Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design using AISIWIN^TM Software

Course Outline

This 4-hour course is designed to introduce practicing structural engineers to the design of cold-formed steel while using a commercially available software called AISIWIN^TM. AISIWIN^TM was developed by Devco Software, Inc.. AISIWIN^TM is available for free distribution at ClarkDietrich Building Systems' website www.clarkdietrich.com. This course requires the student to download and study both the AISIWIN software and its user's manual.

This course includes a multiple choice quiz at the end.

Learning Objective

At the conclusion of this course, the student will:

• Obtain a basic overview of cold-formed steel design.
• Become aware of the required design specification, the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) "Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members."
• Obtain a working understanding of the AISIWIN^TM software.

Course Introduction

Cold-formed steel framing, which is also referred to as light gauge steel framing, is being used more frequently in commercial construction. Few universities offer courses in cold-formed steel design. This course will help the practicing structural engineer to become better acquainted with design and specification requirements for cold-formed steel framing.

Course Content

The AISIWIN^TM software includes the ability to instantly generate member section properties. AISIWIN^TM includes design modules for properly sizing wall studs, floor joists, ceiling joists, sloped rafters, post and braces (pure columns) and headers or beams. The software includes member databases per sections defined by the Steel Stud Manufacturers Association (SSMA). Member databases include both 33 and 50 ksi grade materials.

In this lesson, you need to

1. Download and study the User's Manual of AISIWIN^TM (a PDF file, 28 pages), which provides detailed guidance on how to analyse and design cold-formed steel framing using AISIWIN^TM software.


2. Download AISIWIN^TM and get familar with the software.

Course Summary

The successful student is now more familiar with cold-formed steel design. In addition, the AISIWIN^TM software will provide the practicing engineer with a design tool that exceeds the capabilities or information that is typically included in a manufacturer's product catalog.

Related Links

For additional technical information related to this subject, please visit the following websites:

ClarkDietrich Building Systems - www.clarkdietrich.com
Devco Software Inc. - www.devcosoftware.com
American Iron and Steel Institute - www.steel.org
Steel Stud Manufacturers Association - www.ssma.com
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute - www.cfsei.com

Quiz

Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.

DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDHonline.org or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered professional engineer. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.