General Contractor Practice Exam

What is the common method for laterally restraining the ends of bottom bearing joists?

1. Metal brackets

2. Solid blocking

3. Cable ties

4. Wooden struts

The correct answer is: Solid blocking

The common method for laterally restraining the ends of bottom bearing joists is through the use of solid blocking. This approach involves placing solid pieces of wood, typically the same dimension as the joists, tightly between joists at their ends. This not only provides stability but also prevents the joists from twisting or rotating under load, which can be critical for maintaining the integrity of the structure. Solid blocking ensures that there is a rigid connection that helps distribute the load more evenly across the structure. Additionally, it reduces the risk of deflection and increases the overall strength of the framing system by creating a sturdy connection between adjacent joists. Other methods like metal brackets, cable ties, or wooden struts have their uses in different applications, but they do not provide the same kind of effective lateral support and load distribution that solid blocking offers for bottom bearing joists.