digital media 2

building modeling
ex2-2 : Dimensional Lumber Platform Framing

exercise goals

To establish basic skills in digital solid modeling and knowledge of rudimentary

parameters of normative Wood Platform Framing construction systems.

performance procedure

This assignment is arranged so that students who are not familiar with the contents of
their files will be penalized. Make sure that you make your own work before class. If you
don't you won't pass because you won't know how to manipulate it and turn it in by the
end of class.

We now have a concrete slab in the ground that is 24ft by 24ft with a 12ft by 12ft "dogleg"
on its east-northeast side. The 12ft by 12ft area is the stairwell space for a simple switchback
landing stair set. There will be no second floor in there.
Model these steps for a 2 story dimensional lumber platform frame structure on the slab:

1) Difference a 2 by 2 (nominal dim.-actual 1.5" by 1.5" dim.) strip out of the outside
top edge of the perimeter of the concrete slab. Set the concrete slab with removed
perimeter strip on a layer called "Slab".

2) Along this 1.5" set back on the top of the slab run a continuous 2 by 6 (again
nominal dim.) bottom plate for the perimeter walls.

3) Set 2 by 6 (nominal dim.) by 7'-7.5" tall studs at 16" on center (o.c.) on top of this
perimeter bottom plate. Check standard practices in the texts and on site as to how
you should make the studs turn the corner.

4) On top of this range of studs lay a 2 by 6 lower top plate.

5) Lapping the first top plate at any cut (so as to bundle the constructed walls
together), set a second (upper) 2 by 6 top plate directly on top of the first top plate.
The top of this second plate should be 8' tall off the concrete slab. Put all the
elements in steps 1 to 5 on a single layer called "1st Wall".

6) Around all the outer perimeter of this wall STAND a 2 by 12 (actual- 1.5" by 11.25")
floor plate so that the outside of all the dimensional lumber in the assembly is
aligned "flush out". Run the floor plate on the eastern edge of the 24 ft by 24ft box
from the southeast corner 24ft north, including across the opening to the northeast
corner. Double this floor plate with a second piece just inside the first. This doubles
up the wood making the beam over the 12ft span.

7) Running east-west, set 2 by 12 (actual- 1.5" by 11.25") floor joists spaced at 12" o.c.
from inside of floor plate to inside of floor plate. Put all the elements in steps 6 and
7 on a single layer called "2nd Joists"

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digital media 2
building modeling
ex2-2 : Dimensional Lumber Platform Framing

8) Using 4ft by 8ft 3/4" thick plywood sheets sheath the top of the floor joist structure
over the 24ft by 24ft area with a plywood sub-floor. (It is called a subfloor because
something will cover it to make the finished floor.)

DUE: BRING THIS MUCH MODEL AND BE READY TO WORK ON IT IN CLASS ON THE
DATE YOUR TA REQUIRES IT. YOU WILL MODIFY THIS MODEL IN CLASS AND
TURN IN YOUR WORK AT THE END OF THAT CLASS.
IN CLASS WITH YOUR TA:

9) Around the perimeter of the north, east, and south sides of the 12ft by 12ft
stairwell block out the perimeter floor plate so that the inside face of the assembly
is aligned flush along the inside. Cap this blocking with a layer of 3/4" plywood so
that the tops of these wall assemblies are as high (flush) as the subfloor on top of
the 24ft by 24ft area. Put all the elements in steps 8 and 9 on a single layer called
"2nd Floor".

10) The landing is a 4'-5"(n-s) by 10'-10" (e.w) platform blocked out and hung from the
surrounding studs made from 2 by 8 floor plates and joists (running north to
south) and covered with a 3/4" thick plywood subfloor so that the top of the
subfloor is 4'-6" above the slab.

11) The steps have 6.75" risers & 12" treads. The treads are 1.5" thick. There is no kick
plate (riser piece). There is a run, a straight line of stairs from ground to landing, of
7 steps; the landing, which is step 8; & a run of 7 steps from the landing to 6.75"
below the second floor. The edge of the second floor is considered the last, 16th,
step. These two runs are each 5'-5" wide & have a stringer on each edge cut from a
2 by 12. Put all the elements in steps 10 and 11 on a single layer called "Stairs".

12) Copy the first floor wall and move the repeat so that the bottom of the bottom
plate is set on the second floor subflooring. Put all the elements in step 12 on a
single layer called "2nd Wall".

13) Copy the second floor plates and joists and move the repeat so that the bottom of
the plates and joists are set on top of the double top plate of the 2nd walls. Put all
the elements in step 13 on a single layer called "Roof".

14) Remove stairwell blocking copied to the roof structure and extend joists to connect
to the east edge of the 12ft by 12ft stairwell structure. Set 3- 2 by 12 beams side by
side that span north-south and rest on the N-S walls supporting these lengthened
roof joists from below at the 12ft by 12ft stairwell opening to the 24ft by 24ft space.

15) Revise the second floor plates and joists, the second floor walls, and the roof so
that the second floor projects west in a 6' cantilever. Set 3- 2 by 12s side by side
that span north-south and rest on the N-S walls under the roof structure at the
stairwell opening to the 24ft by 14ft space to support these lengthened roof joists.

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digital media 2
building modeling
ex2-2 : Dimensional Lumber Platform Framing

16) Adjust the 2nd floor and roof structure so that the roof slopes from west (highest
side) to east (lowest side). To figure these heights make the bottom of the support
beam in step 14) at7'-0" above the second floor subflooring and set the bottom of
the support beam in step 15) at 9'-0" above the second floor subflooring.

17) Save the file as 3341_Sect094_XXX_Ex2-2.fmz and submit this at the end of class.

FIN

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