Fastener Connection to Structure

Example (1)
1. Objective
To check the safety of the connections shown in Figure 1 for the combination of applied shear
and tensile forces considering the following:
- Design Code: 2006 IBC w/ AISI-NAS 2001/04 Supp.
- Design Method: ASD
- Wall Stud Section: Single (600S200-54, 50 ksi)
- Wind Load = 30 psf
- Stud Spacing = 24 in.
Bypass connection
- Base Material: Steel with fy 36 ksi
- Clip Name : VertiClip SLB
- Fastener Category: PAF (Nail)
- Fastener Type: X-U 15
- Fastener Diameter (D) = 0.145 in.
- Fastener Design Criteria: Exact Steel Thickness (= 0.375 in.)
- Tension Reduction Factor = 0.75 *
- Shear Reduction Factor = 0.75 *

4.00 ft

Base Connection @ Wall

- Base Material: Normal Weight Concrete fc=4000 psi
- Clip Name : StiffClip AL
- Fastener Category: PAF (Nail)
- Fastener Type : X-U
- Fastener Diameter (D) = 0.157 in.
- Fastener Design Criteria: Exact Embedment Depth (= 1.00 in.)
- Tension Reduction Factor = 0.75 *
- Shear Reduction Factor = 0.75 *
* Due to edge distance reduction as recommended by manufacturers.

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

8.00 ft

Figure 1 Wall Layout

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

2. Modeling using SteelSmart System

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

3. Loading and Reactions

The uniform wind load applied along the wall (shown in Figure 2), WL, can be calculated as
follows:
WL = Wind Load * Stud Spacing
= 30 * (24/12) = 60 lbs/ft
The reactions at supports (shown in Figure 2) are calculated by structural analysis, so that
R1
= 0.0
R2
= 180 lbs
R3
= 540 lbs

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

WL = 60 lbs/ft

R3

R2
R1

Figure 2 Uniform Loading and Reactions at Supports

4. Design of Connections
4.1 Base Connection using StiffClip AL600
The directions of the applied forces on the StiffClip AL600 are shown in Figure 3, and their
magnitudes are:
F1
= 0.0
F2
= 0.0
F3
= 180 lbs

Figure 3 Applied Forces on StiffClip AL600

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

The force F3 is assumed acting in the centroid of the screws connecting the wall stud to the
StiffClip AL600, so, F3 will be an eccentric force on the X-U fasteners connecting the StiffClip
AL600 to the concrete foundation. This eccentricity will lead to the development of a moment
that is assumed to be divided equally into a flexural moment acting on the X-U fasteners, and a
torsional moment acting on the screws. It can be proved that (2) # 12 screws are sufficient to
safely connecting the wall stud to the StiffClip AL (refer to TSN Connection Catalog online at
www.steelnetwork.com).
Figure 4 shows the dimensions of the StiffClip AL and how the eccentricity, e, of F3 is measured
(all dimensions are in inches).

0.750

3.000

1.563

e = 1.4688
0.688

5.875

1.500

5.000
0.875
0.157

Figure 4 Dimensions of StiffClip AL and Measurement of F3 Eccentricity

Assume using (2) X-U PAF (D = 0.157 in., embedment depth = 1.0 in.), the most outer holes of
the clip will be filled with these fasteners as shown in Figure 4. The bending moment on the
fasteners will cause one or more fasteners to be subjected to tension, while an equivalent
concrete block will be in compression for equilibrium.
Af
= cross-sectional area of individual fastener

Es
Ec

2
= D
4
2
= 0.157 = 0.019 in2
4
= modulus of elasticity of the fastener steel
= 29500 ksi
= modulus of elasticity of concrete

= 57000 f ' c
= 57000 4000 = 3605000 psi = 3605 ksi

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

29500
= Es =
= 8.18
E c 3605

be

= width of equivalent concrete block subjected to compression

b 1.50
= =
= 0.18 in.
n 8.18
Assume the neutral axis is located between the two filled holes (i.e. 0.875 in. Yc.g < 5.0 in.), one
of the two fasteners will be subjected to tension while the other fastener will be in the
compression zone.
Figure 5 shows the assumed location of the neutral axis (all dimensions are in inches).

5.875
5.000

M
Neutral Axis
Yc.g

Figure 5 Neutral Axis Location

From equilibrium, the first moment of area above and below the neutral axis are equal;
therefore;

Af 5 Yc. g = Yc. g

Yc. g
2

0.019 5 Yc. g = Yc. g

be

Yc. g
2

0.18

Yc2.g 0.21Yc. g 1.06 0

Yc.g = 0.93 in. (which is greater than 0.875 in. and less than 5.0 in.) the assumption for the
location of the neutral axis is correct.
M
= bending moment acting on the X-U fasteners
= F3e/2
= 180 1.4688/2 = 132.19 lbs.in.

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

Yb

= distance from the fastener in tension to the neutral axis

= 5 Yc.g
= 5 0.93 = 4.07 in.
= moment of inertia
= A f Yb 2

beYc3.g
3

0.18 0.933
= 0.363 in.4
3
= tensile force in the critical fastener
MYb
=
A f (F2 has no effect since it is equal to zero)
I
132.19 4.07
=
0.019 = 28 lbs
0.363
= shear force on an individual fastener
= 0.019 4.07 2

Tf

Vf

= F3/N, where N is the number of fasteners

= 180/2 = 90 lbs
The allowable tensile and shear strengths of the fastener should be calculated based on the
manufacturers load tables as follows:
Tall
= allowable tensile strength of the fastener
= allowable tensile strength of the fastener from manufacturers load tables for 1
embedment multiplied by the reduction factor for tension
= 170 0.75 = 128 lbs > Tf (OK)
Vall
= allowable shear strength of an individual fastener
= allowable shear strength of the individual fastener from manufacturers load tables for
1 embedment multiplied by the reduction factor for shear
= 225 0.75 = 169 lbs > Vf (OK)
The interaction of forces on the fastener in the tension zone can be checked as follows:
1.0

Tf

Tall

Interaction Ratio =

1.0

= 28
128

Vf

Vall

1.0

1.0

90

169

shall be 1.0

0.75 1.0 Safe

Using (2) X-U PAF (D = 0.157 in., embedment depth = 1.0 in.) is sufficient for the safety of this
connection.
Actual fastener spacing (Sact) = 5 in.
Minimum fastener spacing (Smin) = 2.75 in.
Sact/Smin = 5/2.75 = 1.81 the actual fastener spacing follows the minimum fastener spacing
recommended by manufacturer.

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

4.2 Bypass Connection using VertiClip SLB600

The directions of the applied forces on the VertiClip SLB600 are shown in Figure 6, and their
magnitudes are:
F1
= 0.0
F2
= 540 lbs

Figure 6 Applied Forces on VertiClip SLB600

The force F2 is a shear force on the screws connecting the wall stud to the VertiClip SLB600, and
it can be proved that (2) # 12 screws are sufficient to make this connection safe (refer to TSN
Connection Catalog online at www.steelnetwork.com).
The force F2 is an eccentric force on the (X-U 15) fasteners connecting the VertiClip SLB600 to
the structure since it acts at the edge of the clip leg attached to the wall stud. The eccentricity
will lead to the formation of a hinge at the location of each fastener in the group, and the prying
force (representing the compressive force on the structure) is assumed acting at the edge of the
clip leg attached to the structure.
Figure 7 represents the free body diagram of the clip under the eccentric force F2.

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

F2

e1

Q
T2

Figure 7 Free Body Diagram of VertiClip SLB600 under Eccentric Force F2

From equilibrium;
T2 = F2 + Q
(Equation 1)
and
F2e1 = Q(B e1) Q = F2e1/(B e1)
(Equation 2)
where,
T2 = total tensile force in the (X-U 15) fasteners due to eccentric force F2
Q = prying force
B = width of the clip leg attached to structure (B = 1.5 in.)
e1 = eccentricity of the force F2 measured from the edge of the clip leg attached to wall stud
to the edge of the bolt head near to this leg
= (B Dh)/2, where Dh is the fastener head diameter (Dh = 0.315 in.), (e1 = 0.5925 in.)
Solving (Equation 1) and (Equation 2) together;
T2 = F2 + F2e1/(B e1)
= F2 (1 + e1/(B e1))
F2 = T2/(1 + e1/(B e1))
(Equation 3)
From (Equation 3), the total tensile force acting on the (X-U 15) fasteners can be calculated
considering the prying action as follows:
T2 = F2(1 + e1/(B e1))
= 540 * (1 + 0.5925/(1.5 0.5925)) = 893 lbs

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

Assume using (3) (X-U 15) PAF (D = 0.145 in., penetration = 0.375 in.),
Tf
= tensile force in an individual fastener
T
= 2 , where N is the number of fasteners
N
=

893
= 298 lbs
3

The allowable tensile strength of the fastener should be calculated based on

- Section E5.2 AISI S100-12 if the connection satisfies the limitations in the main Section E5, or
- the manufacturers load tables.
Limitations in the main Section E5 should be checked as follows:
D
= PAF diameter
= 0.145 (i.e. 0.106 < D < 0.206) OK
t2
= thickness of the substrate not in contact with PAF head ( thickness of the base
material)
= 0.375 < 0.75 OK
t1
= thickness of the substrate in contact with PAF head ( thickness of VertiClip SLB600)
= 0.0713 > 0.06 Fails
Since one of the above conditions fails, the allowable tensile strength of the fastener should be
calculated based on the manufacturers load tables as follows:
Tall
= allowable tensile strength of an individual fastener
= allowable tensile strength of the individual fastener from manufacturers load tables
for 0.375 penetration multiplied by the reduction factor for tension
= 420 0.75 = 315 lbs > Tf Safe
Using (3) (X-U 15) PAF (D = 0.145 in., penetration = 0.375 in.) is sufficient for the safety of this
connection.
Actual fastener spacing (Sact) = 2.125 in.
Minimum fastener spacing (Smin) = 1 in.
Sact/Smin = 2.125/1 = 2.125 the actual fastener spacing follows the minimum fastener spacing
recommended by manufacturer.

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

5. Verification of SteelSmart System

5.1 Base Connection using StiffClip AL600

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2

5.2 Bypass Connection using VertiClip SLB600

Fastener Connection to Structure Example (1)

SteelSmart System 7.0 SP2