The Rise of Cold-Formed Steel Framing and Prefabricated Panels in Off-Site Constructio

Brief 

The use of CFS framing and prefabricated panels in off-site construction is becoming popular due to faster and more efficient construction processes. Panelizing load-bearing walls can reduce construction schedules, address worker shortages and job site constraints, and should be decided early in the design process.

Insight

The use of cold-formed steel (CFS) framing and prefabricated CFS panels in off-site construction is gaining popularity due to its potential for faster and more efficient construction processes and improved coordination between design and construction phases.

CFS framing is an ideal material for mid-rise load-bearing wall construction, and the panels can be designed with all framing, sheathing, and finishes installed in a fabrication facility, improving the precision and quality of the construction process.

Panelizing load-bearing walls can reduce construction schedules, address skilled worker shortages, and job site constraints. The decision to use CFS prefabricated panels should be made early in the design process to ensure coordination between the design details and construction methods.

It is common to panelize both the interior and exterior load-bearing walls in a CFS load-bearing building, with wall segments being typically one-story high and as wide as the panel can be handled in fabrication, transportation, and installation.

The vertical load path for panelized load-bearing CFS is similar to the design of field-built CFS framing, but panelization presents unique design challenges, such as addressing the in-plane bracing forces generated within a wall panel from vertical loads.

Other materials, such as structural steel, clips, hold-downs, or timber blocking, may be included in a panelized wall. CFS framing and prefabricated CFS panels can be utilized in various floor and roof systems, and different systems may affect how gravity and lateral loads are applied to the wall panels.

Regardless of the system, a discrete positive mechanical attachment should be executed between the floor/roof and the wall after installing the floor/roof panels or other floor/roof systems at each level.

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Related QuestionsL

• What are CFS wall panels?

• Are panel walls load bearing?

• What is CFS in building?

• What is structural cold-formed steel framing?

Related Standards:

• ASTM

• ICC

• NIST

Related Refrences:

1.Goh, D. H., Liew, J. Y. R., & Wong, Y. W. (2021). Design and testing of precast CFS load-bearing wall panels. Journal of Constructional Steel Research.

2.Qu, Y., Ye, L., Huang, H., & Zhou, H. (2021). Experimental study on thermal performance of CFS load-bearing wall panels filled with phase change materials. Energy and Buildings.

3.Rahman, M. A., Mohamed, A., Alhassan, A., & Mokhtar, M. B. (2021). Seismic performance of CFS load-bearing wall panels with different end connections. Journal of Constructional Steel Research.

4.Tao, G., Feng, J., Yang, R., & Liu, Y. (2021). A study on the flexural behaviour of CFS load-bearing wall panels with different opening shapes. Journal of Constructional Steel Research

Related Challenges:

1. Design complexity
2. Quality control
3. Transportation and logistics
4. Installation
5. Code compliance
6. Cost
7. Weather-related issues
8. Compatibility with other building systems
9. Availability of skilled labor for installation and finishing
10. Durability and maintenance requirements
11. Sound transmission control
12. Thermal bridging
13. Panel customization and variation in sizes and shapes
14. Building height limitations
15. Regulatory approvals and permits
16. Resistance to impact and blast loads.