It has also put steel framing outside the norm in terms of how projects are handled. Lastly, a new takeoff and estimating software program for steel framing called SteelXpert that interprets and automates the use of the Prescriptive Method was released earlier this year. All these elements combine to create an environment for using steel framing that is more in line with how the home building industry actually works. For steel framing, the IRC is, for now, limited to two-story buildings and the requirements are similar to the CABO One and Two Family Dwelling Code. The IRC includes tables that allow the user to select floor, wall and roof framing members for buildings up to 36' wide with ground snow loads up to 70 lbs.
Charts show required lengths of braced walls in high wind and high seismic areas.
In these high wind and seismic areas, the IRC contains entirely new requirements that include the option of building segmented or perforated shear walls. It also contains a new way of sizing shear walls. 601, Washington, DC 20036-4523 on or before August 31. Steel framing is used in many applications of homes built with insulating concrete forms. In order to maximize the opportunities presented by both products in residential construction, a joint research program is underway to provide guidelines for combining ICF systems and steel framing in their optimal configurations to minimize design cost, reduce construction time, and provide higher quality construction.