Walkable ceiling with light gauge. 2

[WARose]

I got a client that wants to do a walkable/suspended ceiling with light gauge. I'm not real cozy with this idea because the bay size is about 30' x 20'.

Has anyone done this themselves? What kind of layout are we talking? Stability/bracing really worries me here.

 

[KootK]

With the right ceiling joists and a light load, you could go 20' in CFM. As you've rightly surmised, the bracing is key. I'd think that the tops of the joists would require shear capable sheathing or the joists would require frequent blocking.

Is this thing suspended in the sense that the joists would be hanging rather bearing on something at the ends? If so, that would obviously add some complexity at the hanging connections.

 

[WARose]

Is this thing suspended in the sense that the joists would be hanging rather bearing on something at the ends?

Yes, the framing will be completely suspended. I will have some braces kicking back to the framing above....but-for the most part-it's all hanging.

If so, that would obviously add some complexity at the hanging connections.

No doubt. I've done this with steel all the time....but light gauge? Never.

 

[GC_Hopi]

Never done this... you could try framing the perimeter with steel then do the connections with steel and just infill with CFS. Then sheath with plywood. Seems heavy and if you encourage walk-ability does this risk damage to the ceiling finish from vibration, foot fall impacts. Could you do a separate catwalk above the ceiling? Not sure what the driver is for walk-ability...

 

[KootK]

GC_Hopi's solution sounds eminently practical to me. Most of the hanger to CFM beam connections that I can imagine liking would have a hanger rod passing through a pair of joists with an anchor plate below. Obviously, that's not going to fly with the ceiling drywall.

 

[KootK]

Meh, I could be sold on something like this I suppose.

 

[KootK]

Maybe even this. The bracket at the top could, potentially, even be a shear wall hold down (hold up in this case). What are we fastening to above?

 

[XR250]

It can certainly be done. When I was designing these, I would flip every other joist and block between them so the lateral-torsional would cancel. Had one with 10" joists collapse during construction (they did not flip the joists). Made a mess and took the walls with it.

 

[dik]

I've done this occasionally in hospitals where they have a walkable plenum area and it's been done with hangers from beam and OWSJ and grating, not deck. I've also had accessible mechanical stuff using grating also with discrete OWSJ hangers.

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

-Dik

 

[WARose]

Deck? I wish. They want me to use 3/4" plywood (like hopi was talking about).

 

[dik]

Sure plywood works... on CFS or C sections... careful about any fire resistance ratings and combustible construction.

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

-Dik

 

[EZBuilding]

My only experience with this type of construction is AES' proprietary walkable ceiling system for their clean room construction.

Take a look at the following link which shows some of their details - they utilize threaded rods for the vertical support.

[URL unfurl="true"]https://www.aesclean.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/AES-Profile-and-Marquee.pdf[/url]

 

[dik]

EZ, occasionally they have an interstitial space that requires substantial 'walking area' as opposed to simple walkways.

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

-Dik

 

[EZBuilding]

dik, in the project that I was involved in - this walkable ceiling was used across a very large clean room - surgery level sterility. It was pretty big in scale.

 

[dik]

a couple of mine have been like that; that's why I mentioned hospitals. Most have been for hospitals, and a couple of microprocessor labs.

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

-Dik

 

[PMR06]

skookum

I had to look that up, thought maybe it was a new light gauge manufacturer I hadn't heard of? Turns out its just a fun Canadian saying... I learned something new either way!

 

[WARose]

Speaking of light gauge manufacturers....can anyone recommend one (hopefully with some tables to expedite the design)? I ask because supply chain issues are becoming a issue on these jobs.....so if someone knows of a good call out....I'd appreciate it. (Hopefully you can think of one Kootk...I know you do light gauge all the time.)

 

[Aesur]

@WARose, SSMA is a great resource for CFS members. Technical Guide

Another great tool is AISIWIN, SCAFCO provides it for free, this basically uses SSMA tables and sorts through them using an interface: SCAFCO

 

[Aesur]

Another great tool for custom shapes, etc.. is CFS by RSG Software Link

 

[WARose]

Thanks Aesur