Light gauge framing
Light gauge framing
(OP)
How do other engineers out there deal with light gauge framing? Do you design and detail everything or do you consider it a specialty item and require the GC to provide stamped shop drawings and calculations. I would like to start treating all light gauge as specialty items. On load bearing projects I would call out the depth and spacing of the stud but still require shop drawings and calculations for the GC. For shearwalls I would show the design force at top of each wall.
Any comments would be appreciated!
J
Any comments would be appreciated!
J






RE: Light gauge framing
RE: Light gauge framing
RE: Light gauge framing
Note what fasteners (or anything for that matter) are and are not acceptable, if any. Note deflection requirements and locations where slip connections are necessary.
In general, try to check things first to be sure you aren't asking someone to do something unreasonable. If a column or beam would need to be 6x6x3/8 if it were HSS, don't ask the cold-formed guy to build it with 6-inch studs. These things can be done but they are very hard to do when a little thought from the SEOR in the beginning would solve the problem. If you have walls with wide or tall openings and you limit the fastener embedment to 3/4-inch because of post-tensioning, the specialty engineer may have big problems getting adequate connections. It would be a benefit to the client to anticipate issues and provide for them as best you can without exceeding your scope.
Show at least an outline on your plans so that the specialty engineer can understand your intent and where support have been designed for the CFS loads.
There are other things that could be listed but I think you get the point.
RE: Light gauge framing
I do not call out partition wall framing. The Architect can do that.
Mike McCann
McCann Engineering
RE: Light gauge framing
But it is also very common to have the engineering done by the cold formed subcontractor's engineer. However, in this case, like UcfSE said, at least make sure everything works conceptually. For example, if you have a window opening that is over 10' wide, and there is brick above the opening, it might make more sense to use a hot rolled tube across the window head and at each jamb.
DaveAtkins
RE: Light gauge framing
The only thing I don't do is light gage trusses. I provide a performance spec, design loads, etc. for those and require shop drawings and calcs.
I'm in the same camp as Mike when it comes to interior partition walls - the Architect can handle that.
RE: Light gauge framing
Thanks for the comments!!!
RE: Light gauge framing
I have great concerns about CFS and durability though. My experience has been primarily with wind loads and exterior walls in high rise construction. I've been watching four and five storey buildings going up were the CFS carries hollow core slab plus gravity loads, and the lateral loads. Some of these buildings are open for up to 5 months before walls or roofs go on with water pouring through the whole building. I've walked into buildings were the bottom tracks are full of water. Every screw penetration, every cut is ungalavanized. Not a very redundant system in my mind. Having trouble getting my head around this issue.
RE: Light gauge framing