What must be true about the flanges and lips of nonstructural cold-formed steel wall studs?

Nonstructural cold-formed steel wall studs are designed with specific properties and intended functions. One important factor in their design is that the flanges and lips must not be cut or notched. This requirement ensures that the integrity and performance of the studs are maintained. Cutting or notching the flanges could compromise their structural capabilities and reduce their load-bearing capacity, which is critical in maintaining the overall stability and performance of the wall assembly in which they are used.

By keeping the flanges and lips intact, these studs can effectively transfer loads and contribute to the overall structural system without introducing weaknesses that could lead to failures during use. Additionally, preserving the full profile of the stud is essential for enabling proper connections with other components, ensuring proper installation, and adhering to the building code requirements related to nonstructural applications.

The other options suggest practices that would compromise the structural integrity or violate standard codes of construction, underscoring the importance of not altering the flanges and lips of nonstructural cold-formed steel wall studs.