SMI Steel Products, Ark., has signed an exclusive agreement with R.F. Stearns to drive the use of SMI's SmartBeam(R) product in multi-story structures throughout Alaska, Hawaii, Washington, Oregon and Northern California. Leveraging Stearns' design/build capabilities, this strategic alliance will help developers, contractors and architects to improve aesthetics, performance, scheduling and cost for steel frames within parking garages, industrial buildings, office buildings and other commercial structures.

SmartBeam employs a new manufacturing process involving an old technology, utilizing the enhanced efficiency of a castellated beam. A SmartBeam is produced from a standard wide-flange steel beam cut in a half-hexagon pattern longitudinally. The two halves are separated, staggered and welded together forming a hexagonal or cellular (round) opening in the beam. The resulting SmartBeam is 50% deeper, offering increased stiffness as well as a 35 to 50% weight reduction. The weight savings translate directly into cost savings, making SmartBeam a more attractive design choice.

The integration of SmartBeam technology, particularly in long-span and heavily loaded floor structures, reduces the steel material used, improving overall structure efficiency. The openings created in the castellation process allow mechanical and electrical systems to pass through, providing for lower floor-to-floor heights than conventional steel or concrete systems. Recent advances in protective steel coatings provide longevity equal to or surpassing concrete. In addition, SmartBeam's benefits in accelerated schedules, cost, and design advantages make it an excellent alternative to other structural systems.

"Our strategic relationship with Stearns ensures that our customers will maximize the significant structural efficiencies of SmartBeam," stated Billy Milligan, Vice President of SMI. "Over the last eight years, Stearns has developed a unique design/build expertise using SmartBeam in many diverse applications to reduce floor heights, decrease the weight of steel structures, and improved the integration of mechanical systems."

"As a leading design/build contractor, Stearns goal is to provide our clients with the best combination of structural components assembled in the most efficient manner. SmartBeam is often the centerpiece for the efficiencies we achieve," stated Steve Miller, President of Stearns. "We understand how to implement SmartBeam technology to solve customers' problems and provide competitive, structural solutions."

SMI Steel Products, the only manufacturer of cellular beams in the Americas, is the exclusive supplier of SmartBeam, the intelligent alternative long-span floor framing system. SMI Steel Products is a division of Commercial Metals Co., based in Irving, Texas. Commercial Metals Co. and its subsidiaries manufacture, recycle and market steel, metal products and related materials through a network of over 120 locations worldwide. Commercial Metals Co. is one of the largest recyclers of steel in the country. Capitalizing on the internal vertical integration of CMC, SMI Steel Products utilizes 100% recycled steel in their products. SmartBeam is a registered trademark of SMI Steel Products.

R.F. Stearns, Inc. is a leading design/build general contractor of steel, providing services that bridge the art of design and the mechanics of steel construction. Stearns' design/build capabilities provide comprehensive accountability for every facet of steel construction, including conceptual design, estimating, structural detailing, fabrication and steel erection. The company serves clients throughout the U.S. from its headquarters in West Linn, Ore., and its office in Honolulu, Hawaii.