Cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel connector and system

Abstract

A cross-laminated timber (CLT) and cold formed steel (CFS) connector and system is provided. The CLT and CFS connector comprises a track, at least one fastener, and at least one spring. The track is configured to connect to at least one CFS stud. The at least one fastener includes a head and shaft. The at least one fastener is configured to connect the track to a CLT panel. The at least one spring is configured to receive the shaft of the fastener and compress between the head of the fastener and the track. Methods of installing the CLT and CFS connector and system are also provided.

1 . A cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system comprising:
 a cross-laminated timber panel;   at least one cold formed steel stud;   a track configured to connect to the at least one cold formed steel stud;   at least one fastener including a head and a shaft, the at least one fastener configured to connect the track to the cross-laminated timber panel; and,   at least one spring configured to receive the shaft and compress between the head and the track.   
     
     
         2 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 1  wherein the track is made from cold formed steel. 
     
     
         3 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 1  wherein the track is U-shaped. 
     
     
         4 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 1  further comprising a spacer configured to nest within the cross-laminated timber panel. 
     
     
         5 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 4  wherein the spacer is made from steel. 
     
     
         6 . The cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 4  wherein the spacer is made from precast concrete. 
     
     
         7 . A cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 1  further including:
 at least one second cold formed steel stud; 
 a second track configured to connect to the at least one second cold formed steel stud; and, 
 at least one second fastener configured to connect the second track to a second side of the cross-laminated timber panel. 
 
     
     
         8 . A building structure comprising:
 a plurality of cross-laminated timber panel floors;   a plurality of panelized walls including a plurality of cold formed steel studs;   a plurality of tracks configured to connect the cold formed steel studs to the cross-laminated timber panel floors; and,   a plurality of spring assemblies configured to connect the plurality of tracks to the cross-laminated timber panel floors, each spring assembly of the plurality of spring assemblies including a fastener having a shaft and a head and a spring configured to receive the shaft of the fastener and compress between the head of the fastener and a track of the plurality of tracks.   
     
     
         9 . The building structure of  claim 8  wherein each track of the plurality of tracks is made from cold formed steel. 
     
     
         10 . The building structure of  claim 8  wherein each track of the plurality of tracks is U-shaped. 
     
     
         11 . The building structure of  claim 8  further comprising a plurality of spacers configured to nest within the cross-laminated timber panel under the plurality of cold formed steel studs. 
     
     
         12 . The building structure of  claim 11  wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers is made from steel. 
     
     
         13 . The building structure of  claim 11  wherein each spacer of the plurality of spacers is made from precast concrete. 
     
     
         14 . A method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system comprising:
 positioning a track on a first side of a cross-laminated timber panel;   attaching a first side of the track to the cross-laminated timber panel with a fastener and a spring assembly, the fastener including a head and a shaft, the shaft extending through the spring and the spring positioned between the head and the track; and,   connecting a cold formed steel stud to a second side of the track.   
     
     
         15 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 14  further comprising attaching a second track to a second side of the cross-laminated timber panel. 
     
     
         16 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 15  further comprising attaching the second track to a second cold form steel stud. 
     
     
         17 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 14  further comprising inserting a spacer into the cross-laminated timber panel. 
     
     
         18 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 17  further comprising connecting the spacer to the track. 
     
     
         19 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 17  wherein the spacer is made from at least one of steel and precast concrete. 
     
     
         20 . The method of installing a cross-laminated timber and cold formed steel system of  claim 17  wherein the spacer is installed at the location of the cold formed steel stud.