Existing 2x Sill Plate
Existing 2x Sill Plate
(OP)
According to California Building Code 2001, the shear load exceeding 350 plf (600 plf if anchor bolts are half stressed), the sill plate must be 3x.
What if the existing part of building only has 2x sill plate, and the building and safety does not accept stacking an extra 2x plate/block on top of existing 2x sill plate at every bay between studs as a solution. How would you resolve this issue without tearing down or cut the existing studs?
Thanks,
Alex
What if the existing part of building only has 2x sill plate, and the building and safety does not accept stacking an extra 2x plate/block on top of existing 2x sill plate at every bay between studs as a solution. How would you resolve this issue without tearing down or cut the existing studs?
Thanks,
Alex






RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
If you have to upgrade the sill plate, you'll have to shore up the wall, cut the studs and move them out of the way to change plates. Then you'll have to toenail the studs, which reduces the shear transfer. Also, it will be hard to get a clean cut on those studs. You will probably end up with gaps between some studs and the sill plate.
I recommend working with the building official more closely.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
The very best solution would be to reframe the wall, but that may also be the least practical.
I'd try the block idea again and throw in an A35 at each stud if you have to. They should buy that.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
Thanks for the reply. But I happened to run into a building official that doesn't buy the blocking idea. I guess there's just no way around this besides cutting the studs.
Thanks,
Alex Lu, M.S., P.E.
http://www.geocities.com/alexlu713/
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
Thanks,
Alex Lu, M.S., P.E.
http://www.geocities.com/alexlu713/
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
Framing at
http://www.apawood.org/level_c.cfm?content=pub_tch_libmain
APA recommends getting rid of the requirement for single 3x lumber and allowing double 2x.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
This is very helpfull.
Thanks,
Alex Lu, M.S., P.E.
http://www.geocities.com/alexlu713/
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
Ever wish these charts were based on real life construction practice????
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
I suggest requesting a meeting with
-Disagreeable plan/code checker
-Their supervisor (which can even be an elected official)
-The building owner
-And yourself
To discuss the validity of your engineering approach and the section of the building code which gives the building official the authority with which to accept alternate analysis.
The purpose of the code is to protect public safety, not cause undue hardship or expense to building owners.
State the above, in a letter, along with your calculations and references, and they will probably accept it and never having to have the meeting. Sometimes the building official just needs to be shown how to accept good engineering.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
If I am not mistaken, the code allow for alternate review. It does nbot say the building officials must accept it.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
By the way, I have used double plates nailed together without a problem on 2x6 walls. You just have to make sure the framer doesn't just nail into one plate.
RE: Existing 2x Sill Plate
http://www.allendesigns.com/SWPanelJoint.htm
You may want to also address your question to their forum.
By the way what other forums are "out there" that are similar to the seaint and Eng-tips?