Looking for a slow transition to cold-formed steel? Non-structural walls may be your answer. Many builders, framers and vocational technical schools have started their expansion to steel framing with this method.

Non-structural walls do not support or carry the weight of the structure. Because non-structural walls are not vital to the structural capabilities, inline framing does not have to be followed.

Non-structural wall and stud size

The studs for non-structural walls may be the same size and thickness as those used in exterior walls. However, framers often use thinner, less expensive studs for these walls.

Commercial framers typically use 18, 27 and 30 mil studs, also known as drywall studs, to frame non-structural or partition walls. These walls typically have longer spans, are taller and use intermediate bridging.

On the other hand, residential framers often use minimum 33-mil studs for non-structural walls to prevent the stud from bending or being damaged. While structurally not necessary, they are selected and used for their durability. Because residential walls are typically closer together, they are frequently bumped and could be dented during construction.

Non-structural wall stud standards

The standard for non-structural studs is base metal thickness of 18 mil and a minimum galvanized coating of G40 for corrosion protection. ASTM C 645 covers the material and manufacturing tolerances and corrosion protection requirements are governed by ASTM A1003/1003M. More information about standards for non-structural studs can be found in the Standard for Cold Formed Steel Framing – General Provisions available at www.steelframing.org.

Limiting non-structural wall heights

There are limiting heights for non-structural steel stud walls depending on the amount of the allowable deflection (bending) specified for the wall. The chart below provides an example of the allowable height for non-structural walls supported with a single layer of 1/2 inch gypsumboard on both sides with screws spaced 12 inches on center and deflection criteria of L/240 , and transverse load of 5 pounds per square foot.

This example is derived using ASTM 754-04, which governs the installation of non-structural steel stud walls. The standard includes allowable deflection limits of L/120, L/240 and L/360, and traverse loads of 5 pounds per square foot, 7.5 pounds per square foot, and 10 pounds per square foot.

While the chart presented below involves an example of limiting wall height for residential sized studs one should consult the Steel Stud Manufactures Association, Product Technical Information Catalog, for commercial sized studs and other wall height limitations for commercial construction. The product technical information catalog, for commercial sized studs and other wall height limitations, is available for free download at www.ssma.com.

Methods of Assembly

Non-structural walls may be assembled using several different methods including assembling the wall on the floor and raising it into place, and in-place framing.

Non-structrual walls are typically installed in place. the top and bottom tracks are screwed into the floor and ceiling, and the studs are twisted into place. After nailing the bottom track to the floor use a level and a stud to locate the top track on the ceiling joists. Screw the top track to the ceiling joists, bottom chord of the trusses, or second floor joists using No. 8 self-drilling screws. Where interior walls run parallel to the joists or trusses, pieces of track or stud material may be used as blocking every 24 inches. The pieces of stud or track used for the blocking sections should be cut 2 inches longer than the distance between the joists. Clip the flanges off 1 inch on each side to allow the webs to lap over the joists. Screw the blocking on both ends with two No. 8 self-drilling screws. Mark the track for 1 or 24 inch stud spacing. Some framers wrap the rough openings with wood, which requires leaving 1 1/2 inches from the edge of rough openings to allow wood for a wood member. Begin your layout with the open side of the stud pointed toward the source of the layout, and continue with all studs facing the same direction.

Twist the stud on layout and secure the flanges on both sides of the track. Unlike structural walls, non-structural walls do not have to be fastened at each flange of the track to the stud. They may instead be crimped, or screwed with No. 6 or No. 8 self-drilling screws – just enough to hold the studs in place until the gypsum board is installed. The gypsum board is installed with No. 6 bugle head screws spaced 12 inches on center.

Framing Corners

Framing corners where a non-structural wall abuts an exterior wall requires the positioning of a six inch or larger stud in the exterior wall so that the web of the stud serves as a connecting surface for the non-structural wall. Blocking may also be used. The stud or blocking will serve as a means for attaching the non-structural stud wall as well as a backer for gypsum board on the exterior stud wall.

Another corner may be formed by two intersecting non-structural walls. To provide for both the attachment of one structural wall to the other, and a backer for the eventual placement of the gypsum board, place an additional stud three inches from the end of one of the non-structural walls.

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The future of building and residential development thrives on precious commodities relating to steel and metal. Long gone are those days when builders only used steel to frame houses mainly due to the inconsistent price points and mark-ups with lumber. Today, steel homes are increasingly popular not only because of price but because of versatility and green capabilities. Home owners are starting to think outside of the conventional wood and lumber box. Architects and builders know that metal is logical and cost-effective and far outweighs the benefits of its longtime rival, lumber and wood. Whether you are considering to replace your old roof or adding an extension to your home, metal paneling and roofing will complement any building project. What makes metal more attractive, is its long term durability. Metal can be green and as well aesthetic. There are a variety of finishes and colours to choose from. These characteristics are what draw design architects and builders to metal and make it more appealing to the homebuilding market and its customers.

Equipped with weather protecting benefits, metal can survive high winds and seal out water. Metal roofs can easily shed winter snow and keep homes cool during the summer months providing low maintenance advantages making homes more efficient and overall environmentally friendly. Resistant to fire, mildew, insects, and rot enables metal dwellings to outlast a life time. The corrugated panels can be installed vertically and horizontally to add a varied texture to your roof and/or the walls of your home adapting to the exterior or interior of your design scheme.

Applications such as steel studs, steel roofing and steel walls are all manufactured on roll forming machines. Organizations like Jobsite Machinery Ltd. provide custom roll forming solutions for the construction industry. Roof and wall panel roll formers allow construction and building manufacturers to easily meet market demands. Quick tooling change over’s enable building suppliers to provide a complete range of profiles and designs to their customers. Engineers are dedicated and knowledgeable in fine tuning customer requirements to build metal processing equipment that will last a lifetime. Overall, metal roofing and paneling is cost-effective, low maintenance and green making it a premium home building material choice.
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Engineering
Jobsite’s in-house engineering department includes some of the best roll forming engineers in the world. With the combination of these innovative minds and the latest 3D modeling software, Jobsite has designed and continues to design high quality roll formers and tooling. With quality as a priority, Jobsite machines are over engineered to maximize the life of the roll forming equipment and to ensure the products being roll formed are accurate and consistent.

Manufacturing
Jobsite has been in the sheet metal manufacturing business since 1975. The success of the business is credited to the core principle of manufacturing high quality products. To ensure the quality of the roll forming equipment 90% of the parts are manufactured in-house. For example, all Jobsite roll formers include rollers that are industrial hard chrome plated. All shafts are turned, ground and polished. Also each machine is finished with a durable powder coat paint finish. This attention to detail makes Jobsite roll forming equipment durable and reliable. To prove it Jobsite offers a 2 years warranty on all manufactured parts.

Jobsite’s current line of roll forming equipment. Design and manufacturing of custom equipment is also considered.

Steel Stud and Track Machines
Downspout & Elbow Machines
Round Downspout & Elbow Machines
Elf Elbow Bending Machines
Half Round Gutter Machines (6 inch)
Industrial Box Gutter Machines (7 inch)
Snap Lock Roof Panel Machines
Roof Hat Channel & Sub Gert Machines
K Style Gutter Machine (6 inch)

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ELECTRICAL DISCHARGE MACHINING (EDM) is a metal cutting technology able cut steel with amazing precision and accuracy. This is accomplished with a system comprising two major components: a machine tool and a power supply. The machine tool holds a shaped electrode which advances into the workpiece and produces a shaped cavity. The power supply produces a high frequency series of electrical spark discharges between the electrode and the workpiece, which removes metal from the workpiece by thermal erosion or vaporization.

The basic components of an EDM system are illustrated to the right. The workpiece is mounted on the table of the machine tool and the electrode is attached to the ram of the machine. A DC servo unit or hydraulic cylinder moves the ram (and electrode) in a vertical motion and maintains proper position of the electrode in relation to the workpiece. The positioning is controlled automatically and with extreme accuracy by the servo system and power supply. During normal operation the electrode never touches the workpiece, but is separated by a small spark gap.

During operation, the ram moves the electrode toward the workpiece until the space between them is such that the voltage in the gap can ionize the dielectric fluid and allow an electrical discharge (spark) to pass from the electrode to the workpiece. These spark discharges are pulsed on and off at a high frequency cycle and can repeat 250,000 times per second. The spark discharge (arc) always travels the shortest distance across the narrowest gap to the nearest or highest point on the workpiece. The amount of material removed from the workpiece with each pulse is directly proportional to the energy it contains.

Each discharge melts or vaporizes a small area of the workpiece surface. This molten metal is then cooled in the dielectric fluid and solidifies into a small spherical particle (swarf) which is flushed away by pressure/motion of the dielectric. The impact of each pulse is confined to a very localized area, the location of which is determined by the form and position of the electrode.

Both the workpiece and electrode are submerged in a dielectric fluid which acts as an electrical insulator to help control the spark discharges. In EDM, the dielectric fluid also performs the function of a coolant medium and reduces the extremely high temperatures in the arc gap. More importantly, the dielectric fluid is pumped through the arc gap to flush away the eroded particles between the workpiece and the electrode. Proper flushing is critical to high metal removal rates and good machining conditions.

Because EDM erodes metal with electrical discharges instead of with chip machining cutting tools, the hardness of the workpiece does not determine whether or not a material can be machined by EDM. A relatively soft graphite or metallic electrode can easily machine hardened tool steels or tungsten carbide. This is one of the many attractive benefits of using the EDM process. Rather than machine a workpiece before heat treating, it can be EDMed afterward. This eliminates the risk of damage or
distortion which could scrap an expensive workpiece during heat treating.

The basic principles of wire-cut EDM are essentially the same as diesinking EDM described above. The major difference is that instead of using an electrode with a complex shape, in wire EDM the electrode is a simple wire, typically .006″ to .012″ diameter, which follows a horizontal path through the workpiece. Instead of using dielectric oil as in die-sinking EDM, wire EDM uses deionized water.

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