SidePlate Systems, Inc has joined forces with Hardy Frames, Inc., makers of the Hardy Frame® Panel and Brace Frame, to introduce standardized Moment Frames for residential and light commercial buildings. The new Hardy Frame® Moment Frame is the only pre-approved, pre-engineered and pre-fabricated Moment Frame system available. Our product is a cost-effective, state-of-the-art, Special Moment Frame (SMF) for one and two story applications that allows buildings to be designed with larger openings and less wall area required for lateral load resistance while exceeding the most stringent building code requirements. Additionally, the Hardy Frame® Moment Frame uses a pinned-base connection resulting in reduced foundation requirements and costs. For immediate installation and to facilitate framing, these Frames arrive at the jobsite fully assembled with wood nailers attached to all column flanges and to the top & bottom of the header.

Unlike other moment connection types which must depend on the use of wide flange ‘H’ shapes for the connecting beam, the Hardy Frame® Moment Frame is uniquely configured with SidePlate’s patented use of HSS tube steel beams. Because of the torsional stiffness and strength of HSS sections, lateral buckling of the beam flanges is avoided. As a result, this minimizes, if not eliminates altogether, costly and troublesome lateral bracing typically required by code to satisfy SMF design requirements. Such requirements apply to all other moment connection types, including the RBS (dog bone) connection. For more information or to download a Hardy Frame® Moment Frame catalog, installation details, code reports or calculations, go to www.hardyframe.com. To speak with a representative please call Hardy Frames, Inc. at (800) 754-3030.