Tech Note W101-23: Common Design Issues for Deflection Track
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This Tech Note Updates and Replaces Tech Note W101-09
Summary: When cold-formed steel studs are used on exterior walls between spandrel beams or floor slabs to create the exterior envelope of the building, a deflection track is often required at the top of the wall to allow for the roof or floor above to deflect without transferring axial load to the studs. This Technical Note explores two methods for deflection track usage. Additional design guidance is provided in CFSEI Tech Note W100, Single Slip Track.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
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Tech Note G102-09: Designing Cold-Formed Steel using the Direct Strength Method
Summary: The Direct Strength Method is an entirely new design method for cold-formed steel. The Direct Strength Method requires no effective width calculations, eliminates tedious iterations to determine section properties, properly includes interaction effects between elements of the cross-section such as the flange and the web, and opens up the potential to create new sections as it is applicable to nearly any shape that can be formed from cold-formed steel, as opposed to just C, Z and hat shapes. The Direct Strength Method was first adopted in 2004 as Appendix 1 to the North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, and the most recent version can be found in the recently published AISI-S100-07. This CFSEI Technical Note introduces the Direct Strength Method and details some of the features of a recently published AISI Design Guide for this Method. The intent of this Tech Note and the Guide is to provide engineers with practical guidance in the application of this new design method.
Note: This document was originally published as G100-09, Corrected to G102-09 in April 2011
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note G000-08: Cold-Formed Steel Design Software
Summary: This Tech Note gives basic information about computer programs available for the design of cold-formed steel framed buildings, structures, and structural elements. It is not necessarily a comprehensive list, but is based on the best available information to the CFSEI at the time of publication. It is not intended to endorse or exclude any particular software program.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note G200-21: Chase the Loads: Load Path Considerations for Cold-Formed Steel Light-Frame Construction
Summary: Engineering students are admonished to “chase the loads” in their structural analysis and design courses. A “load path” is the direction in which each consecutive load will pass through framing members and the connected members of a framing assembly. The load path sequence begins at the point of load application, both vertical (gravity, wind uplift or seismic vertical) and lateral, on the structure and works all the way down to the footing or foundation system, ultimately transferring the load of the structure to the foundation. This Tech Note provides insight into the load path considerations for cold-formed steel framing.
This Technical Note updates and replaces CFSEI Technical Note G200-15
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note F140-16: Welding Cold-Formed Steel
Summary: In cold-formed steel construction, welding is a viable connection method. Of the various forms of welding, arc welding is most commonly used to join both cold-formed steel members and hardware components. Prefabrication of roof trusses, panelization of walls, and hardware connections are all ideal applications where welding may be the preferred joining method. This Tech Note provides information on the applicable codes, processes, procedures, design considerations, fabrication and inspection.
This Technical Note updates and replaces CFSEI Technical Note F140-10
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note B010-21: Introduction to AISI S202, Code of Standard Practice for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing
Summary: Understanding the responsibilities of the different parties involved in a cold-formed steel framing project can be confusing. This Technical Note is an introduction to AISI S202, Code of Standard Practice for Cold-Formed Steel Structural Framing published by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note 562-22: Powder-Actuated Fasteners in Cold-Formed Steel Construction
Summary: Power-actuated fasteners (PAF’s) are industry standard for attachment of cold-formed steel (CFS) steel framing members, usually track, to concrete, CMU or steel structural elements. “Power-actuated” is the broad category used to refer to fasteners which are driven directly through the CFS and into the substrate, using a powder, gas, compressed air or electro-mechanically driven tool. Efficient installation of framing systems is greatly enhanced by the use of PAF’s. For CFS-to-steel applications, the specification AISI S100 addresses all relevant limit states with equations and safety/ resistance factors. For CFS-to-concrete, limited guidance is provided but not all limit states are covered. This technical note will provide design guidance based on AISI S100, as well as installation and good detailing practice.
This Technical Note updates and replaces CFSEI Technical Note 562
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note 360: Acoustic Insulation and Sound Transmission in Cold-Formed Steel Construction
Summary: Cold-formed steel has been widely used in commercial buildings, especially in non-load bearing (partitions) and curtain wall applications, and is increasingly used as primary structural members, such as beams and columns, or as load-bearing walls or partitions in commercial and residential construction. The acoustic performance of floors and walls is an important consideration for many buildings.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

Tech Note F102-21: Screw Fastener Selection For Cold-Formed Steel Frame Construction
Summary: Specifying the proper fastener is necessary to assure the proper performance of the connections used in cold-formed steel construction. Cold-formed steel connections primarily utilize externally threaded fasteners, so embedment is not the controlling parameter. Instead, the design of the fastener along with the thickness of the steel govern the value of the connection. This Tech Note provides basic information for determining the appropriate screw type for various applications.
This Technical Note updates and replaces CFSEI Tech Note F102-11
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or designs when these other designs demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use. CFSEI documents are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.