Since 1992, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has sponsored numerous successful studies to identify, evaluate, and implement innovative structural materials, such as cold-formed steel, in the residential market. For example, a comprehensive set of prescriptive construction guidelines was developed for residential cold-formed steel [1]. Similar to wood-framing, these guidelines are now accepted in current U.S. building codes [2]. However, the use of steel framing is still very limited, partly because steel is not being effectively "integrated" into conventional home construction. Cold-formed steel framing (CFS) is particularly suitable for residential floor systems, because thermal issues are minimal and most floors are currently constructed of more expensive, older growth lumber to meet the loading requirements. Therefore, it is appropriate to focus attention on improving the cost-effective use of steel in one of its most promising applications ¾ residential floors.