In response to the increasing demand for mass timber construction, Simpson Strong-Tie has created mass timber solutions for these builds. These product addition, include our Heavy Seated Knife Plate (HSKP), ACBH concealed beam hanger, and CBH concealed beam hanger. Gain insights into the design, testing, and efficiency of the HSKP in achieving high loads with fewer fasteners. The blog underscores the structural mechanics and the ongoing process of pushing connector limits in mass timber construction.
Rod Elongation: Use of Gross Area vs. Effective/Net Tensile Area
Within the world of multifamily construction, manufacturers design and detail the multistory continuous threaded rod holdowns used as shearwall overturning restraints. The Strong-Rod® anchor tiedown system (ATS) is Simpson Strong-Tie’s solution for the industry and has been the subject of many SE Blog topics in the past.
Solving the Puzzles Presented by “As Built” Conditions
As civil and structural engineers, we know all too well that what is on the plans doesn’t always translate exactly as intended in the field. Part of what keeps our jobs interesting is having to solve problems that arise with “as built” conditions that are not always easy to change. It can feel like a complex puzzle trying to figure out what is possible when considering all aspects, including demand loads, load transfer, construction sequence, and also cost.
Introducing AT-3G™: Your high-strength cold-weather, fast-cure anchoring adhesive
In general, post–installed adhesive anchor design per ACI 318 Chapter 17 is relatively straightforward. In practice, however, post–installed anchorage can often become challenging because of fast–track project schedules, supply issues, ever-changing weather conditions, design conflicts/changes, or unexpected field conditions.
Developing High-Capacity Tension Straps for Mass Timber Engineering
Mass timber buildings use cross-laminated timber (CLT) or mass plywood panels to create horizontal diaphragms to transfer wind and seismic forces into the vertical elements of the lateral-force-resisting system. Spline connections resist shear forces at the panel joints, which I discussed in this blog post. I wanted to discuss several options for tension straps used for chord splices and collector forces. This blog will not discuss methods for calculating design forces. Instead, I am going to focus on several strap products and how we developed their allowable loads.
ShakeOut Day Special: Building Resilience for Earthquakes — AMA Highlights
Simpson Strong-Tie was excited to join the annual Reddit AMA event hosted by experts in the Pacific Northwest last week to bring awareness to the International ShakeOut Day happening on October 19, 2023. This worldwide occasion sees millions participating in earthquake drills at work, school or home, emphasizing earthquake safety with the “Drop, cover & hold on!” practice. Our panel consisted of scientists and preparedness experts from government agencies in Washington and Oregon. They focused on addressing inquiries related to earthquakes, tsunamis, the ShakeOut drills and general preparedness, covering both structural and nonstructural aspects, including ShakeAlert Earthquake Early Warning activities in the Pacific Northwest.
Innovation Redefined: The Future of Structural Testing with Our Million Pound Rig
The future of full-scale structures testing and product development is here – and it is BIG. Our Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory built a brand-new Million Pound Rig to help in the testing of our new Yield-Link® brace connection (YLBC), along with our many other products. Hear from Mike Wesson, Engineering Manager, Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory, about this latest addition to the research lab.
Top Five Most Downloaded Engineering Letters
Prior to joining Simpson Strong-Tie, I spent 13 years working as consulting structural engineer. As a specifier, I was amazed at the number of resources Simpson made available to me. From software, to blogs, to design guides, there were many resources to help me solve problems and streamline the design process. One resource that can sometimes be overlooked is the numerous engineering letters Simpson Strong-Tie engineers have authored to assist in the use of our products.
My Adventure Visiting Simpson Strong-Tie As a Student Scholarship Recipient
Daphne Milkert, a senior at Milwaukee School of Engineering is a recipient of the 2023 Simpson Strong-Tie Scholarship. During her scholarship trip to the Bay Area, she engaged in activities like visiting Pier 39, exploring the Tyrell Gilb Research Lab, and participated in a hands-on tradeshow showcased the versatility of Simpson Strong-Tie products. Discover her insights from the trip and what she found valuable about her experiences and the connections she made.
Common Engineering Technical Inquiries – Part II: Wood Construction Connectors
This is the second part of a three-part series covering common questions we receive in our engineering department. Part 1 consisted of frequently asked questions related to our anchor products (view Part 1 here). These are questions that come directly into our call center, questions submitted through the website, submitted through our engineering email queues, or through our sales team.