A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

A Z-shaped attachment element for use in building construction is disclosed. The Z-shaped attachment element is made from a single piece of sheet metal that is first cut and then bent to form the Z-shaped cross-sectional profile. The Z-shaped attachment element comprises: an elongated upper flange; an elongated lower flange, wherein the upper and lower flanges are spaced apart and substantially parallel to each other; an elongated middle web section between, and connected to, the upper and lower flanges along respective upper and lower lengthwise bends (wherein the middle web section is diagonal in relation to the position of the upper and lower flanges, thereby defining a generally Z-shaped cross-sectional profile); and a plurality of notches formed along the lower lengthwise bend and into the lower flange and the adjoining middle web section, but not into the upper bend or the upper flange, of the Z-shaped sheet metal attachment element.

A wall assembly includes tracks structured to be coupled to supports and wall studs coupled to the tracks. The wall studs include a first sidewall, a first web coupled to the first sidewall and a second sidewall coupled to the first web to define a first channel. The wall studs further include a second web coupled to the second sidewall and a third sidewall coupled to the second web to define a second channel as well as a third web coupled to the third sidewall and a fourth sidewall coupled to the third web to define a third channel. The second web is offset from the first web and the third web to isolate each of the channels and attenuate sound waves. Further, the studs may include one or more openings for further isolation and to reduce the amount of steel in the studs, which reduces cost.

A composite wall assembly has an auxiliary wall and an inner wall. The auxiliary wall has a hollow space and a first supporting pillar having multiple first through holes. The inner wall is attached to the auxiliary wall and forms a depositing space. The inner wall has a first wall member, a second wall member, and a second supporting pillar having multiple second through holes. The depositing space is formed between the first wall member and the second wall member. The auxiliary wall provides a cushion effect and is not damaged easily in the earthquake for protecting the pipelines in the hollow space. The interior ambient temperature of the building is lowered by the hollow space of the auxiliary wall.

An improved steel stud wall panel which includes a diagonal member able to be placed under tension during installation. The diagonal tension imparts rigidity to the wall panel, preventing warp.

An elongate component for placement in a wall gap and a wall incorporating such a component. The component includes a wall-face leg configured to extend along a face of a wallboard and a wall-end leg configured to extend along an end of the wallboard. The wall-end leg is oriented perpendicular to the wall-face leg. The component further includes a flexible gap portion configured to be positioned within and extend along the wall gap. The gap portion is located on an opposite side of the wall-end leg relative to the wall-face leg. A blocking element is located in a space defined by the wall-end leg and the gap portion. The blocking element is configured to block fire and/or sound within the wall gap. At least a portion of the flexible gap portion is located on an exterior side of the blocking element.

A framing assembly is disclosed including an acoustic framing arrangement and a plurality of tracks. The acoustic framing arrangement interconnects a top track with a bottom track. The acoustic framing arrangement includes a pair of studs positioned in back-to-back configuration and mechanically joined using a connector. The connector includes a vertical portion that extends between the pair of studs and a base portion that connects to the tracks. When assembled, the acoustic framing arrangement creates space between the pair of studs and positions the studs in an offset configuration to improve wall stud acoustic performance.

A multi-component fire-resistant (FR) assembly for use in various forms of construction. The FR assembly attains 30 minutes, 1-hour, 2-hour, or 3-hour fire resistance from either side (in accordance with ASTM E119 criteria), and does not require any added FR panels or sheathing. The FR assembly comprises an interior layer, a plurality of supporting studs, an exterior layer, a weather-resistant barrier (WRB) layer, and, in some embodiments, an outer layer. The placement of the studs creates a cavity or cavities between the interior layer and the exterior layer, which may be filled with an insulating or similar material.

An elongate component for placement in a wall gap and a wall incorporating such a component. The component includes a wall-face leg configured to extend along a face of a wallboard and a wall-end leg configured to extend along an end of the wallboard. The wall-end leg is oriented perpendicular to the wall-face leg. The component further includes a flexible gap portion configured to be positioned within and extend along the wall gap. The gap portion is located on an opposite side of the wall-end leg relative to the wall-face leg. A blocking element is located in a space defined by the wall-end leg and the gap portion. The blocking element is configured to block fire and/or sound within the wall gap. At least a portion of the flexible gap portion is located on an exterior side of the blocking element.

An acoustic damping structural system includes studs, tracks, and acoustic damping members. The studs and tracks include a first wall, a second wall, and a third wall that define a channel. The third wall includes a first portion perpendicular to the first wall, a second portion perpendicular to the first portion, and a third portion perpendicular to the second portion to define a ledge along a length of the third wall. The tracks are coupled to a support, such as floor joists and roof beams, in parallel. Opposite ends of the studs are received in the channels of the tracks, with the acoustic damping members received on and coupled to the ledges of pairs of the studs and pairs of the tracks. The acoustic damping members are planar with the ledges and the studs and tracks, respectively.