Web hole reinforcing for metal wall stubs
A metal panelized wall system having a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs with an opening formed in each one. A top horizontal member is connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs and a bottom horizontal member is connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs. Extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member is at least one diagonal member. The diagonal member extends through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member. In accordance with one embodiment, the wall system includes a web hole reinforcing system around the opening in at least one of the vertical wall studs.
This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/828,102, filed on Apr. 19, 2004, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,231,742 entitled “Structural braced frame wall panel system”, the content of which is incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates generally to construction techniques using metal wall studs and more particularly to web hole reinforcing for metal wall studs.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONMetal wall studs are used in the construction industry to provide the framing members used for the construction of buildings. The metal wall studs are used instead of conventional wood framing members to form the wall panels. The panels can be pre-assembled and delivered to the building site where they are put in place.
The typical wall panel consists of vertical studs and horizontal blocking members or continuous horizontal straps. In order to provide further reinforcement, diagonal wall members are placed between the corners of the panels. The diagonal members are needed to resist lateral loads to the wall panel and to comply with seismic building requirements. The diagonal members are straps that are typically connected to the face of the studs. In this arrangement, the diagonal members can only provide resistance to tension forces in one direction. Due to building requirements, this type of arrangement cannot be used for two story structures. Also, the strap usually adds thickness to the wall panel, which complicates the finishing of the structure.
In addition to using straps, threaded rods can also be used as the diagonal members. However, the threaded rods suffer the same drawbacks as the strap. Specifically, the threaded rod can only take tension loads and will buckle under compressive loads. The threaded rod is therefore not adequate to meet seismic building codes. Furthermore, the threaded rods add thickness to the building panel thereby complicating construction.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONIn accordance with the present invention there is provided a panelized wall system with diagonal members that can meet seismic building standards for the construction of multistory buildings. The panelized wall system comprises vertical studs and horizontal blocking members or continuous straps with diagonal members to provide additional strength against compressive and tension forces. In order to meet seismic requirements, each of the vertical studs includes a reinforced opening through which a diagonal member extends through. In this respect, the gravity loads of the structure are not transferred to the diagonal members by the vertical studs because the vertical studs are not connected to the diagonal members. It is therefore possible to build multistory structures with a panelized wall system and still provide the necessary strength required by seismic building codes.
A panelized wall system of the present invention consists of a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs with an opening formed in each one. The system further includes a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs. Furthermore, a bottom horizontal member is connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs. Extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member is at least one diagonal member. The diagonal member extends through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member.
In accordance with one embodiment, a panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprises: a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein; a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs; a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs; at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and a web hole reinforcing system around the opening of at least one of the vertical wall studs.
In accordance with another embodiment, a panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprises: a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein; a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs; a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs; at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and a web hole reinforcing system around the opening, the web hole reinforcing system comprising a bent lip around at least one of the openings.
In accordance with a further embodiment, a panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprises: a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein; a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs; a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs; at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and a web hole reinforcing system, wherein the web hole reinforcing system is attached to the vertical wall stud around the opening of at least one of the vertical wall studs.
Preferably, the vertical wall studs, the top horizontal member, the bottom horizontal member and the diagonal member are fabricated from steel. A first gusset plate is used to attach the diagonal member to the top horizontal member and a second gusset plate is used to attach the diagonal member to the bottom horizontal member.
A stiffener or web hole reinforcing system may be attached to each vertical wall stud around the opening. Typically, the width of the opening is 70% the width of the vertical wall stud. The openings are formed in the vertical wall studs at the locations where the diagonal member intersects the vertical wall stud.
In a preferred embodiment, the panelized wall system has two diagonal members. Each of the diagonal members extends from opposite ends of the top horizontal member and the bottom horizontal member. At the location where the diagonal members intersect, one of the diagonal members is cut and a bracket is used to cross the other diagonal member.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGSThese, as well as other features of the present invention will become more apparent upon reference to the drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating preferred embodiments of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same,
In accordance with the present invention, each of the panels 12 includes at least one diagonal member 22. Preferably, each of the diagonal members 22 is connected to the corners of each panel to form an “X” and provide the necessary strength to resist seismic forces. The diagonal members 22 are formed from steel also and can have a cross-section configuration such as a channel, tube or any other suitable shape. Preferably, the cross-section of the diagonal members is tubular.
Referring to
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In order to prevent gravity loads from the vertical wall studs 14 being transferred to the diagonal members 22, each vertical stud 14 has an opening formed therein for the diagonal member 22 to extend therethrough. Referring to
Referring to
The plate 82 is preferably made of steel, however, it can be appreciated that the plate 82 can be made of any suitable material, and including carbon fiber reinforced materials. It can be appreciated that the opening 44 allows the diagonal member 22 to pass through the vertical stud 14 without transferring load. This allows the diagonal members 22 to carry lateral loads without the gravity loads from the vertical wall studs 14. Furthermore, because the diagonal member 22 is positioned within the vertical studs 14, finishing the building with the panel is simplified because the exterior of the vertical wall studs 14 are smooth and flush.
Additional modifications and improvements of the present invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art such as scaling up or down the size of the panels depending upon the application. Thus, the particular combination of parts described and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve as limitations of alternative devices within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprising:
- a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein;
- a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and
- a web hole reinforcing system around the opening of at least one of the vertical wall studs.
2. The system of claim 1, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a bent lip around the opening formed in the vertical wall stud.
3. The system of claim 1, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a pair of angle plates, which are attached to the longitudinal axis of the vertical wall stud adjacent to the opening.
4. The system of claim 1, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a plate having a plate opening equal to the opening in the vertical wall stud.
5. The system of claim 1, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a second having an open tube having a backing portion, which is attachable to the vertical stud, a side portion, which extends perpendicular to the vertical stud member and a front portion, which runs horizontal to the face of the vertical wall stud.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein the at least one diagonal member comprises a first diagonal member and a second diagonal member, the second diagonal member being discontinuous at the intersection of the first diagonal member.
7. A panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprising:
- a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein;
- a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and
- a web hole reinforcing system around the opening, the web hole reinforcing system comprising a bent lip around at least one of the openings.
8. The system of claim 7 wherein the vertical wall studs, the top horizontal member, the bottom horizontal member and the diagonal member are fabricated from steel.
9. The system of claim 7, wherein the bent lip is formed by:
- forming a cutout in the vertical stud, wherein the cutout is slightly smaller than the desired opening of the web hole reinforcing system;
- inserting a die tool into the cutout; and
- inducing the bent lip into an outer perimeter of the cutout.
10. The system of claim 7, wherein the at least one diagonal member comprises a first diagonal member and a second diagonal member, the second diagonal member being discontinuous at the intersection of the first diagonal member.
11. A panelized wall system that resists seismic forces, the system comprising:
- a plurality of generally parallel vertical wall studs, each of the vertical wall studs having an opening formed therein;
- a top horizontal member connected to a top end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- a bottom horizontal member connected to a bottom end of each of the vertical wall studs;
- at least one diagonal member extending from the bottom horizontal member to the top horizontal member, the diagonal member extending through the openings formed in the vertical wall studs such that loads from the vertical wall studs are not transferred to the diagonal member; and
- a web hole reinforcing system, wherein the web hole reinforcing system is attached to the vertical wall stud around the opening of at least one of the vertical wall studs.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a pair of angled plates, which are attached to the longitudinal axis of the vertical stud adjacent to the opening.
13. The system of claim 11, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a plate.
14. The system of claim 11, wherein the web hole reinforcing system comprises a second having an open tube having a backing portion, which is attachable to the vertical stud, a side portion, which extends perpendicular to the vertical stud member and a front portion, which runs horizontal to the face of the vertical stud.
15. The system of claim 11, wherein the vertical wall studs, the top horizontal member, the bottom horizontal member and the diagonal member are fabricated from steel.
16. The system of claim 11, further comprising a gusset plate attached to the top horizontal member and a top end of the diagonal member.
17. The system of claim 11, further comprising a gusset plate attached to the bottom horizontal member and a bottom end of the diagonal member.
18. The system of claim 11, wherein the openings are formed in the vertical wall studs at the locations where the at least one diagonal member intersects the vertical wall studs.
19. The system of claim 11, wherein a width of the opening is about 70% the width of the vertical wall stud.
20. The system of claim 11, wherein the at least one diagonal member comprises a first diagonal member and a second diagonal member, the second diagonal member being discontinuous at the intersection of the first diagonal member.
Type: Application
Filed: Jun 18, 2007
Publication Date: Jan 24, 2008
Inventor: Kamran Majlessi (Fremont, CA)
Application Number: 11/820,287
International Classification: E04H 9/02 (20060101);