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Shearwalls with 3x plates

| Posted in General Discussion on March 21, 2000 11:45am

*
Can you satisfy the code requirements using a built up plate? Use a regular inch and a half plate, end nail thru that into the studs and then plate over that to get the required three inches? I built a big shear wall last year on a school remodel job and the prints called for 3×6 studs but I don’t remember what we had to do with the plates.

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  1. hambrick_matthew | Mar 21, 2000 11:45pm | #1

    *
    Can you satisfy the code requirements using a built up plate? Use a regular inch and a half plate, end nail thru that into the studs and then plate over that to get the required three inches? I built a big shear wall last year on a school remodel job and the prints called for 3x6 studs but I don't remember what we had to do with the plates.

  2. Guest_ | Mar 22, 2000 06:34am | #2

    *
    Almost every house we do these days has at least
    one wall that has a 3x bottom and framing plate. We cut 2" off of those studs. We toe nail those studs with 3 16's on each end. It is the shear panels that really hold these walls together as a unit. I frame in southern California and have not had a problem with this method in the last few years. Marshall Winn

    1. Guest_ | Mar 22, 2000 06:41am | #3

      *scuse my ignorance..are these shear walls for wind or earthquake?

      1. Guest_ | Mar 23, 2000 01:11am | #4

        *Mark,It makes no difference. The two loads are calculated and the building is designed for the greater of the two. Even in earthquake country, wind loads may govern the structrual design.

        1. Guest_ | Mar 23, 2000 07:43am | #5

          *How ya doin' Mike?I asked because having worked in two countrys with different codes I've noticed a big diferance betwen tie down for earthquake and tie down for wind.Here, for tie down ( wind ) we use 12mm threeaded rod continuous plate to plate and yet in NZ for earthquake, no rods just an angle bracket from slab to bottom plate.

          1. Guest_ | Mar 28, 2000 05:49pm | #7

            *To answer H. Matthews question; No, you can't use built up plates. The only exclusions to the 3x rule is that the sill plate can be 2x if the anchor bolts are spaced 24" oc, and shear < 600plf which you get with P1-3, P1-4 and P2-6 walls. (Px-x refers to # of panels and nailing spacing). If shear is < 350plf (P1-6 or P1-4 walls), 2x can be used everywhere.

  3. Guest_ | Mar 28, 2000 05:49pm | #6

    *
    I'm curious as to how any of my fellow "left-coasters" are dealing with the 97-UBC code where a minimum of 3x material is required for top and bottom plates and panel seams.
    Are you hand cutting studs to length?
    If so, is there an additional charge and how do you calculate the price? Since toe-nailing is not acceptable, what are you using to through nail?
    All replies will be gretly appreciated.
    Thanks, HV

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