Wind Effect on the Exterior Stud walls in Corpus Christi

[Mazhar Amin]

Dear Engineers,

Are metal stud walls appropriate for exterior use in Corpus Christi, where wind speeds can reach 160 mph? I am considering using sheetrock insulation with vinyl siding for a 36-foot-high wall on the second floor of a residential building. The existing wall was constructed with 16" o.c. stud spacing using conventional methods, but I am concerned about its ability to withstand wind pressure at this height and wind speed.

Would this configuration effectively resist 160 mph winds, or should additional reinforcements be considered? I’ve calculated the wind pressures, and they were quite severe.

I would appreciate your insights and any recommended solutions. Thank you!

 

[XR250]

Seems a bit much for me. Will there be structural sheathing?
Also, how does vinyl siding stay attached in that kind of wind?

 

[DaveAtkins]

36-feet tall in a high wind zone is a severe condition. I think steel studs could work, but my guess is they will be heavy gauge and closer spacing than 16 inches on center.

 

[cliff234]

Will CFS studs spanning 36' @ 16" oc be able to resist 160 mph wind loads? NO

In 40+ years I have never seen or contemplated CFS vert facade stud framing spanning 36' anywhere in the U.S.

Don't do it; regardless of what the computer says. Are 36' long CFS studs even available?

 

[phamENG]

Are 36' long CFS studs even available?

should be. they can be special ordered for larger jobs. not that I'd want to be responsible for handling a 36' long, split open beer can...

using conventional methods

What do you mean "using conventional methods"? I don't know that there are conventional methods for 36' tall walls. To be clear...you mean 36 feet from floor to ceiling/roof, correct? Not a 3 story building with full height studs connected at a pair of intermediate diaphragms? Two VERY different scenarios...

 

[Mazhar Amin]

Seems a bit much for me. Will there be structural sheathing?
Also, how does vinyl siding stay attached in that kind of wind?

Yes, but what about if we add braces between studs?
No chance for vinyl siding to stay at this pressure as per my calculations.

 

[Mazhar Amin]

36-feet tall in a high wind zone is a severe condition. I think steel studs could work, but my guess is they will be heavy gauge and closer spacing than 16 inches on center.

This is 18' + 18' in height. Studs are connected by a structural member at 18' height.

 

[Mazhar Amin]

Will CFS studs spanning 36' @ 16" oc be able to resist 160 mph wind loads? NO

In 40+ years I have never seen or contemplated CFS vert facade stud framing spanning 36' anywhere in the U.S.

Don't do it; regardless of what the computer says. Are 36' long CFS studs even available?

This is 18' + 18' in height. Studs are connected by a structural member at 18' height.

I'm agree with you.

 

[Mazhar Amin]

should be. they can be special ordered for larger jobs. not that I'd want to be responsible for handling a 36' long, split open beer can...



What do you mean "using conventional methods"? I don't know that there are conventional methods for 36' tall walls. To be clear...you mean 36 feet from floor to ceiling/roof, correct? Not a 3 story building with full height studs connected at a pair of intermediate diaphragms? Two VERY different scenarios...

This is 18' + 18' in height. Studs are connected by a structural member at 18' height. This is a two storey building.

An architect informed me that, in the USA, method for wall construction involves placing studs at 16-inch oc. However, I find this difficult to believe, which is why I’m here. Could you explain what materials are typically used on exterior face of studs ?

 

[Eng16080]

You don't provide enough meaningful information to warrant any useful responses here. Even though we finally understand that the studs are not clear spanning 36 ft but are instead continuous over that height with a support at midspan, we still don't know much else, like:

1. What are the wind loads that you're desiging for? I understand that the wind speed is 160 mph, but what is the actual design pressure? This is dependent on lots of factors such as mean roof height, exposure category, etc, etc. I assume you're designing the studs for C&C wind loads?
2. How thick is the wall? What gage (thickness) are the CFS studs? What is the stud profile? What is the steel grade?
3. What are the vertical loads acting on the wall?
4. Connection details?

The normal procedure (for me) in designing exterior wall studs in high wind areas like this is finding the capacity of the stud in combined axial load and bending. This is usually what controls.

Also, what does vinyl siding have to do with anything? Are you designing how the siding is fastened? I've never heard of that.

(Not trying to be a jerk here, just trying to guide you on the path to actually getting something meaningful out of this exchange.)

 

[Mazhar Amin]

You don't provide enough meaningful information to warrant any useful responses here. Even though we finally understand that the studs are not clear spanning 36 ft but are instead continuous over that height with a support at midspan, we still don't know much else, like:

1. What are the wind loads that you're desiging for? I understand that the wind speed is 160 mph, but what is the actual design pressure? This is dependent on lots of factors such as mean roof height, exposure category, etc, etc. I assume you're designing the studs for C&C wind loads?
2. How thick is the wall? What gage (thickness) are the CFS studs? What is the stud profile? What is the steel grade?
3. What are the vertical loads acting on the wall?
4. Connection details?

The normal procedure (for me) in designing exterior wall studs in high wind areas like this is finding the capacity of the stud in combined axial load and bending. This is usually what controls.

Also, what does vinyl siding have to do with anything? Are you designing how the siding is fastened? I've never heard of that.

(Not trying to be a jerk here, just trying to guide you on the path to actually getting something meaningful out of this excha

You don't provide enough meaningful information to warrant any useful responses here. Even though we finally understand that the studs are not clear spanning 36 ft but are instead continuous over that height with a support at midspan, we still don't know much else, like:

1. What are the wind loads that you're desiging for? I understand that the wind speed is 160 mph, but what is the actual design pressure? This is dependent on lots of factors such as mean roof height, exposure category, etc, etc. I assume you're designing the studs for C&C wind loads?
2. How thick is the wall? What gage (thickness) are the CFS studs? What is the stud profile? What is the steel grade?
3. What are the vertical loads acting on the wall?
4. Connection details?

The normal procedure (for me) in designing exterior wall studs in high wind areas like this is finding the capacity of the stud in combined axial load and bending. This is usually what controls.

Also, what does vinyl siding have to do with anything? Are you designing how the siding is fastened? I've never heard of that.

(Not trying to be a jerk here, just trying to guide you on the path to actually getting something meaningful out of this exchange.)

You're being a bit harsh, I must say.

I’ve already mentioned the height and wind speed, so this wouldn’t qualify as a nominal pressure. For reference, the pressure is 34 psf as per ASCE 07-22, and the stud is 600S162-S4 with a 16 Gauge thickness.

I’m new to U.S. construction standards and not very familiar with stud wall systems yet. As I mentioned earlier, the architect suggested using vinyl siding on the exterior of the studs.

I’m currently researching and working on this, which is why I raised the query here.

 

[SWComposites]

vinyl siding is not a structural material. Ignore it.

 

[PlinkoEng]

This is usually a question we are paid for. I suggest you contact a local engineer.

 

[Aesur]

For reference, the pressure is 34 psf as per ASCE 07-22

You only calculate 34 psf for C&C wind loading for 160 mph wind speeds? That seems extremely low for 160 mph. What exposure category are you using, are there parapets, what trib area, what Ke and Kd factor? What zone, 4 or 5?

Can you provide a sketch of what you have, you say they are connected with a structural member, is this a second story diaphragm, a beam, what?

 

[dold]

34psf at 160mph you've got some wires crossed.

 

[XR250]

I would think this is doable with something heavier than 16ga studs. The mid-height connection will be working real hard though.

 

[Eng16080]

It's been awhile since I've done light gage design, but I'm with XR250 that this seems doable, perhaps with a heavier gage stud. If that fails, then provide thicker walls (8" stud depth).

If you're the structural engineer for this project what does your analysis of the wall studs tell you?

 

[DaveAtkins]

I get the impression you are concerned with the vinyl siding spanning 16", not the studs themselves.

The vinyl siding is merely cladding, not structural. There has to be gypsum wallboard, OSB, or plywood sheathing under the vinyl siding.

 

[Mazhar Amin]

34psf at 160mph you've got some wires crossed.

Yes, you are right. Its 58Psf.

 

[Mazhar Amin]

You only calculate 34 psf for C&C wind loading for 160 mph wind speeds? That seems extremely low for 160 mph. What exposure category are you using, are there parapets, what trib area, what Ke and Kd factor? What zone, 4 or 5?

Can you provide a sketch of what you have, you say they are connected with a structural member, is this a second story diaphragm, a beam, what?

Studs are connected to beam by spot weld.