What is the minimum distance that holes must be from the bearing end of nonstructural cold-formed steel wall studs?

The minimum distance that holes must be from the bearing end of nonstructural cold-formed steel wall studs is 10 inches. This requirement is established to ensure the integrity and strength of the steel studs. Holes placed too close to the bearing end can compromise structural stability by reducing the effective cross-section of the stud, which may lead to failure under load.

By maintaining a distance of 10 inches, the design ensures that adequate material remains to support the loads and retain the intended strength characteristics of the stud. This threshold helps prevent issues like buckling or potential failure points that could arise from stress concentration around drilled or punched holes, especially in the presence of loads or impacts. Understanding this distance is critical for anyone involved in the installation or design of nonstructural cold-formed steel framing.