Designation: C 955 – 01

Standard Specification for

Load-Bearing (Transverse and Axial) Steel Studs, Runners
(Tracks), and Bracing or Bridging for Screw Application of
Gypsum Panel Products and Metal Plaster Bases1
This standard is issued under the fixed designation C 955; the number immediately following the designation indicates the year of
original adoption or, in the case of revision, the year of last revision. A number in parentheses indicates the year of last reapproval. A
superscript epsilon (e) indicates an editorial change since the last revision or reapproval.

1. Scope * 2.2 AISI Standard:

1.1 This specification covers steel studs, runners (tracks), Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Struc-
and bracing or bridging (with a base metal thickness range of tural Members4
not less than 0.0329 in. (0.836 mm)) for screw application of 2.3 ISO Standard:
gypsum panel products and metal plaster bases in load-bearing ISO 9223 Corrosion of Metals and Alloys—Corrosivity of
(transverse and axial) construction assemblies. Steel of lesser Atmosphers—Classification5
thickness shall be permitted in additional engineered products. 3. Terminology
1.2 The values stated in inch-pound units are to be regarded
as the standard. The SI (metric) values given in parentheses are 3.1 Definitions: Definitions shall be in accordance with
provided for information purposes only. Terminology C 11.
1.3 The following precautionary caveat pertains only to the 3.2 Definitions of Terms Specific to This Standard:
test method portion, Section 8, of this specification: This 3.2.1 members, n—studs, runners, tracks, bracing, bridging,
standard does not purport to address all of the safety concerns, accessories or other items manufactured in accordance with
if any, associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user this standard.
of this standard to establish appropriate safety and health 3.2.2 structural member, n—a member in a steel framed
practices and determine the applicability of regulatory limita- system in which the loading exceeds any of the following
tions prior to use. conditions: a transverse load of 20 lbf/ft (290 N/m) of member
length, or an axial load, exclusive of sheathing, of 200 lbf (890
2. Referenced Documents N) per member.
2.1 ASTM Standards: 4. Materials and Manufacture
A 653/A 653M Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-Coated
(Galvanized) or Zinc-Iron Alloy-Coated (Galvannealed) 4.1 The mechanical properties of the steel shall meet the
by the Hot-Dipped Process2 requirements of the AISI Specification for the Design of
A 792/A 792M Specification for Steel Sheet, 55 % Alumi- Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members.
num–Zinc Alloy-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process2 4.2 The minimum steel thickness (base steel) shall be not
A 875/A 875M Specification for Steel Sheet, Zinc-5 % Alu- less than 0.0329 in. (0.84 mm).
minum Alloy-Coated by the Hot-Dip Process2 4.3 Individual measurements before the application of pro-
A 1003 Specification for Steel Sheet, Carbon, Metallic and tective coating shall be not less than 95 % of the specified
Non-Metallic Coated for Cold-Formed Framing Members2 design thickness.
C 36 Specification for Gypsum Wallboard3 4.4 Members shall have a protective coating conforming to
C 954 Specification for Steel Drill Screws for the Applica- Specification A 653/A 653M, G60 minimum, or equivalent
tion of Gypsum Panel Products or Metal Plaster Bases to corrosion resistance, or shall have a rust-inhibitive coating
Steel Studs from 0.033 in. (0.84 mm) to 0.112 in. (2.84 providing equivalent corrosion resistance.
mm) in Thickness3 4.5 Edges of members shall be manufactured to minimize
burrs and sharp edges.
4.6 Factory punch-outs, when provided, shall be located
1
This specification is under the jurisdiction of ASTM Committee C11 on along the centerline of the webs of members and shall have
Gypsum and Related Building Materials and Systems and is the direct responsibility
of Subcommittee C11.02 on Specifications and Test Methods for Accessories and
Related Products.
4
Current edition approved Sept. 10, 2001. Published November 2001. Originally Available from the American Iron and Steel Institute, 1000 16th St., N.W.,
published as C 955 - 81. Last previous edition C 955 - 00a. Washington, DC 20036.
2 5
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 01.06. Available from International Organization for Standardization, 1, Rue de
3
Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Vol 04.01. Varembé, Case Postale 56, CH-1211, Geneva 20, Switzerland.

*A Summary of Changes section appears at the end of this standard.

Copyright © ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959, United States.

1
 C 955
center-to-center spacing of not less than 24 in. (610 mm). Web TABLE 1 Manufacturing Tolerances
punch-outs maximum width shall be the lesser of 0.5 times the DimensionA Item Checked
Structural Studs, Structural Track,
member depth, d, or 21⁄2 in. (64 mm). Web punch-out length in. (mm) in. (mm)

shall not exceed 4 1⁄2 in. (114 mm). Minimum distance between A length + 3⁄32 (2.38) + 1⁄2 (12.7)
− 3⁄32 (2.38) − 1⁄4 (6.35)
the end of the member and the near edge of the web punch-out BB web width + 1⁄32 (0.79) + 1⁄32 (0.79)
shall be 10 in. (254 mm). The size of the factory punch-outs − 1⁄32 (0.79) + 1⁄8 (3.18)
shall not exceed the size used in design and the center-to-center C flare + 1⁄16 (1.59) + 0 (0)
overbend − 1⁄16 (1.59) − 3⁄32 (2.38)
spacing shall not be less than that used in design. D hole center + 1⁄16 (1.59) NA
4.7 The sectional properties of members shall be computed width − 1⁄16 (1.59)
in accordance with the AISI Specification for the Design of E hole center + 1⁄4 (6.35) NA
length − 1⁄4 (6.35)
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. F crown + 1⁄16 (1.59) + 1⁄16 (1.59)
− 1⁄16 (1.59) − 1⁄16 (1.59)
5. Performance Requirements G camber 1⁄32 per ft (0.79) 1⁄32 per ft (0.79)

1⁄2max (12.7) 1⁄2 max (12.7)

5.1 When tested in accordance with Section 8, members H bow 1⁄32 per ft (0.79) 1⁄32 per ft (0.79)

shall be capable of pulling the head of the screw below the 1⁄2max (12.7) 1⁄2max (12.7)

surface of the gypsum panel product without spin out (see Fig. I twist 1⁄32 per ft (0.79) 1⁄32 per ft (0.79)

1⁄2max (12.7) 1⁄2 max (12.7)

1).
A
All measurements shall be taken not less than 1 ft (305 mm) from the end.
B
6. Dimensions and Permissible Variations Outside dimension for stud; inside for track.

6.1 Data for calculating design performance shall be sup- of a screw below the surface of the gypsum panel product. It
plied by the manufacturer. shall be used to determine compliance with this specification.
6.2 The width of the surface to which the sheathing board is The degree of performance of this test method with service
attached shall be not less than 11⁄4 in. (32 mm). performance has not been determined.
6.3 Runners (track) shall be formed in a U-shaped configu- 8.2 Apparatus shall satisfy the following:
ration, having a depth compatible with that of the studs of the 8.2.1 Electric Drill capable of 2500 r/min (free spindle
same nominal size. speed), supplied with a screw driving bit to fit the screw used
6.4 Minimum height of runner (track) flanges shall be 3⁄4 in. in the test.
(19 mm). 8.3 Materials shall satisfy the following:
6.5 Members shall be manufactured within the limits as 8.3.1 Gypsum Board, Type X, 5⁄8 in. (16 mm) thick.
shown in Table 1 and Fig. 2. 8.3.2 Screws—Specification C 954, 1 in. (25.4 mm) long.
6.6 Bracing and bridging shall have configuration and steel 8.3.3 Kraft Paper, 0.010 in. (0.25 mm) thick.
thickness to provide secondary support for the studs in accor- 8.4 Sampling—One member shall be selected from each
dance with the AISI Specification for the Design of Cold- bundle or package but not more than ten from any one
Formed Steel Structural Members. shipment for testing.
8.5 Specimen Preparation:
7. Workmanship, Finish, and Appearance
8.5.1 Each member to be tested shall be cut into test
7.1 The steel members shall be free of defects that interfere specimens not less than 18 in. (460 mm) long.
with the purpose for which they are intended. 8.5.2 For each test, one piece of gypsum board, 6-in.
(152-mm) square, shall be cut not less than 12 in. (305 mm)
8. Penetration Test
from the edge or end of the wallboard.
8.1 Significance and Use—This test method provides a 8.5.3 For each test, four pieces of kraft paper, 2-in. (51-mm)
procedure for evaluating the member’s ability to pull the head square shall be cut.
8.6 Number of Tests and Retests:
8.6.1 Five specimens of members shall be tested.
8.6.2 If more than one test specimen fails to meet the
requirements, two more test specimens shall be chosen for
retesting.
8.7 Report—Report shall indicate all specimens meeting the
requirements of this specification if the screw penetrated the
steel and the screw did not spin out; or shall indicate all
specimens failing if the screw did not penetrate the steel, or the
screw spun out.
8.8 Precision and Bias—No statement is made about either
the precision or bias of this test method since the result merely
states whether or not there is conformance to the criteria for
success specified in the procedure.
9. Inspection
FIG. 1 Studs 9.1 Inspection of the members shall be agreed upon between

2
 C 955

FIG. 2 Manufacturing Tolerances

the purchaser and the producer or supplier as part of the or a tag attached thereto. Marking shall include the rollformer’s
purchase agreement. identification (name, logo, or initials), length, quantity, and
rollformer’s member designator including member depth,
10. Rejection flange size, and minimum steel thickness in mils or inches
10.1 When specified in the purchase agreement, members exclusive of protective coating.
that fail to conform to the requirements of this specification 12.2 In addition to the marking referenced in 12.1, indi-
shall be rejected. Rejection shall be reported to the producer or
vidual members shall have a legible label, stencil, or emboss-
supplier promptly and in writing. The notice of rejection shall
ment, at a maximum distance of 48 in. (1220 mm) on center, on
contain a statement documenting how the member has failed to
the web of the member, with the following minimum informa-
conform to the requirements of this specification and the
purchase agreement. tion:
12.2.1 The rollformer’s identification (that is, name, logo, or
11. Certification initials).
11.1 When specified in the purchase agreement, a produc- 12.2.2 The minimum steel thickness, in mils or inches,
er’s or supplier’s report shall be furnished at the time of exclusive of protective coatings.
shipment certifying that the product is in compliance with this 12.2.3 The minimum yield strength in kip per square inch
specification. (megapascals).
12. Marking and Identification
12.1 Groups of like members shall be marked with a label,

3
 C 955
TABLE 2 Coating Designations
Coating Coating Minimum Coating Requirements
Classification Designator Zinc-CoatedA Zinc IronB 55 % Al-ZincC Zinc-5 %D
Metallic Coated CP 40 G 40 A 40 AZ 50 GF 30
CP 60 G 60 A 60 AZ 50 GF 30
CP 90 G 90 Not Applicable AZ 50 GF 45
Painted Metallic PM The metallic coated substrate shall meet the requirements of metallic coated. In addition, the paint film shall
have a minimum thickness of 0.5 mil per side (primer plus topcoat) with a minimum primer thickness of 0.1 mil
per side.E
Painted PTD Non-metallic coated substrate shall be painted after roll forming and shall have a minimum paint thickness of
1.0 mil on all surfaces including edges. Use of painted product is limited to environments where the rate of
corrosion is low; typically areas such as interiors of buildings and areas of low rainfall and low humidity as
defined by ISO 9223, Category 1 and 2.E,F
A
Zinc-coated steel sheet as described in Specification A 653/A 653M.
B
Zinc-iron alloy-coated steel sheet as described in Specification A 653/A 653M.
C
55 % Aluminum-zinc alloy-coated steel sheet as described in Specification A 792/A 792M.
D
Zinc-5 % aluminum alloy-coated steel sheet as described in Specification A 875/A 875M.
E
In accordance with the requirements of A 1003.
F
ISO International Standard 9223.

TABLE 3 Color Codes for Members

12.2.4 The minimum protective coating shall be indicated Minimum Base Metal Minimum Decimal Equivalent,
with the appropriate coating designator in accordance with Color
Thickness, mils in. (mm)
Table 2.
White 33 0.0329 (0.836)
12.3 Individual members or bundles of like members shall Yellow 43 0.0428 (1.087)
be color-coded in accordance with Table 3. Green 54 0.0538 (1.367)
Orange 68 0.0677 (1.720)
Red 97 0.0966 (2.454)
13. Protection Blue 118 0.1180 (2.997)
13.1 Material shall be protected during shipment and stor-
age as required. When specified in the purchase order, the stud,
runner, bracing, or bridging shall be packaged in accordance 14. Keywords
with the purchaser’s instructions. 14.1 runners; screws; section properties; studs; thickness

SUMMARY OF CHANGES

This section identifies the location of changes to this specification that have been incorporated since the last
issue. Committee C11 has highlighted those changes that affect the technical interpretation or use of this
specification.

(1) Replaced existing paragraph 12.2.4 with new paragraph (2) Revised Section 2.
12.2.4. (3) Included new Table 2.

The ASTM International takes no position respecting the validity of any patent rights asserted in connection with any item
mentioned in this standard. Users of this standard are expressly advised that determination of the validity of any such patent rights,
and the risk of infringement of such rights, are entirely their own responsibility.

This standard is subject to revision at any time by the responsible technical committee and must be reviewed every five years and
if not revised, either reapproved or withdrawn. Your comments are invited either for revision of this standard or for additional standards
and should be addressed to ASTM International Headquarters. Your comments will receive careful consideration at a meeting of the
responsible technical committee, which you may attend. If you feel that your comments have not received a fair hearing you should
make your views known to the ASTM Committee on Standards, at the address shown below.

This standard is copyrighted by ASTM International, 100 Barr Harbor Drive, PO Box C700, West Conshohocken, PA 19428-2959,
United States. Individual reprints (single or multiple copies) of this standard may be obtained by contacting ASTM at the above
address or at 610-832-9585 (phone), 610-832-9555 (fax), or service@astm.org (e-mail); or through the ASTM website
(www.astm.org).