WALL AND CEILING
STANDARDS
GYPSUM BOARD 
PART 1
INTRODUCTION
Prefabricated steel studs referred to in this section of the AWCC
Specification Standards Manual are interior lightweight steel studs only.
Lightweight steel studs fall into three categories as follows:
 | Interior steel studs, typically the
framing for interior partitions with no axial load other than
self-weight and the weight of attached finishes and with lateral loads
of interior pressure differences and seismic loads as defined by the
National Building Code.
|
| Wind loadbearing steel studs, typically
the framing for exterior walls subject to lateral loads due to wind and
seismic loads but no axial load other than self-weight and the weight of
attached finishes.
|
| Axial loadbearing steel studs, typically
the framing for interior or exterior walls subject to axial loads in
addition to those due to self-weight and the weight of attached
finishes. The axial loads may act in combination with lateral loads due
to nominal interior pressure differences or wind load. |
Wind Load Bearing Steel Studs are included
under Section 9.8 and axial load bearing steel studs and steel joists are
included under Section 9.9 Axial Load Bearing Steel Framing Systems in the
AWCC Specification Standards Manual.
Lightweight steel studs and furring for interior partitions are classified
under CAN/CGSB-7.1-98 Lightweight Steel Wall Framing Components as non-loadbearing
steel studs and are manufactured from steel sheet, coll or cut length to
conform to ASTM standards listed under CAN/CGSB-7.1-98. For interior
application the steel shall be protected from corrosion by a zinc coating
at least meeting the requirements of ASTMA653/A653M Standard Specification
for Sheet Steel, Zinc-Coated (galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy Coated (galvanealed)
by Hot-Dip Process.
Non load-bearing steel studs are available in various widths and in
lengths up to 7 300 mm (24’0”). Steel stud manufacturers produce a line of
related accessories, including tracks, furring channels and similar items
for a complete steel stud framing system. Studs are punched at regular
intervals to provide a raceway within the partitions for piping, conduit
and wiring.
Steel stud framing systems can be used in the interior of a building for:
| Interior partitions
|
| Ceiling suspension systems
|
| Column and beam cladding protection
|
| Fire and sound resistance rated
partitions and ceiling systems
|
| Interior wall cladding (freestanding or
supported)
|
| Chase walls. |
Steel stud framing construction
accommodates electrical, plumbing and other services in the partition
cavity. Fixtures and storage cabinets may be fastened to steel stud
framing when framing is reinforced as required for support of such items.
In partition systems, steel studs fit into floor and ceiling tracks
attached to the structure.
Within the basic steel stud partition systems a number of variations are
available, depending on the performance required. These variations relate
mostly to the number of layers of gypsum wallboard used and to special
methods of attachment.
Under the National Building Code in the design of steel studs for interior
walls and partitions due consideration shall be given to differences in
air pressure on opposite sides of the wall or partition which may result
from:
| Pressure differences between the
windward and leeward sides of a building
|
| Stack effects due to a difference in air
temperature between the exterior and interior of the building, and
|
| Air pressurization by the mechanical
services of the building. |
These interior pressure differences can be
defined as lateral pressure and in determining the maximum allowable stud
heights, under specific deflection limits, a lateral pressure of 250 Pa (5
psi) has been assumed as an average pressure. This lateral pressure, in
configuration with stud depths and stud spacing, was used to determine the
allowable stud heights listed under Table 9.7/5.
In earthquake zones the National Building Code requires seismic restraint
be provided for interior walls and partitions. Typical steel studs, sills,
headers and jambs for interior walls and partitions are usually governed
by limiting height requirements and lateral pressure while connections to
the primary structure are usually governed by earthquake design forces.
In the National Building Code all exterior and interior walls and
partitions are assigned a seismic horizontal force factor value of 1.5,
however the value is increased to 15 (i.e. 10 times higher) for the
connections/attachments of the interior walls and partitions. The National
Building Code implication is that during an earthquake, partitions will be
allowed to deform excessively however, they must remain attached to the
primary structure.
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