Steel, once seen strictly as having a structural purpose, has been used as a major component in many engineering projects. Architects have since learned of the aesthetic value that steel can bring to a stunning structure. The newest trend, however, is discovering the sustainable aspects of the material, and many products now tout this feature.

In response to an open invitation from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. Company web addresses are provided for immediate access to additional information. To participate in Structural Engineer Specifiers’ Guides, visit www.gostructural.com/specguide

AceCad Software’s (www.acecadsoftware.com) StruCad is a 3D structural steel detailing system and management information system for steelwork. StruCad, puts an array of modeling and detailing tools into the hands of drafting professionals, providing advanced, productive solutions.

Aegis Metal Framing (www.aegismetalframing.com), a division of MiTek, 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 including the UltraSpan truss system, TradeReady products, and WallSolutions pre-fabricated panels.

Albina Pipe Bending Co., Inc. (www.albinapipebending.com) rolled 128,894 pounds of 5-inch Sch120 and 5-inch Sch40 pipe, tilted at 45 degrees, to help create a striking 340-foot steel pedestrian bridge linking the current Museum of Flight in Seattle. The bend of the hoops varied from 22 feet in radius at the center of the span to 19 feet at the tapered ends.

The American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) (www.aisc.org), headquartered in Chicago, is a not-for-profit technical institute and trade association serving the structural steel design community and construction industry in the United States. AISC’s mission is to make structural steel the material of choice by being the leader in structural-steel-related technical and market-building activities.

Bentley Systems’ (www.bentley.com) structural team of RAM, STAAD, and ProSteel offers integrated structural offerings for building, plant, and civil applications. The addition of ProSteel provided the final piece in completing Bentley’s integrated steel offering by allowing the production of customizable detailed drawings with direct links to CNC equipment.

Canam Steel Corporation USA (www.canam-steeljoists.ws) manufactures and designs open-web steel joists and complex trusses that enable engineers and architects to accomplish column-free spans and complex designs that require special joists not found in standard practices.

Cascade Consulting Associates, Inc. (www.strucalc.com) offers a software solution for the design and analysis of beams, columns, joists, rafters, and footings using solid sawn lumber, steel and tube steel, structural composite, glulams, flitch beams, and I-joists This is the first version to take advantage of the latest in easy-to-use interface design for XP and Vista.

The Tube Framing Clamp System by Chicago Clamp Company (www.chicagoclamp.com) provides roof deck support without any welding. Utilizing pockets in the corrugations, clamps slide under the deck and over joists for easy installation with the roof deck already in position. Components get bolted into place, which eliminates the hazards and risks associated with traditional welding methods.

CMC Steel Products (www.cmcsteelproducts.com) says it is the leading manufacturer of the SMARTBEAM. With depths ranging from 12 inches to 60 inches and the ability to manufacture asymmetrical sections, the SMARTBEAM is ideally suited for composite floor construction because web openings allow mechanical services to be efficiently integrated into the structure at no additional cost.

The Cold-Formed Steel Council (CFSC) (www.cfsc.sbcindustry.com) was created by the Structural Building Components Association to focus on issues that affect manufacturers of steel structural building components. CFSC’s goal is to protect and educate component manufacturers through risk management and training material.

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) (www.cfsei.org) provides technical resources, guidance, publications, and information about steel framing. The Institute aids engineers in efficient structural design of safe and cost-effective cold-formed steel structures. CFSEI members receive complimentary copies of all CFSEI Technical Notes and discounts on AISI Standards and other materials.

CONTECH Construction Products Inc. (www.contech-cpi.com) offers Slotted Drain, a practical, aesthetically pleasing inlet for the efficient removal of surface water on streets and highways. It also is widely used in parking lots and similar locations to remove sheet flow without complex multiple grades or water-channeling devices.

Cortec Corporation (www.cortecvci.com) provides environmentally responsible VpCI and MCI corrosion control technologies for the packaging, metalworking, construction, electronics, water treatment, oil/gas, and other industries. According to the company, its dedication to sustainability, quality, service, and support is outstanding by industry standards.

Fastrak Building Designer by CSC Inc. (www.cscworld.com) is a comprehensive, easy to use, dedicated software solution for general steel and composite building design. Complete physical design models are quickly created via an intuitive interface. The program produces fast, accurate, gravity and lateral design results, automated drawings, and material lists, and it is BIM compliant.

DACS, Inc. (www.dacsinc.com), with plants in Baltimore and Portsmouth, Va., manufactures a full line of steel decking products, including roof deck, composite deck, non-composite deck, deep decks, and cellular decks.

Daystar Software, Inc. (www.daystarsoftware.com) Multiframe provides linear and non-linear analysis along with a full range of modeling tools, including 3D drawing, tension/compression-only members, dynamic analysis, and more. Other modules allow users to draw section shapes quickly and install them in the section library and perform design checks for a wide range of design codes, including the AISI and LRFD codes.

SDS/2 by Design Data (www.sds2.com) is the only product, according to the company, with built-in intelligence to design connections automatically using a 3D model with a multitude of options for beams, columns, bracing, and joists. Connections are designed based on parameters that users define for each job. Designate material, edge distance, cope criteria, and other connection specifications, and SDS/2 automatically generates connections that meet the requirements.

Devco Software, Inc.’s (www.devcosoftware.com) LGBEAMER v7 Pro lets users design cold-formed cee’s, zee’s, and channels for single- and multi-span with uniform, concentrated, partial span, and axial loads. The program conforms with the 2004 NASPEC Supplement 2006 IBC and has special modules for framed openings, X-braces, shear walls, and more.

Faced with the diverse structural needs of the construction industry, DIVERSAKORE (www.diversakore.com) has created a portfolio of composite beam framing systems specifically to address and support all buildings. Its composite beams leverage the tensile strength of steel and the compressive strength of concrete. According to the company, the results are low profiles, long spans, and reduced construction cost.

Ecospan NUCOR-Vulcraft/Verco Group (www.ecospan-usa.com) offers Vulcraft’s Ecospan Composite Floor System comprising 99 percent recycled material in the production of its steel joists and 70 percent recycled material in its decking. The composite design of Ecospan allows for longer span, light-weight, shallow joists that offer greater rigidity.

GT STRUDL (www.gtstrudl.gatech.edu) software is used by structural engineers for the analysis and design of nuclear, utility, transportation, offshore, industrial, and civil works facilities. GT STRUDL integrates graphical modeling, analysis, and steel and reinforced concrete design into a powerful information processing system. Key analysis features of GT STRUDL include linear/nonlinear static, dynamic, pushover, and buckling analysis.

Heckmann Building Products Inc. (www.heckmannanchors.com), established in 1923, manufactures a complete line of custom structural anchor plates, angles, lintels, stone anchors, and masonry anchors.

Hilti (www.us.hilti.com) says its Profis DF Diaphragm Software Version 2.0 provides an efficient and effective tool for optimizing fastening solutions for steel deck roof and floor systems using Hilti fasteners. Profis DF Diaphragm transparently calculates diaphragm shear, wind uplift, and combined loading analysis, while incorporating the latest ICC-ES AC43 performance data. Download it for free by visiting the Hilti Decking Design Center at www.us.hilti.com/decking

IES, Inc.’s (www.iesweb.com) VisualAnalysis is a friendly, easy-to-learn program for the analysis and design of steel and cold-formed steel structures. Users can try it for free.

LUSAS (www.lusas.com) structural and bridge analysis software is used throughout the United States by consultants, departments of transportation, and other government bodies for all types of structural analysis to assess existing structures and to assist with the design of new ones. Use LUSAS for linear, nonlinear, seismic, fatigue, blast, buckling, fire, and impact analysis requirements on a broad range of structures from bridges and building frames to masts, towers, and tanks.

MDX Software (www.mdxsoftware.com) is used for designing and rating curved and straight steel bridge girders for compliance with AASHTO specifications, including the latest LRFD specs.

MIDASoft Inc. (TNO DIANA) (http://eng.midasuser.com) offers midasGen (Building and General Structures Design), midasCivil (Integrated Solutions for Bridges and Civil Structures), and midas FEA (Advanced Finite Element Nonlinear and Detail Analysis System). Each software package allows analysis and design of structural steel structures and reinforced and post-tensioned concrete structures.

Since 2001, Nucon Steel (www.nuconsteel.com) has been providing load-bearing, cold-formed steel roof, floor, and wall-framing systems for commercial and residential building projects across the United States. To date, Nucon Steel’s framing systems have been used as all or part of the primary framing in more than 1,000 assisted living centers, schools, hotels, office buildings, apartments, and churches, and in virtually every other commercial building segment.

Nucor Fastener (www.nucor-fastener.com) manufactures structural bolts and structural nuts.

Nucor Vulcraft (www.vulcraft.com) produces joists and joist girders.

Nucor-Yamato Steel (www.nucoryamato.com) is the only mill in the Western hemisphere to produce 44-inch-deep, wide-flange structural shapes, according to the company. The beams are ideal for short-span bridges, serving as primary beams that carry the roadway. W44 beams could eliminate at least 25 percent of the beam weight on a 120-foot modular steel bridge, according to steel fabricators, because projects that require three W40 beams per module need only two W44 beams. The W44 beams also increase the range for HS-20-rated bridges as long as 150 feet.

Omnitech Associates, Inc. (www.desconplus.com) develops steel structures connection design software — DesconWin and Descon Brace. DesconWin designs shear and moment connections for seismic and non-seismic applications, plus column and beam splices. Prequalified seismic moment connections from FEMA-350 Report and from AISC 358-05 are included. Descon Brace designs braced frame connections for seismic and non-seismic connections. Both use ASD and LRFD design procedures, create detailed calculation reports, scaled drawings of the connection, and DXF files.

POSTEN Engineering Systems (www.postensoft.com) offers TaperSTEEL —Tapered steel beam and girder software. TaperSTEEL designs plate girder beams and girders of varying width and depth (with or without pitched gabled roofs or sloped cathedral ceilings). It can handle a simple span, span with cantilevers, part of a portal frame, or, when combined with the advanced modeling capabilities of POSTEN Multistory, a multi-span frame with varying section properties.

Cold-formed steel design is easier, according to RISA Technologies (www.risa.com), with RISAFloor, RISA-3D, and RISA-2D. Users can choose from multiple ASD and LRFD design codes and model in a limitless 3D environment. With a comprehensive shape library and analysis for back-to-back and face-to-face members, RISA assists design of wall studs, floor joists, roof purlins, and trusses. If the shape is not among the hundreds that come in RISA’s standard database (including Dietrich, Marino-Ware, and SSMA), users can create their own custom shape library.

Following the Northridge earthquake, SidePlate Sytems, Inc. (www.sideplate.com) introduced a steel connection technology that is affecting the way steel frame structures were built for high seismic, blast, and progressive collapse load conditions — saving 1 to 4 pounds per square foot in frame tonnage. Now, with SidePlate FRAME, there are no CJP welds and less weld and plate material. This means SidePlate FRAME saves money on virtually any steel-frame construction project, the company says.

The Simpson Strong-Tie (www.strongtie.com) S/BA top-flange hanger is a cost-effective alternative to heavier, special-order hangers for cold-formed steel. The S/BA is value engineered and tested to achieve higher allowable loads and increased performance. It may be fastened with screws or powder-actuated, or welded to the header, providing more design options and greater versatility.

The Steel Joist Institute (www.steeljoist.org) is a nonprofit organization founded to address the lack of uniform joist standards within the industry. The organization, comprising active joist manufacturers and other individuals and entities connected to the industry, works closely with major building code bodies throughout the country, helping to develop code regulations regarding steel joists and joist girders.

Structural Desktop (SDT) (www.structuraldesktop.com) integrates the STAAD Pro, RISA 3D/RISAFloor, GT STRUDL, and SAP2000 with AutoCAD. Users can build analytical models inside AutoCAD and import them into the analytical program where the models are analyzed and designed. Then users can import models back into SDT for adjustment and automatic creation of annotated AutoCAD DWG 2D and 3D drawings.

Struware, Inc. (www.struware.com) provides easy-to-use structural engineering software. Struware’s steel beam/joist floor vibration program analyzes floor systems in accordance with AISC Design Guide #11 and can compare as many as four systems side by side. Struware also offers programs to analyze tilt-up concrete wall panels, concrete beams with torsion, and a single program for calculating wind, seismic, snow, and other code loads. Demos are available on the company’s website.

Tekla (www.tekla.com) offers Tekla Structures, a BIM solution that supports structural engineering and detailing within one 3D model — covering the process from conceptual design to construction. Users can model any building; use an extensive library of connections and re-bar; exchange model data with architects and other designers; work with leading structural analysis programs; produce quality plans, elevations, and details that update as the model changes; create an accurate model that is ready for shop detailing; provide the general contractor with a data-rich construction model; and, according to Tekla, enable shorter project delivery times, improved building quality, and significant cost savings.

The Steel Network, Inc. (www.steelnetwork.com) manufactures metal framing products, including studs, tracks, and connections. SigmaStud is a load bearing wall stud that is 40 percent stronger than conventional cee studs. JamStud replaces built-up members in jamb and header assemblies. Its VertiClip and DriftClip connectors are the only exterior movement-allowing clips to be evaluated by the ICC-ES (ESR-1903 and ESR-2049). According to the company, BridgeClip and BridgeBar deliver wall-bridging solutions that increase installation efficiency. The StiffClip series encompasses connections for walls, floors, roofs, and trusses. MidWall is a low-cost improvement for partial wall framing.

Williams Form Engineering Corp.’s (www.williamsform.com) 150-ksi All-Thread-Bars are manufactured in strict compliance with ASTM A722-07 and AASHTO M275 Highway Specifications. The prestressing steel is high in strength, yet ductile enough to exceed the specified elongation and reduction of area requirement. Selected heats can also pass the 135-degree supplemental bend test when required. Testing has shown All-Thread-Bars to meet or exceed post tensioning bar and rock anchoring criteria as set by the Post Tensioning Institute, including dynamic test requirements beyond 500,000 cycles of loading.