Yes, they can be used to build super thick walls, but you'll probably need to have an engineer work out the details.
Q: There's a framing rule of thumb I've used for years that says it's okay to offset a second-story bearing wall from the first-story bearing wall below, as long as you don't offset it by more than the depth of the joist. We use this rule for standard dimensional lumber, but would it also apply to wood I-joists?
