Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
the bottom plates. Place the marks on the upper half of the bottom plate. Again, write a
'D' between the two marks that are for doors and a 'W' between the lines for window
openings.
Marking top and bottom wall plates for common and special load bearing studs
Provision for posts and special load bearing studs within a wall frame
On some occasions it is necessary to fit extra studs or even posts within a timber framed
wall, normally to carry a concentration of load from the roof. Ask your engineer or
building consultant if there are any special supports to be included in your walls. If so,
now is the time to mark their position on both the top and bottom wall plates.
Marking the positions of common studs on the wall plates
All of the primary stud positions are now marked on the wall plates so all that is left to do
is to mark the positions of the common studs. The common studs at the end of the walls
adjoining a straw bale wall are to be kept in from the end of the wall plates to allow for
the bales to overhang the bottom boxing. The first stud should be 10 mm in from the end
of the bottom plate.
Stud marker gauge for marking common studs
The quickest and easiest way to mark the positions for the rest of the common studs is to
make up a stud marker gauge (see Figure 6.9).
Figure 6.9
Gauge marker for marking the positions of common studs
The legs of the gauge will be the same width as the thickness of the common studs,
normally 35 mm wide. The legs will be 90 mm long to enable you to mark the lower edge
of the top plate. The distance between the legs of the gauge will correspond with the stud
spacing specified in the timber specifications section of your building permit. The two
common distances are 450 mm centres or 600 mm centres.
