Which of the following is a typical method to restrain ends of bottom bearing joists laterally?

Which of the following is a typical method to restrain ends of bottom bearing joists laterally?

• A. Solid blocking
• B. Diagonal bridging
• C. 3-8d nails
• D. Nails in a pattern

Answer: (A)

When you want to keep the ends of bottom bearing joists from moving sideways under load, the standard approach is to install solid blocking between the joists. These blocks, cut to fit snugly and laid perpendicular to the joists, lock the joists together and provide a rigid surface that resists both outward spread and twisting. Blocking ties the framing into a single, stiff unit, helps transfer loads to the bearing walls, and keeps the floor plane flat under use. Diagonal bridging can also limit lateral movement, but it’s not the typical method for restraining bottom joist ends at bearing points. Merely placing nails or using nails in a pattern doesn’t provide the same cross-frame restraint as a solid block between the joists, which is why blocking is the preferred solution.

When you want to keep the ends of bottom bearing joists from moving sideways under load, the standard approach is to install solid blocking between the joists. These blocks, cut to fit snugly and laid perpendicular to the joists, lock the joists together and provide a rigid surface that resists both outward spread and twisting. Blocking ties the framing into a single, stiff unit, helps transfer loads to the bearing walls, and keeps the floor plane flat under use.

Diagonal bridging can also limit lateral movement, but it’s not the typical method for restraining bottom joist ends at bearing points. Merely placing nails or using nails in a pattern doesn’t provide the same cross-frame restraint as a solid block between the joists, which is why blocking is the preferred solution.