A client of mine is developing light gauge steel building systems for studs, joists, and floors.
I was curious to find out what experience any of you have had with premanufactured steel studs, floors, and joists.
Was there anything that you found out about them after using them that you didn't know before? What are the benefits and downsides that you have experienced? Anything insights you have to offer would be great and help develop better products in the future.
David Curtiss
Responses
Prefab steel vs. wood joists, trusses, studs
David, The issue of using anything prefabricated from steel / metal, depends largely upon the method of fixing:- (a) rivets/bolts or (b) welds.
Victorian Engineeers developed the use of rivets into a high artform which has been superceded today by welding. The key problem with welding metals together is to avoid welding together dissimilar thicknesses of metal, because these are natural stress points and a metal flaw or metal fatigue in the thinner section will "run" through the weld and fracture the thicker metal.
Frank John Snelling
Prefab steel vs. wood joists, trusses, studs
David, The issue of using anything prefabricated from steel / metal, depends largely upon the method of fixing:- (a) rivets/bolts or (b) welds.
Victorian Engineeers developed the use of rivets into a high artform which has been superceded today by welding. The key problem with welding metals together is to avoid welding together dissimilar thicknesses of metal, because these are natural stress points and a metal flaw or metal fatigue in the thinner section will "run" through the weld and fracture the thicker metal.
