As buildings sway during seismic events, nonstructural systems absorb movement that can affect performance, serviceability and repair costs. A session at the 2026 CFSEI Expo will examine how cold-formed steel (CFS) framing responds under those conditions and what designers should consider.
“Cold-Formed Steel Framing and Building Seismic Drift: What Happens to Our Framing When Buildings Move?” focuses on drift — lateral displacement that occurs as a structure responds to seismic forces. Primary structural systems are designed to resist these forces. Still, interior and exterior framing must accommodate that movement without compromising function.
Featured image: Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., director of design at Nevell Group, Inc.
The 2026 CFSEI Expo will take place May 18-20, 2026, at the Westin Long Beach Hotel in Long Beach, California.
Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., Nevell Group
How Seismic Drift Affects Cold-Formed Steel Framing
The session, sponsored by ClarkDietrich Building Systems, an SFIA member, will address how drift affects cold-formed steel partitions, curtain walls and other nonstructural components. The presenter, Kirsten Zeydel, S.E., director of design at Nevell Group, Inc., will discuss common detailing approaches that allow framing to move independently from the structure, including slip tracks and deflection connections.
According to the session overview, Zeydel will also cover coordination between structural engineers and framing designers. That coordination is critical to ensure that drift limits, connection details and system tolerances align across disciplines.
2026 CFSEI Expo
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) 2026 Expo
May 18-20, 2026
Westin Long Beach Hotel
Long Beach, CaliforniaEarn up to 15 PDHs / 9 AIA LU Credits
Design Coordination and Code Considerations for Drift
Attendees can expect a technical review of how building codes and standards address drift and nonstructural performance. The session will highlight practical considerations for design and installation, including where failures or damage can occur if movement is not properly accounted for.
The topic reflects a broader industry focus on resilience. As seismic design evolves, attention has shifted beyond life safety to include post-event functionality and repairability. Cold-formed steel framing plays a role in that equation, particularly in mid-rise and commercial construction where nonstructural systems represent a significant portion of the building.
The session is part of the CFSEI Expo’s technical program, which offers professional development hours and focuses on advancing cold-formed steel design and construction.
Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute
The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) comprises hundreds of structural engineers and other design professionals. Together, they are finding a better way to produce safe and efficient cold-formed steel (CFS) designs for commercial and residential structures. CFSEI members develop industry standards and design methods. CFSEI issues technical bulletins, organizes seminars and provides online training so that engineers and design professionals can improve their knowledge and skills. CFSEI is part of the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA) family. For more information, visit www.cfsei.org.
Additional Resources
- Register for the 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)
- CFS-NHERI and CFS10 Capstone Seismic Research to Take Center Stage in Keynote at 2026 CFSEI Expo
- CFSEI Expo’s Emerging Technologies Session to Showcase the Future of Cold-Formed Steel Design (May 20)
- Building for Fire: How Cold-Formed Steel Is Changing Noncombustible Construction (May 20)
- CFSEI Announces Speakers for 2026 CFSEI Expo in Long Beach, California (May 18-20)