ASD/LRFD Manual - American Wood Council

80 M10: MECHANICAL CONNECTIONS
M10.5 Pre-Engineered Metal Connectors
Product Information
Pre-engineered metal connectors for wood construction
are commonly used in all types of wood construction.
There are numerous reasons for their widespread use.
Connectors often make wood members easier and faster
to install. They increase the safety of wood construction,
not only from normal loads, but also from natural disasters
such as earthquakes and high winds. Connectors make
wood structures easier to design by providing simpler
connections of known load capacity. They also allow for
the use of more cost-effective engineered wood members
by providing the higher capacity connections often required
by the use of such members. In certain locations,
model building codes specifically require connectors or
hangers.
Metal connectors are usually manufactured by stamping
sheets or strips of steel, although some heavy hangers
are welded together. Different thicknesses and grades of
steel are used, depending on the required capacity of the
connector.
Some metal connectors are produced as proprietary
products which are covered by evaluation reports from one
or all of the model building codes. Such reports should
be consulted for current design information, while the
manufacturer’s literature can be consulted for additional
design information and detailed installation instructions.
Common Uses
Pre-engineered metal connectors for wood construction
are used throughout the world. Connectors are used
to resist vertical dead, live, and snow loads; uplift loads
from wind; and lateral loads from ground motion or wind.
Almost any type of wood member may be fastened to
another using a connector. Connectors may also be used
to fasten wood to other materials, such as concrete, masonry,
or steel.
Availability
Connectors are manufactured in varying load capacities,
sizes, and configurations to fit a wide range of
applications. A variety of connectors are widely available
through lumber suppliers.
Because of the wide variety of available connectors, a
generic design document such as this must be limited in its
scope for simplicity’s sake. Design values for specific connectors
are available from the connector manufacturer.
American Wood Council