COLD-FORMED STEEL C-STUDS

Cold-Formed / Light-Gauge C-shaped framing members for axial loadbearing walls, curtain walls, tall interior partitions, floor joists and roof truss assembli

Typically Gypsum board frame is used for interior walls but the use of structural framing may be needed to meet taller requirements. Interior nonstructural (non-load bearing) walls calculated in the Structual Stud Lookup Tool and Limit height are limited to a superimposed axial load, exclusive of sheathing materials, of not more than 100 lb/ft, or a superimposed axial load of not more than 200 lbs.

Lateral Load / Design Load

Nonstructural (Non-load bearing) interior walls must be designed to withstand a minimum of 5 psf lateral load (perpendicular to the wall) for interior pressure as required by the International Building Code. Check your projects Architectural Specifications and/or drawings for the minimum design load required. Loads of 7.5psf and 10psf are typically used for shaftwalls or interior lobby walls located in floors with multiple exterior doors.

Deflection

The main purpose of specifying an allowable stud lateral deflection for interior wall framing is actually for determining what is an acceptable deflection for the wall facing materials. Sheathing and Finish materials require a minimum stiffness to prevent cracking. The required stiffness for the finish material is achieved by the specified deflection limit. Check with your projects Architectural Specifications and/or drawings for the lateral deflection required for a given wall facing material. Interior walls typically require a minimum lateral deflection of L/240. Some finishes such as tile or thin stone may require a higher deflection limit like L/360 or even L/600. We do not recommend using L/120 for walls taller than 10 feet.

For example a 10’ wall at L/120 (L = Length in inches, divided by 120) could have a lateral deflection of (10x12/120) = 1"

Limiting Heights

Limiting heights are based on continuous lateral support (gypsum wallboard) on each flange over the full height of the stud. If wallboard does not run the full height of the stud, lateral bracing may be required. Contact ClarkDietrich Technical Services to help determine spacing of the lateral bracing above the wallboard.

See all design notes on the bottom of the lookup tool and tables.