Proprietary cold-formed steel products such as Radius Track, Simpson Strong-Tie, and The Steel Network can solve numerous design issues, but they also have their limitations. Solving this design challenge emphasizes the importance of understanding various manufacturers’ limitations as well as proper detailing of unique conditions by the architect and engineer of record. This opening created several challenges because it required an extremely large radius and the opening framing had to support the roof rafters. One particular wall design challenge was a large brick “eyebrow” which was included as one of the balcony features in what is considered the Main building of Bedford Square.
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There were several design challenges that emerged due to the complex geometry and various specific features. Where straight headers and rigid framing were not feasible, and a continuously curved header was required, ADTEK specified Radius Track at the curved headers. In most areas, ADTEK was able to design curved openings using straight headers with rigid framing. Various features were curved in either vertical or horizontal directions and with large radii, many times without supplementary structural support. The architect and engineer of record relied on the versatility of cold-formed steel framing to create curved framing that would support gravity and lateral wind loading. Understanding these limitations is critical to solving design issues. Using products from these manufacturers solved many problems however, these products do have their limitations and may not be appropriate or provide a feasible solution for all applications. Specifying multiple manufacturers made it possible to use the correct clip or hanger for the correct application. The availability of design information, as well as the availability of manufacturer representatives, aided in the design of connections using the proprietary products. To support roof framing within the complex geometry, ADTEK relied heavily on proprietary clips and joist hangers from Simpson Strong-Tie and The Steel Network. This project had many unique architectural features, including a complex roof geometry with hips and valleys of varying slopes and curves, and several curved architectural openings and canopies. Additionally, plywood sheathed cold-formed steel shear walls were used as the lateral force resisting system for the new buildings. Cold-formed steel framing was also used in various buildings as floor joists and roof rafters, for exterior skylight support, exterior concrete stair support framing with integrated planters, and exterior raised platforms. Cold-formed steel framing was used throughout in a range of applications including non-load bearing and load bearing systems.
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The Bedford Square project utilized a mixture of structural systems. In August of 2015, ADTEK Engineers began performing delegated design for the Bedford Square project for its client, Manganaro Northeast LLC, a drywall subcontractor in the New England area. The new additions, the Main and Gunn buildings, set out to match the historical architectural features of the original construction. The new, planned community will combine residential living with amenities such as public spaces, retail, and restaurants. Project Summaryīedford Square is a new mixed-use community in Westport which combines a renovated/converted historical Firehouse and 1920s-era Bedford Buildings with multiple new buildings ranging from two to four stories. Courtesy of Centerbrook Architects and Planners.