The floor framing system is one of the greatest construction costs on a typical building project; therefore, structural engineers need to specify the most efficient design possible. In addition to being economical, the system must also meet required standards for resistance against heavy loads, powerful winds, or strong earthquakes; comply with fire-safety standards; support architectural flexibility; and offer stable, rigid, and comfortable floor systems that will not expand, contract, warp, crack, or twist.

In response to a request from Structural Engineer, a number of companies provided the following information about their products. 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.

Durastrand OSL Rimboard from Ainsworth Group of Companies is a code-evaluated rim board. According to the company, the 1 1/4-inch 0.8E Durastrand meets or exceeds required standards for resistance against heavy loads, powerful winds, or strong earthquakes. The ICC-ES (ESR-1053) code evaluation means it is approved for use in many onsite edgewise bending applications, including stair stringers and short-span headers. To span a window/door opening, the rim board can be installed continuously around a floor system. When used as a header, Durastrand 0.8E OSL is a less-costly alternative to LVL and LSL.
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According to California Expanded Metal Products Co. (CEMCO), its Sure-Span Steel Floor Joist System has been used in more than 1 million square feet of commercial and residential projects across the United States. Manufactured from mill-certified prime steel containing high-quality recycled content, Sure-Span C-joists and rim-tracks provide the construction industry with a dependable, cost-effective solution for floor framing in today’s competitive environment. The Sure-Span floor joist system, when combined with United States Gypsum Company’s LEVELROCK brand CSD Floor Underlayment, provides a full two-hour UL fire-rated assembly. The UL G559 assembly also exceeds the minimum STC rating of 50 established by the International Building Code.
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CMC Steel Products manufactures the SMARTBEAM. With depths ranging from 12 to 66 inches and the ability to manufacture asymmetrical sections, the SMARTBEAM is ideally suited for composite floor construction. According to the company, the SMARTBEAM provides an economical solution for a structural frame with web openings that allow mechanical services to be integrated into the structure at no additional cost; thus, producing a lower floor-to-floor height as well as cost savings on building façades.
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Metal Stud Crete (MSC) Floor System from Earl Composite Systems is an engineered concrete and light-gauge steel joist floor system using composite action to connect the thin concrete to the joists—a MSC composite connector screwed to the light-gauge joists protrudes upward into 2-1/2 inches of concrete with wire mesh reinforcing poured on plyform blocked up between the joists. Spans are available up to 32 feet, depending on joist spacing, gauge, and depth. All materials can be purchased locally; and MSC shear connectors are shipped to job sites on pallets.
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Hambro Concrete Composite Floor Systems are ideal for multi-story commercial and single-family homebuilders seeking quality and stability. The Hambro D500 features a steel joist top chord embedded in concrete; the system of top and bottom chords of bent rods connected together reduces the vertical shear common in a standard truss. The system provides an extremely rigid floor, and features UL and ULC ratings with PVC plumbing and mechanical duct openings without fire dampers. The D500 can be carpenter-installed for all types and sizes of buildings. With no need for shoring or reshoring, the system is conducive to easy installation, according to the company.
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HH Robertson Floor Systems’ Q-Floor/Taproute System is a structural/electrical system consisting of composite cellular metal deck, a trench header wire feeder, and electrical outlet boxes, all of which are cast into the floor slab. According to the company, the system is economical, flexible for activation at workstations, and offers the ultimate in fire safety by encapsulating combustible power and data cables. The system can be used on-grade or on elevated steel or concrete frames. Shear diaphragm resistance is provided. Electrical grounding is superior and non-plenum-rated cables are permitted by code. System layouts are provided at no cost.
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With consistent and reliable components, the iLevel by Weyerhaeuser Floor System helps ensure strong and silent floors. According to the company, its TJI joists resist warping, twisting, and shrinking that can lead to squeaky floors. They work together with TimberStrand LSL rim board and Structurwood Edge Gold premium floor panels, which provide a solid base for hardwood floors and ceramic tile. With iLevel TJ-Pro Ratings, designers can balance floor performance and cost by selecting the right combination of materials to account for homeowners’ perceptions of feel without overbuilding.
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According to Simpson Strong-Tie, its ITS top flange joist hanger is easier and faster to install because it uses fewer nails than any other hanger for composite wood. Once the hanger is installed on the header, the I-joist is simply snapped down into place. The new Strong-Grip seat securely holds the I-joist without any joist nails while still providing more than 100 pounds of rated uplift resistance. The design results in a lower installed cost compared to similar hangers. The ITS can be used with all current I-joist flange dimensions.
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When built with Southern Pine Council lumber, the raised floor system offers a lifetime of durability, according to the company. Modern pressure treatment provides safe, long-lasting resistance to termites and decay for generations to come. Additional benefits include reduced flood risk, fewer moisture problems, less mold, extended living spaces with porches and decks, and flexible landscaping.
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TrusSteel, an ITW Company’s pre-engineered cold-formed steel trusses are designed to simplify the processes of design, specification, and inspection. Their stiffness and high strength-to-weight ratio also makes them easy to handle and install, according to the company. TrusSteel trusses have a number of UL-listed floor (and roof) assemblies, including a two-hour assembly. Using state-of-the-art Alpine steelVIEW software, local TrusSteel fabricators provide sealed truss designs, standard details, guide specifications, construction hardware, estimates, and finished trusses.
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OPEN JOIST, available from Universal Forest Products, is a revolutionary open-web, all-wood floor truss, engineered for long spans and superior load-carrying capabilities. According to the company, the open-web design allows for safe and quick installation of electrical, plumbing, and HVAC. OPEN JOIST is assembled with finger joinery and structural adhesive to produce a more resilient wood-to-wood connection resulting in a floor system guaranteed to perform. Tested to more than twice its maximum allowable load, OPEN JOIST is the only individually tested floor truss and is backed by a lifetime warranty.
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Correction
The following product was inadvertently omitted from the December 2007 Specifiers’ Guide. We regret the error.

Bentley Systems, Inc., and its team of STAAD and RAM are proud to announce the integrated concrete solution covering the complete structural engineering workflow: analysis, design, documentation, BIM, and detailing. It provides integrated tools for concrete beams, columns, shear walls, reinforced and post-tensioned slabs, and foundations. This solution eliminates the manual transfer of loads and geometry from various programs; within minutes comprehensive calculations are produced and custom CAD drawings and material take-offs are created directly from designs. In addition, its new Concrete Structural System dashboard allows access to the concrete solutions from a single environment. Visit www.bentley.com/integratedconcrete to download the Concrete Structural System for free and to learn more.