WHAT'S NEW


NEW PUBLICATION: The Design-Builder’s Guide to Design Management

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) is pleased to announce the publication of the latest update to an existing resource on managing the design phase of design-build projects, the Design-Builder’s Guide to Design Management, which provides targeted guidance for a critical role in the process—the design integration manager. Read more


RESEARCH GRANT AWARD: RGA #03-23 - Behavior of Modular Steel Plate Floor Assemblies (FastFloor Phase 2)

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) along with several Industry Partners is pleased to announce the award of a new research grant to continue investigation of a new, modular steel floor framing and diaphragm system for commercial building structures with broad applicability, including high seismic zones. The proposed system 'FastFloor' has key benefits of increasing the speed of construction, including eliminating the pouring of a concrete deck. This type of system is key to achieving the goals of the AISC Need for Speed initiative to reduce the time from conception to occupancy for steel building structures. Our Industry Partners are: Read more


NEW RESEARCH REPORT: RGA #01-20 Improving the Safety of Rebar Cages by Using Innovative Connectors

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) in partnership with the American Society of Civil Engineers, the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute Foundation, PJ's Rebar, Nucor, Parsons Corporation, Kiewit, Keller, Siefert Associates, Williams Form Engineering, and the ASDC - International Association of Foundation Drilling, are pleased to announce the new research report, Application of U-bolt Connector for Improving the Safety of Rebar Cages, is available for free download along with several associated products. These products complete CPF Research Grant Agreement #01-20. Read more



REPORT ANNOUNCEMENT: RGA #06-22, Live Load Research

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF), in partnership with Magnusson Klemencic Associates, Portland Cement Association Education Foundation, and the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) 7-22 Subcommittee on Dead and Live Loads, are pleased to announce the publication of the new research report, Assembly Live Load Consistency for Buildings: Gateway to Reducing Embedded Energy, which is available for free download. Read more


RESEARCH GRANT AWARD: RGA #02-23 - FEMA P695 Study on Post-tensioned Mass Timber Rocking Wall Lateral Systems

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) is pleased to announce the award of a new research grant for a FEMA P695 study on post-tensioned mass timber rocking wall lateral systems. Collectively led by a group of academic and industry experts, the research project will focus on mass timber construction which is gaining great interest in recent years from the architecture, engineering, and construction (AEC) industry. While a number of mass timber building have been built, most of them locate in low-seismic regions with non-wood lateral systems such as concrete core or steel braced frame. Mass timber rocking wall lateral system have been studied quite extensively and the knowledge and R&D deliverables have been accumulated to a point that this new system can be codified into ASCE7. This project will conduct a FEMA P695 study to determine seismic design parameters for this new mass timber lateral system for ASCE7 adoption. A project duration of two years is expected in order to target the ASCE7-28 development cycle. This project represents an essential step to codify the first resilient wood-based lateral system in the U.S. and aligns very well with the vision of Charles Pankow Foundation: To provide the AEC industry with a better way to design and build. Read more


INNOVATIVE TOOL FOR OWNERS! Owner Typology Assessment and Project Delivery Method Considerations

The Charles Pankow Foundation (CPF) in partnership with the American Institute of Architects and the Integrated Project Delivery Alliance, are pleased to announce a new tool, the Building Owner Assessment Tool (BOAT): Helping You Understand Your Culture and Its Project Delivery Ramifications, and research report, Owner Typology Assessment and Project Delivery Method Considerations, are available for free download and usage. Read more



RESEARCH GRANT AWARD: RGA #01-23 Thermal Performance of Spandrel Assemblies in Glazing Systems, Phase 2

The current state of practice for evaluating spandrel assembly thermal performance is lacking, and analytical approaches are inconsistent. Building codes and standards are also inadequate, leading to variable design execution on projects. While energy codes have become more stringent, spandrel assembly technologies have largely remained the same. There is a need for improved design guidelines, to bring consistency to calculation methods, to identify opportunities to improve materials, details, and systems, and inform future code provisions. This is Phase 2 of a four-phase research program to produce a Design Guidance Document. This Phase 2 scope will engage in an iterative approach of testing and modeling to develop a validated thermal simulation procedure. The Engineering Team developed a detailed plan in collaboration with Oak Ridge National Labortaory and Birch Point Consulting that includes testing and modeling of six common spandrel system types (test articles), each with up to three variations for a total of 18 variants (tests). This research is conducted by the team of RDH Building Science, Inc. (RDH), Simpson Gumpertz & Heger (SGH), and Morrison Hershfield (MH). Read more