A desktop tool for calculating capacities of wood-to-wood, wood-to-concrete, and wood-to-steel connections. Single bolts, nails/spikes, ring shank nails, lag screws and wood screws, per the 2015 NDS, are available. Sawn lumber, structural glued laminated timbers, timber poles, timber piles, structural composite lumber, prefabricated wood I-joists, wood structural panels and cross-laminated timber are available as wood member types. Both lateral (single and double shear) and withdrawal capacities can be determined.
LIMITS OF USE
SCOPE AND LIMITATIONS
Connection capacities are calculated on the basis of design provisions in the 2015 National Design Specification® for Wood Construction (NDS®). The calculated capacities are based on the following assumptions and conditions:
· Bolts and lag screws must meet the requirements of ANSI/ASME B18.2.1, wood screws must meet the requirements of ANSI/ASME B18.6.1, and nails must meet the requirements of ASTM F1667.
· Bolts, lag screws and wood screws must be installed in predrilled lead holes in accordance with the provisions of NDS Chapter 12.
· Bolts, lag screws and wood screws must not be forcibly driven into connection members with a hammer or other impact device.
· The faces of adjacent connection members are brought into contact when fasteners are installed.
· Adequate edge distances, end distances and spacing must be provided for all fasteners to prevent splitting of wood connection members, in accordance with NDS Chapter 12.
· Steel side plates with thickness of ¼ in. or greater must meet the requirements of ASTM A36, and steel side plates with thickness less than ¼ in. must meet the requirements of ASTM A653, Grade 33.
· Concrete connection members must have compressive strength (fc') of at least 2500 psi.
· The on-line Connection Calculator does not specifically address multiple-fastener connections. See NDS Chapters 11-12 and NDS Appendix E for applicable design provisions.
· The on-line Connection Calculator does not address fasteners installed at an angle to grain (e.g., toe-nails). See NDS Chapters 10-11 for applicable design provisions.
· The on-line Connection Calculator does not address fasteners subjected to combined lateral and withdrawal loading. See NDS Chapters 11-12 for applicable design provisions.
· The on-line Connection Calculator does not address connections with gaps or non-structural spacer blocks between members.
GENERAL STRUCTURAL GUIDELINES
The quality of structural wood products and fasteners and the design of load-supporting members and connections shall conform to provisions of the NDS. The on-line Connection Calculator is based on design equations for lateral loading and withdrawal loading specified in NDS Chapters 11 and 12, along with fastener characteristics specified in NDS Appendix L. The NDS Commentary, NDS Appendices I through N, and NDS Chapters 12-13 provide additional guidelines regarding the design of connections in wood structures.
RESPONSIBILITY FOR DESIGN
While every effort has been made to insure the accuracy of the information presented, and special effort has been made to assure that the information reflects the state-of-the-art, neither the American Wood Council nor its members assume any responsibility for any particular design prepared from this on-line Connection Calculator. Those using this on-line Connection Calculator assume all liability from its use.
This Connection Calculator is not meant to be a replacement for the NDS and does not encompass all of its design options.
About the American Wood Council (AWC)
On behalf of the industry it represents, AWC is committed to ensuring a resilient, safe and sustainable built environment. To achieve these objectives, AWC contributes to the development of sound public policies, codes and regulations that allow for the appropriate and responsible manufacture and use of wood products. We support the utilization of wood products by developing and disseminating consensus standards, comprehensive technical guidelines and tools for wood design and construction, as well as providing education regarding their application. Contact AWC via email: info@awc.org or connect with one of AWC’s regional building code experts.
