Carcassing
|
| The World Trade Center Transportation Hub in Lower Manhattan replaces the PATH train station that was destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava to resemble a dove taking flight, the structure is formed by softly-curving, white, steel ribs that rise from the ground to form an elliptical dome over a vast concourse. The project has not been without its criticism, both for the long delays in delivery, and the design which some likened to the carcass of a turkey. |
Carcassing refers to the main shell, frame or skeletal structure of a building. It may or may not be the overall structural or load-bearing element of a building as it also refers to individual elements rather than only to the whole.
It is included in section G of the common arrangement of work sections classification (CAWS) along with structural elements as Structural / Carcassing Metal (G1) and Structural / Carcassing timber (G2) with subsections covering various different elements in metal;
- G10 Structural steel framing
- G11 Structural aluminium framing
- G12 Isolated structural metal members
- G13 LSF Light Steel Frame
and in timber
- G20 Carpentry/Timber framing/First fixing
- G21 Load-bearing timber blockwork
- G22 CLTP Cross Laminated timber panel system
- G23 Post and Beam frame
- G24 Laminated timber frames
- G25 LTF Light Timber Frame
- G26 SIPS Structural Insulated Panel Systems
- G27 ISPS insulated structural panel system
- G28 Dowelled/Nailed stacked wood panel systems
By example, other items that also come under section G but are not necessarily structural / carcassing elements are;
- G3 Metal/ Timber decking
- G30 Metal profiled sheet decking
- G31 Prefabricated timber unit decking
- G32 Edge supported/Reinforced woodwool slab decking
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.
Future Homes Building Standards and plug-in solar
Parts F and L amendments, the availability of solar panels and industry responses.
How later living housing can help solve the housing crisis
Unlocking homes, unlocking lives.
Preparing safety case reports for HRBs under the BSA
A new practical guide to preparing structural inputs for safety cases and safety case reports published by IStructE.
Male construction workers and prostate cancer
CIOB and Prostate Cancer UK encourage awareness of prostate cancer risks, and what to do about it.
The changed R&D tax landscape for Architects
Specialist gives a recap on tax changes for Research and Development, via the ACA newsletter.
Structured product data as a competitive advantage
NBS explain why accessible product data that works across digital systems is key.
Welsh retrofit workforce assessment
Welsh Government report confirms Wales faces major electrical skills shortage, warns ECA.
A now architectural practice looks back at its concept project for a sustainable oceanic settlement 25 years on.
Copyright and Artificial Intelligence
Government report and back track on copyright opt out for AI training but no clear preferred alternative as yet.
Embedding AI tools into architectural education
Beyond the render: LMU share how student led research is shaping the future of visualisation workflows.
Why document control still fails UK construction projects
A Chartered Quantity Surveyor explains what needs to change and how.
Inspiration for a new 2026 wave of Irish construction professionals.
New planning reforms and Warm Homes Bill
Take centre stage at UK Construction Week London.