Load Bearing Wall

Load Bearing Walls Screen

  • Optimize member selection between SigmaStud®
    and standardized 'cee' sections.
  • Fast design for comparison with other building materials
  • "X" Braced shear wall design with StiffWall® or
    commodity 'cee' sections

SigmaStud® is 40% more efficient than a 'cee' section of like thickness.

Use of light steel framing in load bearing wall applications continues to increase with the development and testing of SSMA sections and innovations such as The Steel Network's SigmaStud®. Light steel framing may be used as a load bearing component in structures up to 10 stories in height. The SteelSmart® System provides the means to facilitate quick member selection to suit specific project requirements.

The SteelSmart® System's simplified interface enables users to quickly engineer alternatives to other building components, such as concrete or masonry. Having the ability to provide clients with the economical benefits of steel framing with a minimal time investment enhances the value provided to the client. Also, having the ability to deliver multiple steel framing product choices (such as SigmaStud® and “cee-shape”) to clients typically leads to the selection of the most economical light steel framing load bearing member.

Standard, proprietary “cee-shape” load bearing members are manufactured by many of the SSMA member companies, providing competitive pricing for clients. TSN's SigmaStud® sections increase load capacity up to 40% over “cee-shape” of like thicknesses, adding a more effective section to the competitive bidding process as well as giving the designer another option for the design of negotiated projects.

The Light Steel Framing Manual, 2nd Edition includes the SteelSmart® System 6 program in the Software section.