While we are proud of our past accomplishments we also recognize the importance of new products and services. The framing system design handbook has been expanded and contains almost 10 times more information than the original. Data on member companies’ products is in Parts II to VII. Part VIII contains illustrative examples, and related information is in Part IX.

For purposes of illustration, example calculations include computation of forces for one or two load combinations. Some building codes require many combinations of live, snow, wind, dead and seismic loads. Careful consideration should be given before any load combination is omitted or ignored.

Computer programs were used to produce the data in this handbook. The procedure for computing member forces for continuous lapped sections is more accurate than the approach used in the previous manual. The 1998 manual fully accounts for additional stiffness that results from a double section at the lap. Resulting member forces at the laps are higher and mid-span forces are lower.

Notations regarding AISI specifications are referring to Cold-Formed Steel Design Manual, 1996 edition, published by the American Iron and Steel Institute.

The information in Parts VIII and IX is for illustrative purposes. Applying this information to a specific usage should be performed by professionals who are knowledgeable about conditions at the final location and applicable codes and specifications. Calculations for specific project must reflect the actual conditions for that project. Example problems reflect product line assumptions which may not represent actual conditions for the project.

15 October 1998