Steel Stud Box Header

[SteveGregory]

I would assume that the 2 Cee vertical members resist all of the gravity loads. Do the 2 track members (horizontal) resist all odf the lateral wind loads?

 

[DaveAtkins]

Yes, that is how I design a box header.

DaveAtkins

 

[lkjh345]

Yes. Per SSMA ( Steel Stud Manufacturer's Association) Product Technical Information publication, allowable header uniform loads are simply based on twice the value of single members. P. 37 of July 2001 edition.

 

[CFSEng]

Typically the answer is yes, but if you have large windows with small cripple studs (unbalanced lateral loads) and Deep Cees used to make the box, it could be an interesting discussion of load flow from the bottom track through the Cees to the top track.

 

[DaveAtkins]

CFSEng,

In the case you describe, I would design the lower track on the box header for all of the window lateral load.

DaveAtkins

 

[UcfSE]

If you get in trouble with large loads on one of the tracks, you can design the header for composite action and probably make it work, if putting all the load on one track turns out to be unreasonalbe. Otherwise, I usually design as described above.

 

[ron9876]

I agree with DaveAtkins. Bottom track resists window lateral and upper track resists cripple load. If not how would you transfer lateral load across vertical studs that are hinged at both tracks?