“The Wood Products Council” is a Registered Provider with The

American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems (AIA/

CES). Credit(s) earned on completion of this program will be reported
to AIA/CES for AIA members. Certificates of Completion for both AIA
members and non-AIA members are available upon request.

Structural Fasteners in 

This program is registered with AIA/CES for continuing professional
Wood-to-Wood Connections education. As such, it does not include content that may be deemed
or construed to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any
material of construction or any method or manner of handling, using,
distributing, or dealing in any material or product.

Questions related to specific materials, methods, and services will be

addressed at the conclusion of this presentation.

Copyright Materials

Learning Objectives



At the end of this program, participants will be able to:

This presentation is protected by US and
International Copyright laws. Reproduction,

distribution, display and use of the presentation 1.  Articulate how wood properties, loading direction and dowel bearing strength
without written permission of the speaker is affect the strength of wood connections.
prohibited.
2.  Understand the features and strength properties of traditional nails, screws,

lags and bolts and the newest fastener- Structural Wood Screws.
© The Wood Products Council 2012
3.  Understand the procedures involved in determining the imposed loads and

selection of the appropriate fastener.

4.  Locate and understand the code requirements for specific wood-frame
structural connections.
Welcome Welcome

  Introductions
  Introductions

  Brice Hereford
  Who’s in the Room?

  Code Compliance Specialist
  Inspectors, Plan Review

  Construction Experience
  Architects, Engineers

  Certified Sustainable Designer
  Builders, Contractors, Developers

  ICC Adjunct Instructor
  Other

OMG Who We Are

  Largest Domestic Screw Manufacturer

  Agawam, MA

Since 1979
 OMG Today’s Topics

  OMG / FastenMaster Principles

  Contractor Focused
  Critical Wood Properties

  Lower Installed Cost
  Fastener Basics

  Train the Chain (Contractor, Yard, Inspector, Engineer)
  The “Evolution of Fasteners”

  Code Reliance
  New Category of Structural Wood Screws

  Clear Installation Instructions, Technical Bulletins

  Inspectability

  Tested to Standards (ICC, ASTM, FM)

  Innovation

  Develop New Products

  Key to Staying Relevant and in the USA

Resources Referenced Resources Referenced

  NDS – National Design Specification for Wood
  IRC – Residential Code

Construction – the “Bible”
  IBC – Commercial Building Code

  Wood Properties – Strengths, Span Tables, etc

  Fastener Strengths In Wood (Connection Design)

  Your State Code

 Resources Referenced Critical Wood Properties

  AF&PA Wood Frame Construction Manual
  Species / Specific Gravity

  Code compliant prescriptive method
  Moisture Content

  Same authors as NDS
  Loading Direction

  Dowel Bearing Strength

Critical Wood Properties Critical Wood Properties

  Species / Specific Gravity
  Species / Specific Gravity

  The “floatability” factor
  How does SG effect connection strength?
Wood Species SG

  Ipe (Brazilian Hardwood) sinks
Ipe 1.00

  DF Larch floats 50% above
Red Oak 0.67 Shear Strength of 1/2" Lag Screw in Different Woods*

  Higher SG = Denser
Southern Pine 0.55 Strength

  Denser = Stronger Wood
Douglas Fir Larch 0.50 Species SG Lbs./Lag Difference

  Specific Gravity is the #1 SCL / Engineered 0.50
determinant of connection Oak 0.67 280 +22%
Douglas Fir South 0.46
strength SYP 0.55 230
Hem Fir 0.43
SPF 0.42 DFL 0.50 200 -13%
SPF 0.42 150 -35%

* Assumes a 2x attached to a 4x
 Critical Wood Properties Critical Wood Properties

  Wet vs. Dry Wood
  Wet vs. Dry Wood

  Moisture Content
  How does it effect connection strength?

  If 19% or Less = “DRY” to engineer

  If above 19% = “WET” Design Strengths in SYP

  The wetter the wood, lower the connection strength Dry Wet Service Wet
Load Type Fastener Type (Lbs) Factor (Lbs)

  Must be compensated for by engineer:
½” Lag 230 .70 161

  Per NDS 10.3.3 “When connections are exposed to Shear
wet service conditions in use, reference design values 16d Nail 154 .70 108
must be multiplied by the wet service factors
”
½” Lag 437 .70 306
Withdrawal
16d Nail 75 .25 19

Critical Wood Properties Critical Wood Properties

  Loading Direction
  Loading Direction

  Parallel to Grain vs. Perpendicular to Grain
  Parallel to Grain is actually stronger!

Parallel to Grain Parallel to

Loading Perpendicular to Grain Loading Grain Loading Perpendicular to Grain Loading
L L L L

L Load G Load 230 lbs.

Direction Direction 410 lbs.
Grain G Grain
G
Direction Direction
Which connection is stronger? ( Design Shear of ½” Lag Screw in SYP )
 Critical Wood Properties Critical Wood Properties

  Dowel Bearing Strength
  Dowel Bearing Strength

  Ability for the wood above the fastener to
support the fastener

5150 psi 4200 psi 3650 psi 2950 psi

¼” 3/8” ½” ¼” 3/8” ½”
¾” ¾”
Which one of these holes supports the least weight? Larger the hole, weaker the wood!

Fastener Facts Fastener Facts

  Anatomy of Nails / Screws
  Anatomy of Nails / Screws

  Metal Strength Properties

  Design Strength Properties in Wood

  Evolution of Fasteners
Head Style Shank/Blank Diameter (Gauge) Point Style

Minor Thread &

Threads Per Inch (TPI)
Major Thread Diameter
 Fastener Facts Fastener Facts

  Metal Strength Properties   Design Strength Properties

  Shear Strength – Lbs needed to slice metal   Design Shear Strength

  Approx. 150 lbs. * #8 deck screw in SYP

  Approx 1,500 Lbs * #8 deck screw
  Design Withdrawal Strength
  Tensile Strength – Lbs to stretch until break metal
  Approx 100 lbs. per inch of thread embedded *

  Approx 2,500 Lbs *
  Design Head Pull-Through Strength
  Bending Yield – Lbs to bend metal beyond elastic
  Approx 100 lbs. per inch of wood under head

  Approx 125,000 psi *
  Takes into account fastener and wood interaction
  Used to compare fasteners only   Only value used by designer/engineer
  Not suitable for designing the connection   Include Safety Factor (2.5 – 5 times)

Fastener Facts Fastener Facts

  Safety factor?
Who cares about a safety factor?

Ledger
Connection
35 people

Handrail Connections Stair Stringer Connection

At least 6 “leaners” 1 guy
 Fastener Facts Fastener Facts

  Quick “Live Load” Analysis
  Design Shear Strength

Maximum pounds of shear load
that can be safely applied before
fastener or wood is displaced

Guests weigh 6200 lbs. Deck designed to carry 7700 lbs.

Only 1500 lbs. (7 people + 1 keg) away from anticipated live load.
The safety factor creates a buffer for inconsistencies in materials and usage.

Fastener Facts Fastener Facts

  Design Withdrawal Strength
  Design Pull-Through Strength

Maximum pounds of Maximum pounds of withdrawal
withdrawal load that can be load that can be safely applied
safely applied before threads before head begins to pull through
disengaging from the wood side member
Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Wooden Dowels
  Wooden Dowels

  Nails and Spikes
  Ship building

  Post & beam

  Wood Screws

  Timber frame

  Lag Screws

  Through Bolts

  Structural Wood Screws

Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Nails - Benefits
  Nails - Drawbacks

Easy to install – one tool / no special skills needed Tough to determine size from head
Contractor familiarity – common nomenclature Difficult to identify fastening pattern once installed
Pneumatic capability – faster by far Common disregard for fastening patterns
Inexpensive – cheapest method
Accepted design values in NDS
Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Nails – Biggest Drawbacks
  Verylow withdrawal strength

#1 – Very low withdrawal strength
  Unacceptable in many code applications
#2 – Made worse when exposed to moisture
(75% reduction in strength!) (Ledgers) 2009 IRC: R502.2.2

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Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Wood Screws   Wood Screws - Benefits

  Deck screws   Easy to install

  NOT drywall screws!!
  No pre-drilling

  Cordless drills & impact drivers
  Threads add greater
withdrawal strength vs. nails
  Values in NDS

  Shear & Withdrawal

Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Wood Screws - Drawbacks
  Wood Screws - Drawbacks

  Unknown quality
  Shear strength and ductility dependent on

  95% imports proper heat treat

  No strengths printed on box
  Most imported screws are through-hardened

  Most not ICC vetted (no report)

  Coating claims unchecked

  “ACQ Approved”?

  QC Process Accountability

Through Hardened Case Hardened

Carbon cooked, brittle potential Carbon-rich case, ductile core

Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Lag Screws – Benefits   Lag Screws – Drawbacks

  Easy to find. Available in all sizes.   By code, must pre-drill twice

  Greater strength than screws or nails

  75% of diameter for entire length

  Strengths reported in the NDS

  100% of diameter for unthreaded portion

  Code allowed / preferred
  Second pre-drill step commonly
ignored by the installer

  Nearly impossible to inspect!
 Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners
Deck Collapse Injures Scores -
 
Lag Screws – Drawbacks
Ledger splits from faulty lag screw installation

July 30, 2004. Diamond Horseshoe Casino in Polson, Montana. By design, lags are threaded 2/3rds of their length:
34 injured, 3 critically, 4 life threatening Creates Board jacking = weaker joint, easier moisture entry
Post-failure inspection found "lag screws were too few and far between, and they were
driven through the ledger with a rotary hammer rather than through pre-drilled holes,
which induced a splitting force”

Side Main

Threads in shear plane - the weakest part of the

screw in the most critical part of the application

Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Through Bolts – Benefits   Through Bolts – Drawbacks

  Best withdrawal strengths of all   Difficult to install

  Requires pre-drilling – can’t cheat
  Drilling required

  Easy to identify

  Three tools needed for installation

  Expensive – 4 pieces of hardware

  Accepted values in NDS
Evolution of Fasteners Evolution of Fasteners

  Through Bolts – Drawbacks
  Questions?

  Negligible benefit in shear strength over
  Comments?
lags – for much more work:

  Emotional Outbursts?

Design Shear Strength

Perpendicular to Grain
Wood 1/2" Lag 1/2" Bolt
SPF 170 170
Doug. Fir 200 220
South. Pine 230 250

Evolution of Fasteners Structural Wood Screws (SWS)

Structural Wood Screws
  Benefits

  Strength equal or greater than lag screws

  Supported by ICC reports

  Versatility of deck screws

  No predrilling

  Complete Inspectability

  Head markings

  Information provided on box / literature

 

 
   

  

  


 


Structural Wood Screws (SWS) Structural Wood Screws (SWS)

  Approved as an Alternative
  Drawbacks

  As with all non-commodity products,
  New: Contractors need better instruction
allowable under the Alternative Materials
  Not a commodity. Small differences
provision R104.11 (IRC & local code). between competitors.

  Tested to national standards (ANSI, ASTM)
  New: Limited familiarity by code officials

  Third party, peer reviewed reports (ICC-ES)

  Demonstrate equivalency to code

Structural Wood Screws Common SWS Applications

  What To Look For

  National Code Report (ICC-ES or IAPMO)

  Multiple Ply Engineered Wood Beams

  Documented Metal Strength Properties
(LVL, LSL, PSL)

  Shear, Withdrawal, Pull through Values in Wood
  Deck Ledger to Rim

  Lot Traceability via Head Stamp and Packaging
  Rafter & Truss to Top Plate

  QC Audit Process

  Corrosion Statement

  Hot Dipped Galvanized to ASTM A153

  Mechanically Galvanized to ASTM B695 Class 55

  Tested under ICC-ES AC257– Equal to HDG


  Technical Literature



  Installation Instructions

  Application-Specific Technical Bulletins
Multiple Ply EW Beams Multiple Ply EW Beams

 
Supported by EW:
I-Level (was TrusJoist)
Boise, GP, LP
Roseburg, Others

In some Design Software

Boise (BC Calc)
Keymark
Multiple Ply EW Beams Multiple Ply EW Beams

  Technical Bulletins
  Technical Bulletins

  Code Compliance
  Proper Size Selection

  Proper Installation
  Minimum Edge / End Distances

  Limitations

Multiple Ply EW Beams Deck Ledger to Rim

  Technical Bulletins

  Fastening Patterns – Top Loaded Beams

  Fastening Patterns – Side Loaded Beams
 Deck Ledger to Rim Deck Ledger to Rim

  Calculating the Load

  Code History
  Live load = 40 psf of deck surface (R301.5)

  Prior to 2003 – No direction at all
  Dead load = 10 psf (R301.2.2.2.1)

  2003 IRC – Limited nail use
  Combined load = 50 psf

  2006 IRC – Same: no nails or toe nails
  Take half the distance to the 1st support (5ft)

  Multiply by Combined Load (5ft x 50psf)

  This load (250plf) must be supported at Ledger

  Forced the installer & inspector to
become the engineer!
5 ft.

10 ft.

Deck Ledger to Rim Deck Ledger to Rim

  Calculating the Fastening Pattern (w/ 2x SPF Rim)
  Welcome the 2009 IRC (502.2.2)

  ½” Lag supports 170 lbs per fastener in shear
  Requirements and Restriction under one section

  170/250 = .68 (1 lag every 8”)
  Allows for alternative materials and methods

  SWS (LedgerLok) supports 210 lbs
  Gives actual fastening patterns!!!

210/250 = .85 (1 SWS every 10”)

 

  Waaay too much work

5 ft.

10 ft.
If you’re not there yet – you will be soon.
Deck Ledger to Rim Deck Ledger to Rim

  Technical Bulletins
  Technical Bulletins

  Code Compliance
  Code compliance statement

  Proper Installation
  ACQ testing to ICC information

  Limitations

Deck Ledger to Rim Deck Ledger to Rim

  Technical Bulletins
  Technical Bulletins

  Minimum Edge / End Distances
  Installation Requirements & Restrictions

  PE Approved Fastening Patterns
Evolution of Fasteners 2007/2009 IRC Code

  Verylow withdrawal strength

  Unacceptable in many code applications

(Ledgers) 2009 IRC: R502.2.2


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This section allows Structural wood

Screws
 Comments by Glenn Mathewson- Building inspector in
Westminster Colorado in an article in November 2009
PROFESSIONAL DECK BUILDER

“ As written in the code, the lateral connection

detail shall be permitted; it isn’t a requirement.

Throughout the International Codes, the phrase

shall be permitted is used only to clarify when a
detail seemingly prohibited by a general
statement is actually permitted in a specific
application.

ACTUAL ORIGIN OF THIS SECTION IN CODE CYCLE!!

He goes on to say:
Section R104.11 of the IRC even states: The provisions of
this code are not intended to prevent the installation of
any material or to prohibit any design or method of
construction not specifically prescribed by this code.

Therefore, it’s not necessary to specifically “permit”

a design in the code unless it could be confused as being
“prohibited." That's obviously not the case for Figure
R502.2.2.3, as it’s unlikely that any building official would
prohibit a connection like it.
Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

  Rafter - Code Requirements

  2-16d toe nailed per IRC Table R602.3(1)

  Or 3-8d toe nailed per IBC table 2304.9.1

Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

  Rafter - Code Requirements
  Truss - Code Requirements

  2-16d toe nailed per IRC Table R602.3(1)
  Trusses shall be connected to wall plates by

  Or 3-8d toe nailed per IBC table 2304.9.1 the use of approved connectors having a
resistance to uplift of not less than 175
pounds and shall be installed in accordance
IRC
(2x16d)
IBC
(3x8d)
with the manufacturer’s specifications.
NDS Withdrawal Value 26 21 lbs/inch/nail
  3-16d commons will accomplish this, getting
Embedment Depth 2.5 1.5 inches 178 pounds of design uplift. (From the Truss
Toe Nail Factor 0.67 0.67
Plate Institute & Structural Building
Wind/Seismic Load Duration 1.6 1.6
Amount of Nails 2 3
Component Association).
140 100 lbs/connection
 Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

$  
 $$$$$
 $ $
$    


$$$$$$$$$$$ 

$

 $ $"$$ 
  
$    
$ 
$ Withdrawal Value 131 lbs/inch of thread
$


Embedment Depth 2.0 inches
$ 
Toe Nail Factor 0

$ 
$ Wind/Seismic Load Duration 1.6

$ Amount of Screws 1
$


420 lbs/connection
$
!!
 $$
 $
$$
 $#$
 $

Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

100 140 365 420


    
    

100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450 500

    

 IBC IRC
  
  
   




 Loads in SPF


 Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

 


  
  

   

   
 

 Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

Four ways to evaluate for substitution:

-  In wind zones less than 110 (or 100 in hurricane
prone regions), this method exceeds code outright!
-  Where stated loads on truss plan are called out, use Table 1
- Where ties specified, compare Table 1 to tie mfr. loads
- Specify using AFPA Wood Frame Construction Manual

Rafter / Truss to Top Plate Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

$  
 $$$$$
 $ $
$ Connection Design Uplift Lateral Shear

$$$$$$$$$$$ 

$

 $ $"$$ H2.5 365 130 130
$
H3 320 105 140
$
$ Withdrawal Value 131 lbs/inch of thread H4 235 140 135
$ Embedment Depth 2.0 inches H5 265 100 170
$ Toe Nail Factor 0

$ TimberLok 420 320 320
$ Wind/Seismic Load Duration 1.6

$ Amount of Screws 1
$ 420 lbs/connection
$
!!
 $$
 $
$$
 $#$
 $

 Rafter / Truss to Top Plate

  
  Has your


 office



 received this
 yet?










Structural Wood Screws eliminate Top Plate Roll

ECCENTRIC LOADING OR TOP PLATE ROLL
- Clemson U- 1995

• From research done by Clemson U in the 1990’s it was

discovered that Hurricane Ties need to be attached to the outside
of the structure, preferably to the framing (under the OSB) to
fulfill stated load requirements.

• Interior installation (SOP) reduces the value by 60%. This

reduces the value of the H-2.5 from 365 to 146(SPF). About the
same value as its lateral and shear values of 130. This is also
the minimum required by code with 2 16D nails at 140lbs.

• Lastly, in the footnote U to the installer it states that” When

installing Hurricane Ties on the inside of the wall, special
considerations must be taken to prevent condensation on the
inside of the walls
”
 SHEAR or BRACED WALLS USE STRUCTURAL WOOD SCREWS
INSTEAD OF LAGS, THRUBOLTS OR BIG 60d
SPIKES

You are basically building a two story shear wall!

 CRAZY SCREW
GUYS!

WHAT WILL THEY

 Next Step in the Evolution of
Fasteners!
THINK OF
NEXT?
 CARRYING
BEAM

Questions?
This concludes The American
Institute of Architects Continuing
Other Applications? Education Systems Course

BRICE HEREFORD
What other challenges do you 1-800-518-3569

see out there? 413-537-4219


[email protected]

Wood Products Council 866.966.3448 [email protected]
 Thank You!


LOS ANGELES CITY

RESEARCH REPORT # 25738

INTERNATIONAL CODE ICC ESR # 1078

MIAMI-DADE APPROVAL # 08-0425.09

FLORIDA STATE APPROVAL # FL 4261

Technical Assistance
800-518-3569
www.fastenmaster.com