Civil Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
To use the gauge, rest its top rail on top of the bottom plate with the legs of the gauge
hanging down across the edges of the top and bottom plate. Mark up each side of the legs
with a pencil onto the top and bottom plates. Mark the lower edge of the top plate and
the upper edge of the bottom plate. The distance between the legs of the gauge will be the
same length that the noggings will later be cut to. It is best to start marking the common
studs from one of the existing stud markings or from the junction of the walls. This will
reduce the number of special noggings to be cut for the house. In most instances the
space between the last two studs marked on the wall will be less than the distance
between the markers on the gauge. Draw a squiggly line between these two stud markings
on both the top and bottom plate to indicate that a special nogging will have to be cut
for this space.
5. Count and cut the studs and noggings
Before counting the number of studs at openings, check the timber specification schedule
on your building permit for any special size requirements for your house. If there are
none you could safely assume that in Australia the studs at the sides of openings are
90 × 45. Windows will generally require a double stud or posts at each side of the
opening, however this will vary with the width of the opening and the load onto the
lintel spanning the opening. Check with your building consultant or engineer as to your
specific requirements.
Counting studs from markings on the wall plates
First count the door studs and the long door studs. These can be identified by the 'D' and
'DL' markings on the sides of the plates. Next count the number of common studs. You
can count the number of standard length noggings from the wall plates, however I would
normally cut about the same number of noggings as common studs. Any additional
noggings can easily be cut later on.
Establishing the required length of the studs
The length of the stud will be 90 mm less than the overall height of your wall. If roof
trusses are being used, a further 20 mm will be deducted to allow for clearance from the
top of the walls to the underside of the trusses, which must be clear of the walls. The
timber specification section of your building permit will refer to the studs as, for
example, 90 × 45 MGP10 pine @ 450 crs. To establish the length of the noggings, deduct
the thickness of the common stud from the 450 mm. This will give you a standard
nogging length of 415 mm.
Refer to your timber specification sheet to ensure that the timber you intend to cut
for studs is correct. When purchasing timber for the noggings I suggest that you purchase
this timber in the same lengths as the studs you are purchasing. This will enable you to
sort through the timber and cut any bowed or twisted timber into noggings rather than
to be forced to use them as studs. It should be noted however that it is not necessary to
purchase stress graded timber for noggings. The savings in buying non-structural timber
for the noggings over structural will be more than outweighed by the savings on
purchasing extra studs to replace those that are too badly twisted to be used.
