Under Tennessee building codes, what is the maximum allowable span for 2x8 floor joists at 16 inches on center using Southern Pine lumber?
Correct Answer
D) 12 feet 8 inches
Tennessee building codes allow 2x8 Southern Pine floor joists at 16" o.c. to span a maximum of 12 feet 8 inches.
Why This Is the Correct Answer
Per Tennessee building code span tables (based on IRC span tables for Southern Pine), 2x8 floor joists at 16 inches on center are permitted a maximum span of 12 feet 8 inches. This value accounts for the species strength, joist depth, and spacing interval.
Why the Other Options Are Wrong
Option A: 13 feet 2 inches
13 feet 2 inches exceeds the allowable span for this combination of lumber size, species, and spacing. Using this span would risk deflection beyond acceptable limits and potential structural failure.
Option B: 11 feet 10 inches
11 feet 10 inches is a valid span for a different configuration (e.g., 2x8 at 19.2" o.c. or a weaker lumber grade), but it is shorter than the 16" o.c. allowance for Southern Pine 2x8.
Option C: 14 feet 6 inches
14 feet 6 inches is too long for this member size and spacing. Such a span would typically require a larger member (e.g., 2x10) or a stronger lumber species/grade.
Memory Technique
For 2x8 Southern Pine at 16" o.c., remember '12-8': twelve feet eight inches. The '8' in 2x8 matches the '8' in 12'8" — a simple numeric echo to anchor the answer.
More Tennessee Questions
Calculate the Tennessee workers' compensation premium for a roofing contractor with a $180,000 annual payroll and a rate of $28.50 per $100 of payroll:
How many hours of continuing education are required for Tennessee contractor license renewal?
Calculate the workers' compensation experience modification factor for a contractor with $85,000 in expected losses and $68,000 in actual losses:
Under Tennessee lien law, what is the maximum time limit to enforce a mechanics lien after it has been filed?
Under Tennessee lien law, which party has priority when multiple liens are filed against the same property?
Under Tennessee building codes, what is the maximum allowable deflection for a residential floor joist with a 16-foot span under live load?
A homeowner in Nashville hires an unlicensed contractor for $8,000 worth of electrical work. The contractor demands payment but the work fails inspection. Under TCA 62-6, what recourse does the unlicensed contractor have?
Under Tennessee building codes, what is the minimum ceiling height required for habitable rooms in residential construction?
A Tennessee contractor has 8 employees working on a residential project. The total weekly payroll is $6,400. If the workers' compensation rate for residential construction is $8.50 per $100 of payroll, what is the weekly workers' compensation premium?
A contractor is installing a septic system for a new home in rural Tennessee. The estimated cost is $8,500. According to TCA 62-6, what licensing requirement applies?
People Also Study
Business & Financial Management
120 questions · 70% to pass
Contract Administration
60 questions · 70% to pass
Project Management
60 questions · 70% to pass