UFP Western Division, Inc. has teamed up with Earthbound Corporation, a Gebrueder-Thiele company, to provide stronger, cost effective solutions for framing slab-on-grade light commercial structures using the Intact Structural Frame system.
The Intact Structural Frame is a marriage of engineered wood and state of the art anchor technology that forms a complete structural frame and provides a stronger, more cost-effective solution for framing slab-on-grade light commercial structures. The system anchors the structure into the foundation, creating a continuous load path around its perimeter. By anchoring from the roof system to the foundation, uplift and overturning are resisted both during seismic events and extreme wind conditions like tornados and hurricanes. This system also uses a self-actuating, shrinkage-compensation device that tightens connections as the foundation settles. During an extreme wind or seismic event, the system will help prevent the building from gaining the momentum that can lead to collapse and destruction.
This patent-pending building system has cost- and time-savings benefits of wood construction, while rivaling concrete and steel in its ability to withstand high load criteria (snow, wind, seismic).
The primary market for the Intact Structural Frame is light commercial buildings that are typically designed with concrete masonry walls, steel joists and steel decks. This system is for light commercial structures such as restaurants and retail outlets as well as strip-mall stores. Intact Structural Frame components can be used in virtually any light commercial building application that employs steel or concrete masonry in its structure. BD+C
Related Stories
BIM and Information Technology | Feb 8, 2015
BIM for safety: How to use BIM/VDC tools to prevent injuries on the job site
Gilbane, Southland Industries, Tocci, and Turner are among the firms to incorporate advanced 4D BIM safety assessment and planning on projects.
Museums | Feb 6, 2015
Tacoma Art Museum's new wing features sun screens that operate like railroad box car doors
The 16-foot-tall screens, operated by a hand wheel, roll like box car doors across the façade and interlace with a set of fixed screens.
Office Buildings | Feb 6, 2015
6 factors steering workplace design at financial services firms
Grossly underutilized space and a lack of a mobility strategy are among the trends identified by HOK based on its research of 11 top-tier financial services firms.
Cultural Facilities | Feb 6, 2015
Architects look to ‘activate’ vacant block in San Diego with shipping container-based park
A team of alumni from the NewSchool of Architecture and Design in San Diego has taken over a 28,500-sf empty city block in that metro to create what they hope will be a revenue-generating urban park.
Multifamily Housing | Feb 6, 2015
Fannie Mae to offer lower interest rates to LEED-certified multifamily properties
For certified properties, Fannie Mae is now granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of a multifamily refinance, acquisition, or supplemental mortgage loan.
Airports | Feb 6, 2015
Zaha Hadid-designed terminal in Beijing will be world’s largest
The terminal will accommodate 45 million passengers per year, and will be a hub for both air and rail travel.
Codes and Standards | Feb 6, 2015
Obama executive order requires federal construction projects to consider flood damage caused by climate change
To meet the new standard, builders must build two feet above the currently projected elevation for 100-year floods for most projects.
HVAC | Feb 6, 2015
ASHRAE, REHVA publish guide to chilled beam systems
The guide provides tools and advice for designing, commissioning, and operating chilled-beam systems.
Cultural Facilities | Feb 6, 2015
Under the sea: Manmade island functions as artificial reef
The proposed island would allow visitors to view the enormous faux-reef and its accompanying marine life from the water’s surface to its depths, functioning as an educational center and marine life reserve.
Contractors | Feb 6, 2015
Census Bureau: Capital spending by U.S. businesses increased 4.5%
Of the 19 industry sectors covered in the report, only one had a statistically significant year-to-year decrease in capital spending: the utilities sector.
