AISI Publishes Three New Cold-Formed Steel Framing Research Reports

The American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) has published three new cold-formed steel framing research reports: 1) “RP15-3: Advancing Seismic Simulation of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Buildings,” 2) “RP17-1: Experimental Study on System Reliability of Cold-Formed Steel Roof Trusses,” and 3) “RP17-2: Monotonic and Cyclic Response of Single Shear Cold-Formed Steel-to-Steel and Sheathing-to-Steel Connections.” All of the research reports are available for free download here.

Each research project was undertaken to increase knowledge of the behavior of cold-formed steel in order to advance design efficiency and ensure safety. The reports cover the following topics:

·         “RP15-3: Advancing Seismic Simulation of Cold-Formed Steel Framed Buildings” – This report advances performance-based seismic design of cold-formed steel framed buildings by introducing computationally efficient and accurate modeling tools that predict the behavior of the building, the individual cold-formed steel components, and connections in a seismic event. The research was conducted at Virginia Tech.  

·         “RP17-1: Experimental Study on System Reliability of Cold-Formed Steel Roof Trusses” – This experimental study of cold-formed steel roof trusses is part of a project funded by the National Science Foundation, “Advancing System Reliability With Application to Light-Framed Structures.” Test data are provided for examining cold-formed steel structural reliability in roof trusses as a system versus individual components. The research was conducted at the University of North Texas.

·         “RP17-2: Monotonic and Cyclic Response of Single Shear Cold-Formed Steel-to-Steel and Sheathing-to-Steel Connections” - This research project resulted in the development of load-deformation response models to simulate the performance of screw fasteners in a seismic event. Since screw fasteners are the primary connectors in light steel framing, this research provides designers with more accurate performance-based data for conducting whole building seismic analysis. The research was conducted at Virginia Tech.

AISI’s codes and standards work is conducted under the Construction Market Council of the Steel Market Development Institute (SMDI), a business unit of AISI, which oversees the industry’s investment in advancing the competitive use of steel by meeting the demands of the marketplace. For more information on SMDI’s Construction Market program, visit www.buildusingsteel.org. Follow SMDI Construction on Twitter @BuildUsingSteel.

AISI serves as the voice of the North American steel industry in the public policy arena and advances the case for steel in the marketplace as the preferred material of choice. AISI also plays a lead role in the development and application of new steels and steelmaking technology. AISI is comprised of 18 member companies, including integrated and electric furnace steelmakers, and approximately 120 associate members who are suppliers to or customers of the steel industry. For more news about steel and its applications, view AISI's website at www.steel.org. Follow AISI on Facebook or Twitter (@AISISteel).