stud wall sheathing and wall stud mid-height blocking

[johndeng]

I feel stud wall sheathing and mid-height blocking between wall studs are bracing stud at the same direction, except sheathing is full bracing l/d = 0, while mid-height blocking cut l/d to half. But we always use both together. Do we really need mid-height blocking if we have full sheathing?
The bracing to studs l/d of the other direction can never be reduced, but usually it's the strong axis.

 

[msquared48]

Mid height blocking has two required applications:

1. Where the plywood or gypsum shear panels are laid long dimentsion horizontal and the edges must be blocked to attain the required shear strength, and
2. Fire blocking.

It is possible that no intermediate blocking is required if neither 1 or 2 are present.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

http://mmcengineering.tripod.com

 

[ToadJones]

You may also need to add blocking in the case where negative wind pressure will cause the inside of the studs to be in compression?
I don't design much in terms of wood so I am guessing here but the same principle applies to purlins and girts

 

[MiketheEngineer]

M^2 hit it

 

[Ron]

Agree with both "Mikes"