Formed Stud with Integral Diaphragm Section

Abstract

The invention relates generally to building construction, and more particularly to studs for use in wall panels used in the construction of foundation walls and upper floor exterior walls. The invention provides a structural wall system to support building loads and lateral earth pressure from adjacent ground, said system comprising a wall assembly using plurality of studs preferably formed from metal located side by side and each having a cross section comprising an orthogonal lip section with interior flange section, a web section, and an exterior diaphragm section orthogonal to the web section and having a first recessed shoulder on the open distal end and a second recessed shoulder on the bend line integral with the web section. The wall system may be assembled using a standard steel channel as a starting point. The stud diaphragm of the present invention extends laterally from the web portion with the distal edge to be aligned with and fastened to the standard steel channel. A second stud is then installed by aligning and fastening the distal edge of such stud to the second recessed shoulder of the preceding stud to form a continuous diaphragm surface as studs are similarly connected to one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A structural wall panel system comprising an assembly using a standard steel channel and a plurality of studs formed from metal located side by side and each having a cross section comprising an orthogonal lip section with interior flange section, a web section, and an exterior diaphragm section orthogonal to the web section and having a first recessed shoulder on the open distal end and a second recessed shoulder on the bend line integral with the web section, wherein the stud extends laterally from the web portion with the distal edge to be aligned with and fastened to the standard steel channel, and additional studs are installed by aligning and fastening the distal edge of each successive stud to the second recessed shoulder of the preceding stud to form a continuous diaphragm surface as studs are similarly connected to one another.