Building With Steel Frames

963 Words2 Pages

Building With Steel Frames

Introduction

In the past two decades, light gauge (cold-formed) steel has rapidly become a frequently-specified construction material for commercial, institutional, and industrial projects - including the recent trend toward using steel as the main load bearing system. Despite the myths that still surround the use of light gauge steel framing, it has come to the forefront as the best and most feasible alternative building material for residential construction.

Steel is a superior construction material. The use of steel framing as the primary structural system in residential construction results in a better structure. A steel framed home is a better home. Steel framing, by virtue of its material characteristics and properties, offers significant advantages to both home builders and consumers. Residential construction represents a very large opportunity for the steel industry and for other industry stakeholders. Home builders and consumers alike are receptive to the use of steel framing and have a general understanding of its benefits.

Despite its advantages and the general receptiveness of the market, and after several years of vigorous private and industry efforts directed at expanding market share, steel framing has achieved a disappointingly small share of the residential framing market. To begin to change this, it is essential that the steel industry gain a thorough understanding of the needs and economic realities of the residential construction industry.

The home building industry became widely aware of steel as a potential alternative in 1993. Steel makers, suppliers, manufacturers and even some builders were quick to rally around this new material. However, the "newness" of steel has a...

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...increase the accessibility and delivery speed. Seminars, designed to broaden a network of those who understand how to design and build with light gauge steel, have been attended by more than 3,000 individuals in the past four years.

Bibliography:

Bibliography

Yu, Wei-Wen. Cold Formed Steel Design. New York: John Wiley & Sons Incorporated, 1999.

North American Steel Frame Alliance. World Wide Web, November 2000. (http://www.steelframingalliance.com).

Purdue Centre for the Application of Steel Housing. World Wide Web, November 2000. (http://www.purdue.edu/PurdueUniv/Buildingw/steel)

Light Gauge Steel Engineers Association. World Wide Web, November 2000. (http://www.lgsea.com)

Buildingweb. World Wide Web, November 2000. (http://www.buildingweb.com)

InfrastructureWorld. World Wide Web, November 2000. (http://www.infrastructureworld.com)

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