SteelSmart® System 6.0 Frequently Asked Questions

Installation

Technical Design Modules

Building Codes
CUFSM

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Installation
If Previous Versions of SSS Exist on a Computer

Q1. Do I need to delete a previous version of SSS from my computer?
A1. Yes. If you have a previous installation of SteelSmart® System, you will need to remove the program before installing the program. SteelSmart® System will also detect previous installations and inform you of steps to follow.


Q1. How do I activate my copy of SteelSmart® System?
A1. You can either contact our support team or follow these simple steps:
After the initial installation to your computer hard drive, click on the SSS desktop icon. When the SteelSmart® System window appears, press the enter key on your keyboard. If your trial period is already expired then you will automatically be redirected to the dialog box appearing in step two.
A window opens with a “Site Code” and support information. Click “Email Code to ASI”. This will open a new e-mail using your default mail program that automatically includes the Site Code in the body of the mail. Click “Send” for our support team to issue you a license key. It is OK for you to close this dialog until the license key is emailed to you.
If you don’t have an e-mail editor installed on your computer you can highlight and copy the license code from the dialog box, paste it into an email and send it to SSSKey@appliedscienceint.com.

Technical Design Modules

Q1. What design codes does SSS use?
A1. The following design codes are used:
2009 IBC with AISI-S100 – 2007
2006 IBC with AISI-NASPEC 2001/04 Supplement
2003 IBC with AISI-NASPEC 2001
Canadian 2005 NBC with AISI-NASPEC 2001/04 Supplement



Q3. How can I enter the type of sheathing used for designing a wall?
A3. SSS doesn’t take sheathing effects into consideration in the design.

Q4. How can I enter axial loads on curtain walls?
A4. We understand that there are cases where axial loads other than own weight and dead loads must be added to a curtain wall. To enter axial loads on a curtain wall, use a user-defined layout and enter the axial loads using the member loads table. First, select the desired load case. Click the (+) sign and enter the load value and its location. To place a load at the top of a member, the X/L ratio should be entered as one.

Q5. When I execute a design I get a message saying “Either the bridging member or the bridging clip was not available.”
A5. If you are not sure what method of lateral bracing to use or reasonable bridging spacing, select Auto Calculate from the Bridging Member drop-down menu.

Q6. How are wind loads which are applied to windows and doors distributed to jambs, headers and sills?
A6. This depends on the type of load distribution you select when entering data about the opening design. There are three ways of load distribution available: Four-way distribution, two-way distribution on header and sill, two-way distribution on jambs. More information about this can be found in the technical manual.

Building Codes:

  1. AISI-S100 2007, “AISI Standard, North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members,” American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
  2. AISC 2005, “Specification for Structural Steel Buildings,” American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), Chicago, Illinois.
  3. AISI 2001, “AISI Standard, North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members,” American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
  4. AISI 2004(a), “AISI Standard, Supplement 2004 to the North American specification for the design of cold-formed steel structural members,” American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
  5. AISI 2004(b), “AISI Standard, Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing – Lateral Design,” 1st Printing, American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
  6. ASCE/SEI 7-05, “ASCE Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other structures,” American Society of Civil Engineers.
  7. Hilti 2008, Hilti North American Product Technical Guide, Hilti Inc., www.us.hilti.com.
  8. IBC 2000, “International Building Code,” International Code Council (ICC), Building Officials and Code Administrators International; Inc.
  9. IBC 2003, “International Building Code,” International Code Council (ICC).
  10. IBC 2006, “International Building Code,” International Code Council (ICC).
  11. IBC 2009, "International Building Code," International Code Council (ICC).
  12. Light Steel Framing Connections Manual 2006, The Steel Network, Inc., www.steelnetwork.com, June 2006 Edition.
  13. NBC 2005, “National Building Code of Canada,” National Research Council of Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, 2005.
  14. SEI/ASCE 7-02, “ASCE Standard, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other structures,” American Society of Civil Engineers.

CUFSM

Q1. What does CUFSM stand for?
A1. Cornell University Finite Strip Method.

Q2. What is CUFSM?
A2. It is a tool for calculating elastic buckling loads to use with the Direct Strength Method of the 2004 supplement to the 2001 NASPEC.

Q3. Where can I get more information about CUFSM?
A3. More information about the CUFSM tool embedded in SSS can be found here: http://www.ce.jhu.edu/bschafer/cufsm/.