×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

(OP)
Should the general contractor be asking us whether they should be using deflection slip track for the steel studs that go up to bottom of roof deck?

The contractor IS quite competent and also over 50% of our income for the past 3 decades; therefore, we often do appease their desires, requests, questions and so on...

I DID provide the total potential live/snow load as 1.8" for the center of 54' span for the OWS Joists.

I avoided giving a definite answer, rather, along with providing the potential deflection, i recommended slip track throughout, at all walls, not just those nearest the center.

Is it our responsibility to specify such components, being aware of the potential need? I think "Yes".

Opinions? Suggestions?

Thank you!

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

Of course they should if the steel studs are non-load bearing.

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

can't the joist manufacturer camber the joist so deflection won't be a problem? We don't specify them but we do limit our total deflection to 1/2"

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

As far as I've seen, use of deflection tracks on all non-load bearing metal stud walls is standard practice for partition wall framing. I typically see this on an architectural sheet (e.g. Gypsum Board Partition Types).

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

I would specify it. If the wall is tall, make sure you check the track leg for bending and the connection to the roof deck for moment.

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

Deflection tracks are standard for non-load bearing interior walls. Thickness and depth may vary depending on lateral load to be resisted. For large lateral loads (such as on exterior non-load bearing walls), sometimes deflection tracks may not work and slotted clip angles may be required.

Whoever the CFS designer is, he should specify the size, thickness and depth of deflection tracks or adequate slotted clip angles. Do you have a CFS spec which calls for the GC to hire a qualified designer?

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

BSVBD,
I am not sure exactly what you are asking. Are you asking if the construction documents should specify a particular deflection track or head of wall assembly? Or, are you asking if the contract documents should specify the amount of deflection the head of wall assembly needs to accommodate?

At a minimum, the amount of deflection expected should be specified. Beyond that, it depends on contract and specification. On some jobs (OSHPD), we provide a complete set of details for the partitions including the head of wall on the structural drawings. Often times, some typical details are on the architectural drawings with the head of wall deflection specified. Sometimes (more for exterior cladding) an L/xxx not to exceed x" deflection requirements is included in the specification rather than being detailed on the drawings (more common with our exterior cladding and exterior framing specs than in the non-bearing framing spec). If you want to push it off to the contractor, I guess you could clearly note on the construction documents that the bar joist deflection (deferred submittal) needs to be coordinated with the head of wall assembly; but whose going to check to make sure the contractor does it.

1.8" is bigger than most architects and contractors like. A slotted track might be hard to find, so another type of head of wall detail may be needed. Finding an assembly for a rated wall can be even more challenging. Often times, we stiffen the framing to limit the live and snow load deflection to 3/4". But, I've still had architects complain about +/- 3/4"(1 1/2" total).

PS cambering doesn't help with live load or snow load deflection at the head of wall.

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

If you are doing delegated engineering work for the contractor, you should specify the track you expect. Don't wait for the contractor to ask the question. Slotted track should certainly be used if you anticipate deflection.

RE: Cold-Fromed Steel Stud Slip Track

Assuming you're the building EOR this sounds like they're either winging it on the CFS or they weren't required to get it engineered and are assuming you (or probably more accurately the architect) are showing everything that needs to be provided. Which is usually a bad assumption if the architect is the one showing the CFS.

Short answer is probably. Long answer is they need to ask whoever designed the CFS. If that's a specialty designer like Clark Dietrich then ask them, though they're usually good about showing everything they need to begin with. If it's the architect, then ask them (and they'll probably turn right back around and ask you). If it's you, then you need to tell them what you want.

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources