HSS Columns in Stud Walls

[StructuralEngGuy]

Hello all,

I wanted to get some opinions on HSS columns placed inside of metal stud walls of the same width. i.e. an HSS6x6 placed inside of a 6" metal stud wall. I know i've heard that it should be avoided due lack of construction tolerances, but i'm wondering if anyone has any real experiences they can share.

Thanks

 

[pwht1]

What do you mean lack of tolerance?

I do it all the time, never had a problem.

 

[JedClampett]

Yeah, the column hopefully goes in first, so let the drywall guys worry about making it pretty.

 

[msquared48]

And the electricians can drill holes through the column with wood drills!

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto: KISS
Motivation: Don't ask

 

[pwht1]

Easy Mike

Obviously penetrations for services may need to be provided and reviewed by the engineer. In my short experience this has never happened and the electrical services have run inside the skirting.

Structuralengguy, is this building residential or office/commercial?

 

[rscassar]

3.5" hss in a 3.5" metal stud wall. I do it all the time, keep the wall thickness to less than 1/4" so they can fix studs to the hss or direct fix cladding to hss. I send thru a detail shortly.

 

[csd72]

A few potential issuesto be considered:

Cold bridging if it is an external wall.
continuity of wall plates.
vertical deflection

That said, I have also done this quite a few times.

 

[dcarr82775]

I'll pile on and say I have done it many times, and never had a problem.

 

[StructuralEngGuy]

Thanks all for the valuable responses...much appreciated.

pwht1: this is for commercial use. the stud walls (cold-formed) are all non-bearing.