Do 1st Floor Studs Always Align With 2nd Floor Studs

The wall studs are capped by a double top plate.

Do 1st floor studs always align with 2nd floor studs.

While first floor supports are needed to account for the additional weight of a second floor the walls are pretty much the same as those of a single story home. Need to tie down 2nd floor studs to bond beam below 2nd floor wood trusses. This will be in the northeast so snow load is a concern. The floor joists for the second floor did not stack directly above the studs.

Trusses bear on 2x plate with anchor bolts into masonry bond beam. This will carry through to each subsequent story no matter how many. Floor joists align with the wall studs which align with the first story floor joists. I was thinking of building a 4 knee wall on the second floor then setting my rafters on that instead of directly on the floor like a true 1 1 2 story.

I understand this is a problem as you are building the foundation first and doing this will move the foundation walls. The second floor studs did not stack over the floor joists below. What this means is that the first story ceiling joists will also serve as the floor joists for the second story. Any thoughts are appreciated.

I have a two story structure first floor cmu 2nd story wood stud frame located in high wind area. Aligning the first floor wall with the basement wall does not work. The joists were offest by 6 8 from the studs. On a framing inspection i noticed 2 x 4 studs spaced at 16 oc for the first floor walls.

Framing for floor openings a staircase is essential for commuting between floors but it creates an opening in the second floor so you can t run the joists from one side of the house to the other without interruption.