Abstract: The present invention relates to light-gauge steel construction, and more particularly to a new construction assembly and method which is intended for the construction of single and multi-story buildings. The present invention provides the easiest and most economic means to construct single and multi-story buildings from light gauge steel which comply with applicable building codes and resistant to environmental forces such as earthquakes and wind sway from hurricane type winds. Furthermore, the construction assembly and method can used to form wall assemblies with and without apertures for windows and doors, floor assemblies and truss assemblies. The present invention utilizes standard building studs, expansion-contraction joints, expansion-contraction joints, and bridging, bracing and fire-blocking means to form floor, wall, and truss assemblies which comply with current building code requirements, and obviate the need for structural steel support.

Abstract: An improved head-of-wall structure for an interior, nonload-bearing building wall is provided in which a pair of elongated angle strips are employed to connect the upper ends of to the upright metal studs fluted metal decking above in a seismic and fire-resistant manner. A plurality of uniformly spaced pop-up tabs are defined in the horizontal legs of the angle strips directly beneath the open flutes or channels of the metal decking above. Insulation supports are located beneath the ceiling flutes to span the distance between the angle strips. The insulation supports are connected to the vertical legs of the angle strips to form flat, horizontal platforms directly beneath the portions of the flutes that cross the line of studs. Batts of fire-proofing insulation are located atop the insulation supports and are held in position by bending up the pop-up tabs from their original horizontal disposition into a generally vertical orientation.

Abstract: A seismic and fire-resistant vertical shaft wall structure is formed by employing a uniquely configured connector above wallboard panels forming the shaft wall at each vertical section of the shaft wall structure. The connectors are formed of strips of sheet metal configured in a manner to seat wallboard panels positioned atop them and receive wallboard panels projecting up from beneath them. The connectors also receive strips of resiliently compressible fire insulation material that fill the gaps between the wallboard panels and the connector at each level of the vertical shaft wall. Interior vertical shafts within buildings, such as elevator shafts, stairwells, and other shafts can be made not only fire resistant but resistant to seismic stresses as well. The system also provides a new method of constructing a superior vertical shaft wall totally from within the structure of the building, without requiring any steps to be performed from within the shaft.

Abstract: An interior building wall construction is achieved which is superior in its combined capabilities for resistance to both seismic activity and fire. The head-of-wall construction at the interface between an interior building wall employing sheet metal framing and a ceiling thereabove exceeds even the most stringent building code requirements for fire and seismic resistance. Seismic resistance is achieved by providing the beam at the top of the wall with slots elongated in a longitudinal direction in the web of the beam and with vertically elongated slots in the side walls of the beam. Standoff washers are provided in the elongated slots and the ceiling fasteners and stud fasteners employed extend through these standoff washers to securely join the studs, beam, and ceiling above together, yet permit limited relative movement therebetween when the building is subjected to seismic activity.

Abstract: A versatile cross connecting device is provided to allow, alternatively, either bridging or backing between adjacent metal studs. Such metal studs are "U-shaped" members with a broad base and narrower sides of uniform height. The studs are arranged in vertical alignment with their flat sides defining the planes of wall surfaces on opposite sides of the studs. The cross connecting device is formed with a channel having a base and sides that extend outwardly from the base. The channel is of a width equal to the width of the studs. The length of the channel is equal to the distance between a base of one of the studs and the closest extremities of the sides of an adjacent stud. The cross connecting device is provided with a transverse end plate located at one end of the channel and extending perpendicular to the alignment of the channel and also a tongue at the opposite end of the channel.