At the 2025 NASCC: The Steel Conference in Louisville, Kentucky, cold-formed steel (CFS) education took a bold step forward. For the first time in the conference’s history, a dedicated CFS education track was included — thanks in large part to the efforts of Dr. Kara Peterman, associate professor of civil engineering at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.
Watch the BuildSteel interview to learn about NASCC’s new CFS track and Peterman’s thoughts on the CFS framing and test standards now managed by the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA).
“Thin Steel” — A New Track at NASCC
In a separate interview conducted prior to filming the above video, Dr. Peterman sat down with Marco Johnson, editor of BuildSteel.org, to talk about NASCC’s new CFS track, the evolving standards landscape and her latest research — much of which could shape the future of steel framing across the built environment.
While CFS has long had a presence at NASCC through the Structural Stability Research Council (SSRC), its representation has traditionally focused on research, not CFS design education. That changed in 2025.
“This is the first year we’ve had a cold-formed steel track as part of NASCC,” said Peterman. “We’ve always been here through SSRC sessions, but this is the first time we’ve had design-focused content.”
The track includes six sessions and covers a range of technical and practical topics tailored to engineers and designers interested in CFS. Peterman said the track reflects growing interest in what she sometimes refers to as “thin steel” — a term she and others in the academic community are reclaiming with pride.
“We’ve been using ‘thin’ as a way to rebrand,” Peterman said. “Ben Schafer loves to say, ‘thin to win,’ and I think we’ll keep using it.”
Blurring the Line Between Hot-Rolled and Cold-Formed Steel
The growing inclusion of CFS at a traditionally hot-rolled-focused event like NASCC is a sign of the times. According to Peterman, the line between hot-rolled and cold-formed steel is beginning to blur — both in practice and in the standards that govern them.
“The potential merging of the AISI S100 standard into AISC 360 shows how these categories are overlapping,” she explained. “Even fabrication is converging. I visited a jumbo HSS facility where they cold-formed large sections from massive coils — something that used to fall outside of traditional CFS.”
For the first time, NASCC 2025 featured a cold-formed steel (CFS) education track — six sessions organized by Dr. Kara Peterman, University of Massachusetts Amherst, for engineers interested in CFS. Photo: Marco Johnson
CFS Standards in Transition
After American Iron and Steel Institute wound down its role in managing CFS standards, those responsibilities shifted to groups such as the Steel Framing Industry Association (SFIA), the Steel Deck Institute and others. Peterman sees this as a promising evolution.
“We’re in a transitional stage, but the framing standards moving to SFIA makes a lot of sense,” she said. “SFIA is all about framing. Having the association also manage the standards is a positive development.”
Peterman previously chaired the AISI Test-Based Design Subcommittee and worked closely on maintaining experimental test standards — essential tools for validating innovative systems and performance-based design. She’s optimistic about SFIA’s stewardship moving forward.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what SFIA does with those test standards,” she said. “Experiments are how we prove new ideas, and that validation work is at the core of our field.”
AISI S100: The “Mothership” of CFS Standards
The latest edition of AISI S100 — the foundational standard for members and connections in CFS — has been published, thanks to a final push from SDI. It will remain active for the current code cycle, but its future lies within AISC 360.
“It’s in a little bit of stasis right now — still active and fully valid, but we’re no longer moving forward with new provisions,” Peterman explained. “Eventually, the content will be folded into AISC 360, and the AISI label may fade.”
Despite these changes, Peterman stressed that the integrity of the standard remains secure.
The 2025 NASCC: The Steel Conference, held in Louisville, Kentucky, targeted a hot-rolled steel audience, but also featured sessions on cold-formed steel (CFS) framing design. Photo courtesy of AISC
Research Impacting the Industry
Though much of Peterman’s recent research has focused on metal buildings rather than CFS framing directly, her work remains highly relevant to the SFIA and broader CFS community.
One of her current projects is a multi-year study on roof live loads for low-slope roofs. Funded by MBMA, SDI the National Roofing Contractors Association and others, the project is expected to influence updates to the roof live load provisions in ASCE 7.
“This project has been exciting because it’s on the load side, rather than the resistance side,” Peterman said. “It applies across materials — CFS, wood, everything. We looked at loads created during re-roofing, maintenance and inspections — lots of site visits, polling, and industry feedback. We’re close to making a recommendation.”
Peterman also noted ongoing work in seismic detailing for CFS steel diaphragm systems. One MBMA-funded project aims to expand the detailing requirements in AISI S400 — the seismic standard — for wall and roof panels, supported by full-scale experimental tests.
Exploring New Connection Technologies
Another interesting area of research is steel-to-steel adhesive connections. Backed by AISC, Peterman’s team is investigating the structural viability of glued steel connections, including limited tests on CFS members.
“Is it possible to glue two pieces of steel together in a way that’s viable structurally?” Peterman asked. “We’re exploring whether it makes sense for prefab, modular and panelized construction.”
While still in the early stages, the work could have significant implications for off-site construction methods.
Future Collaboration and Growth
Peterman sees an increasingly collaborative future between SFIA, AISC and other industry organizations as cold-formed steel gains momentum.
“There may be more overlap in people and goals going forward,” she said. “And that’s a good thing.”
With new educational opportunities, evolving standards, and forward-thinking research, the presence of CFS at NASCC is no longer a footnote — it’s a feature.