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
| Dec 9, 2012
14 great solutions
Welcome to the third installment of Building Design+Construction’s “Great Solutions,” highlighting 14 innovative technologies and products that you can put to work in your next project.
| Dec 9, 2012
AEC professionals cautiously optimistic about commercial construction in ’13
Most economists say the U.S. is slowly emerging from the Great Recession, a view that was confirmed to some extent by an exclusive survey of 498 BD+C subscribers whose views we sought on the commercial construction industry’s outlook on business prospects for 2013.
| Dec 7, 2012
Structural glazing sealant protects solar-rooftop stadium in Taiwan
Designers of the Kaohsiung World Games Main Stadium in Gaoxiong, Taiwan, powered by almost 9,000 rooftop solar panels, required an effective panel fixing design offering optimum energy transfer rate, plus thermal and weathertight performance. Dow Corning specialists recommended a four-sided structural sealant solution featuring Dow Corning 983 Structural Glazing Sealant.
| Dec 6, 2012
Ziegler Cooper names Soto as Director of Design, Broadens Design Capabilities
Soto will oversee design efforts, bringing a high level of quality and problem solving capabilities through active engagement with clients and studios firm wide.
| Dec 5, 2012
Gilbane publishes Winter 2012 construction economic report
Report outlines impact of recent events; predicts continued movement, while slow, toward recovery.
| Dec 5, 2012
Gehry-designed New York City tower receives Emporis Skyscraper Award
8 Spruce Street is now the third New York tower to win the Emporis Skyscraper Award.
| Dec 4, 2012
MKK’s Denver Human Services Eastside Building wins ACEC Excellence Award
MKK provided mechanical, plumbing and fire protection consulting services on this LEED-NC Gold project.
| Dec 4, 2012
Thornton Tomasetti opens new office in São Paulo, Brazil
The move to São Paulo is strategic and timely, as the country continues preparations for the 2014 World Cup and 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
| Dec 4, 2012
Greenhorne & O’Mara signs letter of intent to join Stantec
Acquisitions of C3TS and Architecture 2000 also completed.