Metal Stud Framing (Non-Structural Exterior Walls) 1

[Alan CA]

Hi,

Most resources differentiate between structural metal stud walls, and non-structural 'interior' walls. What about exterior walls that have metal stud framing but is non-structural framing? What standards apply to these? What gauge, bracing, etc.?

Can you please refer or provide me with details and standards for exterior non-structural metal framing for commercial buildings?

 

[dik]

I would think they would have to be designed for wind, etc.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Alan CA]

This is my concern. So these walls will be considered structural?

 

[jayrod12]

Yes, wind bearing. We require all exterior non-load bearing (but still wind bearing studs) be designed and have shop drawings sealed by an engineer.

Generally speaking, never thinner than 20 Ga, otherwise cladding attachment fastener capacity starts to become an issue.

On our projects where we are EOR, we will run some preliminary calcs to ensure a certain depth the arch wants, works, and they don't need to be 16 GA, because no contractor likes working with ones that thick. So often we'll specify a depth, a maximum spacing(often based on cladding details) and a minimum gauge (because I don't want some yahoo thinking they can put 24 Ga paper thin studs on an outside wall). And then further indicate the actual spacing and thickness as per sealed shop drawings.

 

[Alan CA]

And would and remove and replace of such studs require shop drawings or engineer's letter? Or is it enough to specify replace to match existing?

Thank you very much for your answers.

 

[XR250]

Make sure to specify 1 5/8" flange width minimum. IIRC, 20 ga interior studs (also called drywall studs) are 1 3/8" flange or less and are 3 mm thinner.

 

[Alan CA]

XR250 thank you very much. So I understanf that 1 5/8" 20ga should work, right? I'm just confused whether the 20 ga you mentioned is the minimum that I should go with, or it's for interior (drywall) walls that I should avoid.
Many thanks.

 

[Celt83]

The SSMA technical catalog is a good resource if you are looking for preliminary sizing.
Link

My Personal Open Source Structural Applications:

https://github.com/buddyd16/Structural-Engineering

Open Source Structural GitHub Group:

https://github.com/open-struct-engineer

 

[dik]

Except for interior non-bearing partitions (not certain, but I think they are 2625ga, I wouldn't use anything less than 20ga.

Rather than think climate change and the corona virus as science, think of it as the wrath of God. Feel any better?

-Dik

 

[Alan CA]

Thank you very much Celt83 for the resources. dik and the rest, thank you very much!

 

[XR250]

XR250 thank you very much. So I understanf that 1 5/8" 20ga should work, right? I'm just confused whether the 20 ga you mentioned is the minimum that I should go with, or it's for interior (drywall) walls that I should avoid.

They make 20ga structural and interior studs. The interior are 30 mil and the Structural are 33 mil.
20 ga structural studs are pretty common as long as the numbers work out. 18 ga min. is required behind brick.