Welding studs to top of light gauge wall

[Leo Baldwin]

Hi,

For some reason i have always been under the impression that you simply cannot weld nelson studs to top of a steel stud wall? I have a section of building where the interior bearing wall is done with light gauge 2x4 steel studs and will carry the weight of a concrete floor from above. All loading looks good. The connection has always been a no in my mind. Because the top track is too thin and welding to it would not work?
There are 1/8” diameter studs - not sure how common these are - typically requiring base plate to be 1 third of that. I see no code or installation guidance i can find…

 

[Leo Baldwin]

I should clarify: this is about welding shear/nelson studs to top of metal stud wall.

 

[gtaw]

Interesting. I would try to weld a stud to the light framing to see if it burns through or will it fuse properly through the galvanized metal. then, if you get that far, what is the tear-out load in both shear and possibly tension. If the stud weld doesn't fail, will the sheet metal tear? Will it takes the loads you calculated before failure occurs?

Best regards - Al

 

[jimstructures]

Leo,

Do you have a brand name for these 1/8" d studs. Do these studs come with any documentation, load tables and/or design information?

Compared to the amount of info available for 5/8" to 1" welded studs some of these questions must have been answered.


Jim

 

[MotorCity]

Are you using metal deck to support the slab? If so, I would simply puddle weld the deck to the top of the wall.