Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
(OP)
I am doing residential framing design in the Austin, Texas area. I have a client who would like to build stud walls with utility grade lumber at the top plate. He has pointed out to me that several engineers in my area allow this. I have tried to verify that this is acceptable with an engineering calculation, but have not been able to prove that it works, especially since I assume one of the plates is spliced. I also have not been able to find a code reference that requires the plates to be #2.
Does anyone here allow top plates in stud walls to be built with #3 or utility grade lumber?
Thanks.
Does anyone here allow top plates in stud walls to be built with #3 or utility grade lumber?
Thanks.






RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
If you're designing a taller building, shrinkage and moisture content would become a concern in the horizontally oriented plates.
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
The primary concern I have is weak axis bending of the plate between the supporting studs.
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
A lower grade of material just worsens the problem, to the extent that there is one.
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: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
Contrary to my typical tendency and practice over being allegedly "over" conservative, I have never considered the splice location(s). As Koot stated, nothing "seems" to go awry in practice. I suppose that the splice may "survive" our concern by becoming a naturally transformed participant of a successful 8" diaphragmatic cantilever. My explanation is a stretch, but, in my opinion, there is often the occurrence of a mysterious, inconclusive, successful load-path that I am often content to accept.
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
How nice of a house is it? The sheetrocker that has to attach sheetrock to that top plate, so when you get large regions of bark or 'rounded edges' it will make the top of the wall wavy.
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
RE: Wood Framing - Top Plate Material
One last detail: The contractor is asking for forgiveness, not permission. They've already built several houses with #3 plates and got called out by a city inspector.