Blue Sky Building Systems - Design Criteria Document

BLUE SKY BUILDING SYSTEMS a division of

BLUE SKY FRAME™

Design Criteria for Architects + Engineers blueskybuildingsystems.com

1 Blue Sky Building Systems is revolutionizing the design and construction of commercial and residential buildings.

Better design. Better materials. Better techniques.

We believe that structures can be built less expensively, more quickly, with a greatly reduced impact on the environment and with a longer lifespan than most structures being constructed today.

Blue Sky Building Systems offers the Blue Sky Frame, and our Blue Sky Wall™, for use in residential and commercial building. When used together, these components afford architects, engineers and builders significant advantages over traditional building methodologies including: ✚✚

asily create large E open spaces

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Rapid on-site assembly

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Economical buildings on steep lots

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I mpervious to termites, mold dry rot, and fire resistant

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High sustainability

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Structurally sound

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Reduced labor costs

✚✚

ompatible with most C architectural design styles

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This document provides an overview of the Blue Sky Frame, provides details of the benefits, an overview of the materials and components that make up the frame, and highlights the testing that has been done on the Blue Sky Frame.

Figure 1: The 8 bolt pattern which creates

The Blue Sky Frame

Figure 2: Bolted connections which attach

The Blue Sky Frame uses light-gauge, high-tensile strength,

the moment connection in the Blue Sky Frame

light gauge C joists and beams

Figure 3: A Blue Sky Frame on the 2nd day of construction

cold-rolled, galvanized steel elements, and structural tube steel columns that are bolted together on site to create a bi-directional moment-resisting frame. The strength of both the steel and the bolted connections that attach the framing elements provide superior structural integrity. The bolted moment connections are comprised of horizontal and vertical elements (post and beam) that are fastened in an eight-bolt pattern that creates an exceptionally strong structure.

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 3

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Because the moment frame concentrates all of the dead loads

by two workers and are fastened together using standard

at the columns, the system works well in either a slab-on-grade

hand tools – no welding, torque wrenches or special inspections

environment or raised off the ground with simplified footings

are required.

pread footings, caissons or piles). The system does not require

The Blue Sky Frame allows architects a wide latitude to create

any load-bearing walls (interior nor exterior), shear panels or

buildings in a variety of styles. The structural frame can either

bracing of any kind, and can be designed to meet and exceed

“disappear” inside of walls (as with a traditional wood frame)

seismic, wind and snow loading requirements.

or stand out as an architectural expression, depending upon

All of the steel components are factory fabricated for each project.

Most of the structural components are light enough to be carried

design preferences.

Benefits of the Blue Sky Frame Easily Create Large Open Spaces: Because the Blue Sky Frame is a bi-directional moment frame, the only structural components are columns, beams, struts and joists.

This eliminates the need for load-bearing or shear walls, on the interior and exterior of the building. Because the walls are non-loadbearing, interior floor plans created with the frame are limitless and easy to modify as future needs of the occupants change over time.

The Blue Sky Frame supports the following design parameters: ✚✚

30-foot, or greater, clear spans between columns

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35-foot maximum column height

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Structures of up to three stories tall

Economical Building on Steep Lots: The Blue Sky Frame is well suited for use on steep or sensitive sites that until now may have been considered unbuildable or cost prohibitive utilizing traditional building techniques. All of the dead loads are supported by the frame’s vertical columns, which sit on point-load spread footings or caissons (depending on the site-specific soil conditions). The total material in and on the ground is kept to a minimum. This often eliminates the need for extensive site work, expensive foundation work, grading, fill and retaining walls, which can add significant cost and complexity to projects. It also reduces permanent damage often done to land during construction. Structures using the Blue Sky Frame site lightly on the land.

Rapid On-Site Assembly: The Blue Sky Frame is delivered to the site flat-stacked,

Reduces Labor Costs:

and packed so the first piece off the truck is the first piece

The components are fabricated in a relatively low-cost labor

required in construction.

market under factory conditions. This in turn reduces the amount

All parts of the framing system are pre-cut and pre-drilled to tight tolerances. Local construction crews simply have to bolt the components together. A building using the Blue Sky Frame

of on-site work, downtime due to weather, waiting on materials or specialized trades. This is of particular benefit for remote or high-cost labor markets.

that there is often no need for large cranes on-site, which is an

Impervious to Termites and Rot; Fire-Resistant:

additional cost savings over most structural steel building. The

The light-gauge, high-tensile strength, galvanized steel utilized

quick production of a weather-resistant space allows interior

in the Blue Sky Frame is impervious to insects, will not twist

finish work to begin almost immediately.

or crack as the weather changes, and is highly resistant to fire.

can be completely framed in a matter of days, as opposed to weeks. Using primarily lighter weight cold-rolled steel also means

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 5

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Unlike traditional wood framing, the steel frame does not foster the growth of mold and does not need to be treated with noxious

Figure 4: P rototypical Hillside House Designed by Ferreir Studio

chemicals to repel insects.

High Sustainability: The steel used in the Blue Sky Frame is made from approximately

a traditional construction site ends up being trucked to landfills.

70 percent recycled material and is itself 100 percent recyclable.

Factory fabrication of the Blue Sky Frame process virtually

The frame is ideally suited to be used in conjunction with pre-

eliminates site waste. Scraps from manufacturing and the few

fabricated wall panels that greatly reduce wood usage, waste and

(if any) generated on site are easily recycled.

labor costs.

Buildings that utilize the Blue Sky Frame can potentially be

A key attribute of buildings that incorporate the Blue Sky Frame

eligible for points in LEED categories including: innovation and

is waste reduction – up to 40 percent of the material delivered to

design process, sustainable sites, materials and resources.

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Supports Many Design Styles: The Blue Sky Frame can be clad with just about any exterior cladding material – from metal to stucco to reclaimed wood.

The interior walls will accommodate traditional drywall finishes as well as plaster and wood paneling.

Figure 5: Farmhouse Style Home Designed

by Burdge and Associates

Figure 6: Frame for a Farmhouse Style Home

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 7

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Figure 7: Urban Contemporary Home Designed

by Ferrier Architecture Studio

Figure 8: Frame for an Urban

Contemporary Home

Figure 9: I nterior of an Urban

Contemporary Home

Figure 10: Interior of an Urban

Contemporary Home

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Structurally Sound: The technology underlying the Blue Sky Frame has approval from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) for its seismic forceresisting moment connection, and is the first of its kind to be approved by that body. AISI is the governing body for the design of cold-formed steel sections used in the construction industry.

The frame has been thoroughly lab tested and performs well in zone 4 (D) seismic areas and can be designed to withstand any high wind or snow load conditions.

Figure 11: Finished Exterior of a Desert-Modern Home Designed by o2 Architecture

Figure 12: Frame for a Desert-Modern Home Figure 13: Front Elevation of a DesertModern Home

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 9

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Figure 14: Joshua Tree Home Designed

by Jim Jennings Architecture

Figure 15: Molo, Chile Homes Designed

by Rankin Kelly

Figure 16: Kowaliga Home Designed

by Grace Harriett

Figure 17: Home in Hawaii Designed

by Weinstein AU Architects + Urban Designers

Core Structure The core structural element of the Blue Sky Frame is a square

easily accommodated. All beam and joist lengths can be

or rectangular bay with columns on each corner. The eight-bolt

completely customized.

connections between the beams and the columns create the bi-directional moment frame.

The table in Figure 10 shows beam and column sizes for a typical raised foundation, single-story structure. Please note that all of

Bay sizes are dependent on the loads that will be supported,

the column, beam, and joist sizing are finalized in the structural

as well as the size of columns and beams utilized. Architectural

engineering phase and these dimensions may change based on

designs that typically call for rectangular bays are most

geometry of the structure or specific local requirements

convenient and economical, although square bays are also

and conditions.

25.00

25.00

20.00

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C Channel - 16x3.5x10Ga - Joist C Channel - 20x3.5x10Ga - Beam

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NOTE: These are generalized sizes. Specific seismic, wind, and geometric conditions may require different sizes. Assumed floor dead loads are 50 and 30 psf for concrete and wood respectively and 25 psf for the roof. Live loads are assumed to be 40 psf floor and 20 psf roof. These sizes should be used for initial sizing only, not final design.

Raised Wood Floor - 16” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Raised Concrete Floor - 16” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

25’ x 25’ or 30’ x 15’

L/480

20' x 25'

L/480

20' x 30'

L/720

20' x 25'

L/720

Raised Wood Floor - 20” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Raised Concrete Floor - 20” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

25' x 30'

L/480

25' x 20' or 30' x 15'

L/480

25' x 20' or 30' x 10'

L/720

25' x 15' or 30' x 10'

L/720

Raised Wood Floor - 16” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Roof with 16” Beams and 8”x8” Columns

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

Max Bay Size

Deflection Limit

25’ x 25’ or 30’ x 20’

L/240

30' x 25'

L/240

Figure 18: Example of two 20’ X 25’

Square Bays in Plan View

Figure 19: Blue Sky Frame –

Bay Sizes – Single Story

Figure 20: Section of HSS Tube Steel Figure 21: C Channel Shape Figure 22: Span Joist Spacing

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 11

Components Vertical Columns: Design:

Hollow Structural Section (HSS)

Material:

High-strength structural steel

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Optional G90 galvanization or powder coated

Dimensions:

Length: Up to 35 feet Exterior: 8”x8”, 10”x10” or 12”x12” Thickness: 1/4” to 3/8”

Constraints:

8”x8” columns are typically used in one and two-story structures 10”x10” columns are typically used in three-story structures.

Joists: Design:

C channel

Material:

G60 galvanized cold-formed, light-gauge, high-tensile strength steel (55 ksi)

Gauge:

10 to 24 gauge

Dimensions:

Length: Up to 30’

B

L

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D

Depth: 10” to 20” The span table in Figure 12 describes standard joist depths depending on spans and loading.

Joist Span

Joists Depth (D) for Concrete Floor

Joists Depth (D) for Wood Floor

Roof Joist

Spacing ( O.C. )

30'

N/A

20"

16" or 14"

4'

28'

N/A

16"

14" or 12"

4'

26'

20"

16"

12"

4'

24'

20"

16"

10" or 12"

4'

22'

16"

14"

10" or 12"

4'

20'

16" or 14"

14" or 12"

10" or 12"

4'

18'

16"

12'' or 10"

10" or 12"

4'

16'

16" or 14"

12'' or 10"

8" or 10"

4'

14'

14" or 12"

12'' or 10"

8"

4'

12'

12" or 10"

10" or 8"

8"

4'

10'

10" or 8"

10" or 8"

8"

4'

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Beams: Design:

C channel

Material:

G60 galvanized cold-formed, lightgauge, high-tensile-strength steel (55 ksi)

Gauge:

10 to 14 gauge

Dimensions:

Length: Up to 42’ is common but, longer lengths are available

B

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L

D

Depth: 12” to 20” Width: 3½”

Footings: Design:

Typically spread footings or caissons are utilized in steep grade applications (depending on the site specific soil conditions)

1’2”

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SQUARE (4) 13/16” DIA. HOLES BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN

11”

1/2” THK PLATE

Material:

Steel reinforced concrete

Dimensions:

Footings are engineered for each project based on the site-specific soil conditions and topography. The footings used in conjunction with the Blue Sky Frame are usually smaller than those required for traditional framing techniques due to the highly reduced lateral moments at the base of the moment frame structure.

The footings can be as small as 24”x24”x18” depending on soil conditions.

(4) 5/8” DIA. BOLT

BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN

(4) 5/8” DIA. BOLT CONCRETE SLAB

1/2” THK PLATE

3 1/4” EMBED

Base plate with exposed anchor bolts

9”

1’2”

SQUARE

SQUARE

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(4) 13/16” DIA. HOLES BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN

BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN

11”

1/2” THK PLATE

1/2” THK. PLATE

(4) 5/8” DIA. BOLT

(4) 5/8” DIA. BOLT

CONCRETE FOOTING 8”-12” THK

(4) 3/4 DIA. HEADED ANCHOR BOLT

BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN 1/2” THK PLATE

BLUE SKY FRAME COLUMN 4’� ACCESS HOLE

CONCRETE SLAB

(4) 3/4”DIA. HEADED ANCHOR BOLT #3 STRAP AROUND ANCHOR BOLTS

EDGE OF FOOTING DEPTH OF FOOTING VARIES

3/8” EMBED

12” EMBED

1/2” EMBED

Base plate with exposed anchor bolts with over pour topping slab

Anchor bolts concealed in column

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Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 13

Decking: Design:

Post, beam and joist

Material:

Concrete over B-Deck or Wood Sub-floor

Stiffness:

L/360 to L/720++

CORRUGATED STEEL SHEETS ARE FASTENED TO STRUCTURAL MEMBERS WITH #12 x 3/4” SELF DRILLING FASTENERS; ONE IN EACH VALLEY AT END SHEETS AND ONE IN ALTERNATE VALLEYS AT INTERMEDIATE STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

ASC STEEL DECK “B” DECK ICC # 1414

CONCRETE SLAB

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L 2 1/2” x 4” x 10GA FORM ANGLE UNDER D-DECK

L 2 1/2” x $” x 10GA FORM ANGLE UNDER B-DECK STRUT (TYPICAL)

BEAM (TYPICAL)

NOTE: BUTTON PUNCH SEAMS @ 36” O.C.

DECK JOIST (TYPICAL)

3 1/2”

1/4” x 14” x 61/2” SPLICE PLATE (SPLX16).

TYP. BOTH SIDES

1/4 SP TY

Constraints:

3 1/2”

1/4” x 14” x 61/2” SPLICE PLATE (SPLX16).

TYP. BOTH SIDES

(8) 1” � x 2 1/4” GRADE 5 BOLTS W/ (16) WASHERS TYP. EA. FACE

The Blue Sky Frame will work with virtually any roof system, including a living or “green” roof. Heavier roof systems will likely result in an increase to size of columns and beams.

FRONT ELEVATION

STRUT

(8) 1” x 21/4” GRS BOLTS W/ FLAT WASHER BOTH SIDES, TYP. EA CONNECTION

TS COLUMN

BEAM STRUT

(8) 1” x 21/4” GRS BOLTS W/ FLAT WASHER BOTH SIDES, TYP. EA CONNECTION

TS COLUMN

BEAM

Figure 23: C Channel Shape

Figure 27: Typical Concrete Decking Detail

Figure 24: Condition 1: Base plate with exposed anchor bolts Figure 25: Condition 2: Base plate with exposed anchor bolts

Figure 28: Ridge Detail Figure 29: Roof to Wall Column Connection

with over pour topping slab

Figure 26: Condition 3: Anchor bolts concealed in column

SPLI TYP.

3”

FRONT ELEVATION

281/4”

5”

The roof is comprised of light-gauge “C” beams and purlins. Any steel or wood roofing system can be attached to the Blue Sky Frame. The system carries all of the weight and strain around the perimeter of the frame. All roof loads are carried by the parametric beams. Architects can design many roof profiles to work with the Blue Sky Frame including shed, gable, and hip.

3”

Design:

3”

5”

3”

Roofs:

(8) 1” � x 2 1/4” GRADE 5 BOLTS W/ (16) WASHERS TYP. EA. FACE

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Beam and Column Connections: Condition 1: Pass and Grab In this condition beams are attached to the outer edge of the column and are able to support a cantilever.

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B A C

Cantilevers: Design:

Deck and roof cantilevers can be supported by main beams, extending out 25% of the tributary span running parallel with the beam direction. Pass and grab cantilevers for deck’s can be up to 10’. Clipped-on cantilevers can be up to 4’.

Material:

Cantilevers can support most decking materials including wood, or concrete over B-Deck.

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Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 15

Condition 2: Shear Tab In this condition beams are flush with column faces, which allows for thinner walls, but no cantilevers.

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36 B A

Figure 30: Pass and Grab Frame Detail at “A“ Figure 31: Pass and Grab Frame Detail at “B“ Figure 32: Pass and Grab Frame Detail at “C“ Figure 33: Pass and Grab Cantilever Figure 34: Clipped-On Cantilever

Figure 35: Shear Tab Frame Detail at “A“ Figure 36: Shear Tab Frame Detail at “B“

Architecture and Aesthetic Elements: The Blue Sky Frame provides various optional architectural elements that allow for a variety of aesthetics.

Canted Walls In this condition the column is slanted up to 15 degrees to achieve a canted wall profile.

Diamond Roof The Blue Sky Frame can provide roofs with slopes on all sides creating a unique architectural feature.

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 17

The Blue Sky Frame can provide roofs with thinner and sharper edges by modifying the ends of the “C” channel beams to different depths to create various edge conditions.

Knife Edge Roof In the knife edge roof condition, the end of the beam is cut to reduce its thickness towards the edge of the roof.

Cut-Back Roof Edge In the cut-back roof edge condition, the end of the beam is cut back leaving 2’’, 4’’, 6’’, or 8’’ beam profile supporting the roof.

Design Considerations Designing a building around the Blue Sky Frame is relatively simple. There are only a few key design considerations that have to be kept in mind in order to ensure that benefits of the frame are realized to their fullest extent.

37 Punched Openings

Exterior Side of Panel

Angles: Ninty degree angles are most cost-effective. Other angles can be custom fabricated.

Open Cavity

EPS Expanded Polystyrene

Mechanical / Electrical / Plumbing: Holes for routing MEP equipment and lines can be punched (at the factory) into the center third of the vertical section of the web. Holes should be punched at half the distance between the

for Lateral bracing

column line and the midpoint of the span.

Exterior Cladding: The system can be designed to accommodate just about any exterior cladding material including stucco, siding, plywood, architectural copper, zinc, aluminum, metal, vinyl, etc.

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Blue Sky Wall Configurations

Interior Insulation:

Blue Sky Frame Column

Any type of insulation material can be utilized to achieve the

Siding

Blue Sky Wall Concrete Slab

appropriate “R” value required for any particular climate zone.

The Blue Sky Frame is designed to work well with a companion

Metal B Deck

steel thermally efficient panel (STEP) wall panel system, the Blue

Metal Flashing

Sky Wall . ™

Blue Sky Frame C Channel Joist

The Blue Sky Wall can be installed in two ways. It can be installed in-line with the columns or in-line with the C channel

Blue Sky Frame C Channel Beam

beam. Installing the wall in-line with the column works well for temperate climates or environments with little rain. Installing the walls in-line with the beam works in all climates and simplifies flashing details and provides a better thermal break. Columns can be exposed to the interior, clad, or enclosed in interior walls.

Condition 1: Blue Sky Wall in line with column

Condition 2: Blue Sky Wall in line with C Channel beam

Design Criteria for Architects and Engineers | 19

Certification and Approvals 38

The technology underlying the Blue Sky Frame has been designed to comply with all applicable building codes: Uniform Building Code (UBC), California Building Code (CBC)

Tongueand andGroove Groove Tongue Joints Joints

PanelThickness Thickness Panel

and International Building Code (IBC); as well as meeting the rigorous specifications demanded in seismically active zones.

This is the first moment-resistant, bi-directional rigid frame to be approved by the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI). The bolted light-gauge bi-directional moment frame

LL Exterior Exterior Side Side ofPanel Panel of

SingleGroove Groove Single

is uniquely designed to perform exceedingly well in seismic zone 4 (D) and is recognized by the International Code Council (ICC). The ICC has incorporated this light-gauge

Steelembedded embeddedin infoam foam Steel

bolted moment frame (as referenced in AISI S110) into the

24°O.C. O.C. 24°

IBC as an approved seismic resisting system. These approvals DoubleGroove Groove Double

can facilitate a faster permit process.

The technology underlying the Blue Sky Frame has

W W Steelflush flushwith withfoam foam Steel

undergone rigorous testing by the Department of Structural Engineering at University of California, San Diego.

For full details regarding the testing protocol and results please visit: http://bit.ly/p1H12C Blue Sky Homes controls the exclusive rights to the use of the technology underlying the Blue Sky framing system for use in the residential marketplace.

Blue Sky Frame Column Steel Studs Siding Concrete Slab Metal B Deck Deflection Clip

Blue Sky Frame C Channel Joist

Blue Sky Frame C Channel Beam Blue Sky Wall

Condition 3: Blue Sky Wall on exterior of C Channel Beam

Figure 37: Interior, Exterior, and Edge Views of the Blue Sky Wall Figure 38: Exterior and Edge Views of the Blue Sky Wall Figure 39: Flashing Details on edge of STEP Walls

BLUE SKY BUILDING SYSTEMS a division of

Services Offered by Blue Sky Building Systems Blue Sky Building Systems can provide the following services to architects and builders: ✚✚

Feedback during design process

✚✚

Full structural engineering services

✚✚

Assistance with flashing details

✚✚

Permit processing and plan checking assistance

✚✚

Logistics and coordination of supplies and materials

✚✚

Marketing assistance of the finished product

Please Contact Us At: Blue Sky Building Systems PO Box 3277, Palm Springs, CA 9226 info@blueskyhomesllc.com www.blueskybuildingsystems.com

©2011 Blue Sky Building Systems, a division of Blue Sky Homes LLC