Source: CEMCO Steel Framing
Cold Formed Steel Framing (CFS)
CFS, produced by CEMCO Steel
Framing, is ideally suited to midrise construction in high seismic areas for a
variety of reasons. Importantly, the
strength to weight ratio of steel, which is unmatched by all other construction
materials, makes it ideally suited for use in high seismic areas. Because steel is lighter than most competing
building materials, it generates lower seismic forces and less inertia when
subjected to strong earthquakes. In
addition, steel framing members absorb energy unlike more rigid, inflexible
materials. Cold-formed steel in particular also results in high precision
members, and in this test program, components (entire walls and segments of
floor) of the building have been prefabricated off-site and erected rapidly
through panelized placement. In fact, the erection of the structural core of
the building took only eight days.
Added benefits regarding the
post-earthquake fire performance of steel include the fundamental aspect that
steel is non-combustible. It does not
burn and does not contribute to the spread of fire nor to the intensity of the
heat that result in most combustible construction. The fire resistant nature of steel framing
benefits building owners with lower insurance costs.
Another beneficial aspect is that
steel is inorganic. As such, its quality
is always consistent. The effects of
climate, pests and fungi cannot inhibit the structural capacity of the steel
framing components. Their form and
function remain stable throughout the life of the building that they
support. In addition, steel connections,
whether by screws, pins, bolts, or welds provide a positive, consistent load
path.
Last but certainly not least,
steel is sustainable. Steel products can
be recycled infinitely. Current industry
recycle rates are estimate at 68%, though steel is truly 100% recyclable.
Sure-Board for Shear
CEMCO's
Sure-Board sheet metal backed sheathing wall and floor panels were employed in
this project to achieve sufficient wall and floor strength under design
earthquake loading. Like steel framing,
Sure-Board is non-combustible, and is twice as strong as plywood. A single Sure-Board panel replaces the need
for installing multiple layers of shear and finish materials, and as a result
construction is faster and more precise. Sure-Board has been utilized extensively as shear resistant sheathing
on low and mid-rise projects across North America.
