residential floor framing, cross bridging vs solid blocking

huangyhg

residential floor framing, cross bridging vs solid blocking
my question relates to solid wood residential floor framing. in particular, i am seeking information that compares the strength differences between diagonal wood cross bridging and solid wood blocking as is typically installed at the center of a floor joist span. i realize that the depth of the joist and the quality of the installation can have a significant effect on either choice. my personal feeling is, wood cross bridging acts like a truss member, transfering stress to adjacent members throughout the floor frame. it seems, in my experience, that solid wood blocking puts more stress on the shear of the perpendicular nails, adding less transferable support to the deflection of the joists. i appreciate all responses. thank you.
i'd say you have thought correctly.  cross bracing would probably distribute a point load over one joist to adjacent joists more efficiently.  solid blocking though should also do quite well assuming it's designed properly.  it's probably easier to connect the solid blocking than the wood bracing too.  metal bracing is another matter but then it's probably more expensive as well.  if the connection isn't made right then it doesn't really matter if the bracing works better on paper or not, imho of course.