The founding, association and corporate sponsors of the Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (CCFSS) announced today that CCFSS is closing its doors after 30 years.
CCFSS programs will continue under the management of various sponsoring organizations. A new report titled “Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold-Formed Steel Structures (1990-2020)” outlines the scope and administration of those programs.
The report is available for free download.
CCFSS was established at the University of Missouri-Rolla, now Missouri University of Science and Technology, in May 1990 under an initial grant received from the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI).
It has since grown to include as sponsors the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI), Metal Building Manufacturers Association (MBMA), Rack Manufacturers Institute (RMI), Steel Deck Institute (SDI), Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), and Simpson Strong-Tie.
CCFSS’s Accomplishments
CCFSS has served the cold-formed steel (CFS) industry as a comprehensive information resource for manufacturers, designers, educators, researchers, students, and users. It has provided technical services, engineering education, research, and professional activity. CCFSS’s accomplishments include
- Creating the Wei-Wen Yu Cold-Formed Steel Online Library with over 854,000 downloads since 2015
- Providing 15 three-day short courses on CFS design
- Hosting 14 International Specialty Conferences focused on CFS research
- Answering questions from engineers regarding appropriate CFS design solutions related to their projects
“We are grateful to Dr. Wei-Wen Yu for his vision to advance the use of cold-formed steel in the building construction marketplace, to each of our sponsoring organizations for their long-term support, and to the members of the CCFSS Steering Committee for their indispensable guidance over the years,” said Roger LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., CCFSS Director.
“This support and guidance have enabled the CCFSS to contribute to the vital technology transfer needs of the cold-formed steel industry,” added LaBoube. “We look forward to working with each of our sponsors to successfully transition current activities so that the legacy of the CCFSS can live on.”
In addition to providing financial support, each sponsoring organization appointed representatives who provided valuable guidance to CCFSS as a member of its Steering Committee, LaBoube noted.
Rick Haws of Nucor Building Systems, chair of the CCFSS Steering Committee serving as the AISI representative, said: “The CCFSS provided a valuable forum for industry and academia to work together to advance the cold-formed steel industry. Thanks to Dr. Wei-Wen Yu and Dr. Roger LaBoube for providing the foresight and leadership for the last 30 years and to Administrative Assistant Christina Stratman for her dedicated work in fulfilling the vision. The impact of the CCFSS will be felt well into the future.”
Continuing CCFSS’s Work
Steering Committee members plan to continue CCFSS’s work:
- Future technical reports and papers will be housed at the renamed Wei-Wen Yu Cold-Formed Steel Online Library at Missouri University of Science and Technology
- Dr. Roger LaBoube will continue to provide CFSEI webinars, answer questions from engineers through the CFSEI hotline (1-800-79STEEL), and remain active in developing CFS standards through the AISI Committee on Framing Standards
- The International Specialty Conference will be replaced by the Cold-Formed Steel Research Consortium (CFSRC) Colloquium.
A report summarizing the scope of all future activities, as well as the history, accomplishments, and legacy of CCFSS, is available for free download from the Wei-Wen Yu Cold-Formed Steel Online Library.