Why Choose
Durafuse Frames
More Resilient
More Economical
Save money by reducing total steel weight, eliminating the need for beam bracing, simplifying fabrication, and simplifying erection.
“The Durafuse Team has been incredibly helpful from the beginning of the design process all the way through construction. They have jumped right in at the start of multiple projects, helping us present a more resilient and efficient moment frame system to the various stakeholders, and were always available for questions during design and construction. Their service has been amazing and they have been a joy to work with. I look forward to working on many more projects with them in the future.”
More Resilient
Damage Zones
All prequalified seismic frames have zones that are expected to be damaged during a severe earthquake. This is no secret, and the code requires these zones to be marked. Other connections are required to mark the beams because they have been designated to be sacrificed. This makes them difficult or impossible to repair after an earthquake. With DuraFuse Frames, the patented fuse plate prevents damage in the beams and columns.

Proven Resilience
Steel connections are tested in the laboratory before getting building code approval. From testing, you can see the beam damage that occurs with other connections. With DuraFuse Frames, the patented fuse plate prevents beam damage, making buildings more resilient.
More Economical
Less Weight.
DuraFuse Frames put the steel weight where it helps the most. Rather than using bulky inefficient connections, DuraFuse Frames optimizes connections to put plate where it is needed, and optimizes beam and column sizes to obtain a lower overall total weight (beams, columns, and connections).
DuraFuse Frames have similar or lower overall steel weight (beams, columns, and connections) than other brace-free steel frames. Case studies in a peer-reviewed article in the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) Journal of Structural Engineering, showed that DuraFuse Frames were 2.7 to 15.5% lighter than a competitor that advertises its stiffness.
Less Bracing.
Less Fabrication.
Plates are fillet welded to the column in the shop, and beams are bolted in the field.
– Bill Andrews, Buehler
Expert Approved

American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC)

California Office of Statewide Health and Planning Development (OSHPD)

Building Codes (IBC, CBC, LABC)
Code compliance for DuraFuse Frames is established through IAPMO Uniform Evaluation Services (UES) report number 610. DuraFuse Frames comply with the International Building Code (UBC), the California Building Code (CBC), and the Los Angeles Building Code (LABC).

American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE)
– Jerod Johnson, Reaveley Engineers