Wall of Windows (Part II)
Wall of Windows (Part II)
(OP)
The previous thread on window walls has been closed so I've had to create a new thread to continue this discussion.
Apparently, these type of tall walls full of windows is the norm around here and not the exception (Ocean Shores Washington, beach homes). My most recent project involves a tall wall with windows as shown below:

I immediately went with a 2x8 stud wall due to the height and figured PSL columns in the wall should be the solution. After running the numbers I tentatively arrived at a 5-1/4"x7" PSL column for P4. The column in question, and the most critical column, is between both columns of windows and is approximately 22' tall. As far as strength I am good (40% in bending and 41% combined bending/axial), my concern is regarding the deflection at this column (midspan). According to my calculations using Forte I get a deflection of L/192 or approximately 1.38" at midspan. Typically I don't like to see a deflection over 0.5" (my hard deflection limit) but maybe this limit is unrealistic given the parameters and height of this wall.
Per the IBC/IRC deflection limits I should be okay (L/180 for gypsum walls) but a wall flexing in and out more than an inch seems highly problematic to me. I really don't want to go to a 2x10 stud wall but that may be my only option as I've pretty much reached the upper limit of wood performance with the PSL columns.
Has anyone integrated tried integrating steel columns into these type of walls?
Does anyone have any good resources on tall wall design and other tricks of the trade related to tall columns in walls that are controlled by deflections?
Apparently, these type of tall walls full of windows is the norm around here and not the exception (Ocean Shores Washington, beach homes). My most recent project involves a tall wall with windows as shown below:

I immediately went with a 2x8 stud wall due to the height and figured PSL columns in the wall should be the solution. After running the numbers I tentatively arrived at a 5-1/4"x7" PSL column for P4. The column in question, and the most critical column, is between both columns of windows and is approximately 22' tall. As far as strength I am good (40% in bending and 41% combined bending/axial), my concern is regarding the deflection at this column (midspan). According to my calculations using Forte I get a deflection of L/192 or approximately 1.38" at midspan. Typically I don't like to see a deflection over 0.5" (my hard deflection limit) but maybe this limit is unrealistic given the parameters and height of this wall.
Per the IBC/IRC deflection limits I should be okay (L/180 for gypsum walls) but a wall flexing in and out more than an inch seems highly problematic to me. I really don't want to go to a 2x10 stud wall but that may be my only option as I've pretty much reached the upper limit of wood performance with the PSL columns.
Has anyone integrated tried integrating steel columns into these type of walls?
Does anyone have any good resources on tall wall design and other tricks of the trade related to tall columns in walls that are controlled by deflections?
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com






RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I have used tube steel or flitch plates in these before and it worked out nicely. I went to 2x10's on a recent one as it peaked at 29'
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I am not sure your spacing for your 2x8 studs, however, if at 16" o/c, this could be reduced to 12" o/c, or I have also used 2 ply studs @ 16" o/c or 2 ply studs @ 12" o/c.
While I have used steel columns in the past, I am hesitant to do this unless you can get sufficient insulation all around the column. A cold column within a wall space can end up with large amounts of condensation within the wall cavity.
I would try to limit my deflection to a maximum of 1", I have done this in the past. Double studs may very well help in this matter. Consider deflection criteria for interior finishes (drywall, etc..), but also keep in mind that exterior finishes also can have some more stringent deflection criteria (i.e. brick, or in some cases, one of the more popular exterior stucco/insulation systems requires l/600).
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
It's a shame that there isn't a simple way to get flexural continuity across your horizontal members. The L/180 limit doesn't bother me much so long as all of the posts are travelling in the same direction at the same time with little differential movement.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I have run into tall column issues before and being in the upper Midwest, thermal transfer is always a concern. Usually we can take it by increasing column size, but I just had this thought pop into my head. Maybe it would be worth exploring. The steel wouldn't help as much for outward pressures, but those are "usually" significantly lower than inward forces. The wood "blocking" would be designed to take outward pressures and would be trimmed down an amount to allow the steel to be recessed into the wall system a small amount.
Thoughts on this "idea"?
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
Does IRC specify L/600 for brick w/ wood stud backup? This is common for metal stud backup, but wood is typically L/240 min as I recall (brittle finish). I don't think any of the stud-height tables in the IRC would actually work if it was L/600.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
Code in Canada (Ontario) calls for l/180 for drywall and exterior finishes not susceptible to cracking, and l/360 for brick/stone veneer on wood studs.
However, beyond Code, there are exterior stucco systems that specifically call for l/600 deflection limits in their product literature.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
That is getting downloaded into the vault. There are always times to use something like that.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
http://www.structuremag.org/wp-content/uploads/201...
My understanding is that it's L/600 for CFS only - the wood guys made it that way to keep their competitor down
When I am working on a problem, I never think about beauty but when I have finished, if the solution is not beautiful, I know it is wrong.
-R. Buckminster Fuller
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
Why would you be uncomfortable using the wood blocking to brace the stem?
If you were to enact a bit of the sheathing through nails into adjacent studs and into the blocking I don't see why it can't provide the necessary bracing force. At least to account for some lower unbraced length.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I could always go to a 7"x7" PSL.
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
Hmm, according to ASCE 7, the C&C external pressure coefficients are larger for outward loads than inward loads.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
I'm not sure if its worth it but the L/256 does look a lot better.
My real concern (valid or not) is the differential deflection between the columns. Due to the nature of the geometry of the V-shaped wall the center columns (P3) will be lateral braced against each other and their deflection will probably be quite a bit less than 0.5 inches even though my initial calcs showed them deflecting 1.16" (unbraced from each other), the P5 columns also came in at about 0.56" of deflection due to a lower column height and smaller trib. area. With the other columns on each sides of the windows only deflecting about 1/2 and inch and the column between the windows potentially deflecting a full inch how does the whole wall hang together and will the windows break or pop out?
Hence the strapping at the headers.
My thinking is that the whole wall will act like a large web to some extent and header straps will load up in tension with a large lateral wind load, which will help distribute the load and deflection into the stiffer columns from P4. I'm not sure if one can quantify this "web" action and if it really makes much difference to the overall differential deflections among the columns.
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
This is probably KootK paranoia showing but I worry that, under some oblique wind angle gusting, you might actually get one post moving inwards and its neighbor moving outwards. If that came to pass, it would be the worst case scenario by far.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
The wall will go from flat (180 deg.) to 177.6 deg kink at the P4 column, will the drywall crease at this line?
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com
RE: Wall of Windows (Part II)
A confused student is a good student.
Nathaniel P. Wilkerson, PE
www.medeek.com