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10/08/2021 by enduroframe

How sophisticated testing leads to cost-effective steel trusses

How sophisticated testing and engineering leads to cost-effective light gauge steel trusses

A common misconception is that all light gauge steel roof trusses spanning the same distance and with the same loads use the same amount of steel. This is not true. Smart research and development in trusses and sophisticated software can provide reductions in steel usage of up to 50% compared to less efficient light gauge steel trusses.

The ENDUROCADD® design software has been developed over 20 years as a design tool for the ENDUROTRUSS® system, a key component of the ENDUROFRAME® building system. Over this period the system has responded to changes in building construction, design standards and regulatory requirements.

The foundation of this success is a commitment to extensive testing of truss connections and entire roof truss assemblies at our state-of-the-art NATA-accredited laboratory in western Sydney. All truss connections are tested in compliance with AS4600: Cold formed steel structures. Once the results have been verified the data is fed into our ENDUROCADD® software to provide efficient steel truss designs.

Putting our testing to the test

We are so confident in our testing that a decade ago we put forward the ENDUROCADD® software to be used as a test case for the drafting of the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software. This was a huge deal for our customers because under this Protocol, trained software users of compliant software applications are permitted to design and sign-off buildings that fall within the Protocol scope. Compliance with the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software means expensive and time-consuming engineering approvals can be avoided

The ABCB Protocol for Structural Software requires independent verification from a third party to ensure that software calculations comply with the Building Code of Australia (BCA) and Australian design standards. Swinburne University provides independently checks that the ENDUROCADD® software complies with the Protocol.

Working with the benefits of extensive testing

When you use the ENDUROCADD® software, you are presented with intuitive truss design functions that test every load case defined in the loading standards. The ENDUROCADD® software runs design and analysis for all members and connections which, in a typical truss, will be 112 load cases. This ensures that all required load conditions are considered and provides confidence that trusses are structurally sound.

When your job is complete, you can view detailed connection drawings that show required screw types and their installation locations. Even better, when truss components are produced the number of screws required at each chord-to-web and chord-to-chord connection is inkjet marked on the parts. This avoids any confusion during assembly.

There are many connection options which include multiples of screws and different types of gusset plates to vary the connection capacity. As there are about 2000 different connections, a summary sheet of the connections required for a specific job are generated for easy truss assembly.

We believe the number of truss connections is the most of any light gauge steel framing system. This reduces the chance that connections are the determining factor in the truss strength and performance. In turn, this increases the cost effectiveness of the truss system. It is always cheaper to increase the capacity of a connection with a few screws than it is to increase the gauge of steel used in the entire roof truss.

Boxing Saving Costs

Boxing is another way the ENDUROCADD® software helps you reinforce truss chords and webs just where additional strength is required without increasing the overall truss gauge. Boxing is inserted on the reverse side of the truss to the webs and is precisely positioned where required to resist loads. In the diagram above, the darker section demonstrates the sections of truss chords that are boxed. In many cases chord boxing does not need to extend along the entire length of the chord. The boxing part is manufactured together with the truss and, unlike in-plane trusses, the boxing can extend across multiple sections of chords and webs. Pre-punched holes assist with the location of boxing on truss chords.

We’ve created a set of posters showing the assembly details for roof trusses. Sticking these up in your factory is a great way to keep everyone on the same page. See ENDUROTRUSS® fabrication posters.

Find out more about how the ENDUROFRAME® system reduces truss costs here.

For drawings and photographs that clarify truss construction, please read the ENDUROTRUSS® installation manual. See ENDUROTRUSS® Roofing System Installation manual.

10/08/2021 by enduroframe Leave a Comment

Looking To Reduce Your Steel Truss Costs? Here’s How.

Five ways to check whether your steel truss system is costing you too much

Light gauge steel trusses can be created using a wide variety of proprietary systems and a common assumption is that all the trusses created using these systems cost the same. This is rarely the case. In fact, trusses designed with less-efficient systems can cost up to twice the amount of trusses designed with more efficient systems.

The cost of a truss is determined by the following variables:

steel cost (including the amount of steel and the unit cost of the steel)
cost of the connections used in the truss
labour costs to design, manufacture, assemble and install the trusses.

However, since truss systems use different truss profiles and connections (which may be screws, bolts, rivets, or sometimes even proprietary methods), it can be difficult to determine whether the trusses designed using your system are costing too much. Here are five things to check for to see if your truss system is costing you too much.

Number 1: Do the steel trusses have a high web density?

Web density is the number of webs that need to be put into a truss to make it structurally sound. Weaker truss systems require more webs to strengthen the truss, and more webs means more steel, more connections and more labour to assemble the trusses. The web density can be affected by the strength of the sections used in the truss webs and chords, whether the chords are used in their strong or weak axis and the strength of the connections used in the truss. Depending on the truss span, a truss that has twice the web density as another truss in a 22.5 degree roof will require approximately 30% more steel.

Number 2: Do the steel trusses use a thick gauge of steel?

Standard gauges of steel used in trusses are 0.55 mm, 0.75 mm, 1.0 mm or even thicker. There are many factors that can drive the gauge of steel used in trusses. A thicker gauge of steel may be required either because a section of the truss or even a single connection fails.

As intermediate gauges of steel are not readily available, an increase from 0.75mm to 1.0mm means 33% more steel is required when keeping the same web patterns.

The factors mentioned above that drive web density can also determine the gauge of steel required. Even using one gauge of steel in the chords and another in the webs can make a large difference.

Number 3: Do the steel trusses support multiple connection options?

Different light gauge steel truss systems use different types of connections. Connections can be screws, bolts or even specialist rivets, and may also include stiffening gusset plates. It is important to easily and cost-effectively scale connections with loads. The truss system should have cheap connection methods for connections with small loads, but also options for much stronger connections where the the load is higher.

You can find out more about how testing reduces truss costs here.

Having only one type of connection (e.g. two screws or a bolt per connection) can be problematic. If the load is very light, an over-designed connection can increase the cost of the truss. Conversely, not having higher capacity connection options can mean trusses fail due to single connections that are just not strong enough. This scenario may mean that thicker gauge chords and/or webs are required to get the truss to pass.

In this example, you can see multiple engineered connections being used on this truss.

Number 4: Can saddle trusses on girders be easily replaced with trusses following the roof shape?

Where roofs are not rectangular and valleys are required, there are two main ways to construct the roof:

a girder truss with a second layer of saddle trusses sitting on top of the girder truss (it may also include a layer or rafters to support the saddle)
roof trusses that follow the shape of the roof.

Using saddle trusses on girder trusses doubles-up the amount of material (in the main trusses and the saddle trusses and any additional rafters). This also increases installation time because installers need to lay out both the main trusses and the saddle trusses.

Trusses that follow the roof shape have a more complex shape, but they use much less material. Additionally, installation time is lower because only the main roof trusses need to be laid out. Unlike timber trusses, which may require extensive jig setups to achieve complex truss shapes, light gauge steel trusses are self-jigging through the alignment of chords and webs with pre-punched locating holes.

Example of roof with saddle trusses

ENDUROCADD Basics – Saddle trusses by enduroframe on Sketchfab

Example of roof with trusses that follow the roof line

Modified peak trusses by enduroframe on Sketchfab

Number 5: Is truss pre-cambering supported?

Roof trusses need to withstand a variety of loads. One of the largest loads that a roof truss needs to withstand are loads from the roofing (in particular, tile roofing) and other equipment that may be incorporated in the roof. These loads do not vary over time and are referred to as ‘dead’ loads. When dead loads are applied to trusses they cause the truss to deflect. This means the truss must be designed to be stiff enough to not only deflect within allowable limits for dead loads, but also other loads as well.

Truss A below shows what a standard A truss looks like deflecting under dead load.

Pre-cambering roof trusses is done by calculating the amount the truss deflects under dead loads and then shortening the truss webs so the bottom chord is cambered upwards – ‘pre-cambered’ – when it is manufactured. Truss B shows what a pre-cambered standard A truss looks like before any loads are applied. Truss C shows what a pre-cambered truss looks like after dead loads have been applied.

While it can be complicated to calculate, pre-cambering trusses is a relatively simple and cost-effective feature to incorporate into light gauge steel trusses which self-jig the truss shape.

Find out more about building the ENDUROTRUSS® system at https://enduroframe.com/building/. You can find out how to minimise the cost of roof trusses at this link.

01/10/2024 by enduroframe

ENDUROCADD NX Software version 2.0

ENDUROCADD® NX software version 2.0

Enduroframe is proud to unveil ENDUROCADD® NX Version 2.0, the latest and greatest iteration of the ENDUROCADD® software!

This version boasts a sleek, completely revamped design and a user experience that’s faster and more intuitive than ever before. ENDUROCADD® NX empowers users to tackle sophisticated modeling and engineering of complex buildings using light gauge steel with ease.

This version provides comprehensive 3D modelling and views of roof shapes and roof trusses to make it even easier to design complex roofs with complex ceilings.

Fully BIM-compatible, this release introduces a host of new features that seamlessly integrate structural steel with light gauge steel frames. It’s a game-changer for anyone looking to model intricate roof shapes, build roof trusses, and rafters. And the best part? More features from the legacy application will be continuously added to the ENDUROCADD® NX software, making it even more powerful over time.

Screenshot of ENDUROCADD® NX software version 2.0

Find out more

Find out more about the powerful ENDUROCADD® NX software and how it provides cutting edge designs that use up to 40% less steel than alternative software design packages.

About the ENDUROCADD® software

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Myths of steel framing

Steel framing has undergone significant evolution and refinement over the past six Steel framing has undergone significant evolution and refinement over the past six decades, establishing itself as a mainstream construction material. Despite its widespread adoption, some persistent myths, originally based on misconceptions, still exist. Click the cards below to reveal the truth.

A steel framed house will cost me more

This may once have been true, however steel framing systems have developed a lot. The ENDUROFRAME® building system is as equally competitive or actually cheaper than timber. If your builder tells you its more expensive to build with steel, try another builder!

Steel frames are noisier than timber

Light gauge steel frames are not noisier than timber-framed houses. Research by CSIRO has shown that "most occupants of homes with steel frames either reported no sound emitted from the frame or said that if it did, it was not a problem." Some residents even noted lower noise levels compared to timber-framed houses. The construction of thousands of steel-framed houses in Australia supports this evidence, with some of the country's largest builders now exclusively using steel.

A future extension to my home will be more difficult if my house is built with a steel frame

Either extending an existing timber framed house with steel, or extending a steel framed house with steel is not more difficult. Steel framing sections can be easily cut to suit the building requirements. Extensions can easily be handled by our sophisticated software ENDUROCADD® software to reduce the amount of onsite fabrication required.

Steel Framing is electrically unsafe

Steel is a positive conductor to the earth with the energy conducted straight to the ground and not released destructively within the frame as in a conventional frame. In a correctly earthed steel frame it’s actually safer than a wooden framed home during a lightning strike or electrical fault situation.

Steel frames can interfere with WI-FI, radio and television reception

Electro-magnetic waves can diffract around steel just as easily as timber. Waves pass through the spaces between the studs, allowing the use of all household appliances without any interference. Again, there are many thousands of houses now built with steel to confirm this.

You will not be able to hang pictures on your walls

The majority of picture hanging hooks simply go only into the plaster with some versions capable of holding in excess of 25Kg. For heavier pictures or shelves, steel screwing fasteners are readily available to make the job simple.

Watch this video on how to attach shelves into a steel stud.

Steel frames will rust

The ENDUROFRAME® building system uses TRUECORE® steel which is protected against corrosion by a hot-dipped metallic coating of a zinc-aluminium-magnesium alloy. This is a similar product to what has been used extensively in outdoor roofing and guttering applications. Where there are cut edges, the sacrificial protection of the coating protects the exposed steel against corrosion.

BlueScope’s TRUECORE® steel carries a warranty of up 50-year warranty against corrosion*, providing confidence that the steel is up to the job.

Certain conditions, such as locations close to breaking surf, may not be suitable for steel framing, and it is advisable to consult BlueScope Steel before construction. However, most locations are benign and pose a low corrosion risk, making them highly suitable for steel framing applications.

Thermal movement of steel will cause cracks or other problems

In a properly constructed and insulated home using steel framing thermally induced movement is not an issue. Steel is engineered and inorganic, and will not rot, warp, twist, bow, shrink, split or settle. In fact, plaster or cornice cracking will be minimised because of the similar thermal coefficient between plaster and steel.

Find out more

Contact our team to find out how to start making efficient light gauge steel frames, or contact one of our experienced licencees who manufacture the ENDUROFRAME®️ building system

Contact Enduroframe today Find a supplier

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Walls

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Wall Frames

A common question is how to fix pictures, shelves and other items to LGS walls. This article explains the solutions available with the ENDUROFRAME®️ building system.

Attaching pictures, brackets, towel rails and shelves to steel frames is a common query we receive for ENDUROFRAME® building system support. Here’s how you can do it effectively:

For hanging pictures, use readily available hooks from any hardware store that attach directly to the plaster. This method doesn’t require a stud and can support up to 20 kg.
To attach directly to a stud, simply use a coarse thread self-drilling or self-tapping screw through a predrilled hole.
For a more secure fix for heavy items like TVs, cupboards, and towel rails, our ENDUROFRAME® building system includes a unique face fix nogging solution. This feature, added during the detailing stage of new homes, ensures a robust mount that won’t fail, providing long-term value and peace of mind.

Find out more

Contact our team to find out how to start making efficient light gauge steel frames, or contact one of our experienced licencees who manufacture the ENDUROFRAME®️ building system

Contact Enduroframe today Find a supplier

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Benefits of self-certification

The ENDUROCADD® software complies with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Protocol for Structural Software, allowing its outputs to replace signoff by a registered engineer for most one and two-story residential buildings saving time and money.

The ENDUROCADD® software is the light gauge steel software package to be independently certified to comply with the Australian Building Codes Board (ABCB) Protocol for Structural Software, and has done so for the last 12 years.

While this has been done for many years by the major timber software packages, the ENDUROCADD®️ software package remains the only light gauge steel package to meet comply with this protocol.

Compliance with this protocol means that the software has been independently checked and certified to comply with the National Construction Code (NCC), and its outputs can be used in lieu of signoff by a registered engineer, however there are limitations to this.

To utilize the self-certification function and adhere to the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software, projects must be endorsed by a “Trained Software User” (TSU) who has proven proficiency in operating the software. Additionally, TSUs need to possess a certificate bearing their name and unique number. Our in-house support team for the ENDUROFRAME® building system provides the necessary training and testing to TSUs.

There are limitations on the buildings that can be self-certified by the software: they must be class 1 and 10 buildings as defined by the NCC – basically houses or sheds, and there are limitations on the size of buildings.

The big benefit with this is once your detailer becomes a trained software user they can sign of on the majority of one and two story domestic houses including cyclonic, without the cost or time delays of having a structural engineer sign off the job.

The major advantage of self-certified software used by TSUs is that they can approve the majority of one and two-story residential buildings, including cyclonic structures, without incurring the expenses or time delays associated with obtaining a structural engineer’s approval for the project.

There are 3 certificates that the ENDUROCADD® software prepares:

ENDUROTRUSS® Certification. All of the designs of the structural members and connections within trusses are designed by the software and a list of the trusses that have passed/failed are listed. Rafters need to be selected based on lookup tables in the ENDUROFRAME® building system Design Manuals which are signed off by a registered engineer.
ENDUROWALL® Certification. This certificate provides a statement that the Trained Software User has selected the correct sections from the ENDUROFRAME® design manuals which are signed off by a registered engineer.
ENDUROFLOOR® Certification. All of the designs of the structural members and connections within trusses are designed by the software and a list of the trusses that have passed/failed are listed.

Our ENDUROFRAME® building system Design Manuals include a variety of floor and roof beams that have been approved by a registered engineer and cover the most common scenarios. If you require beams that are not covered in these manuals, you can design them using Spanman – A Timber and Steel Framing Manual On The Internet. We provide a link to the Spanman website from our ENDUROCADD® software, but please note that it requires an additional subscription. ENDUROCADD®️ software licensees can apply for a Spanman subscription discount.

Structural steel used in combination with the LGS will still require approval from a structural engineer.

Find out more

We are very happy to discuss further the benefits that the ENDUROCADD® software's compliance to the ABCB Protocol for Structural Software can provide to your business

Contact Enduroframe today

25/09/2024 by enduroframe

Simplifying Tying Down Frames

The ENDUROFRAME® Building System features a patented bent tab tiedown that replaces brackets to tie down frames, offering an uplift capacity of up to 30kN and significant cost savings by eliminating the need for expensive brackets that can be time consuming to fix. These innovations save time and money while reducing dependency on costly external brackets.

Full process focus

We are continually enhancing the ENDUROFRAME® Building System, not only to optimize its manufacturing process but also to simplify onsite installation for tradespeople.

Tying down frames

It is crucial to ensure that frames are securely anchored to the underlying structure in order to withstand wind uplift forces. Typically, inserting a bolt into a bottom plate next to a stud only yields up to 6kN of uplift resistance, which is inadequate for most wind regions and commonly used truss spans. To address this limitation, additional brackets are necessary to be fixed to the side of the stud and secured with bolts. However, these brackets can be costly and time-consuming to install.

Eliminating brackets

In contrast, the ENDUROFRAME® Building System incorporates a patented bent tab tiedown produced on the ENDURO® Rollformer. This innovative approach replaces the need for brackets fixed to studs and effectively secures studs to the underlying structure while offering an impressive uplift capacity of up to 30kN. By eliminating the requirement for expensive side-mounted brackets attached to studs, significant savings in both material and labour costs are achieved.

Moreover, the bent tab tiedown incorporates pre-punched holes for precise anchor bolt placement, removing any uncertainty for installation teams regarding bracket and bolt positioning. The bolt hole furthest away from the slab edge can be used greatly increasing the capacity of the bolt into the concrete slab.

Making installation and inspection easy

It’s even possible to print bolt type or uplift capacity information on each stud, further facilitating installation. These innovations save time and money for both installers and building surveyors while reducing dependency on costly external brackets.

We’re delighted to introduce an enhancement that empowers users of ENDUROCADD® software to choose which side of the stud should face the bent tab tiedown. This flexibility allows the bent tab tiedown to face away from the stud flanges, simplifying drilling and anchor bolt insertion during installation.

Find out more

Please feel free to reach out for more information about numerous other builder-friendly features in our innovative ENDUROFRAME® Building System!

Contact Enduroframe today

24/09/2024 by enduroframe

Shaping Curved Walls: A Simple and Elegant Solution

A Simple and Elegant Solution for Shaping Curved Walls

The ENDUROFRAME® building system offers a straightforward and robust solution for shaping steel walls into both small and large curves. This versatile capability is gaining popularity across commercial and residential settings. It can add an elegant touch to spiral staircases in upscale homes!

The ENDUROFRAME® building system solution enables top and bottom plates, as well as noggings to be made so that they can rotate to user-defined curves.

No specialized tools, additional cutting, or techniques are needed—just a creative vision!

For further information, please reach out to the ENDUROFRAME® building system team or any of our licensed partners across Australia.

Find out more

Please feel free to reach out for more information about architect-friendly features in our innovative ENDUROFRAME® building system!

Contact Enduroframe today

How sophisticated testing and engineering leads to cost-effective light gauge steel trusses

Putting our testing to the test

Working with the benefits of extensive testing

Boxing Saving Costs

Five ways to check whether your steel truss system is costing you too much

Number 1: Do the steel trusses have a high web density?

Number 2: Do the steel trusses use a thick gauge of steel?

Number 3: Do the steel trusses support multiple connection options?

Number 4: Can saddle trusses on girders be easily replaced with trusses following the roof shape?

Example of roof with saddle trusses

Example of roof with trusses that follow the roof line

Number 5: Is truss pre-cambering supported?

ENDUROCADD® NX software version 2.0

Find out more

Myths of steel framing

A steel framed house will cost me more

Steel frames are noisier than timber

A future extension to my home will be more difficult if my house is built with a steel frame

Steel Framing is electrically unsafe

Steel frames can interfere with WI-FI, radio and television reception

You will not be able to hang pictures on your walls

Steel frames will rust

Thermal movement of steel will cause cracks or other problems

Find out more

Solutions to Fix Anything to LGS Wall Frames

Find out more

Benefits of self-certification

Find out more

Simplifying Tying Down Frames

Full process focus

Tying down frames

Eliminating brackets

Making installation and inspection easy

Find out more

A Simple and Elegant Solution for Shaping Curved Walls

Find out more

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