What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
(OP)
I have a 2x6 stud, 10.5' high. When I run the numbers, it can take 5.56k when braced in the weak direction and 0.49k when NOT braced in the weak direction. Can drywall provide the necessary lateral support? If Not, how do they build 2 story houses with walls made of 1/2"dry wall, 2x4 studs, 1/2" rigid insulation, and vinyl siding. A braced 2x4 can carry 2.65k while a unbraced 2x4 can only carry 0.53k.





RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
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RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
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It can be instaled laterally as well.
Balloon framing isn't allowed anymore for multiple stories. It had one stud from top to bottom in a two story house. Now they frame a single story wall with double top plate, add joists and plywood fllor, then start the second story wall just like the first. This is to keep fire from spreading up the cavity that would be there if the walls used one stud from top to bottom.
If this application is required to meet code I suggest you seek a professional in your area. Otherwise there would be not harm in adding lateral blocks/bar for stiffness. But I don't know the whole story of what you have or are trying to do there so my comments may be mute.
Can sheetrock hold some force, yeah. But have you ever seen a nail walk it's way through sheetrock when loaded? I have. Finally, normal framing "studs" don't require special lateral bracing in my experience.
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Feeling frisky.........
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RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
I think you are confusing lateral bracing for Main Wind Force Resisting Systems with lateral bracing to reduce the slenderness ratio. My concern is that I see alot of 2 story houses going up where the lateral support for the studs is provided by 1/2" drywall on the interior and 1/2" rigid insulation and vinyl siding on the exterior. It would be hard to claim lateral support of the stud in the weak direction. Remember a braced 8' 2x4 in the weak direction can carry 2.6k axial load while an Unbraced can only carry 0.5k. Assume we have a typ. 28' wide house with roof trusses. An unbraced stud can only carry 0.5k/(1.33'*14')=.027ksf. 1.33' is the stud spacing and 14' is 1/2 the roof span. That will NOT even carry the roof load, not to mention the 2nd floor and wind loading. They must claim some lateral support. How much and How do they back it up?
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
Yes, the gyp-board (drywall) is assumed to provide weak axis bracing. With the standard 6/12 fastener schedule it is adequate. As far as the 2.6 kip or 5.56 kip number you provide; you need to check crushing in the plate, which is likely the control.
Also note, if the stud is over 10' blocking is required.
Rik
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
I think you are confused by looking at the pictures. My reply states that a wind brace could be mounted laterally.
Single story studs are 92 5/8" long. Two story studs are 92 5/8" long as well, they are stacked. There is no special lateral support needed for this type of construction (from my experience) and the other two people that responded agree to this. If yours are longer and you are worried, go ahead and install blocks or the wind brace(lateral not diagonal as the picture shows).
Local codes are different from place to place and to be sure a check with a local inspector is probably better for ya.
_______________________________________
Feeling frisky.........
www.tailofthedragon.com
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
In general I've assumed that the stud was sufficiently braced if it had drywall on one face. However in the field I've seen garages with load bearing walls braced by Built Rite on one face only. I'm not sure I would want to rely on Built Rite.
RE: What is considered lateral bracing for a wood stud.
I would not depend on drywall for bracing. Why not add blockings between studs and use plywood/osb sheathing?