October 15, 2026 — The Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (CFSEI) has released 9 updated Technical Notes addressing cold-formed steel (CFS) design and construction.
The publications cover structural connections, member reinforcement, lateral systems and wall framing. They provide engineering guidance on design considerations involving CFS members, connections and assemblies.
The updates include guidance on reinforcing members with holes, designing truss-to-bearing connections and addressing construction bracing for walls.
CFSEI develops its Technical Notes through industry experts and regularly updates the publications. The institute makes the resources available to engineers and other design professionals.
The following publications cover several areas of CFS structural design and construction.
Connections and Member Reinforcement
Tech Note F501-26 — Cold-Formed Steel Truss to Bearing Connections
The updated Tech Note F501-26 provides educational guidance for building designers. It reviews the structural role of truss-to-bearing connections and the factors that influence their design. This updated tech note replaces F501-11.
As presented on BuildSteel™, Tech Note F501-26 discusses the wind loads that truss-to-bearing connections may need to resist. It also examines responsibility for truss-to-bearing connection design. The technical note includes general design guidance and an illustrative design example, where the truss is bearing on a cold-formed steel (CFS) stud wall.
Tech Note G105-26 — Compression Member Reinforcement
Tech Note G105-26, recently updated, addresses reinforcement of CFS compression members, including wall studs and truss webs. It provides guidance for evaluating the strength of nonprismatic compression members that result from reinforcement.
Tech Note G900-26 — Design Methodology for Hole Reinforcement of Cold-Formed Steel Bending Members
Also updated, Tech Note G900-26 addresses design methodology for reinforcing holes in CFS bending members. The subject concerns reinforcement of members where openings affect the structural section.
Lateral Systems and Wall Framing
Tech Note L300-26 — Design of End Posts for Diaphragm Shear Walls: A Perspective
Need to address the design of end posts for diaphragm shear walls? This CFSEI document, Tech Note L300-26, focuses on a component of lateral force-resisting systems.
Tech Note W104-26 — Top Track Load Distribution Members
Tech Note W104-26 addresses top track load distribution members in CFS wall framing. The subject concerns the distribution of loads through the top track assembly.
Tech Note W106-26 — Design for Splicing of Cold-Formed Steel Wall Studs
Tech Note W106-26 addresses the design of splices in CFS wall studs. It focuses on engineering considerations for connecting stud segments.
Tech Note W200-26 — Header Design
The updated Tech Note W200-26 addresses header design in CFS wall framing. Headers provide structural support over openings in wall assemblies.
Tech Note W500-26 — Construction Bracing for Walls
Tech Note W500-26 addresses construction bracing for CFS walls. It concerns bracing considerations during construction, before the completed framing system provides its intended structural support.
Tech Note W601-26 — Design Methodology for Hole Reinforcement of Cold-Formed Steel Compression Members
Finally, Tech Note W601-26 addresses design methodology for reinforcing holes in CFS compression members. It complements the bending-member reinforcement subject covered in G900-26.
Access the Updated Technical Notes
CFSEI provides these Technical Notes at no cost to Corporate, Professional and Student Members. Members can download the publications through the Members Only section of the CFSEI website.
Nonmembers can purchase CFSEI Technical Notes through the CFSEI On-Demand page.
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
- New CFSEI Tech Note Addresses Roof-to-Wall Wind Anchorage Design
- CFSEI Releases Tech Note J200-26: Vibration of Cold-Formed Steel Joist Framed Floors
- CFSEI Releases Updated Tech Note G500-25: Field Guide – Inspection Checklist for Structural CFS Framing
- CFSEI Releases Tech Note B011-25 for Engineers New to Cold-Formed Steel Framing Design
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note F140-25: ‘Welding Cold-Formed Steel’
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note L400-25: ‘Non-Bearing Cold-formed Steel Lateral Force Resisting Systems’
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Evaluation and Remediation of Cold-Formed Steel Members and Connections
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Bearing Stiffeners
- CFSEI Publishes Tech Note on Hole Reinforcement of Cold-Formed Steel Compression Members
- CFSEI Publishes Technical Note on Strap Braced Wall Design, Loose Strap Considerations