CHM Consultants offers Architects, Builders & Owners structural engineering consulting in Light-Gauge Steel Framing, from initial project planning stage to installation at the job site. Some of the areas where we can be of assistance include:
- Converting a project from wood, structural steel, concrete, post-tensioning, precast, tilt-up or masonry bearing walls to Light-Gauge Steel.
- Reducing the height of a 4 story building by 2 feet, and 8 story building by 4 feet.
- Assisting Architects with incorporating Light-Gauge Steel into their designs.
- Hybrid Wood-Steel designs, such as wood walls and steel floors or steel walls and wood floors. Almost limitless design freedom.
- Working with Architects and General Contractors to determine the best floor system, the most cost effective framing sizes, etc.
- From one story residences to 4-story multi-family projects to 8-story hotels to 10-story and taller office buildings Light-Gauge Steel framing is the better quality and more economical construction method.
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Advantages of Light-Gauge Steel Framing
NATURAL DISASTERS PROOF: Superior Resistance to Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Earthquakes due to Light-Gauge Steel framing (LGS) inherent high strength. Buildings are designed to meet the strictest seismic and wind specifications in any part of the world.
FOUNDATION COST SAVINGS: Because of its very light-weight compared to wood, masonry and concrete LGS framing requires smaller foundations. LGS members weigh as much as 60% less than wood members.
REDUCED SEISMIC FORCES: Low weight also means that seismic forces are much lower than with any other material, fewer and smaller Shear Walls, resulting in turn in the most economical foundations in earthquake prone regions.
FULL SPANS: LGS can be manufactured to practically any length and can span the entire building column free.
NATURAL DISASTERS PROOF: Superior Resistance to Hurricanes, Tornadoes and Earthquakes due to Light-Gauge Steel framing (LGS) inherent high strength. Buildings are designed to meet the strictest seismic and wind specifications in any part of the world.
FOUNDATION COST SAVINGS: Because of its very light-weight compared to wood, masonry and concrete LGS framing requires smaller foundations. LGS members weigh as much as 60% less than wood members.
REDUCED SEISMIC FORCES: Low weight also means that seismic forces are much lower than with any other material, fewer and smaller Shear Walls, resulting in turn in the most economical foundations in earthquake prone regions.
FULL SPANS: LGS can be manufactured to practically any length and can span the entire building column free.
LGS ASSEMBLIES EASIER TO INSTALL: The high strength to weight ratio of LGS leads to making assemblies longer and easier to lift and put in place than with traditional framing.
RANGE OF MEMBER THICKNESSES: LGS strength can be enhanced without increasing member depth by selecting thicker steel, often eliminating the need for intermediate supporting beams, walls or columns.
UTILITY RUNS INSTALL EASILY: Pre-punched holes in webs of floor joists and wall studs make the installation of air-conditioning ducts, plumbing pipes and electrical conduits and accessories quick and easy.
UTILITY RUNS INSTALL EASILY: Pre-punched holes in webs of floor joists and wall studs make the installation of air-conditioning ducts, plumbing pipes and electrical conduits and accessories quick and easy.
ELIMINATION OF SQUEAKY AND SAGGING FLOORS: LGS eliminates incidences of squeaking floors, popped nails, sagging, sloping and bouncing floors, prevents cracks in rigid flooring materials such as marble, slate and tile.
NO LONG TERM SAGGING OR CREEP: Members can accommodate heavy floor toppings without long-term sagging, swelling or creep.
STRAIGHT WALLS: Elimination of bulging, leaning look or cracking of drywall.
STRAIGHT WALLS: Elimination of bulging, leaning look or cracking of drywall.
FEWER MOISTURE RELATED PROBLEMS: LGS does not warp, shrink or twist because of absorbed moisture. That also means no need to sort LGS members. Because LGS will not absorb moisture, it will not grow mold and rot.
PROTECTION AGAINST CORROSION: LGS has improved galvanized zinc coating to protect against corrosion. For construction sites close to ocean and sea coastlines the coating thickness is further increased to account for the presence of corrosion inducing sulfates in the atmosphere. Minor scratches in the coating are self healing by compensating with zinc from adjacent untouched areas.
RESISTANCE TO INSECTS: LGS resists termite attack and other vermin. It is free of unhealthy resin adhesives and other chemicals used to treat wood framing products.
IMPROVED FIRE SAFETY: LGS has long been the choice for noncombustible framing, now also available for both commercial and residential construction.
A GREEN CHOICE: LGS emits no toxic fumes or vapors and does not support the growth of molds or other fungi. It is 100% recyclable and includes 30% to 100% recycled content depending on the steel making process.
For further Green Design information click on the links below:
www.greendesignhousing.org
www.affordablehousingworldwide.org
www.steelframehousing.org
For further Green Design information click on the links below:
www.greendesignhousing.org
www.affordablehousingworldwide.org
www.steelframehousing.org
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