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Construction Method For Light Gauge Steel Frame System: 10.1 STEEL WALL FRAMING - Erection

The document summarizes the process for constructing light gauge steel frame walls and structures. Key steps include: 1) Laying out wall locations and checking squareness of frames. 2) Erecting external wall frames around the foundation and internal frames within. 3) Anchoring frames to foundations using methods like anchor bolts or clip angles to resist shear and uplift forces. 4) Adding shear bracing like structural sheathing or engineered X-bracing to prevent racking of walls.

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97 views

Construction Method For Light Gauge Steel Frame System: 10.1 STEEL WALL FRAMING - Erection

The document summarizes the process for constructing light gauge steel frame walls and structures. Key steps include: 1) Laying out wall locations and checking squareness of frames. 2) Erecting external wall frames around the foundation and internal frames within. 3) Anchoring frames to foundations using methods like anchor bolts or clip angles to resist shear and uplift forces. 4) Adding shear bracing like structural sheathing or engineered X-bracing to prevent racking of walls.

Uploaded by

Anonymous ELujOV3
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Chapter 10 CONSTRUCTION METHOD FOR LIGHT

GAUGE STEEL FRAME SYSTEM

10.1 STEEL WALL FRAMING - Erection


Prefabricated steel wall framing can be used with all types of floor construction.
Although framing varies in detail between manufacturers, the general principles are
the same for all systems. Steel wall framing is erected in the same sequence as
pre-fabricated timber, ensuring squareness and vertical alignment of individual
frames.

Figure 10.1 Construction of lightgauge steel frame

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The general procedure is as follows:
1) The wall layout is marked on the floor using straight lines.
2) Squareness is checked by accurately measuring diagonals in large areas of
the house first, then individual rooms.
3) Internal wall frames are stacked inside the boundaries and external walls
around the foundations, with the first frame on top.
4) External frames are placed around the perimeter with their bottom plates
adjacent to their final positions.
5) Starting at any convenient external corner stand and plumb a wall frame panel
in its exact position.
6) Stand and plumb the adjoining frame to make a self-supporting corner.
7) Clamp the frames together and check again that both frames are in their exact
locations and standing vertical.
8) Connect the frames using the manufacturers recommended method -
generally nails, screws or rivets.
9) Proceed with the erection of the frames around the house, standing internal
and external frames as they occur.
10) Provide adequate temporary bracing during wall frame erection. The line of
top plates in a run of walling should be checked with a string.

Figure 10.2 Installation of floor joist and wall studs

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10.2 STEEL WALL FRAMING - Anchoring
Steel framing must be firmly anchored to the foundation or floor structure.
Wherever possible, the walls should be anchored as soon as possible after they
have been plumbed and aligned.
There are two forces you must account for when attaching walls to the foundation
or floor slab. These forces are shear and uplift. The Prescriptive Method for
residential cold-formed steel framing provides details, sizes and types of
anchoring.

The Prescriptive Method provides several details for anchoring steel-framed


houses. Figure 10.3a in the Prescriptive Method depicts a steel frame floor
system anchored to a wood sill on top of a concrete foundation. The wood sill is
tied to the foundation with anchor bolts, similar to wood construction. The rim
joist of the steel floor system is fastened to the wood sill with a steel plate. Figure
10.3b of the Prescriptive Method shows a detail of a steel floor system attached
directly to the concrete foundation using clip angles and anchor bolts.

Figure 10.4 shows the wall to foundation connection. J-bolts are commonly used
in such connections. A piece of stud is used as a washer when bolting the walls
to the foundation.

Figure 10.3a: Floor to Wood Sill Figure 10.3b: Floor to Foundation


Connection Connection

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Figure 10.4: Wall to foundation connection

The load bearing walls of a steel-framed house must be braced to protect the
wall from shear forces and prevent the walls from racking. Shear bracing keeps a
house from leaning or falling over. There are two ways of applying shear wall
bracing on a steel-framed house; either structural sheathing or X-bracing.

Structural Sheathing

Zinc-coated metal sheet ie; 0.8mm thickness is adequate to keep the wall from
racking as long as there are not excessive openings in the wall or excessive
lateral loads.

In order for structural sheathing to be effective, it should be installed with the long
dimension parallel to the stud framing (vertical orientation).

• The metal sheet may be attached to the wall while panelizing or after the
wall is plumb and level.
• Make sure that the sheathing is fastened tightly to the steel frame.
• Draw the metal sheet up tight against the wall with No. 8 self-drilling
screws.
• Finish attaching the metal sheet with screws or pneumatic pins. (See
Figure 10.5 of the Prescriptive Method, Structural Sheathing Fastening
Pattern, shown here.)

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Figure 10.5 Structural Sheathing Fastening Pattern

X-Bracing

X-bracing is another way to obtain shear strength when structural sheathing is


not used. X-braces are diagonal steel straps attached to the walls with screws.
They are most commonly used with stucco walls or in termite-prone areas. The
following must be taken note when using X-bracing:

• An engineer must design X-bracing


• Installation of the straps should be inspected to ensure the correct number
of fasteners is used.

It is recommended to either cut and tack the strap to the wall during panelization
or install the strap after the wall is in place. X-bracing can be installed after the
walls have been raised, plumbed, aligned and attached to the foundation or floor
deck.

10.3 ROOR FRAMING

The roof frame can be screwed directly onto the wall frame. Truss spacing can
be at 600mm centres for sheet and tile roofs or 1200mm centres for sheet roofs
only. The manufacturer's instructions on type, placement and number of fixings
should be followed at all times.

10.4 EXTERNAL DOOR AND WINDOW FRAMES

The same door and window frames used in timber-framed construction are also
used in steel-framed construction. If aluminium window frames are fitted into
timber they can be installed by fastening through the jamb studs into the back of
the reveal after positioning. If it is not possible to secret-fix the frame, as may be
the case with a window or door head, “countersunk head” self-drilling screws of
appropriate length can be driven through the frame and packing into the steel
framing. The same type of screws may also be used to fasten aluminium window
frames direct to steel frame openings.

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10.5 INTERNAL DOOR FRAMES

Timber door frames in internal walls can be secret-fixed through the back of jamb
studs with screws or nails. Alternatively the frame may be fastened through the
jamb into the studs with “countersunk head” self-drilling screws.

10.6 EXTERNAL WALL CLADDING

If required in the external walls reflective foil sarking may be attached to the
external flange of the steel studs with self-drilling screws fitted with 25mm flat
fibre washers. Alternatively wafer head screws may be used. Wire brick ties
which simply clip on to steel studs are available for brick veneer construction.
For single wall construction fibre cement sheeting can be fixed to steel frames
with self-drilling, self-embedding head screws. Timber weatherboards can be
fastened to steel studs with extended point countersunk head self-drilling
screws. Steel sheet cladding is also fixed with self-drilling screws.

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10.7 INTERNAL WALL LINING

To fix plasterboard wall linings in a steel-framed


house, self-drilling screws are used instead of
plasterboard nails. The same adhesives are
used on a steel frame.

With a correctly set screw gun bugle, head


screws can be tightened to finish slightly below
the surface of the plasterboard without
damaging the paper facing.

Figure 10.6 Installation of boards

In wet areas, water resistant lining board is fixed


with self-drilling self-embedding head screws.
Flashing and tiling are done in the usual
manner. Pre-finished wall linings may be glued
to steel studs with a wallboard adhesive and
braced in place until bonded.

Figure 10.7 Plasterboard is screwed


into position to complete the wall
installation

Figure 10.8 Detailing for wet areas

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