Systems And Methods For Building Construction

Abstract

Systems and methods for building construction that utilize frame members (e.g., studs) having attachment portions to which construction panels can be secured. In one embodiment, a stud designed to support vertical wall panels consists of a pair of metal C-channel studs that are oriented back-to-back with a stiffener plate between them. The stiffener plate extends outward from the stud so that it can be used to secure the wall panels against the stud. The stiffener plate has slots through it that allow biscuits to be placed through the stiffener plate and into the edges of the wall panels that abut the stiffener plate. The biscuits hold the edges of the wall panels in alignment with each other and, because the biscuits extend through the slots in the stiffener plate, the wall panels are held against the stud, thereby stiffening the wall formed by the panels.

1 . A building system comprising:
 a frame including
 a base track; 
 a top beam; 
 one or more studs; and 
 one or more biscuits; 
 wherein each of the studs is vertically oriented with a lower end connected to the base track and an upper end connected to the top beam and wherein each of the studs includes an attachment portion which extends outward from the stud and is configured to have one or more construction panels secured thereto, and 
 wherein the attachment portion of each stud includes one or more slots configured to accommodate the biscuits therethrough and wherein the construction panels have recesses in the edges of the construction panels to accommodate the biscuits. 
   
   
   
       2 . The building system of  claim 1 , further comprising the one or more construction panels, wherein the construction panels are secured to the studs. 
   
   
       3 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein each stud comprises at least one metal C-channel stud. 
   
   
       4 . The building system of  claim 3 , wherein each stud comprises two metal C-channel studs that are secured together to form an I-stud. 
   
   
       5 . The building system of  claim 4 , wherein the attachment portion comprises a stiffener plate secured between the two C-channel studs. 
   
   
       6 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the base track comprises one or more channels configured to accommodate lower ends of the one or more construction panels therein. 
   
   
       7 . The building system of  claim 6 , wherein each channel includes one or more construction panel supports configured to elevate the one or more construction panels placed in the channel above a bottom portion of the base track. 
   
   
       8 . The building system of  claim 1 , wherein the top beam is configured to accommodate upper ends of the construction panels. 
   
   
       9 . The building system of  claim 8 , wherein the top beam comprises one or more tabs configured to enable attachment of support members to the top beam. 
   
   
       10 . The building system of  claim 9 , wherein the support members comprise roof trusses.