Webinar on Cold-Formed Steel Attachment to Concrete in Seismic Zones
$100.00
Continuing Education Credits Available – 1.5 PDH Credits
For decades, Power- Actuated Fasteners (PAFs) have been used in the construction industry as a safe, reliable, and productive method to fasten various building components-such as cold-formed steel (CFS) framing-to steel and concrete. Code provisions for the use of PAFs in seismic areas for attachments of cold-formed metal framing to concrete have been subject to various interpretations. This presentation will provide recommendations based on Hilti’s understanding of the code provisions.
AISI S100-16, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, 2016 Edition (including the latest supplements), provides some basic provisions regarding calculation of the shear and tension resistance of a connection between CFS and concrete, but does not provide specific equations or values. In addition, Chapter 13 of ASCE/SEI 7-16, Minimum Design Loads and Associated Criteria for Buildings and Other Structures, includes some restrictions regarding the use of PAFs in Seismic Design Categories (SDC) D, E, and F. Chapter 13 is entitled “Seismic Design Requirements for Nonstructural Components,” so the focus is on nonstructural applications like partition walls.
This presentation is designed to clarify the intent of the language in the code-referenced publications AISI S100 and ASCE/SEI 7-16 as it relates to PAFs used to attach track to concrete, in SDC A-C and SDC E-F. The presentation will also provide practical guidance to the designer regarding which design values should be used and where those values can be obtained. Additional practical recommendations will be provided regarding the specification of various types of PAFs and their embedment depths into the concrete.
Christopher Gill, Hilti Inc.

Chris Gill is the Technical Services Manager for Direct Fastening at Hilti in Plano, Texas. He is responsible for the department which performs product testing, generates technical data, publishes technical documents, and obtains approvals and listings for power-actuated and screw-fastening products. He is a member of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Committee on Specifications, and a voting member of its subcommittees responsible for connections and joints, and diaphragm design. Chris recently participated in the 2020 NEHRP Provisions Update Committee, Issue Team 9, which addressed alternate provisions for seismic diaphragm design, and recommended new provisions for incorporation into ASCE/SEI 7. He has also contributed to the soon-to-be published ASCE/ SEI Design Guide “Cold-Formed Steel Connections to Other Materials.”
Chris has a total of 33 years working in the fastening and anchoring industry. He previously worked as a field engineer, field engineering manager, trade manager and product manager with Hilti. He holds a B.S. degree in Engineering from Brown University and an M.S. degree in Engineering and Technology Management from Oklahoma State University.
In order to receive credit for this course, you must complete the quiz at the end and pass with at least 80% for a certificate to be generated automatically


Presenter: Roger LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E.
Dr. Roger A. LaBoube is Curators’ Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus of Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering and former director of the Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) at the Missouri University of Science & Technology, formerly known as the University of Missouri-Rolla. Dr. LaBoube holds B.S., M.S., and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from the University of Missouri-Rolla. He has an extensive background in the design and behavior of cold-formed steel structures. His research and design activities have touched on many facets of cold-formed steel construction, including cold-formed steel beams; panels; trusses; headers; wall studs; and bolt, weld, and screw connections. Dr. LaBoube is active in several professional organizations and societies, including membership on the American Iron and Steel Institute’s (AISI) Committee on Specifications and as chairman of AISI’s Committee on Framing Standards. He is a registered Professional Engineer in Missouri. Dr. LaBoube is a frequent presenter of CFSEI webinars, answers questions from engineers through the CFSEI Hotline, and remains active in developing cold-formed steel standards through the AISI Committee on Framing Standards.
Stephanie Slocum, P.E. is the founder of Engineers Rising LLC and author of “She Engineers: Outsmart Bias, Unlock Your Potential, and Live the Engineering Career of your Dreams.” Stephanie shines light on the barriers to the retention of engineers and provides practical training, inspiration, and mentorship through her online platform and programs. She is a champion of inclusive work cultures.
Brad Davis is an associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Kentucky where he is responsible for all steel design coursework and has received awards recognizing excellence in teaching. As the owner of Davis Structural Engineering, LLC, he provides consulting services for structural vibration, forensics and advanced steel design applications. He is a member of the AISC Committee on Manuals, and is a co-author of AISC Design Guide 11, Vibrations of Steel-Framed Structural Systems Due to Human Activity. Brad has published approximately two dozen journal and conference papers on vibration. He earned his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech and has eight years of experience in building design. He has S.E. and P.E. licenses in 14 states.
Kyle Flonder is a Senior Researcher, Building Science (Fire) at United States Gypsum Corporation. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Iowa. From 2006-2017, he was project engineer in UL’s Fire Protection Division, responsible for the evaluation and certification of fire containment and building fenestration products. He moved to USG in 2017 to support the evaluation of USG products and systems through testing and analysis. He is one of the principal USG engineers who work with accredited testing agencies, and he assists most Authorities Having Jurisdiction with large and small projects involving USG products and fire designs.