Iron Engineering FAQs

Yes. Structural studs can be used to support axial loads. However, non-structural (interior) studs should not be used in load-bearing applications.

Studs guages/thicknesses are as follows: 12ga/0.097”, 14ga/0.068”, 16ga/0.054”, 18ga/0.043”, and 20ga/0.

The Steel Stud Manufacturer’s Associates (SSMA) has adopted a sizing standard that moves away from ‘gauges’ and directly specifies the material thickness in mils (100ths of an inch). A 600S162-54 is a 6-inch (600) Stud (S) with a 1-5/8” flange (162) with a thickness of 0.054 in (54).

Metal stud manufacturers are required to stamp the stud size and gauge on each product. For instance, ClarkDietrich labels 6-inch, 16-gauge studs with CD600S162-54 50 KSI. This tells you the stud is 6 inches wide with a 1-5/8 inch (1.62 inch) flange and is 16-ga (54 mils) thick.

Large ‘coils’ of sheet steel are loaded into machines that first slice the steel into the necessary widths. A 600T125-43 track would be cut into something close to 8-1/2” wide. These smaller strips are rolled into smaller coils and fed into a rolling machine.

The subcontractor providing the metal framing is typically responsible for providing CFS shop drawings and calculations for approval. On some rare occasions, the Construction Manager may procure the shop drawings to speed up timelines or to equalize bid prices.

CFS shop drawings are needed when required by the contract specification, usually under 05400 or 09200. They are also needed when the construction drawings do not adequately represent what is to be built to support the imposed loads.