What are cripple walls?

As shown in the figure, a cripple wall is a short wall that rests on the foundation and supports the floor and exterior walls. If the cripple wall is not braced, it can shift during an earthquake.

Why do they call it a cripple wall?

It's called a cripple wall because that section of the home is considered a “cripple zone” - in seismic events it was thought that homes should have an area that cripples/gives out so that the rest of the home would go undamaged.

Do all homes have cripple walls?

Cripple walls are typically found on dwellings built prior to 1960. Many newer dwellings utilize concrete perimeter walls to elevate or level the dwelling. These are not cripple walls. A dwelling built on a flat concrete slab without a crawl space beneath it will not have cripple walls.

What is a cripple wall in construction terms?

Cripple-wall houses have short (less than full-story height) wood-framed walls between the foundation and the wood-framed first floor, and a crawl space under the house.

How do you reinforce cripple walls?

A house with cripple walls must be reinforced at three distinct weak spots below the floor: The floor must be tied to the cripple walls, the cripple walls must be stiffened with plywood and tied to the mudsill, and the mudsill must be bolted to the foundation.

What is a cripple wall and how are they vulnerable in earthquakes? Home Earthquake Vulnerabilities

Is the dwelling elevated on cripple stud walls?

The height of a cripple wall generally ranges from 14 inches to 4 feet. Typically, buildings with a “cripple wall” have 3 or more steps to the first floor. Cripple walls are typically found on dwellings built prior to 1960. Many newer dwellings utilize concrete perimeter walls to elevate or level the dwelling.

Are cripple studs necessary?

Cripple Studs – short studs installed above a header or below a window sill or saddle. If the header is tall enough to reach the top plate no cripple studs are required.

What is cripple stud in architecture?

Cripple stud: Either above or below a framed opening. Post or column: Group of studs fastened side-by-side.

How do I know if I have a cripple wall?

Go under the house through the crawl space, to see if there are any cripple walls. If there are cripple walls, check to see if they are braced. If you have neither of these, the cripple walls are probably insufficiently braced or unbraced. Horizontal or vertical wood siding is not strong enough to brace cripple walls.

How do you tell if your house is bolted to the foundation?

How much does it cost to earthquake proof your house?

While there is not a standard cost for strengthening your home against earthquake damage, the range usually is about $3,000 to $7,000. Larger homes, those built on hillsides and those with basements and rooms over garages will typically cost more to retrofit.

What is the bottom stud in a wall called?

The studs are the vertical pieces that make up most of a wall's frame. The cavities between the studs are called bays (or stud bays). A horizontal piece at the bottom of the wall is called the bottom plate. The studs are nailed to this plate, which is nailed to the floor.

What do shear walls do?

A shear wall is a general term for a wall that is designed and constructed to resist racking from forces such as wind using masonry, concrete, cold-formed steel, or wood framing. Shear walls significantly reduce the sway of a structure to reduce damage to the structure and its contents.

What is the difference between a jack stud and a cripple stud?

What's the difference between a jack stud and a cripple stud? While a jack stud is used to support the weight of the header, a cripple stud is cut to add additional framing above the door or window opening, and below a window.

How many cripple studs do I need?

How many jack studs for a 3 foot opening:-as per general rules and guidelines, for a window or door opening that span 3 foot (36 inches) or less such as 30 inches, 32 inches, you will need 1 jack studs (trimmer) and 1 king studs at both end.

What's considered a load bearing wall?

Any exterior wall that stands on the foundation sill can be considered load bearing. Walls that run perpendicular to the joists are load-bearing walls. Walls that are parallel to the joists rarely are, but sometimes a bearing wall will be aligned directly under a single joist.

What is a cripple stud used for?

Cripple studs are non-structural but provide a nailing base for siding or interior wall coverings. Spaced 16 or 24 inches on center, they carry the regular wall stud layout across the framed opening. Both cripple studs and cripple rafters are made from the same stock as other studs and rafters—they're just cut shorter.

What is a cripple post?

Cripples are vertical framing members that support a sill or saddle. They are installed at points where a common stud would have stood if not for the window opening. Cripples provide support for the window and the sill it rests on.

Why is it called a jack stud?

The jack stud is sometimes called a trimmer stud. The term “jack” derives from mid–16th century England, where it referred to a lad, knave, or common man: Jack: (1) A man of the common people, a lad, fellow, chap, especially a low-bred or ill-mannered fellow, a knave.

What is a pony wall in a house?

A pony wall is nothing more than a short wall, and the term is often used interchangeably with “knee wall” or “cripple wall.” Pony walls, like regular walls, have top and bottom plates, that is, the horizontal members that the vertical studs fasten to.

What is a king stud in construction?

A king stud is a vertical structural element that is placed off layout adjacent to a framed opening on each side, such as a door or window. It is the same length as the common studs in the wall and fastened in a similar manner.