A variety of cold-formed steel products and resources are available for a wide-range of applications in the building industry. Load-bearing studs, floor and roof trusses, and deck are continuously improved and industry associations have organized to assist designers with all of their cold-form steel project needs.

In response to a request from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products and services. Some companies declined to participate by failing to return the questionnaire by our deadline. We apologize for inadvertent omissions. To be added to our contact list, please e-mail Jennifer Goupil, P.E., at jgoupil@zweigwhite.com.

Aegis Metal Framing, LLC is a provider of pre-fabricated cold-formed steel truss and panel systems and services for commercial, institutional, and residential construction. Aegis provides a complete line of cold-formed steel framing (also known as light gauge steel framing) including the UltraSpan truss system, TradeReady products (floor joists, headers, Spazzer bars), and WallSolutions pre-fabricated panels.
www.aegismetalframing.com

Applied Science International’s Steel Smart System 5.0 is the only software application to design members, connectors, and fasteners for cold-formed steel walls (load bearing, non-load bearing, and strap-braced shear walls), floors, roofs, and trusses. Download a free single-user or network license from the company’s web site. Enhanced reports, improved shear wall and wall opening design, and updated wall bridging CAD details are all included in the program. Connections may be designed to attach to 33- and 50-ksi steel members. A free license is also available in The Steel Network’s complimentary Light Steel Framing Manual.
www.appliedscienceint.com

Canam Steel Corporation provides steel joist and components fabrication and joist engineering expertise. With four U.S. plants, AISC certifications, and AWS-certified welders, Canam says it is one of North America’s largest and most reliable steel joist and construction component fabricators. As a member of the Steel Joist Institute (SJI), Canam leads industry committees and provides a 2007 version of the 42nd edition SJI catalog.
www.canam.ws

CMC Joist & Deck provides a variety of deck products, including the following: 1.5-inch (B & F) and 3-inch (N) roof deck with finishes that include gray or white primer, and G30, G60, and G90 galvanized and special paint coatings; 1.5-inch (B Lok & Lok Floor), 2-inch, and 3-inch (Lok Floor) composite deck with finishes that include phos/painted, galvanized, and galvanized plus primer finishes; "deep deck" roof deck profiles in 4.5-inch, 6-inch, and 7.5-inch depths with finishes that include galvanized, galvanized plus primer, and special paint coatings with thicknesses to 10 gage on type LS; cellular roof and floor deck profiles in 1.5-inch, 2-inch, 3-inch, 4.5-inch, 6-inch, and 7.5-inch depths with finish options that include galvanized, galvanized plus primer finish, and special paint coatings. See catalogue for options.
www.cmcjd.com

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) is the steel framing industry’s home for engineers interested in improving their knowledge and skills in cold-formed steel design. CFSEI provides technical resources, specifications, publications, and information about steel framing. The Institute aids engineers in efficient structural design of safe and cost-effective cold-formed steel structures. CFSEI has members in all 50 states and around the globe, many of whom participate in CFSEI’s industry committee’s and regional chapters to enhance their education and networking through the Institute. Members have access to the latest information, and all members receive complimentary copies of all CFSEI Technical Notes and publications.
www.cfsei.org

Nuconsteel has developed a range of sophisticated new products—NuJoist, NuTruss, and NuPanel—which constitute a total package for builders who are using steel in part or all their building. NuJoist, combines the strength and consistency of a standard C-stud joist with the flexibility of pre-punched reinforced access holes to improve installation time and architectural flexibility. NuTruss is a fully engineered, integrated truss system, from plans through fabrication straight to jobsite installation, and is compatible with other structural building components and materials. NuPanel is the next generation wall panel, engineered for dimensional stability and designed for quicker installation, cost-efficiency, and enhanced strength. These three products are commonly used in commercial applications such as assisted-living, education, hotels/motels, multi-family, and other low- to mid-rise projects.
www.nuconsteel.com

Fast, accurate, and productive are just a few ways engineers describe Risa Technologies’ RISA-3D. Easily the most popular general 3-D analysis/design software available, according to the company, its intuitive interface and familiar spreadsheets help solve problems in minutes, not hours. Packed with the most current cold-formed steel, steel, concrete, and timber design codes, RISA-3D gives users the tools to tackle multi-material projects with confidence. Advanced features such as flexible design rules allow the engineer to control the design, not just the program. Review results for the entire model graphically, or view member detail reports to see analysis results and design calculations for each member.
www.risa.com

Simpson Strong-Tie offers a full line of connectors tested for use in cold-formed steel construction. The new S/HDU series combines performance with ease of installation, according to the company. The pre-deflected geometry of this holdown virtually eliminates material stretch, resulting in low deflection under load. Installed with self-drilling screws, the S/HDU saves time and labor costs. The new ICFVL Ledger Connector System is engineered to solve the challenges of mounting steel ledgers to insulated concrete forms (ICF). For more information, request a copy of the Cold-Formed Steel Connectors for Residential and Mid-Rise Construction catalog through the company’s website or call 800-999-5099.
www.strongtie.com

Steel Construction Systems says its commitment is to provide quality products, exceptional customer service, and superior value to the construction industry. State-of-the-art production equipment coupled with computer-controlled systems, substantial raw material supply, and the combined strengths of CEMEX and Mittal Steel allow the company to meet its commitment. Steel-Con manufactures light-gauge steel framing components, interior drywall studs, track and framing accessories, exterior load-bearing steel studs, and track metal lath products. Also available are 1.75, 2.5 and 3.4 small diamond mesh, self-furring dimple and V-groove, 3.4 Hi Rib, 3/8-inch lath light-gauge steel truss systems, and steel roof and floor trusses.
www.steelconsystems.com

The Steel Deck Institute (SDI), organized in 1939, is a trade association of manufacturers of steel floor and roof decks and manufacturers of related products used in the production or erection of steel decks. The SDI provides uniform industry standards for the engineering, design, manufacture, and field use of steel decks through ANSI/SDI Standards and a wide assortment of technical manuals, white papers, and position statements. Please visit the SDI website for detailed information.
www.sdi.org

Structural Desktop, Inc.(SDT) integrates analytical programs with AutoCAD. Users can build analytical models inside AutoCAD, import a model into an analytical program where the model is analyzed and designed, then import that model back into SDT for adjustment and automatic creation of annotated AutoCAD 2-D and 3-D drawings. According to the company, SDT reduces costs, increases accuracy, and has a minimal learning curve. It draws concrete sections, AISC sections, LGSI, and AISI light-gage sections, steel joists, wooden beams and studs, and others. It creates solid models for rendering and 2-D drawings for contract documents that are 100-percent compatible with AutoCAD.
www.structuraldesktop.com

The Steel Network, Inc.’s SigmaStud is redefining load bearing wall construction, enabling the use of steel studs as the primary axial-load bearing component in structures as tall as 10 stories. SigmaStud’s shape provides an increased load capacity of up to 40 percent compared with conventional "cee" studs, and its light weight often results in a reduction in foundation requirements when compared with such heavier materials as concrete/masonry walls. SigmaStud provides the benefits of an accelerated construction schedule; substantial material and labor savings; and a recycled, green building product.
www.steelnetwork.com

TrusSteel pre-engineered cold-formed steel trusses from TrusSteel, An ITW Company, are easy to specify, design, and inspect (guide specifications available), the company says. They are easy to handle and install because of their superior stiffness and high strength-to-weight ratio. TrusSteel trusses have a number of UL-Listed roof and floor assemblies, including a two-hour listed assembly. Local TrusSteel fabricators, using the state-of-the-art Alpine steelVIEW software, provide sealed truss designs, standard details, guide specifications, construction hardware, estimates, and finished trusses. Request an 80-page design manual from info2@trussteel.com.
www.trussteel.com