Cold-formed Steel Design
Cold-formed Steel Design
(OP)
I am new to cold formed steel design. I need to check some purlins which are designated (PUR) 10x2-1/2 Z12 in the as-builts. As-builts date from 2006. These are cold-formed steel members, I assume. I was planning to use LG Beamer to do cold-formed steel checks but the beam designations they use are unrecognizable (550 S137-33, For example). And it doesn't seem like they have z-clips. Can this, or alternative software give me a proper check for these members? Thanks






RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
Try going to Section --> Geometry --> Custom
I have never used Lg Beamer for custom shapes - I will use "CFS". Same company who makes LG Beamer makes CFS, which can handle any custom CF shape.
"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
LGBeamer appears to also be able to handle custom CF shapes. I have a question though, what standard nomenclature does 10x2.5 Z12 follow? I'm seeing several manufacturers (Garco, ACI building systems) using this nomenclature so am of the opinion that it is general rather than proprietary... would you agree?
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
"It is imperative Cunth doesn't get his hands on those codes."
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
"Thank you for contacting us regarding a Z-shape database. Although building manufacturers use a similar nomenclature for their Z-shapes, Z-shapes used in metal buildings are not standardized; the dimensions of similar sections vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, such as the flange stiffener length and angle. The nomenclature is not a MBMA convention. The best source of information would be from the building manufacturer.
You may find the attached article helpful on your project. The article contains information on reinforcing metal buildings, and includes information on material strengths.
We hope you find the information helpful. Please contact us if you need additional information."
The article attached I have included in this post. It's clear to me the nomenclature follows a particular manufacturer, now the question is WHAT manufatcturer? Garco has an identical shape. However the as-builts date from 2014 and were developed by "GEM Buildings". GEM buildings do not have a catalog or sub-manufacturer listed on their website. Ideally I'm looking for span tables or a clause that gives me a legitimate code under which to design these members.
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
There is an ability to enter "User Defined" Steel Database.
Admittedly, it takes time to develop a database, but, over the years, when entering data for those sections that i am seeking to use, the database grows.
Unfortunately, i HAVE lost data through past software updates, but, that's all part of the mishaps we have to deal with on occasion.
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
What's wrong, you don't like going through iterative calculations to find the effective section properties
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
RE: Cold-formed Steel Design
Dik