Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/493534
A PR IL 2015 | 27 A New products, projects and applications cap an exciting year for steel buildings by PETER CAULFIELD According to the Canadian Sheet Steel Building Institute (CSSBI), sheet steel products have significant advantages, such as cost savings and strength, over other building products. But the industry has not been resting on its laurels. It is busy developing new products, finding new applica- tions for products and undertaking research. In 2016 the CSSBI is planning to start a new research program: "At the moment, the Metal Building Manufacturers Association in the U.S. is undertaking research on how metal build- ings perform during earthquakes," says Steven Fox, CSSBI general manager. "The objective is to formulate better and more efficient design procedures. We hope to use their research for applications in Canada." Fox says experience with earthquakes has shown that steel building systems perform very well, in fact much better than other structural systems. "This could be due to their lower mass and greater flexibility," he says. "The industry must undertake this research to provide the data needed by the building codes to accept seismic design provisions specific to our building types." Brace Yourself CANADA GAMES CENTRE, HALIFAX, NS. PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY VICWEST BUILDING PRODUCTS