Cold-formed steel support wall and method of installation

Abstract

A cold-formed steel support wall (CFSSW) is a light gauge steel framed wall section designed to support a structure by transferring the load from the floor system to points of contact at the top of pile caps or footings. A typical pile is wood with a concrete pile cap or helical steel pile, with or without, reinforcing concrete, or any other pile best suited for the soil conditions. A supporting wall typically makes continuous contact with a concrete grade beam. The CFSSW wall eliminates the need for a grade beam by spanning from pile cap to pile cap or footing to footing without making direct contact with the soil.

1 . A method of installing a cold-formed steel support wall system comprising:
 providing a plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections;   connecting the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to one another at predetermined locations;   connecting bottoms of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to tops of exposed pile caps or footings; and   connecting tops of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to a bottom of a floor of a structure,   wherein a positive connection is created from the tops of the pile caps or footings to the structure using the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections in a manner that eliminates and or significantly reduces the need for concrete commonly used in a foundation.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to one another using fasteners. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising attaching the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to the tops of the pile caps or footings protruding from a grade of soil. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections are attached using bolts extending from bottoms of chords of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to load transfer devices at tops of steel helical piles. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections are attached using bolts extending from bottoms of chords of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to a cast in place bolt provided at a top of a concrete mass that encapsulates butts of friction piles made of wood, fiberglass, concrete, or other suitable material for soil conditions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections are attached using bolts extending from bottoms of chords of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to a hold down bolt provided at a top of a concrete mass which encapsulates butts of friction piles made of wood, fiberglass, concrete, or other suitable material for soil conditions. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections are operably connected to the exposed pile caps or footings such that reversing the method of assembly severs the connection between the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections and the exposed pile caps or footings for subsequent re-use of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising covering the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections with a cement fiber industry siding product. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the covering is comprised of prefabricated decorative panels composed of reconstituted marble, granite and other stone product. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the covering is comprised of a high density polymer product. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the covering is comprised of a stucco exterior finish. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the covering is comprised of a wood industry siding product. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 2 , providing access panels at predetermined locations for use of installation and maintenance by other trades, such as plumbers and electricians under the structure. 
     
     
         14 . A cold-formed steel support wall system comprising:
 a plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections connected to one another at predetermined locations;   a plurality of pile caps or footings connected to the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections;   a floor of a structure connected to the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections,   wherein a top portion of the plurality of pile caps or footings are connected to a bottom portion of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections, and   wherein a bottom portion of the floor of the structure is connected to a top portion of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a plurality of fasteners configured for connecting the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to one another. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 14 , wherein the top portion of the plurality of pile caps or footings protrude from a grade of soil. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 16 , further comprising a plurality of bolts extending from a plurality of chords of the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections to a cast in place bolt or a hold down bolt provided at a top portion of a concrete mass encapsulating butts of friction piles made of wood, fiberglass, concrete, or other suitable material for soil conditions. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 14 , further comprising a cement-fiber industry siding cover for the plurality of cold-formed steel support wall sections. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the cover comprises at least one of prefabricated decorative panels including reconstituted marble, granite and other stone product, a high density polymer product, a stucco exterior finish, or a wood industry siding product. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 15 , further comprising access panels at predetermined locations configured to provide access points during installation and maintenance.