The design addressed exterior and interior spaces exceeding 80-feet in height. Engineers also accommodated 140-mph Exposure C wind pressures, extensive glazing and aircraft-inspired architectural forms.

Photos courtesy of Chris Grundy, ICI Colorado and Martin/Martin, Inc.

The U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center challenged engineers to frame spaces exceeding 80-feet in height while accommodating 140-mph wind loads and aircraft-inspired architecture.

Engineering for Height and Wind

The 32,000-square-foot visitor center resembles an aircraft taking flight. Four roof levels rise successively, with each level increasing in slope. Tall clerestory walls define the exhibit area below the stepped roof. Their height created demanding lateral stability, vertical load and deflection-control requirements.

Martin/Martin designed the walls for 140-mph winds and Exposure C conditions. Engineers selected CFS framing to provide strength and rigidity without adding excessive structural weight. Connections, bracing and deflection control required particular attention. Each component had to support the tall walls while preserving the intended geometry and constructability.

Engineering Efficient Clerestory Walls

Exterior walls used 10-inch CFS studs with intermediate structural steel supports. These supports eliminated the need for full-height clear-span framing. The arrangement reduced individual stud spans and improved structural efficiency.

Martin/Martin also introduced stud splices to divide the walls into manageable sections. Shorter members simplified fabrication, handling and installation. The spliced framing still provided the continuity required for the tall exterior wall system.

Intermediate structural steel supports and stud splices reduced stud spans, making the visitor center’s 80-foot clerestory walls practical to fabricate and install.

Framing Around Louvers and Curtain Wall

Large curtain wall areas and a louver bank complicated the exterior framing. The louver configuration prevented conventional vertically spanning studs with jamb framing.

Engineers developed horizontal built-up CFS girts composed of nested studs and tracks. The girts spanned laterally between structural columns. Stud framing provided gravity support for the horizontal members. Martin/Martin developed connection details for varying structural support conditions around the exterior walls.

The stepped roof geometry and extensive overhangs drove the design of the tall cold-formed steel (CFS) wall system and supporting framing.

Forming the Aircraft-Inspired Soffits

Curved soffits help establish the visitor center’s aircraft-like profile. Their shape resembles the lower surface of an airplane wing.

Traditional straight framing could not produce the required curvature. Engineers incorporated Radius Track framing to form the aircraft-inspired soffits. The system translated the architectural geometry into repeatable CFS framing. It also allowed the soffits to follow the building’s changing roof forms.

The stepped roof required cold-formed steel (CFS) framing that could support tall clerestory walls while maintaining the aircraft-inspired architectural profile.

Radius Track framing formed the curved soffits that help give the visitor center its aircraft-inspired appearance.

Supporting Tall Interior Spaces

The exhibit areas required interior framing within spaces more than 80-feet tall. Access requirements also called for walkable ceiling systems.

Martin/Martin engineered walkable ceilings spanning up to 24-feet. The company also designed the supporting interior walls and related framing connections. These systems provided access above the exhibits while accommodating the scale of the visitor center’s interior spaces.

Interior cold-formed steel (CFS) framing supports exhibit spaces exceeding 80-feet in height while accommodating walkable ceilings and maintenance access above.

Balancing Form and Performance

Martin/Martin used several CFS framing strategies to resolve height, wind and complex geometry. Intermediate supports and stud splices made the clerestory walls practical to fabricate and install. Built-up girts supported exterior elements where conventional framing was not possible. Curved soffits and long-span walkable ceilings extended CFS framing throughout the building.

Together, these systems preserved the visitor center’s aircraft-inspired form while meeting demanding structural and construction requirements.

Completed cold-formed steel (CFS) framing supports the visitor center’s stepped roof, tall clerestory walls and aircraft-inspired architectural design.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• Martin/Martin Wins 2026 CFSEI Award for 7-Story CFS Residential Project in Denver
• Martin/Martin Wins Municipal/Cultural CFSEI Award for CSU Spur Hydro Water Project
• Martin/Martin Takes 2023 CFSEI First Place for Penn State’s Lasch Football Building Renovation

The post Martin/Martin Receives CFSEI Award for U.S. Air Force Academy Visitor’s Center appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Architectural Detail: Raymond Group Wins SFIA Award for 8th & Figueroa Tower in Los Angeles
• CEMCO Wins SFIA’s Architectural Design Detail Award for the Interiors of Denver’s Populus Hotel
• Steel Framing Shapes the Future of Architectural Fenestration

 

The clarification does not change ASTM E136’s technical requirements. Instead, it removes ambiguity in the pass-fail criteria, helping to ensure that laboratories test building products and report results consistently.

That consistency matters because cold-formed steel (CFS) framing systems include non-steel materials, such as structural sheathing, cladding and fire-resistant boards for bracing, load transfer and thermal performance. These materials must also satisfy code requirements for noncombustible construction.

Builders and designers should specify noncombustible floor panels that comply with ASTM E136 to help ensure assemblies meet code requirements. Image courtesy of NEXGEN, an SFIA member

Structural Sheathing for Modern Construction

Section 703.3 of the IBC requires these materials to pass the ASTM E136 combustibility test for Types I, II, III and IV construction. Updated language in ASTM E136 clarifies how laboratories test these materials and determine pass-fail results.

On projects where combustible construction is permitted, designers and builders have long used plywood and oriented strand board with CFS framing for structural applications, including floor diaphragms, roof diaphragms and shear walls. Plywood also has long served as the structural subfloor and flange bracing for floor, roof and wall assemblies built with cold-formed steel.

As demand for noncombustible construction grows, manufacturers have introduced alternatives to plywood. Designers have used concrete and gypsum toppings over steel decks for decades. But they have sought lighter, more sustainable systems that avoid the water and added weight of those assemblies.

Structural sheathing products have emerged as one solution. They are lighter and thinner than concrete-over-steel floor systems and can serve as vertical shear walls or sloped roof sheathing. Many of these products use glass-fiber reinforcement with either portland cement or magnesium cement. One product also combines laminated sheet steel with cement board.

ASTM E136-compliant floor panels help create noncombustible floor assemblies that satisfy IBC requirements for Types I through IV construction. Image courtesy of NEXGEN, an SFIA member

Enhanced Clarity, Greater Compliance

Steel framing has been used for more than a century. Yet code organizations revise building codes and standards every few years. Even when technical requirements remain unchanged, ambiguous language can lead to inconsistent interpretation in the field.

ASTM E136 illustrated that problem. The need for clarification centered on Section 15.2.1 of the 2021 edition and earlier versions of the standard. This section establishes the pass-fail criteria for the vertical tube furnace test used to evaluate building materials.

Previous versions of the section stated:

The recorded temperatures of the surface and interior thermocouples do not at any time rise more than 30°C (54°F) above the stabilized furnace temperature measured at T2 prior to the test.

The word “and” created confusion. A limited number of testing laboratories interpreted the language to allow a passing result when only one thermocouple — internal or external — exceeded the temperature limit while the other did not. Under that interpretation, laboratories would classify a test as failing only if both thermocouples exceeded the limit. That interpretation did not reflect the standard’s intent. Neither thermocouple was supposed to exceed the prescribed temperature.

Most testing laboratories did not interpret the standard that way. Nevertheless, ASTM members brought the issue before the ASTM E05 committee, which approved language clarifying the requirement. ASTM incorporated that clarification into ASTM E136-2022, and the International Code Council adopted it in the 2024 IBC.

The updated ASTM E136 standard now separates the requirement into two distinct provisions, specifying that neither the internal nor external thermocouple may rise more than 30°C (54°F) above the stabilized furnace temperature for a material to pass the test.

ASTM E136 now clarifies that both internal and external thermocouples to remain within a prescribed temperature limit for materials for a panel to qualify as noncombustible. Image courtesy of NEXGEN, an SFIA member

Assessing Combustibility

The vertical tube furnace test determines whether a material qualifies as noncombustible for use in Types I through IV construction under Chapter 7 of the IBC.

The test subjects a material sample to rigorous heat that simulates a fire.

Technicians attach two thermocouples to the specimen — one on the surface and one at its center — before placing it in a vertical tube furnace operating at 750°C (1382°F) for 30 minutes. During the test, technicians continuously monitor and evaluate the specimen’s response to heat and flame.

To qualify as noncombustible, the specimen temperature cannot exceed 30°C above the stabilized furnace temperature. If the material loses less than 50% of its weight, flaming cannot continue beyond the first 30 seconds. If weight loss exceeds 50%, the specimen cannot exhibit flaming at any point during the test.

By establishing these performance criteria — and clarifying the language that governs them — ASTM E136 helps ensure that tested building materials will not ignite, burn or contribute significant heat to a fire.

In 2024, manufacturers of magnesium oxide sheathing products formed the Magnesium Oxide Building Products Association to advance understanding and adoption of MgO products in the North American construction industry. MgOBPA members recognized that inconsistent interpretations of ASTM E136 allowed some products marketed in North America to be classified as noncombustible despite not meeting the standard’s intended pass-fail criteria. The association sought to raise awareness of the issue within the construction industry.

Supporting the Specification of Steel Systems

Clear, consistent language in building codes affects how designers specify materials, how laboratories test them and how code officials approve them for use in noncombustible construction.

The recent clarification helps ensure that testing laboratories, manufacturers and code officials evaluate materials using the same pass-fail criteria.

For the steel framing industry, that consistency matters. Cold-formed steel is noncombustible. It is well suited for Types I through IV construction, where fire-performance requirements rank among the industry’s most demanding. As designers and builders seek more sustainable alternatives to concrete fill and plywood, they can have greater confidence that products meeting ASTM E136 and the 2024 IBC comply with code requirements.

Manufacturers and testing laboratories increasingly evaluate modern MgO boards as components of complete wall and floor assemblies that combine noncombustible structural steel framing with compatible fire-rated sheathing and floor systems.

With the clarified ASTM E136 language now reflected in the 2024 IBC, the industry is better positioned to specify and build noncombustible assemblies with greater confidence, supporting safer and more resilient buildings.

Additional Resources

• Fire Changes Everything: Why Cold-Formed Steel Is Reshaping Housing Construction
• Update: Insurance Costs Are Re-Shaping Construction Choices — And the Data Speaks for Itself
• Data and Noncombustible Materials Hold the Key to Safer Construction, Says SFIA’s Don Allen

The post Clarifying ASTM E136: Reinforcing Consistency in Noncombustible Material Testing appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• SFIA Clarifies Use of Steel Posts Within Cold-Formed Steel Wall Cavities
• Continuity of Fire Resistance in CFS Structures — SFIA Answers 5 Questions
• Update #23: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Aquarium Design, Fire Resilience and Storm Recovery

 

Fournier joined Matt Stillwell of SFIA member FRAMECAD on the Steel Framing Connections podcast. Their conversation explored how engineering, manufacturing and DfMA, Design for Manufacturing and Assembly, can improve CFS project delivery.

Mid-Rise Construction Favors CFS

Fournier believes CFS framing’s greatest opportunity lies in buildings between 5 and 10 stories. At that height, CFS framing can compete with post-tensioned concrete, structural steel and traditional wood framing.

According to Fournier, CFS framing in many mid-rise applications provides:

• Competitive performance against post-tensioned concrete, structural steel and wood framing
• Noncombustible construction for code-driven projects
• Greater building height as land prices increase
• Improved schedule certainty through prefabrication and panelization
• Greater precision through offsite manufacturing

Current market and code trends continue reinforcing those advantages.

Higher land costs continue driving taller building construction. Many projects still fall within the mid-rise range where CFS framing performs well. Building codes also continue increasing demand for noncombustible construction.

Fournier pointed to assisted living facilities as one example. These facilities often require noncombustible construction because many residents cannot self-evacuate. Buildings also transition to steel once they exceed roughly 85 feet. At that height, wood construction reaches practical code limits.

Those market and code trends continue expanding opportunities for CFS framing in mid-rise construction.

Integrated Steel Solutions designed and manufactured the exterior, interior and floor panel cold-formed steel (CFS) framing for the Good Samaritan – Founder’s Crossing senior living community in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Photo Credit: Integrated Steel Solutions

DfMA Improves Project Delivery

Design for Manufacturing and Assembly guides every project before fabrication begins.

Engineers optimize each design before fabrication begins. They standardize member sizes and refine details for production.

“We’re able to economize our design,” says Fournier. “If there are member sizes our machines don’t run, we convert them so our machines can run them, panelize them and improve construction efficiency.”

Fournier believes education remains one of the industry’s greatest challenges. Many owners, contractors and designers continue relying on familiar construction methods. He expects successful projects and continued industry outreach to drive broader adoption of CFS framing.

Engineering Supports Offsite Manufacturing

Fournier said successful panelization begins long before fabrication. Engineering teams must determine whether offsite manufacturing makes sense for each project.

Not every building benefits from panelization, he said. When it does, engineers complete the design and production planning before fabrication begins. Panels then arrive at the jobsite in installation sequence.

“We’re trying to take the complexity out of the field,” says Fournier. “We design it, manufacture it and deliver it so contractors can simply erect it without solving complex problems on site.”

He added that factory production standardizes repetitive tasks while reducing field layout and onsite fabrication. Delivering panels in erection sequence allows crews to focus on installation instead of building framing in place.

Panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) framing moves complexity from the jobsite to the factory, helping streamline installation and improve productivity. Photo Credit: FRAMECAD

Precision Expands Design Possibilities

Fournier said advances in automated manufacturing continues to expand what engineers can accomplish with CFS framing.

Roll-formed members leave the production line with millimeter-level precision, he said. Steel framing remains dimensionally stable, resists moisture-related movement and often requires less lifting equipment because of its light weight.

Those capabilities support hospitals, schools, assisted living facilities and sports venues. They also enable precision framing for large LED video displays in Times Square and major sports stadiums.

Fournier pointed to one seven-story hospital project as an example. The contractor initially planned to enclose only 2 floors before winter. After several weeks of installation, the team enclosed the entire building before cold weather arrived. The project showed how manufacturing-led construction can accelerate schedules without sacrificing quality.

Fournier said that philosophy also guides customer relationships. He recommends the framing system that best supports each project’s goals.

Additional Resources

• FRAMECAD Launches “Steel Framing Connections” Podcast Focused on Real-World CFS Projects
• FRAMECAD: Cold-Formed Steel Framing Accelerates Brazilian Soccer Stadium Expansion Project
• FRAMECAD: Why Cold-Formed Steel Is Accelerating Data Center Construction

The post Scott Fournier Discusses Mid-Rise Cold-Formed Steel Construction on FRAMECAD Podcast appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI
• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• Update #20: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Resilient Housing, Scalable Infrastructure and Modular Floor Systems

 

The Findlay Community Center serves Cincinnati, Ohio, with recreation, childcare and wellness facilities under one roof. The $46 million, 60,000-square-foot building combines structural steel with cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Together, the systems provide the strength, flexibility and efficiency needed for a community center in a dense urban setting.

• Structural steel forms the primary building frame and creates column-free spans for the gymnasium, pool and roller rink
• CFS framing integrates with the structural frame to form interior walls, soffits and enclosure systems

CFS is light weight reduces dead loads, while its dimensional stability supports precise layouts and efficient installation. Together, structural steel and CFS framing balance structural performance with construction efficiency.

A confined urban site demanded careful construction coordination throughout the project. Limited site access, phased construction and nearby buildings reinforced the advantages of combining structural steel with cold-formed steel.

Read the full article.

Prefabricated CFS Speeds Multi-Family Construction

Vista Pointe at Port Imperial is a 9-story waterfront condominium community in West New York, New Jersey. The development includes 73 residences and more than 11,000-square-feet of resident amenities overlooking the Hudson River. 

Prefabricated cold-formed steel (CFS) load-bearing wall panels support the building’s structural system. The panels demonstrate how prefabricated CFS supports off-site construction in multifamily housing.

Prefabricated CFS offers advantages on multifamily projects with demanding site logistics and limited staging areas. According to Klover, such wall systems improve coordination, reduce on-site labor and accelerate construction on projects. 

Vista Pointe highlights how prefabricated CFS supports efficient construction on complex residential projects.

Read the full article.

Steel Trusses Support Bio-Based Classroom

India’s first permanent SugarcreteⓇ classroom demonstrates how steel and bio-based materials can work together in educational building construction. 

Located at Panchsheel Balak Inter College in Noida, Uttar Pradesh, India, the prototype classroom uses Sugarcrete blocks made from sugarcane bagasse for its non-load-bearing walls. An independent steel truss roof system provides the building’s primary roof support. It allows the wall system to remain non-load-bearing.

The steel truss system supports corrugated galvanized roof panels and creates an open, flexible classroom. The roof structure also accommodates clerestory windows that introduce natural daylight and promote passive ventilation. Separating the roof structure from the wall assembly gives designers greater flexibility to incorporate the bio-based materials.

The project demonstrates the value of hybrid construction. By pairing steel with emerging materials, the classroom offers a model for future educational buildings.

Read the full article.

Additional Resources

• Update #24: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Historic Renovation, Veterans Housing and Net-Zero School
• Update #23: Cold-Formed Steel Advances Aquarium Design, Fire Resilience and Storm Recovery
• Update #22: Cold-Formed Steel Supports Wildfire Rebuilding, Courthouse Acoustics and Micro Homes
• Update #21: Cold-Formed Steel Supports Award-Winning Church, Affordable Housing and a Noted Training Center
• Update #20: Cold-Formed Steel Used for Resilient Housing, Scalable Infrastructure and Modular Floor Systems

The post Update #25: Cold-Formed Steel Framing Supports Community Center, Multifamily Housing and Hybrid Classroom Design appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• Video: Conversion Project for Valley Park Fire Station 2 Wins SFIA Award for Negwer Materials

 

Stadig brings more than 20 years of structural engineering experience. He specializes in new building and renovation design, cold-formed steel engineering and forensic investigations of distressed structures. His experience includes structural system design, building information modeling, 3D coordination, project management and construction inspection. Throughout his career, he has contributed to structural engineering projects across a wide range of markets, including aerospace, aviation, commercial, education, government, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, residential and science and technology.

Industry Leadership Strengthens Engineering Team

Stadig is an active leader within the structural engineering profession. He has served in several leadership positions with the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), including vice chair, chair, executive committee member and emerging technology committee chair. He is also a member of the Association of the Wall and Ceiling Industry (AWCI) and has authored technical publications on CFS design and construction.

“Daniel’s extensive structural engineering experience and technical knowledge make him a valuable addition to our team,” said Pat Hainault, co-director of structural services and cold-formed group leader. “His expertise in cold-formed steel engineering and experience leading complex projects across multiple industries complements raSmith’s commitment to providing responsive, high-quality solutions to clients nationwide.”

Stadig holds a master’s degree in structural engineering from Mississippi State University and a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from Marquette University. He is a licensed professional engineer whose technical expertise and industry leadership further strengthen raSmith’s cold-formed steel engineering capabilities.

The post raSmith Adds Daniel Stadig to Its Cold-Formed Steel Engineering Group appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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July 23, 2026 — For decades, questions about steel framing durability have centered on one issue: moisture. Moisture and condensation can facilitate corrosion, making moisture management one of the most important considerations in cold-formed steel (CFS) design.

Yet research and decades of building experience show that several factors effectively control corrosion. They include protective metallic coatings, strategic building design and the inorganic nature of steel.

Those strategies allow galvanized CFS members to perform far beyond the lifespan many assume. Studies cited in this article predict service lives of 300 to more than 1,000 years for framing protected within a building envelope. Unlike organic framing materials, steel also remains dimensionally stable because it does not absorb moisture, warp, shrink or support mold growth.

Understanding why requires more than simply looking at steel itself. Long-term performance depends on coating technology, moisture control, ventilation, material compatibility and thoughtful building design. Together, these factors determine how effectively cold-formed steel resists corrosion and delivers long-term durability.

Understanding that performance requires examining the mechanisms that govern corrosion, moisture management and long-term durability.

Protective metallic coatings, proper building design and the inorganic nature of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing work together to minimize the effects of moisture and condensation.

How Moisture Affects Cold-Formed Steel Durability

1. The Mechanism of Corrosion

Corrosion occurs only when moisture acts as an electrolyte. To prevent this, manufacturers typically galvanize cold-formed steel members with zinc or zinc-aluminum alloys, providing a physical barrier and moisture management. Furthermore, the zinc provides sacrificial cathodic protection. If cut edges or scratches expose the steel, the surrounding zinc corrodes preferentially to protect the substrate.

• Barrier Protection: To prevent this, manufacturers typically coat cold-formed steel members with zinc (galvanized) or zinc-aluminum alloys. This coating provides a physical barrier that prevents moisture from contacting the steel substrate.
• Cathodic Protection: When cut edges or scratches expose the base steel, the zinc coating protects it sacrificially. Because zinc is more electronegative than steel, it corrodes first and protects the adjacent steel.

2. Time of Wetness and Atmospheric Conditions

The corrosion rate of zinc correlates with the “time of wetness” and air pollutant concentrations. While rainfall can wash away protective corrosion products, moisture from condensation often evaporates, leaving behind a stable patina (such as zinc carbonate) that slows further degradation.

In climate-controlled indoor environments, standard coatings can protect framing for centuries. Conversely, partially sheltered exterior areas may stay damp longer, requiring more robust protection.

3. “Warm Frame” and Interstitial Condensation

Modern CFS construction often employs “warm frame” design, keeping the steel within the building’s thermal envelope. Keeping the steel above the dew point minimizes the risk of interstitial condensation. Research indicates that galvanized steel performs exceptionally well in a properly maintained warm-frame application. Its predicted design life exceeds 200 years.

4. Wet Storage Stain (White Rust)

“White rust” or wet storage stain can occur if closely stacked galvanized sheets trap moisture before installation. While this rapid formation of zinc hydroxide is unsightly, it is usually superficial. It does not compromise the coating’s long-term effectiveness after the material dries and installers put it in place.

5. Interaction with Other Materials

Moisture can facilitate reactions between CFS and adjacent materials. Galvanic corrosion with dissimilar metals, like copper, requires an electrolyte to be present. Additionally, while wet concrete is alkaline and can attack zinc, the reaction ceases once the material cures. Designers must also ensure installers place barriers between CFS and certain pressure-treated woods containing corrosive chemicals.

6. Dimensional Stability and Resilience

As an inorganic material, CFS does not absorb moisture, preventing the warping, shrinking, or expansion common in organic framing. In flood scenarios, CFS does not retain water, facilitating faster drying of the structure. It also does not support the growth of mold or mildew, contributing to healthier indoor environments.

Cold-formed steel framing resists corrosion through protective metallic coatings, effective moisture management and thoughtful building design.

Cold-formed steel (CFS) framing uses zinc or zinc-aluminum galvanized coatings to create a protective barrier against moisture and corrosion.

How Long Does CFS Framing Last?

Studies on the life expectancy of galvanized steel framing in typical residential applications demonstrate exceptional longevity.

According to the NAHB Research Center’s Galvanized Steel Framing for Residential Buildings research report, zinc-coated steel framing installed within a building envelope has a predicted service life ranging from approximately 300 to more than 1,000 years, depending on the exposure environment. Monitoring at residential test sites representing rural, urban and industrial environments found corrosion rates low enough to project a service life exceeding 300 years for a standard 10 µm zinc coating.

In semi-exposed areas, such as attics or crawl spaces, the design life remains substantial. Predictions suggest 200 years for insulated roofs and 100 years for uninsulated roofs. Longevity ultimately depends on proper moisture control. That includes weather-resistive barriers and proper ventilation to keep the framing dry.

How OSB Cladding Affects a Building’s Lifespan

Oriented Strand Board (OSB) is a standard sheathing material for CFS structures. While CFS framing can last centuries, OSB generally has a predicted service life of 60 to 100 years, depending on moisture management.

Keeping OSB moisture content below 20% helps prevent fungal decay and structural strength loss. Using 11 mm OSB as a shear diaphragm meets industry standards, such as AISI S240, provided builders protect it from extreme wetting cycles during and after construction.

H. Çağatay Alıca works in engineering services at Arkitech Advanced Construction Technologies.

Additional Resources

• SFIA 158: Introduction to Galvanized Steel – Coatings, Corrosion and Durability (On-Demand Course)
• Expert Sources Say Steel Framing is the Ideal Anti-Mold Solution
• 10 Reasons to Frame Your Next Project with Steel

The post Moisture and the Performance of Cold-Formed Steel Framing appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Building Stronger, Safer Structures: How Cold-Formed Steel Excels in Hurricane Zones
• Steel Framing Mitigates Fire Risks, Reduces Insurance Costs and Improves Building Resilience
• Expert Sources Say Steel Framing is the Ideal Anti-Mold Solution

 

Saudi Arabia’s expanding gigaproject program is increasing demand for faster, more predictable construction methods. Saudi-based modular construction company Tamimi PEB is helping meet that demand. Its projects include the Qiddiya Contractors Camp and NESMA Oxagon Village. Its manufacturing facilities in Jubail and NEOM produce more than 100 modules each day. 

Investments in automated cold-formed steel (CFS) wall framing systems and semi-automated finishing lines increased productivity by 35%, notes an article in Construction Week.

The $1.09 billion Qiddiya Contractors Camp in Saudi Arabia uses modular cold-formed steel (CFS) structures to accommodate 40,000 workers. The development combines residential units with dining and recreation facilities designed for rapid deployment.

Steel-based modular construction allows manufacturing and site work to progress simultaneously. Tamimi PEB runs design and manufacturing in parallel through its Integrated Project Delivery Engineering methodology. Volumetric modular units arrive on site up to 95% complete. This approach can reduce conventional construction schedules by up to 40% while improving delivery certainty.

The modular strategy also delivers environmental benefits. It generates up to 35% less construction waste than conventional building methods. The model also reduces site traffic through fewer vehicle movements. Tamimi PEB uses high-performance building envelopes and renewable energy technologies to improve energy efficiency by 38% across its developments.

Read the full article.

Prefabricated Steel Framing Supports Wisconsin Housing

Located in Madison, Wisconsin, 301 Vanilla offers a new approach to middle-income housing using prefabrication. Developed by Sala Hars, the project combines cold-formed steel (CFS) framing with modular interior components to create adaptable apartment layouts.

 

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CFS framing and modular interior components form a prefabricated system that simplifies construction and improves coordination. Major building components, from wall panels to cabinetry, are fabricated off-site and assembled on location. Steel wall systems provide vertical support and acoustic separation while reducing construction time and material waste.

The project demonstrates how industrialized construction can support high-quality housing without sacrificing design. Local brick masonry complements the prefabricated structural system, creating a building that reflects Madison’s architectural character. Along with mass timber floor panels, CFS framing supports flexible housing projects throughout Wisconsin.

Read the full article.

CFS Chassis Advances Modular Construction in Australia

Australia’s modular construction industry is adopting new approaches to improve efficiency and reduce transportation challenges. MMC Modular developed ModFloor, a cold-formed steel (CFS) chassis system that replaces traditional welded steel chassis beneath modular buildings. Company director John Davis, who created the system, says the chassis addresses deflection, skilled labor demands and costly transport repairs.

CFS framing forms the foundation of the prefabricated chassis. Crews assemble the components without welding, measuring or cutting. A 3-person crew can assemble a chassis measuring about 49 by 13 feet (15 by 4 meters). The assembly, which includes an insulated floor panel, takes about 3 hours to produce. The company has also developed proprietary roll-forming equipment that increased production speed by 500%, while supporting multiple steel profile sizes.

MMC Modular also produces CFS stacking systems for multi-level modular buildings. The company further provides integrated digital design, procurement and manufacturing services. Together, these innovations reduce labor requirements, improve production efficiency and expand modular housing opportunities across Australia.

Read the full article.

Additional Resources

• Update #9: MAREK Builds Ismaili Center, ClarkDietrich Receives Certification for Connectors and U.S. Steel Invests in DRI
• Update #8: University of Houston’s Radar and AI Tech, Grabber’s Stud Cutter, ClarkDietrich’s Bridging Bar
• Update #7: ClarkDietrich’s iTools, Scottsdale’s Roll Forming Videos, U.S. Steel’s Learning Mill All Help Transform CFS
• Update #6: T.J. Wies Redefines Hospital Prefab, Contractors Back Steel Growth, U.S. Steel Invests in the Future
• Update #5: U.S. Steel Upgrades, Nucor Mill Targets 2027 Launch, Startup Reinvents Housing

The post Update #10: CFS Aids Saudi Gigaprojects, Wisconsin Housing and Australian Modular Housing appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Prefabricated Steel Framing and CLT Hybrid Design Cuts Student Housing Construction Timeline by 25%
• Panel Prefabrication for an Austin, Texas, High Rise, Featuring ClarkDietrich Steel, Wins SFIA Honors
• Update #16: Cold-Formed Steel for Wildfire Recovery, Campus Housing and Prefab Construction

 

The engineering team combined point-cloud data, BIM/VDC modeling and structural detailing to resolve 3 demanding framing conditions. These included a dual-curved lobby ceiling, compound-geometry exterior soffits and congested existing conditions.

Photos courtesy of Mirage Builders, Inc. BIMs and drawings courtesy of Lochsa Engineering, LLC.

Construction images show the dual-curved lobby ceiling taking shape from coordinated cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Point-cloud data helped define stud and track locations across the compound geometry.

Defining the Design Challenge

The Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority began renovating the convention center campus in 2023. The work extended design elements introduced with the West Hall’s 2021 opening. Renovations included a new Central Hall Grand Lobby and enclosed concourse connections. Improvements also modernized the North, Central and South Halls.

Much of the work occurred within an existing facility containing legacy structural elements and dense building systems. Irregular architectural forms added another layer of complexity. Traditional layout methods could not reliably define framing locations across the project’s compound curves. Field measurements alone could not reconcile the intended geometry with as-built conditions.

Lochsa combined point-cloud surveys with coordinated digital modeling. The firm’s coordinated model connected the existing structure, architectural surfaces, MEP systems and CFS framing.

The Las Vegas Convention Center renovation modernized the North, Central and South Halls while introducing a new Central Hall Grand Lobby and enclosed concourse connections.

Engineering the Dual-Curved Lobby Ceiling

The main lobby features a Sno Cone-like ceiling with surfaces curving across multiple axes. Its geometry also transitions between interior and exterior zones. Compound curvature made conventional framing layouts impractical. Small dimensional variations could affect the ceiling profile across a large area.

Lochsa developed a high-resolution CFS framing model from point-cloud data. Engineers mapped exact stud and track locations along the curved surfaces. The model identified deviations between the existing structure and the architect’s intended geometry. It also coordinated framing around ceiling-level MEP systems.

Precise digital layout references helped installers maintain the required curvature tolerances. The coordinated model reduced uncertainty before framing reached the field.

The Sno Cone ceiling’s dual-curved geometry challenged conventional framing methods.

Point-cloud surveys and coordinated cold-formed steel (CFS) modeling defined precise stud and track locations to support the ceiling’s complex form.

Framing Compound-Curve Soffits

Exterior perimeter soffits followed long, radius-driven curves around the building. Their framing also changed pitch and angle with the evolving roof geometry. Those transitions produced compound curves at façade and weather-barrier interfaces. Each soffit segment required distinct geometry and attachment conditions.

The Virtual Design Coordination team modeled each segment’s radius, slope and connection logic. Lochsa’s structural engineers then designed and detailed the supporting framing. The model defined stud curvature and track flexing from the actual arc geometry. It also located connections to the primary structure and coordinated changing roof angles.

Resolving these conditions digitally gave installers precise layout information. The process limited field adjustments and maintained continuity around the building perimeter.

The exterior soffits followed long, radius-driven curves while changing pitch and angle around the building perimeter. Coordinated digital modeling defined the framing geometry before construction, reducing field adjustments and maintaining continuity.

Point-cloud surveys and coordinated digital modeling connected the existing structure, architectural geometry, MEP systems and cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. The integrated model resolved complex existing conditions before construction began.

Coordinating Structural and MEP Systems

Existing structural elements and dense MEP systems conflicted with several proposed soffits and bulkheads. Standard framing layouts could not preserve the required clearances.

Lochsa developed a specialized bulkhead framing system with vertical drops spaced 4-feet on center. The regular drop zones created defined pathways for mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems.

Engineers designed the CFS members, connections, intermediate braces and blocking required for structural continuity. The model established stud and track locations within each drop zone. Detailed coordination verified framing depth, member spacing, brace connections and attachment logic. It also maintained ceiling alignment through interference areas.

The framing system accommodated existing conditions without relying on improvised field solutions. Standardized drop locations gave multiple trades predictable coordination zones.

Existing structural elements and dense MEP systems left little room for conventional framing. Lochsa’s specialized bulkhead framing system created predictable coordination zones while maintaining structural continuity and ceiling alignment.

From Model to Construction

Structural engineering and virtual design coordination continued throughout the renovation. Lochsa worked with the CFS contractor, general contractor and architect to refine the framing. Daily coordination identified dimensional conflicts before installation. The process also supported sequencing through the project’s most congested areas.

Fabrication-level detailing gave field crews defined framing locations and attachment requirements. High-fidelity models reduced layout work, adjustments and rework.

Lochsa reported zero dimensional change orders related to the coordinated framing. The coordinated effort demonstrated how structural engineering and VDC guided construction on this complex renovation.

Structural engineering and virtual design coordination continued throughout construction to refine the cold-formed steel (CFS) framing. Fabrication-level detailing and high-fidelity models reduced layout work, minimized rework and resulted in zero dimensional change orders.

Award-Winning Engineering

Lochsa transformed irregular architectural surfaces and constrained existing conditions into coordinated CFS framing systems. Point-cloud data connected the design geometry to the existing building.

Detailed engineering resolved compound curves, structural attachments and MEP interference before construction. The resulting models provided predictable framing outcomes across three technically demanding conditions.

That integration of engineering, digital coordination and constructability earned Lochsa First Place in the Municipal category.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• Design of the LA Chargers’ New Training Hub Wins CFSEI Award for Lochsa Engineering
• Lochsa Engineering Takes Top 2024 CFSEI Design Excellence Award for The (W)rapper in L.A.
• Research, Resilience and Real-World Solutions Shape the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California

The post Lochsa Engineering Wins 2026 CFSEI Award for Las Vegas Convention Center Renovation appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

Do you have a topic you would like to present at the 2027 CFSEI Expo or future webinar? Abstracts are due by October 15.

Submit your abstract

The CFSEI Expo provides a platform for networking with industry experts and exchanging knowledge on cold-formed steel framing (CFS) design and engineering.

Submit by October 15, 2026

To be considered, submit your abstract and include the following details:

• Name and affiliation
• Contact information
• A 500-word (max) technical description of your topic
• Four to five learning objectives for the presentation
• Brief Bio and photo

Key Dates

• Oct. 15: Abstracts due
• Nov. 15: Notification of abstract acceptance
• Apr. 1: Final presentation due
• May 1: Presentation review for AIA Compliance by CFSEI Executive Committee

Why Present at CFSEI Expo?

The CFSEI Expo provides a valuable platform for networking with industry experts and exchanging knowledge on cold-formed steel framing (CFS) design and engineering. Expo speakers share knowledge and have an opportunity to influence and transform the future of the CFS industry.

The 2027 CFSEI Expo presented by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is designed for architects, builders/contractors and engineers, with an educational program geared toward both skilled CFS framing professionals as well as newcomers.

The CFSEI Expo will also provide opportunities for networking as well as an exposition featuring state-of-the-art innovations, new technologies and best practices for CFS framing. This Expo is the only one of its kind dedicated to the CFS framing industry and will offer over 10 continuing education credits.

Submit Your Abstract

Submit your abstract

Additional Resources

• Research, Resilience and Real-World Solutions Shape the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California
• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• More Than 250 Engineers Gather in Long Beach for 2026 CFSEI Expo (May 18-20)

The post Abstracts Due for 2027 CFSEI Expo, Emerging Technologies Forum and Future Webinars (Oct. 15) appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

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Hotel Henrietta in New Orleans, Louisiana, illustrates this approach. The 5-story boutique hotel used offsite manufactured CFS framing to meet demanding architectural requirements while accelerating construction.

The project team completed 4 floors of load-bearing framing in just 3-months. Traditional field framing would have required an estimated 7-8 months and 3-times the onsite labor. SFIA member Howick supplied the roll-forming technology for the prefabricated framing system.

Images provided by Howick.

Crews hoist panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) wall panels into place during construction of the Hotel Henrietta in New Orleans.

Panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) framing supports rapid installation and precise construction..

CFS Accelerates Construction

Hotel Henrietta occupies a prominent corner in New Orleans’s historic Uptown district. The project combined luxury design with strict budget and schedule requirements. Distinctive window openings and architectural details demanded precision throughout construction.

SLS Building Systems manufactured prefabricated load-bearing CFS wall panels for the hotel’s upper four floors. The design incorporated a structural steel podium at the ground floor. Howick’s FRAMA 5600 and FRAMA 3200 roll-forming machines produced the framing components.

The project team fabricated each panel offsite, shipped it to the jobsite and installed it with six workers. The lean installation crew maintained the accelerated construction schedule throughout the project.

Composite metal deck and load-bearing cold-formed steel (CFS) wall panels support Hotel Henrietta’s accelerated construction schedule.

Digital Design Drives Precision

The project team coordinated the framing using Autodesk Revit and Graitec Strucsoft software. The digital workflow connected directly with the roll-forming equipment. It labeled and tracked every framing component for precise manufacturing.

The integrated workflow helped maintain quality throughout fabrication and installation. It also ensured custom window rough openings matched the design intent without rework.

Delivering Measurable Results

Hotel Henrietta demonstrates how offsite CFS framing can accelerate hospitality construction without sacrificing quality. Prefabrication reduced onsite labor, shortened the construction schedule and minimized field adjustments. The owner and general contractor, both new to panelization, recognized the project’s quality and performance.

Hotel Henrietta finished 4-months ahead of schedule using panelized cold-formed steel (CFS) framing.

Read the full case study from Howick.

Additional Resources

• SFIA Member Howick’s Steel-Framing Tech Cuts Labor Hours by 50% to 70%, CEO Says
• New Whiteboard Video Series Unlocks 5 Advantages of Cold-Formed Steel Framing
• Update #14: Cold-Formed Steel for Student Housing, Urban Redevelopment and Municipal Projects

The post Howick Case Study: Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4 Months appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Panelized CFS Framing Accelerates Hotel Construction by 4-Months
• UCSC Family Student Housing, Featuring CEMCO Steel, Wins SFIA Low-Rise Category Honors
• Industrialized Construction Solutions Earns 2026 CFSEI Award for Orlando Health Curtain Wall System

 

Photos courtesy of Courtesy of Steel-IQ and NZD.

Engineering the Structural System

The two-story, 5,948-square-foot residence features steep rooflines, shaped roof profiles, curved dormers, vaulted ceilings and multiple attic configurations. Those architectural elements created complex structural demands and non-repetitive framing conditions.

CFS framing serves as the home’s primary structural system for both walls and roof framing. The material provided dimensional stability, strength-to-weight efficiency and predictable structural behavior. It also established continuous, code-compliant load paths and tight deflection control.

Resolving Complex Roof Geometry

A Mansard-style roof defines the home’s architectural character. The roof incorporates steep slopes, shaped roof planes and multiple geometric transitions. It also frames a vaulted ceiling with usable attic space within the truss system.

The design required trusses spanning 42-feet with an overall height of 18-feet. Those proportions exceeded practical fabrication and transportation limits. They also complicated erection of single CFS truss assemblies.

Steel-IQ engineered the roof as a CFS piggyback truss system. The lower Mansard truss supports the vaulted ceiling and attic space. An upper cap truss completes the roof profile.

The configuration maintained the required interior volume and exterior geometry. It also improved fabrication efficiency, transportation logistics and erection sequencing. The piggyback system established a continuous gravity load path through the bearing wall system. The design eliminated the need for structural steel transfer elements.

Integrating Curved Framing

Curved dormers, arched window openings and radius framing introduced additional geometric complexity. Those features required precise control of curvature, member segmentation and connection detailing.

Engineers used CFS arch tracks, segmented framing members and reinforced connection details to create smooth, repeatable curved profiles. The arched dormer framing integrated fully with the roof truss system. The integrated framing maintained efficient gravity and lateral load transfer to the supporting wall system.

Constructability and Tolerance Control

Vaulted, tray and stepped ceilings demanded close coordination of roof framing, ceiling framing and wall alignment.

Steel-IQ used CFS framing to define ceiling planes directly. The approach eliminated secondary framing systems. It also improved global stiffness and long-term serviceability. The framing helps finished ceiling surfaces perform as intended throughout the life of the structure.

The home’s non-repetitive framing required careful coordination. The team used advanced digital modeling and detailing to produce fabrication-ready components with controlled tolerances. Preconstruction coordination minimized field modifications and simplified erection sequencing. It also managed cumulative tolerances across curved, stepped and intersecting framing systems.

Steel-IQ demonstrated how engineered CFS framing can serve as the complete primary structural system for architecturally complex residential construction. The piggyback truss system, integrated curved framing and digitally coordinated custom truss systems expanded the perceived capabilities of CFS framing. The project achieved that without structural steel or traditional wood framing.

Read the full case study from CFSEI.

Additional Resources

• CFSEI Announces 2026 Award Winners, Stipend Recipients and Distinguished Service Honoree
• Research, Resilience and Real-World Solutions Shape the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California
• More Than 250 Engineers Gather in Long Beach for 2026 CFSEI Expo (May 18-20)

The post Steel-IQ Receives 2026 CFSEI Award for Luxury Home CFS Framing System appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

       

Tech Note F501-26, Cold-Formed Steel Truss to Bearing Connections, provides educational guidance for building designers. It reviews the structural role of truss-to-bearing connections and the factors that influence their design. This updated tech note replaces F501-11.

The publication discusses the wind loads that truss-to-bearing connections may need to resist. It also examines responsibility for truss-to-bearing connection design. The technical note includes general design guidance and an illustrative design example, where the truss is bearing on a cold-formed steel (CFS) stud wall.

Understanding the Structural Load Path

Tech Note F501-26 begins with a simplified building example to explain how structural loads move through a building. It illustrates how roof diaphragms, walls and truss-to-bearing connections work together to resist wind loads. The example places the connection within the building’s overall structural load-resisting system.

The publication focuses on wind loading. It does not address loads resulting from seismic forces.

Tech Note F501-26, Cold-Formed Steel Truss to Bearing Connections

Guidance for Building Designers

The technical note highlights issues that building designers should consider when evaluating truss-to-bearing connections. It also explains how structural load paths affect connection design and overall building performance.

CFSEI emphasizes that the publication provides general educational guidance. It supports engineering judgment but does not establish mandatory design requirements. Building designers remain responsible for project-specific design decisions.

The organization also notes that the technical note does not preclude alternative materials, assemblies or design approaches that demonstrate equivalent performance for their intended use. The technical note is intended to provide technical guidance to support that engineering judgment.

• Tech Note F501-26 is available free of charge to CFSEI Corporate, Professional and Student Members
• Nonmembers: Tech Note F501-26 is available for purchase from the CFSEI On Demand web site

Industry experts write and update CFSEI Technical Notes to guide professionals in cold-formed steel design and construction.

Additional Resources

• New CFSEI Tech Note Addresses Roof-to-Wall Wind Anchorage Design
• CFSEI Releases Tech Note J200-26: Vibration of Cold-Formed Steel Joist Framed Floors
• CFSEI Releases Updated Tech Note G500-25: Field Guide – Inspection Checklist for Structural CFS Framing
• CFSEI Releases Tech Note B011-25 for Engineers New to Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note F140-25: ‘Welding Cold-Formed Steel’
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note L400-25: ‘Non-Bearing Cold-formed Steel Lateral Force Resisting Systems’
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Evaluation and Remediation of Cold-Formed Steel Members and Connections
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Bearing Stiffeners
• CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Hole Reinforcement of Cold-Formed Steel Compression Members
• CFSEI Publishes Technical Note on Strap Braced Wall Design, Loose Strap Considerations

The post Updated CFSEI Tech Note Explains Cold-Formed Steel Truss-to-Bearing Connections appeared first on BuildSteel.org.

      

Related Stories

• Updated CFSEI Tech Note Addresses Roof-to-Wall Wind Anchorage Design
• FAQ: What Is the Maximum Point Load for a Hanger Rod Attached to the Flange of a Roof Framing Joist?
• CFSEI Releases Tech Note J200-26: Vibration of Cold-Formed Steel Joist Framed Floors