LG Top Track as distribution member
LG Top Track as distribution member
(OP)
I was looking at using a light gage top track to distribute loads to load bearing stud walls, which I have never even explored before. In looking at deep leg tracks (user defined as 600T400-68 and 600T600-68 in the programs that I have), you find out that those types of tracks have all kinds of capacity in positive moment (legs of track in tension), which is enough to distribute the loads to the studs if the track would be put in place as a number of individual segments.
On the other hand, the negative moment capacity of the track (with the legs of the track in compression) is like 1% of the capacity of the positive moment noted above. Is there any way to neglect this in the design of the top track, since the positive moment capacity is enough to distribute the load to the studs. Or since you have a negative moment overstress you have a failure, causing the legs of the track to distort, etc.
Has anybody ever explored this.
Thanks for any input.
On the other hand, the negative moment capacity of the track (with the legs of the track in compression) is like 1% of the capacity of the positive moment noted above. Is there any way to neglect this in the design of the top track, since the positive moment capacity is enough to distribute the load to the studs. Or since you have a negative moment overstress you have a failure, causing the legs of the track to distort, etc.
Has anybody ever explored this.
Thanks for any input.






RE: LG Top Track as distribution member
thread507-99013
thread507-77098
Also, I believe that some light gage manufacturers have an "L" or "U" shaped member that laps over the top cap to assist in this transfer. Go here to see an example:
http://w
click on the left side under "Load Distribution" and "TradeReady Header"
RE: LG Top Track as distribution member
I was trying to avoid a regular steel angle or tube at the top of the wall if I could, as a tube might be pretty expensive and the angle will affect how they apply the wall finishes.
RE: LG Top Track as distribution member
I would not ignore the negative moment in the track even if the positive works. That might cause too many finish problems.
RE: LG Top Track as distribution member
One thing to consider is that if you use a continuous track, and the negative moment resistance is small compared with the positive capacity (i.e. the neg. buckling kicks in early at low loads), then in effect the negative moment regions form a sort of pin and you are back to a simple span condition anyway.