Simpson Strong-Tie and Structural Technologies formed a strategic alliance for Composite Strengthening Systems™ (CSS) products in 2021. CSS products include fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) strengthening systems. Additionally, where CSS products are not a viable solution, the alliance can also offer recommendations and design for other non-CSS or conventional strengthening solutions. This alliance allows each firm to specialize in their areas of expertise:
Simpson Strong-Tie and Structural Technologies Offer Workshop on Seismic Strengthening Solutions for Concrete, CMU and URM
Did you know that Simpson Strong-Tie offers free education and training to the structural engineering and building industries? On May 18, 2022, a team of Simpson engineers and technical sales reps, in conjunction with Structural Technologies, hosted a workshop in Portland on fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) and fabric-reinforced cementitious matrix (FRCM) seismic strengthening solutions for concrete, reinforced masonry and unreinforced masonry structures. The workshop educated engineers on how Composite Strengthening Systems™ (our FRP and FRCM solutions) can be used to strengthen structural concrete and masonry elements in their projects. This was our first workshop event since COVID restrictions were placed, and we were excited to host the industry again.
University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa Students Take On The Timber-Strong Design Build Competition Team
Allena is a senior at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Engineering students working on the TImber-Strong Build who participated in this year’s Timber-Strong Design Build Competition. Besides getting hands-on experience from the competition’s project build, she cultivated better communication, project management, and leadership skills, too.
Introducing Two New Connectors for Mass Timber Construction
We’ve added two new connectors to our expanding lineup of brackets and straps for mass timber / CLT manufacturers, specifiers and contractors. Introducing the E20/3 angle bracket and MTWS mass timber washer strap.
Both connectors are pre-engineered and code listed for a variety of applications in cross-laminated timber (CLT) and other mass timber projects. Designed to simplify and speed installation, the E20/3 angle bracket and MTWS washer strap are widely available to buy off the shelf, making them a more cost-effective and convenient solution than expensive, custom-fabricated components.
Timber-Strong Design Build Competition — Utah Winners
In this blog post Jacob Cipollini, a civil engineering student from the University of Utah, shares his experience participating in this year’s Timber-Strong Design Build Competition.
I’m Jacob Cipollini, a junior civil engineering student at the University of Utah. Our American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) student chapter recently won the Timber-Strong Design BuildSM Competition at the ASCE Intermountain Southwest Student Symposium. This event was sponsored in part by Simpson Strong-Tie. Continue Reading
Guides to Making I-Joist Connections — Simpson Strong-Tie® CSGs Make EWP Designs Easier
Connector Selection Guides (CSGs) are tools Simpson Strong-Tie has created to assist users in designing and building with engineered wood products (EWP). They consist of a series of short fliers (available as PDFs on strongtie.com for printing or mobile use) guiding builders on how to select economical and efficient connection solutions — that go beyond IRC prescriptive designs — for the I-joist manufacturer of their choice. Over the years, Simpson Strong-Tie has partnered with EWP makers to develop engineered solutions specifically tailored to the dimensions and characteristics of each manufacturer’s particular products.
Building Connections at Washington State University
In 2021 SImpson Strong-Tie hosted a “Building Connections” symposium at Washington State University. The well-attended event provided our team the opportunity to teach WSU engineering students about the construction industry, common construction methods, our products and our company. Ryan Edwards, Simpson Strong-Tie Senior Business Specialist for Mass Timber and Offsite Construction, co-hosted the symposium and in this blog post reflects on the experience.
Touring Tye Gilb Lab: An Architectural Engineering Student’s Perspective
Addie Albro is an architectural engineering student at California Polytechnic State University in San Luis Obispo. She’s working on completing her senior project while learning how to design with steel, timber, masonry, and concrete. We recently had the opportunity to host Addie and other Cal Poly undergrads at our Tyrell Gilb Lab in Stockton, California. She shared her experience visiting the lab and what inspired her to enter the engineering field.
LTTP2 — an Update to a Classic Light Tension Tie
It would give you an incomplete idea of the new LTTP2 light tension tie if we didn’t first discuss the original LTT series. The LTT20 tension tie first appeared in our 1987 Connectors for Wood Construction catalog as a post-pour, wood-to-concrete connector. The LTT20 installed with nails only, but we realized we could add holes for bolts, so the LTT20B gave the customer the option to use either nails or bolts. Around the same time, we created the narrower LTT19 for installation on 2x joists or purlins. For more than 30 years, the LTT19 and LTT20B quietly anchored walls to roof diaphragms or shearwall posts to foundations. Continue Reading
Meet the Engineers of Simpson Strong-Tie
Learn about our engineering department and the many hard-working people that help us with the innovation, research and development of our products. Our engineers are innovative problem solvers who apply the principles of science, math and technology to help give us a better understanding of how structures perform, advance our design technology, and improve building safety. Our research and development activities have led to many advances in the building industry. Over the years, we’ve developed countless products that help ensure structural safety and reduce cost and have created new construction systems to improve the way structures are designed and built. Read on to learn more about the various roles within our engineering department and hear a few of our engineers say what they enjoy most about working at Simpson Strong-Tie.
