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What is the standard length of steel stud track?

Author: Marina

Mar. 07, 2024

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Tags: Minerals & Metallurgy

Studs

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. Finally, it shows the steel strength to be 50 ksi.

Since the materials come off rollers being fed by large coils of steel, the limiting factor on stud/track lengths is the size of the rolling facility and the ability to ship it to the job site.

Pay attention to stud heights as a small difference in height, such as 3-feet, can change the required gauge to increase two increments. Strict deflection limitations can also drive costs. Consider the geographic area (in terms of high wind speeds near the coast). If you aren’t sure which sizes you need, it’s best to consult a cold-formed steel engineer.

ClarkDietrich’s plant in Bristol, Conn. can roll a stud/joist well over 100 feet long. Shipping is the limiting factor. For practicality sake, we recommend maximum stud lengths around 40 feet depending upon the size. Smaller and thinner studs are very difficult to work with as they get longer. It’s best to consult your specialty engineer to make the appropriate decision for your project.

Typical Metal Stud Sizes

Interior Framing and Metal Stud Sizes

Stud

Member Depth (in)

Flange Width (in)

Material Thickness (mils)

1-5/8

1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33

2-1/2

1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33

3-5/8

1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 4 1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 6 1-1/4 15, 18, 19, 30, 33

Track

Member Depth

Flange Width 

Material Thickness (GA)

1-5/8 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 2-1/2 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 3-5/8 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 4 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33 6 1-1/4, 2, 2-1/2 15, 18, 19, 30, 33

Exterior Structural Track and Metal Stud Sizes

Structural Steel Stud

Member Depth 

Flange Width 

Material Thickness (GA)

1-5/8

1-3/8, 1-5/8 20-16

2-1/2

1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-14

3-1/2

1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-14 3-5/8 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 4 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 5 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2 20-12 6 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3 20-12 8 1-3/8, 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3 20-12 10 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 18-10 12 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 16-10 14 1-5/8, 2, 2-1/2, 3, 3-1/2 16-10

Structural Steel Track

Member Depth

Flange Width 

Material Thickness (GA)

1-5/8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2 20-16 2-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-14 3-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-14 3-5/8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 4 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 5-1/2 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 6 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 8 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 20-12 10 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 18-10 12 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 16-10 14 1-1/4, 1-1/2, 2, 3 16-10

Slotted Track

 

Structural

Member Depth

Flange Width

Material Thickness (GA)

 2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 5-1/2, 6, 8  2-1/2  20-14 2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 6, 8  3  20-14

 

Non-Structural

Member Depth

Flange Width

Material Thickness (mils)

 2-1/2, 3-5/5, 4, 6, 8   2-1/2  30-33

Accessories

 Product Member Depth Material Thickness (mils)  Furring Channel  

7/8″

 18, 30, 43, 54  Furring Channel  1-1/2″  18, 30, 43, 54  

Z-Furring

 1″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 1-1/2″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 2″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 2-1/2″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 3″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 1-1/2″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 2″  18 & 30  

Z-Furring

 2-1/2″  18 & 30  Z-Furring  3″  18 & 30  Z-Girt  1-1/2″  33, 43, 54  Z-Girt  2″  33, 43, 54  Z-Girt  2-1/2″  33, 43, 54  Z-Girt  3″  33, 43, 54  Z-Girt  3-1/2″  33, 43, 54  Z-Girt  4″  33, 43, 54 Spazzer Bar  7/8″x7/8  33 Spazzer Bar  1-1/4″x1-1/4″  43 Spazzer Bar  1-1/4″x1-1/4″  54

U-Channel

 3/4″  54

U-Channel

 1-1/2″  54

Here is an explanation of stud sizes in reference to thickness:

When to Use Certain Metal Stud Sizes

In general, the capacity of a stud depends on many variables — stud size, height, gauge, bracing condition, and lateral load. 

Heavy-duty projects that require stability and a strong foundation typically need thicker metal studs. 

In some cases, unusual stud sizes — or metal studs that match standard wood sizes — are requested for a project. If you’re looking for something specific, please contact us today. 

If you’d like additional information on how to identify cold-formed steel material thicknesses in the field, read our blog post here. 

Exterior Curtain Walls

Design Tools:

  • ClarkDietrich iTools - Structural Stud Lookup Tool
  • For complex Curtain Wall systems, use our Curtain Wall Sizing Webform to submit to our Tech Team.

Limited Height Tables:

Curtain Wall Framing Systems support the exterior skin or cladding of commercial and industrial buildings. The studs for these framing systems must be able to withstand:

  • The weight of the cladding material (metal, stone, tile, etc.).
  • The wind loads to which they will be subjected.

Exterior curtain walls are non-axial load bearing and must be designed to withstand the highest lateral loads, wind or seismic, prescribed by the building code for the particular construction location and type. Limited heights in the above lookup tool and tables are for single span systems only. It is recommended to have a vertical deflection gap between the top of the stud and top track for primary structure movement as required by the E.O.R. A deep leg deflection track system is used in this condition.

Lateral Load / Design Load

Exterior curtain walls must be designed to withstand the highest lateral loads anticipated for the particular construction location and type. Wind pressures can be found in the project's structural drawings under the “general notes” section. Required lateral loads for design must be provided by the E.O.R. or the Specialty Engineer.

Load/Span Table Wind Pressure Notes

Historically there have been differences in the design wind pressures determined through different versions of the model building codes. Older versions of the codes provided service level loads (ASD) while newer versions provide strength level loads (LRFD). Since IBC 2012/ASCE 7-10 design wind pressures have been determined via strength level (LRFD) loads. The load/span tables that follow are based on service level (ASD) wind loads. Therefore, to properly use the load/span tables in this catalog, multiply the IBC 2021/ASCE 7-16 design wind pressures by 0.6 (reference section 2.4 ASCE 7-16) prior to entering the load/span tables.

  • Example:

    • ASCE 7-16 Calculated Design Wind Pressure = 25psf (strength level loads, LRFD)
    • Convert to service level load (ASD) = 25psf x 0.6 = 15psf
    • Use 15psf as the Pressure Value used in this table to determine the member span

The load/span tables that follow are based on service level (ASD) wind loads. If the wind load being used meets this criterion, it does not need to be modified prior to using the tables.

Deflection

The main purpose of specifying an allowable stud deflection for curtain wall framing is actually for determining what is an acceptable deflection for the wall facing materials. A metal stud is ductile and therefore can perform at a wide range of deflections. Wall facing materials tend to be more brittle (Brick, Stucco or EIFS), and thus have a more stringent maximum allowable deflection. The project architect or project specifications should note what the allowable deflection is for a given wall facing material.

Typical Deflection Requirements: (L = Length in inches)

  • L/240 Exterior siding or EIFS
  • L/360 Exterior stucco
  • L/600 Exterior brick or stone
  • L/720 Exterior brick or stone

For example a 20’ wall at L/240 (L = Length in inches, divided by 240) could have a lateral deflection of (20x12/240) = 1”.

Limiting Heights

Limiting heights are based on continuous lateral support (rigid sheathing) on each flange over the full height of the stud. Horizontal structural bridging (or bracing) is defaulted to be at 4 ft. on center for the purposes of the values shown in the lookup tool and tables. The actual bridging that is ultimately provided is to be determined by the licensed specialty engineer responsible for the cold-formed steel design for the given project. Contact ClarkDietrich Technical Services to help determine maximum spacing of the lateral bracing.

Adding additional horizontal bridging will not reduce the actual deflection in the wall. To reduce the deflection of a wall stud, either a heavier member is required or an intermediate structural support must be provided.

See all design notes on the bottom of the lookup tool and tables.

What is the standard length of steel stud track?

ClarkDietrich Building Systems

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