Innovative Structural Steel Systems
Innovative Structural Steel Systems
Innovative Structural Steel Systems
Structural Steel
Systems
Innovative
Structural
Steel
Systems
Think, design, and build with structural
steel—outside the box. There are
several innovative structural steel
systems and products that go beyond
conventional steel framing and that
have, in many cases, changed the
way designers approach projects. This
list provides a look at several of them
based on manufacturers’ descriptions
and claims. No product testing or
evaluation was performed. Inclusion in
this list does not constitute a product
endorsement by AISC.
The Lindapter Girder Clamp is the world’s first and only structural steel clamping
system approved by the International Code Council (ICC) and compliant with the
International Building Code. A faster, cost-effective alternative to welding or drilling
in the field, it is designed to reduce installation time and labor costs. A high-strength,
permanent connection is quickly achieved by clamping two steel sections together.
There’s the added convenience of adjustability for easier alignment in the field, too.
ICC-ES Report ESR-3976 verifies that Types AF and AAF Girder Clamps are an alter-
native to high-strength bolt assemblies prescribed in the AISC Specification for Struc-
tural Steel Buildings (AISC 360) and are used in structural steel connections. The
report also confirms that Girder Clamps may be used to resist axial tension and slip
due to load combinations that include wind load or seismic load for steel structures.
The Hollo-Bolt is the original expansion bolt for structural steel that is quickly and
conveniently installed by simply inserting the fastener into a pre-drilled hole and
tightening with a torque wrench, which reduces construction time and labor costs.
The Hollo-Bolt is a faster alternative to welding or through-bolting hollow structural
sections (HSS) or other steel members where access is restricted to one side. It is
also ideal for joining HSS in spliced connections, as demonstrated on Los Ange-
les’ tallest skyscraper, the Wilshire Grand Center. The Hollo-Bolt is approved by the
International Code Council (ICC) and compliant with the International Building Code.
ICC-ES Report ESR-3330 verifies that the Hollo-Bolt is approved for use in all Seismic
Design Categories (A through F) for resisting wind loads and seismic loads. In addi-
tion, the Hollo-Bolt provides the highest resistance to tensile loading in accordance
with AC437 while ensuring compliance with the International Building Code.
www.lindapterusa.com | 866.566.2658
The Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link® connection is made to meet the tough demands
and strength requirements necessary for structural steel construction and is the first
prequalified SMF connection specifically designed to protect beams and columns
from damage during earthquakes. From building owners and engineers to contrac-
tors and fabricators, the Yield-Link’s state-of-the-art design saves everyone time and
money—while providing a connection that keeps structural steel buildings strong
and safe. The Yield-Link connection is included in Prequalified Connections for Spe-
cial and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications (AISC 358-16),
Chapter 12, and new larger links (up to 1 in. thick) have been developed to support
larger beams and columns (up to W36).
Our software and design support services provide the speed and technical exper-
tise needed to tackle the complex challenges of structural steel connections. To
assist designers in streamlining structural analysis and connection design using the
Yield-Link connections, we created plugins for SAP2000®/ETABS® and Revit. Simpson
Strong-Tie also has a Tekla custom component to assist detailers in locating the beam
and column holes at the special moment connection region. Our tools can help you
quickly plan, model, and document complete designs according to your project’s
unique specifications—all while staying on time and within budget.
strongtie.com/yieldlink
C-Beams (a division of SteelFab, Inc.) is proud and excited to market and manufac-
ture castellated and cellular beams for your next project. The C-Beam offers versa-
tility, reliability, and economy for all types of floor and roof structures while being
aesthetically pleasing, lightweight, and structurally sound. Benefits include:
• Long-span C-Beams erect faster due to fewer pieces
• Ability to pass ductwork and utilities through web openings, creating lower
floor-to-floor heights
• Asymmetric sections produce the most economic composite design while
reducing material consumption and decreasing environmental impact
• Asymmetric composite design increases stiffness, therefore improving
vibration characteristics
• Eliminates columns and creates open floor space due to long span capabilities
• Less bridging compared to joist floor systems
www.c-beams.com
ComSlab® is a long-span and shallow composite floor system that helps structural
steel compete with low floor-to-floor concrete designs. With depths as low as 10½
in., it can be combined with various proprietary flush beams or conventional AISC
sections hidden in the floor section. ComSlab® is a lightweight assembly that has
UL-listed unrestrained ratings of one, two, and three for spans of more than 30 ft. It
is ideal for all elevated concrete slab construction such as hotels, schools, parking,
office, multi-residential, and medical buildings.
www.comslab-usa.com
The GIRDER-SLAB® system is a structural steel and precast hybrid, the first to
use precast hollow-core planks with an integral steel girder to form a monolithic
slab assembly. This proven technology achieves low floor-to-floor heights and is
low cost, lightweight, and offers rapid assembly and construction. The nonpropri-
etary GIRDER-SLAB® system is designed by the owner’s architect and structural
engineer in combination with a conventional structural steel frame. The compo-
nents of the system, structural steel (including the unique D-BEAM® girder) and
precast prestressed hollow core slabs, are manufactured and supplied by the
builder’s customary subcontractors, ensuring the owner competitive procurement
of the building’s superstructure.
www.girder-slab.com
Deltabeam is a tested, proven, and superior composite beam used for slim-floor
designs. It is the first composite steel beam that has successfully passed the UL test
requirements for a UL unrestrained fire rating of up to four hours without any added
fire protection materials. Deltabeam’s shallow depths, flush finish, and clear spans
of over 40 ft provide added design flexibility. It can support all types of slim-floor
construction including metal form deck, hollow-core plank, or reinforced concrete
slabs. Thanks to its simple, economical, and time-saving erection, Deltabeam has
been used in over 12,000 projects worldwide.
peikkousa.com/product-category-deltabeam-us
In 2012, Atlas Tube, a division of Zekelman Industries, partnered with Nippon Steel
Engineering and Mitsui & Co., Ltd., to supply “jumbo” hollow structural sections
(HSS) to the North American market. Typical sizes available are 10 in. to 16 in.
for 0.750-in. walls and 18 in. to 22 in. for wall thicknesses of 0.375 in. to 0.875 in.
Rectangular sections are also available. Atlas Tube continues to see an increase in
demand for these products. Recently, jumbo HSS have been used in column appli-
cations in a large distribution center, a new headquarters for a Fortune 100 com-
pany, various stadiums and sports arenas, and a large industrial project. Because
of their high load-carrying capability, jumbo HSS are selected as a more efficient
alternative to open sections and built-up, welded box sections.
atlastube.com/jumbo-hss
Material
The most progressive specification for structural shapes in the market, ASTM A913
steel, produced by quenching and self-tempering, simultaneously combines high-
strength with superior weldability, toughness, and ductility characteristics. Available
in yield strengths of 50 ksi (345 MPa), 65 ksi (450 MPa), and 70 ksi (485 MPa), ASTM
A913 steel is compliant with structural design and fabrication codes throughout
the world, including the International Building Code, AISC’s Specification for Struc-
tural Steel Buildings (AISC 360) and Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Build-
ings (AISC 341), CISC’s Handbook of Steel Construction, ASTM A709 Standard
Specification for Structural Steel for Bridges, and AWS’s Structural Welding Codes,
among others.
www.nucor.com
Modular Solutions
ZModular, a division of Zekelman Industries, has pioneered a better and more in-
novative way to build with steel. Using the revolutionary VectorBloc connector and
steel hollow structural sections (HSS), ZModular can deliver modular construction
that is stronger, taller, faster, smarter, and greener than other current alternatives.
Using precise fabrication techniques, the steel modules are built in a factory set-
ting allowing very tight control of fabrication and construction tolerances. Modules
are erected quickly onsite without any “tolerance creep.” ZModular can provide
services that start with the design and engineering of the modules, continue with
the fabrication and full fit-out, and end with the erection and installation of a com-
pleted modular structure. Whether you are looking to build multi-family housing,
hotels, dormitories, small office buildings, or datacenters, ZModular can deliver
and take your modular project to new heights.
www.z-modular.com
Farrat Structural Thermal Break plates (FTB) are high-performance thermal insula-
tors used between horizontal and vertical connections of internal and external struc-
tural elements to prevent thermal bridging. The plates provide simple, economical,
and extremely effective thermally and structurally efficient connections to achieve the
highest LEED certification levels by reducing heat loss and the risk of internal con-
densation. FTBs are available in three grades of low-thermal conductivity, high-com-
pressive strength material: world-renowned Farrat TBK, new fire-rated Farrat TBF,
and best-seller Farrat TBL, all of which come in a variety of thicknesses and are
precision water-jet-cut for custom configurations. All FTB materials are accredited
by the Steel Construction Institute (SCI) under the Assessed Product Quality Mark
Scheme and are manufactured under the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Assurance system.
FTB plates also meet the highest independently tested technical standards, as the
only solid-state thermal break plates on the global market holding British Board of
Agrément (BBA) accreditation. Unlike proprietary mechanical thermal break systems,
FTBs are simple to incorporate into most details. This flexibility means that they
can be used for an infinite variety of steel-to-steel, steel-to-concrete, steel-to-timber,
and concrete-to-concrete applications, including balcony, canopy, parapet, masonry
shelf angle, cladding, and external staircase connections.
www.farrat.com