Institute releases design guide for SpeedCore high-rise system

Sources: American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago; CP staff

The latest addition to the American Institute of Steel Construction technical library is all about speed: Design Guide 38, SpeedCore Systems for Steel Structures is the tool engineering professionals need to take advantage of a nonproprietary, concrete-filled composite steel plate shear wall assembly for building tower cores. In its 2018-19 debut, the SpeedCore System was credited with helping shave 10 months off the erection schedule of Seattle’s 58-story Rainier Square tower.

Shown here on 200 Park in San Jose, Calif., the SpeedCore System is engineered with steel plates sandwiching plain concrete. Steel connectors link inner and outer wall plates and replace conventional concrete rebar. Photo: American Institute of Steel Construction

“SpeedCore is a game-changer when it comes to the rapid design and erection of steel buildings because there’s no waiting for concrete to cure,” says AISC Vice President of Engineering and Research Christopher Raebel, SE, PE, PhD. “It’s possible to build four floors in a week, which translates into shorter construction time, substantial cost savings, and earlier occupancy. The new Design Guide provides a complete toolkit to harness the potential of this innovative structural system.”

In addition to covering coupled and uncoupled systems in planar, C-shaped, and I-shaped configurations, Design Guide 38 includes critical information for wind, fire, and seismic considerations, plus extensive design examples.  —  www.aisc.org

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