TSN Product ::: Wall Bridging

Product Information

Bridging for load bearing studs is needed to resist the following forces:

Weak axis buckling induced by axial compression load.
Torsion induced by wind load.

AISI Wall Stud Design Standard (S211-07) and AISI Specification (S100-07) provide the load and stiffness requirements for bracing members due to the effects of axial compression load and wind load as given in the on the following tab. Contact TSN Technical Support (888) 474-4876 if further information is needed regarding wall bridging design.

As axial compression and lateral wind loads are applied, wall studs react with weak axis buckling and torsional rotation. To offset these forces, a form of bridging is incorporated into the wall system. Bridging loads accumulate over the run of the wall, requiring transfer of lateral forces in bridging at columns or to the floor slab into the structural load path to the foundation.

Bridging Requirements
AISI Wall Stud Design Standard (S211-07)		AISI Specification (S100-07)
Stud Axial Compression	Load Capacity: Bracing Load P_Brace* = 0.02 x Stud Axial Strength (P_Stud) x # of studs braced.	Load Capacity: Bracing Load P_Brace* = 0.01 x Stud Axial Strength (P_Stud) x # of studs braced.
		Stiffness Capacity: Lateral Stiffness β_Brace = 4 x Stud Nominal Axial Strength / Unbraced Length (for one row of bridging). Lateral Stiffness β_Brace = 6 x Stud Nominal Axial Strength / Unbraced Length (for two rows of bridging).
Wind	Load Capacity: Twist Load P_L = 1.5 x Wind Load x Bridging Spacing x Stud Spacing x m(Shear Center Distance) / Stud Depth. Twist Moment M₁ = P_L x Stud Depth.

* Bracing forces accumulate over the run of the wall until anchored.

Bridging load bearing studs against torsion by wind.

Bridging load bearing studs against weak axis buckling.

Channel / Clip Bridging Chart: Design Wind Pressure and Unsupported Wall Height
Section	10psf*		20psf				25psf
Section	10'	12'	10'	12'	14'	16'	10'	12'	14'	16'
600S162-33, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	N/A	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	N/A
600S162-43, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1
600S162-54, 50 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1
600S162-68, 50 ksi	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1
600S162-97, 50 ksi	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1
800S162-33, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S162-43, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S162-54, 50 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S162-68, 50 ksi	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800
800S162-97, 50 ksi	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800
600S200-33, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(3) BB / BC3	BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	N/A
600S200-43, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1	BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(3) BB / BC3
600S200-54, 50 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(2) BB / BC1	(3) BB / BC1	BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(2) BB / BC3	(3) BB / BC3
600S200-68, 50 ksi	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1	CRC / BC3	(2) CRC / BC3	(2) CRC / BC3	(3) CRC / BC3
600S200-97, 50 ksi	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(2) CRC / BC1	(3) CRC / BC1	CRC / BC3	(2) CRC / BC3	(2) CRC / BC3	(3) CRC / BC3
800S200-33, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S200-43, 33 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S200-54, 50 ksi	BB or CRC / BC1	(2) BB or (2) BB / BC1	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800	BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(2) BB / BC800	(3) BB / BC800
800S200-68, 50 ksi	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800
800S200-97, 50 ksi	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800	CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(2) CRC / BC800	(3) CRC / BC800

Channel / Clip Bridging Chart: Design Wind Pressure and Unsupported Wall Height

Section

30psf

40psf

50psf

10'

12'

14'

16'

10'

12'

14'

16'

10'

12'

14'

16'

600S162-33, 33 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC3

N/A

600S162-43, 33 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

600S162-54, 50 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

(3) BB / BC3

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

600S162-68, 50 ksi

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

N/A

600S162-97, 50 ksi

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

800S162-33, 33 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

BB / BC800

N/A

800S162-43, 33 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

800S162-54, 50 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

800S162-68, 50 ksi

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

800S162-97, 50 ksi

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

600S200-33, 33 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

N/A

BB / BC600

(2) BB / BC600

N/A

BB / BC600

N/A

600S200-43, 33 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

(3) BB / BC3

BB / BC600

(2) BB / BC600

N/A

BB / BC600

(2) BB / BC600

N/A

600S200-54, 50 ksi

BB / BC3

(2) BB / BC3

(3) BB / BC3

BB / BC600

(2) BB / BC600

N/A

BB / BC600

(2) BB / BC600

N/A

600S200-68, 50 ksi

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC600

(2) CRC / BC600

(3) CRC / BC600

CRC / BC600

(2) CRC / BC600

N/A

600S200-97, 50 ksi

CRC / BC3

(2) CRC / BC3

(3) CRC / BC3

CRC / BC600

(2) CRC / BC600

(3) CRC / BC600

CRC / BC600

(2) CRC / BC600

(3) CRC / BC600

800S200-33, 33 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

800S200-43, 33 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

N/A

800S200-54, 50 ksi

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

BB / BC800

(2) BB / BC800

(3) BB / BC800

800S200-68, 50 ksi

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

800S200-97, 50 ksi

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

CRC / BC800

(2) CRC / BC800

(3) CRC / BC800

Notes:

See also Curtain Wall BuckleBridge chart.
Stud spacing is fixed at 16". Bridging spacing for Channel / Clip Bridging is 5 ft. max.
Allowable pressure limited by flexural stength of stud calculated with torsional bracing assumed at the bridging spacing and k_φ = 0.
Allowable pressure limited by stud deflection calculated with deflection limit equal to l/360. Listed wind pressures except 10 psf have been reduced by 0.70 as allowed by the IBC code.
BB and CRC allowable pressure limited by flexural strength of bridging member calculated as:
M_all / (1.5 x Bridging Spacing x Stud Spacing x m (distance from stud web to shear center)).
Listed wind pressures represent calculated design wind pressures (1.0W based on IBC 2009 or 0.6W based on IBC 2012).

* For 10 psf wind pressure, it is assumed that gypsum board is installed on both sides of wall. The stud spacing here can be up to 24"

Nomenclature:

BB - BridgeBar 150 without clip to stud
CRC - Cold Rolled Channel
BB / BC1 - BridgeBar 150 and BridgeClip with (1) #10 screw fastener into BridgeBar 150 only
BB / BC3 - BridgeBar 150 & BridgeClip with (1) #10 screw fastener into BridgeBar 150 & (2) #10 screw fasteners into the web of the stud
BB / BC600 - BridgeBar 150 & BC600 with (2) #10 screw fasteners into BridgeBar 150 & (2) #10 screw fasteners into the web of the stud
BB / BC800 - BridgeBar 150 & BC800 with (2) #10 screw fasteners into BridgeBar 150 & (2) #10 screw fasteners into the web of the stud
BB (BridgeBar 150) is an alternative for Cold-Rolled Channel (CRC), which may also be used with TSN's bridging clips.
N/A indicates stud section is insufficient.
(2) or (3) preceding product indicates number of rows of bridging. If no number is shown, then (1) bridging row only.

BuckleBridge^® Bridging Chart: Design Wind Pressure and Bridging Spacing

Section

20psf

25psf

30psf

10'

12'

14'

16'

10'

12'

14'

16'

10'

12'

14'

16'

600S162-33, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

N/A

BKB

(2) BKB

N/A

BKB

(2) BKB

N/A

600S162-43, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

(3) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

N/A

600S162-54, 50 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

600S162-68, 50 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

600S162-97, 50 ksi

BKB

800S162-33, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

(3) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

N/A

800S162-43, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(3) BKB

800S162-54, 50 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(2) BKB

800S162-68, 50 ksi

BKB

800S162-97, 50 ksi

BKB

600S200-33, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

N/A

BKB

N/A

600S200-43, 33 ksi

BKB

(2) BKB

BKB

(3) BKB

600S200-54, 50 ksi

BKB

600S200-68, 50 ksi

BKB

600S200-97, 50 ksi

BKB

800S200-33, 33 ksi

BKB

(3) BKB

800S200-43, 33 ksi

BKB

800S200-54, 50 ksi

BKB

800S200-68, 50 ksi

BKB

800S200-97, 50 ksi

BKB

BuckleBridge^® Bridging Chart: Design Wind Pressure and Bridging Spacing
Section	40psf				50psf
Section	10'	12'	14'	16'	10'	12'	14'	16'
600S162-33, 33 ksi	BKB	N/A	N/A	N/A	BKB	N/A	N/A	N/A
600S162-43, 33 ksi	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A
600S162-54, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A
600S162-68, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A
600S162-97, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB
800S162-33, 33 ksi	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A	BKB	N/A	N/A	N/A
800S162-43, 33 ksi	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A
800S162-54, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A
800S162-68, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	(3) BKB
800S162-97, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB
600S200-33, 33 ksi	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A	BKB	N/A	N/A	N/A
600S200-43, 33 ksi	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	BKB	BKB	N/A	N/A
600S200-54, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	N/A	BKB	BKB	BKB	N/A
600S200-68, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	N/A
600S200-97, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB
800S200-33, 33 ksi	BKB	BKB	N/A	N/A	BKB	(2) BKB	N/A	N/A
800S200-43, 33 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	N/A	BKB	BKB	BKB	N/A
800S200-54, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	(2) BKB
800S200-68, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB
800S200-97, 50 ksi	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB	BKB

Notes:

Stud Spacing is fixed at 16"
Allowable pressure limited by flexural stength of stud calculated with torsional bracing assumed at the bridging spacing and k_φ = 0.
Allowable pressure limited by stud deflection calculated with deflection limit equal to l/360. Listed wind pressures except 10 psf have been reduced by 0.70 as allowed by the IBC code.
BuckleBridge calculated twist moment (Reference AISI S100-07) is equal to:
(1.5 x Wind Load x Bridging Spacing x Stud Spacing x m (distance from stud web to shear center)).
Listed wind pressures represent calculated design wind pressures (1.0W based on IBC 2009 or 0.6W based on IBC 2012).

Nomenclature:

BKB - BuckleBridge Using (1) #10 screw on alternate sides of the BuckleBridge at 3rd stud (48" o.c.) Use (2) #10 screws at end of wall run.
N/A indicates stud section is insufficient.
(2) or (3) preceding product indicates number of rows of bridging. If no number is shown, then (1) bridging row only.

BridgeBar^® (Bridging Channel)

BridgeBar^® replaces cold-rolled channel (CRC) for wall bridging.

BridgeBar^® Downloads:

Tech Sheet |

DWG |

Specs |

BIM

BridgeClip^® (Secures Channel to Stud)

BridgeClip^®, BC600 & BC800 secures BridgeBar^® 150 or 1 ½” cold-rolled channel (CRC) to stud, resisting both lateral and twisting loads.

BridgeClip^® Downloads:

Tech Sheet |

DWG |

Specs |

BIM

BuckleBridge^® (Bridging Channel)

BuckleBridge^® provides a solid wall stud bridging system to resist weak axis buckling and torsional rotation of members.

BuckleBridge^® Downloads:

Tech Sheet|

DWG |

Specs |

BIM

NotchTrak^® NT

NotchTrak^® NT provides solid wall stud bridging and/or backing systems.

NotchTrak^® NT Downloads:

Tech Sheet |

DWG |

Specs |

BIM

TSN's Product Catalogs are an essential resource for the design of cold formed steel. Developed by Engineers, the catalogs contain design data for members connectors, and fasteners.

TSN's Wall Bridging Product Line can be found in the following Catalogs:

TSN Connection
Technical Catalog

TSN Connection
Order Catalog

For a full list of our product catalogs, specification sections, inspection checklists, and research reports please click here.