High capacity hybrid frame-wall intended for cold-formed steel construction

Abstract

A hybrid frame-wall system and method of constructing a hybrid frame-wall system are disclosed. The hybrid frame-wall system includes a plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports; a lateral load resisting assembly including at least one pair of chords, at least one pair of diagonal tension only bracing elements and at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements; at least one top track positioned along a top end of the plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports, and at least one bottom track positioned along a bottom end of the plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A hybrid frame-wall system, comprising:
 a plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports;   at least one pair of chords;   a lateral load resisting assembly including at least one pair of diagonal tension only bracing elements and at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements;   at least one top track positioned along a top end of the plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports and the chords; and   at least one bottom track positioned along a bottom end of the plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports and the chords;   wherein a wall assembly is formed collectively by the plurality of primary vertical load bearing supports, the at least one pair of chords, the at least one top track and the at least one bottom track.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements are installed within a plane of the wall assembly. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising two pairs of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements, which are installed within a plane of the wall assembly. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising three pairs of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements, which are installed within a plane of the wall assembly. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement brace elements are prestressing strands. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair of diagonal tension only bracing elements are cold formed steel (CFS) straps. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one pair of chords are hollow structural steel (HSS) elements. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each diagonal reinforcement bracing element is connected eccentrically to a corresponding chord. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein each diagonal tension only bracing element is connected concentrically to a corresponding chord. 
     
     
         10 . A hybrid frame-wall system for increasing lateral force resistance in a structure, comprising:
 a wall assembly formed by a plurality of vertical load bearing supports, a pair of chords, a top track and a bottom track; and   a lateral force resisting assembly integrated with the structural framework, wherein the lateral force resisting assembly is configured to increase the lateral load resistance of the structure;   wherein the lateral force resisting assembly includes the pair of chords, one or more pairs of prestressing strand braces, and at least one pair of cold formed steel tension only bracing elements.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the one or more pairs of prestressing strand braces are installed within a plane of the wall installed within a plane of the wall assembly. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each pair of prestressing strand braces is diagonally positioned in the wall assembly in a parallel position relative to one another. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein each pair of prestressing stand braces is connected eccentrically to a corresponding chord. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one pair of prestressing strand braces are diagonally positioned in the wall assembly. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one pair of prestressing strand braces is connected concentrically to a corresponding chord. 
     
     
         16 . A method of constructing a hybrid frame-wall system for a structure, comprising:
 positioning a plurality of vertical load bearing supports and chords between a top track and a bottom track;   connecting at least one pair of diagonal tension only bracing elements diagonally between the chords; and   connecting at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements diagonally in between the chords.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising increasing the lateral load resistance capacity of the system by connecting a plurality of pairs of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements diagonally in between the chords. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one pair of diagonal reinforcement bracing elements are prestressing strands. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one pair of chords are hollow structural steel (HSS) elements. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of vertical load bearing supports are cold formed steel (CFS) studs.