ L L_L L_ R L_L L_ R L_L L_ R C_ R

Reversed design to be used in reversed purlins

Note! In manufacturing drawings the purlin is seen with the

L=span
L_L=Left span length
L_R=Right span length

Pre-punched single span single purlin DS

50 50
C_ L L_L L_ R C_ R
Cantilever Cantilever

Pre-punched single span purlin, left end bay DL

50 L_ R-35 32 3
C_ L L_L L_ R
Cantilever

Pre-punched single span purlin, inner bay DI

3 32 L_L-3 5 L_ R-35 32 3
L_L L_ R

Pre-punched single span purlin, right end bay DR

3 32 L_L-3 5 50
L_L L_ R C_ R

Cantilever

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 21

2.2.3 DOUBLE SPAN SYSTEM, SUPPORT CLEATS

Support cleat at intermediate support Support cleat at purlin joint

Z100 N

37 30 33

45 30 15

45 30 15
U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
100
100

90

90
Hole Ø=14
W 25 70 25

N
37 50 33

45 50 15

45 50 15
U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
Z120
120
120

110

110
W 25 70 25
Hole Ø=14

N
48

50 30

50 30
U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
150

Z150
150

140

140
52 50

60

60
W 25 70 25
Hole Ø=14

N
30

30
48

U-80*35*4 U-120*35*4
200

200

Z200
100

190
100

190
100
52

W 25 70 25
60

60

Hole Ø=18

N
48

30

30

Z250 U-120*55*4 U-120*55*4

250
250

240
150

240
150

150
60

W
60
52

Hole Ø=18 25 70 25

N
48

30
30

200
300

300
200

200

Z300 U-120*55*4 U-120*55*4

290
290

60
52

Ø=18 W
60

Hole 25 70 25

N
48

30

30
350

U-160*55*4 U-160*55*4
250

250
250

Z350
350

340

340

Hole Ø=18 W
60

60
52

45 70 45

22 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.3 SLEEVED SYSTEM – ALTERNATIVE DESIGN WITH RUUKKI’S PURCALC SOFTWARE

Used in roof and wall structures.

System contains a special sleeve section, normally either similar gauge to basic purlin or max. 0.5 mm thicker.
• Optimal weight
• Small deflections
• Sections easy to handle
• A larger number of components
• More installation work
• For Z sections the sleeve section is identical to the basic purlin section

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 23

2.3.1 SLEEVED SYSTEM, PURLIN DESIGNATION DIAGRAM

W W W W W
VL VI VI VI VR
NN NN
VE VE VE VE
Cantilever
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

Seen from eaves

Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system
Right end bay Inner bay Inner bay Inner bay Left end bay
VR VI VI VI VL

Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system Sleeved system
Left end bay Inner bay Inner bay Inner bay Right end bay
VL VI VI VI VR

Seen from eaves

Seen from eaves Seen from eaves

24 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.3.2 SLEEVED SYSTEM, PURLINS

Note! On site, the purlin is seen from the eaves

W W W W W
VL VI VI VI VR
NN NN
VE VE VE VE
Cantilever L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

Reversed design to be used in reversed purlins

Note! In manufacturing drawings the purlin is seen with the

L=span
Sleeve section, VE
L_L=Left span length
0,13L_L 0,13L_ R
L_R=Right span length
L_tot= 0.13(L_L+L_R)+70

0,13L_L- 35 0,13L_R- 35
35 70 35
L_ tot

Sleeved system, left end bay, VL

50 35 0,87L-35 0,13 L-35 32 3

35
L
Cantilever

Sleeved system, Inner bay, VI

3 32 0,13L-35 0,74 L 0,13L- 35 32 3

L

Sleeved system, right end bay, VR

3 32 0,13L-35 0,87L-35 35 35 50
L
Cantilever

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 25

2.3.3 SLEEVED SYSTEM, SUPPORT CLEATS

Support cleat
SLEEVE SECTION VE

Z100 N W

33 30 37

45 30 15
37 30 33
U-120*35*4

100
100

90
100

100
Ø = 14
W N 25 70 25

N W
37 50 33

U-120*35*4

45 50 15
33 50 15
Z120
120
120

120

110

110
W N 25 70 25
Ø = 14

N W

52
48

U-120*35*4

50 30
150

150

Z150
150

50
150
52 50

140
48
W N 25 70 25

60
Ø = 14

N W
U-120*35*4
52
48

30
200

200
200

Z200
100

200
100

190
100
52

W N 35 70 35
48

Ø = 18
60

N W
52
48

30

U-120*55*4
Z250
250
250

250
150

150
250

240
150
52

W N 35 70 35
60

Ø = 18
48

N W
48

52

30

U-120*55*4
300

300

300
200

200

Z300
300

200
290
52

48

Ø = 18 W N
60

35 70 35

N W
48

30
52

U-160*55*6
350

350
250
350

Z350
250
250

340
350

Ø = 18
52

W N
60
48

35 70 35

26 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.4 OVERLAPPED SYSTEM - RECOMMENDED BY RUUKKI

Used in roof and wall purlins, in spans of 6-10 m.

The purlins are overlapped inside one another.
A double purlin or a thicker section in end bay.
• Optimal weight
• Small deflections
• Long spans can be achieved
• A larger number of joints
• More installation work
• Can be implemented with Z sections

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 27

2.4.1 OVERLAPPED SYSTEM, PURLIN DESIGNATION DIAGRAM

N N N
LL LI LR
W W WW
LF LI LI LF
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5

Cantilever

Seen from eaves

Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin
Right end bay Inner bay Inner bay Inner bay Left end bay
LR LI LI LI LL

Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin Overlapped purlin
Left end bay Inner bay Inner bay Inner bay Right end bay
LL LI LI LI LR

Seen from eaves

Seen from eaves Seen from eaves

28 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

2.4.2 OVERLAPPED SYSTEM, PURLINS

Note! On site, the purlin is seen from the eaves

N N N
LL LI LR
W W WW WW
LF LI LI LF
Cantilever L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 Cantilever

Reversed design to be used in reversed purlins

Note! In manufacturing drawings the purlin is seen with the

L=span
L_L=Left bay length
L_R=Right bay length

50 0,8*L 50

Overlapped purlin LL, left end bay

50 0,8*L 0,07*L 0,13*L 0,2*L_ R 50

L
Cantilever

Overlapped purlin LI, inner bay

50 0,13 *L_L 0,13 *L 0,07 *L 0,6*L 0,07*L 0,13*L 0,13*L _R 50

L

Overlapped purlin LR, right end bay

50 0,2*L_ L 0,13 *L 0,07 *L 0,8*L 50

L Cantilever

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 29

 30
Z120

Z150
Z100

Z250

Z350
Z200

Z300
Ø=14
Ø=14
Ø=14

Ø=18
Ø=18
Ø=18
Ø=18
350 300 250 200 150 120 100

W
W
W
W
W
W
W

N
N
N
N
N
N
N
350 300 250 200 150 120 100

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

52 250 48 52 200 48 52 150 48 52 100 48 52 50 48 37 50 33 37 30 33
2.4.3 OVERLAPPED SYSTEM, SUPPORT CLEATS

350 300 250 200 150 120 100

N
N
N
N
N
N
N

W
W
W
W
W
W
W

350 300 250 200 150 110 100

48 250 52 48 200 52 48 150 52 48 100 52 48 50 52 33 50 15 33 30 37

340 290 240 190 140 110 90

60 250 30 60 200 30 60 150 30 60 100 30 60 50 30 45 50 15 45 30 15
Support cleat

U-80*35*4
U-80*35*4
U-80*35*4
U-80*35*4

U-120*55*4
U-120*55*4

U-160*55*6
2.5 HOLE DESIGN PRINCIPLE FOR MANUFACTURE
Standard pre-punching is used for each purlin system. The pre-punching dimensions are given with the lower
flange toward the viewer and the wider flange of the section as the lower flange. The longitudinal location of the
holes is given as a distance from the cutting point, from left to right. The dimensioning of holes for fixing screws is
standardised.
Pre-punching is implemented using punches of different sizes and forms. The selection of punches varies depend-
ing on the production plant and the section manufacturing method. The standardised sizes and locations of holes for
fixing screws are presented below. Additional information about the pre-punching possibilities can be obtained by
contacting us.

Reference point for distances = cutting point

Direction of steel band on the rolls

A - wide flange
B - narrow flange

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 31

2.6 TYPES OF HOLES
Holes are made during production at continuous line – information:
• max. material thickness 3 mm (for ø 60 mm max. material thickness 2mm),
• holes can be made in a row,
• oval and rectangular holes can be rotated by 90°.

Table 1. Perforation tools for the press brake products

Shape Diameter / dimensions (mm) Quantity Turn
3 2

3,5 2

5 2

6 2

7 2

8 2

9 2

10 2

12 2

14 2

16 2

18 2

20 2

22 2

26 2

35 2

5x16 2 90°

6,5x30 2 90°

9x15 2 90°

12x30 2 90°

14x30 1 90°

16x30 2 90°

18x25 2 90°

18x35 2 90°

20x40 2 90°

5x30 2 90°

5x45 1 90°

5x49 1 90°

10x10 2 90°

15x15 2 90°

23x23 2 90°

35x35 2 90°

45x45 1 90°

32 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

 Table 2. Perforation tools for roll forming machine
Shape Diameter / dimensions (mm) Quantity Turn
3

3,6

10

12

14

16

18

20

22

26

60

12x24 90°

14x24 90°

16x35 90°

18x32 90°

18x35 90°

20x35 90°

5x25 90°

45x45 90°

50x50 90°

No limitation in number of holes during production.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 33

2.7 SUPPORT CLEATS
Purlin systems utilise support cleats attached to the primary beams of the building frame. The purlins are fixed to
these support cleats from the web with screw joints. In Ruukki systems the support cleats are U sections made of at
least steel grade S235. In the design of the support cleats, the tying of the section sheet on the roof ridge with a ridge
moulding is taken into account. If a ridge moulding is not used, the dimensioning of the U section and its fixing to the
primary rafter must be separately checked due to the stresses caused by the load component acting in the direction
of the roof slope.
When screw joints are used, the support cleats are delivered with pre-drilled holes for hexagon screws, diameter
either 14 mm or 18 mm depending on the size of the purlin. The sizes and the distances are shown in the purlin dia-
gram. A sleeved system features two vertical rows of fixings, an overlapped system either one or two rows depending
on selected support cleats. Single and double span systems have one or two rows, depending on the location of the
support cleat and on the selection of support cleat. The program PurCalc for purlin dimensioning also determines the
required number of fixings.
If self-drilling screws are to be used for some reason, the support cleat is not pre-drilled. However, it should be
noted that screw joints must always be used if the material thickness of the purlin exceeds 1.5 mm, due to joint
ductility requirements.

Examples of support cleats:

C and Z purlins are supported from their web to the primary rafter using the
H< U-Section
following U sections at low roof slopes, and when the section sheet is tied to
the opposite slope sheet with a ridge moulding. Otherwise the fixing sections 200 U-80*35*4
have to be dimensioned specifically for loads acting in the direction of the 300 U-120*55*4
slope plane.
350 U-160*55*6

34 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

3 Factors to be considered in the use of lightweight purlins

3.1 TORSIONAL RIGIDITY

Lightweight purlins exhibit an open cross-section and
low torsional rigidity in proportion to their bending
rigidity. Due to the low torsional rigidity the lateral
buckling resistance of an unsupported purlin restricts
the load bearing capacity significantly.

3.2 IMPROVING TORSIONAL RIGIDITY

Torsional rigidity can be improved by fixing the
purlin to a form plate or corresponding that provides
transverse support to the upper flange of the purlin.
The bending rigidity of the form plate also increases
the rotational rigidity of the purlin.

3.3 LOCAL BUCKLING Flange

edge
The resistance of a thin gauge sheet cross-section is
stiffener
restricted due to buckling of plate-like cross-sectional thinned
parts under compression, or by buckling under com-
pression of plate-like stiffeners that resist buckling. A
plane section does not loose its load bearing capacity
completely; in fact, a plane section often retains a
considerable part of its capacity in this state. This is Web
modelled in calculations by removing a part under section

the most stress from the plane section, or by thinning

the edge stiffener and the part of the plane section
considered to be part of it.

3.4 DISTORTION OF SECTION

In cross-sections of certain shapes, distortion of the
section also restricts the load bearing capacity.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 35

3.5 RESISTANCE TO SUPPORT REACTIONS
Buckling of the plane section is also possible in the support cleat, whereby the web of the purlin as a result of the
support reaction tends to deviate from its plane, which restricts the load bearing capacity of the purlin. For reinforce-
ment, a support cleat is normally used, e.g. a U section that is fixed from its back to the web of the purlin so that the
support cleat alone transmits the support reaction to the rafter.

3.6 PURLINS THAT ARE SUPPORTED AT THE FLANGE

Top hat purlins are always provided with a brace piece (cf. cross-sectional dimensions of top hat purlins), which is
fixed together with the basic purlin through its flanges directly to the primary rafter. The resistance to the support
reactions is then produced by the top hat purlin and the brace section together.

3.7 TRANSVERSE RIGIDITY

The rigidity of thin gauge sheet purlins in the direction of the minor axis is low. This causes bending at the roof slope
plane, unless the slope has sheet rigidity. This could be the case, for example, if the sheet seams from the ridge
toward the eaves are not fixed. However, it is recommended that the section sheets of the slopes are tied together
with a ridge moulding. In practice, this will prevent the bending of the purlin in the direction of the roof slope, and at
the same time essentially reduce the stresses acting on the support cleats.

3.8 UNSUPPORTED LOWER FLANGE

In single span purlins the unsupported lower flange of the purlin may be under compression due to wind uplift,
whereby it can buckle in the transverse direction. This applies particularly to wall purlins, in which the self-weight of
the structure does not counteract the suction pressure, as is the case in roof structure.

36 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

3.9 UNSUPPORTED LOWER FLANGE UNDER COMPRESSION
In continuous purlins the unsupported lower flange of the purlin is under compression at the brace moment, whereby
it tends to buckle. This restricts the load bearing capacity of the purlin.

3.10 CANTILEVER PURLIN

The load bearing capacity of cantilever purlins is low, but it can be increased to some extent by fixing the cantilever
end rigidly to the face section.

If distortion of the end of a cantilever purlin is prevented using e.g. a U section of the same height as the purlin, fixed
from its flanges to the flanges of the cantilever purlin, the following shall be valid for the end support:

Nsd /Aeff+ My, Sd /Weff, y ≤ Mc, Rd,V /Weff, y

where

Nsd is the design value of normal force

Aeff i s the effective area of the cross-section in axial compression

My, Sd is the design value of the moment with an end support

Weff, y is the effective bending resistance of the crosssection against bending about the y axis

Mc, Rd,V is the bending resistance, when account is taken of the influence of shear force

Otherwise the following shall be valid

Purlin height L-section
Nsd /Aeff + My, Sd /Weff, y ≤ 2Mc, Rd,V /3Weff, y
max 150 45*45-1.5

Minimum dimensions of the section that joins the free flanges of a cantilever max 200 70*70-1.5
purlin (upper flanges of the cantilever purlin are provided with continuous max 300 70*70-2.0
support by a form plate)
max 350 70*70-2.5

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 37

4 PurCalc purlin design software

Design with PurCalc software enables the most economical solution for cold-formed purlin-based roof structure.
The software includes Ruukki’s offering of Z, Hat, U and C purlins The options included in the software enables
following calculations methods:
• Calculation of purlin structure based on Eurocode, without purlin restrainment.
• Calculation of purlins structure based on test results, when purlins are restrained with Ruukki’s profile sheet
• Calculation of purlin structure based on test results, when purlins are restrained by Ruukki’s roof sandwich
panels.

Language options in the software are; Romanian, Hungarian, Slovak, Czech, Polish English, Swedish and Finnish.

5 Handling, transport and storage of lightweight purlins

5.1 HANDLING
All necessary health and safety precautions have to be taken into account when handling the purlins. When handling
the products, it is recommended to use protective clothing and cut resistance gloves. When cutting the products,
please use also respirator as cutting may release dust and small particles.
Also special care shall always be exercised to prevent any damages to purlins itself. Even small dents and deflec-
tions may impair the load bearing capacity of the purlin significantly. Scratches on the zinc coating of the components
be avoided.
The materials shall be sufficiently protected against moisture and damages at various stages of their handling. If
components are handled manually, appropriate protective gloves shall be worn to prevent injuries.

5.2 TRANSPORT
The purlins and the fixing components are at the production plant packed in packages that are easy to handle. Purlins
are bundled together and small components are packed in separate packages. The content is clearly marked on each
package to ensure they are transported to the correct site. On the site the materials should be carefully checked to
ensure the correct quantity and condition of the products. The supplier shall be informed in writing of any deficien-
cies and transport damages immediately. Damaged products are not allowed to install without Ruukki’s approval.

5.3 STORAGE
Materials should be stored as closed as possible to the final installation location indicated in the installation diagrams
to avoid unnecessary liftings and transports.
Purlins shall be stored in a dry place protected against rain and snow, on a level base. The dry storing conditions
will prevent white rust on galvanised surface. Products shall be supported at regular intervals to prevent deforma-
tion. It is recommended that products are supported in a slightly inclined position (1:20), to ensure that possible water
leaking onto the purlins will be drained. The packages should be raised above ground to allow ventilation of the
bottom side of the packages. Materials should not be piled on top each other, as this may damage the sections.
If purlins get wet in rain, they must be separated and dried to eliminate the possibility of white rust. If required,
sufficient support shall be provided for the packages to prevent them from tipping or falling over.

6 Installation of lightweight purlins

All necessary health and safety precautions have to be taken into account when handling the purlins. When handling
the products, it is recommended to use protective clothing and cut resistance gloves. When cutting the products,
please use also respirator as cutting may release dust and small particles.
The installation of lightweight purlins is swift and easy. The purlins are primarily fixed with hexagon screw joints
using pre-drilled holes, or sometimes with self-drilling screws. It should be noted that purlins with a thickness of
more than 1.5 mm must not be fixed to support cleats or to each other with self-drilling screws, but hexagon screw
joints must be used. The low cost of installation is based on the swiftness of the work and on prefabricated structural
parts. The small weight and the small space requirements of the structural parts reduce transport costs.
Lightweight purlins are installed according to an installation diagram drawn up by the designer.

38 Lightweight purlins. Technical manual.

The installation specification should contain at least the following information:
• project data
• designer
• installation technician
• material list and layout diagram
• storage of components on site
• handling of transport packages on site
• installation equipment
• installation stages
• screw joints
• temporary bracing during installation
• installation tolerances
• qualification of structures and quality control

Structural parts must not be forced in place so that they are deformed or subjected to stresses. Thin gauge sheet
structures are sensitive to local damage, and for this reason special attention shall be paid in installation to prevent-
ing the parts from being dented or otherwise damaged.
Roof purlins do not usually require temporary bracing during installation, but this shall be verified when longer
spans or higher slopes are concerned. Z roof purlins shall always be installed with the upper flange toward the ridge,
cf. the Figure. In addition, the lower flange of a Z purlin must be installed at a distance of ca. 10 mm from the upper
chord of the truss or the beam.
The work specification, the drawings, the installation plan and the quality control plan shall be studied before in-
stallation is started. The acceptance inspection of the materials, accessories, installation parts and lightweight purlins
shall include an inspection of waybills, dispatch notes, transport damages and handling damages. It is important to
verify that the materials and accessories comply with standards or are delivered with certified product declarations.
It is recommended that during installation, attention is paid to the following factors:
• location of structures
• straightness of structures
• angles
• joints between components
• main dimensions
• other dimensions
• handling, lifting and storage of materials, accessories and parts
• scaffolding
• tightening and locking of screws and nuts

The installation sequence shall be determined before the purlins are installed. The bundles of purlins are lifted in
the correct locations according to the installation diagram drawn up by the designer. Purlins with the wide flange
down are installed first.

Lightweight purlins. Technical manual. 39

We make steel-based products for walls and roofs, for both commercial

CFI.005/EN/03.2022/LSB
buildings and private homes. We’re a supplier of high-quality products,
systems and solutions, developed sustainably and to live up to the
highest demands on durability in harsh conditions.

This publication is accurate to the best of our knowledge and understand-

ing. Although every effort has been made to ensure accuracy, the company
does not assume any responsibility for any errors or decisions, or any direct,
indirect or consequential damage caused by incorrect application of the
this information. We reserve the right to make changes. Always see original
standards for accurate comparison. For latest technical updates, please visit
[Link].

Ruukki Construction Oy, Panuntie 11, FI-00620 Helsinki,

+358 (0) 20 59 150, [Link]

Copyright© 2022 Ruukki Construction. All rights reserved. Ruukki and Ruukki’s product names
are trademarks or registered trademarks of Rautaruukki Corporation, a subsidiary of SSAB.