Hold-down Database Editor

Important Note – These are descriptions to changes implemented in WoodWorks Shearwalls for version 9 and may not reflect current behavior.

The program includes an editor to view and modify the hold-down data. This editor should be used to update hold-downs for newly published product information from the hold-down manufacturer. It can be also used to add new hold-downs.

1. Access

   The database editor is accessed from the following locations:

   • An item in the main menu
   • A button in the Plan View and Design Results window’s toolbars
   • A button in the Hold-down data group in Wall Input and Opening Input views
2. Context sensitive help

   Each of the input controls within the database editor has context-sensitive help, explaining its purpose and use. If you click on the question mark in the upper left hand corner of the view, then on the input control a small yellow box appears with the description of the item.

   The following are brief descriptions of the input fields within the box; for more details, use the context-sensitive help in the program.

3. Hold-down Selection Controls

   The Hold-down selector, New and Delete buttons, and Default… checkbox are used to control the current hold-down being edited.

   1. Hold-down Selector

      The hold-down selection dropdown is used to both select the hold-down for viewing and editing properties, to name a new hold-down, or to rename the hold-down by typing over the existing name. It sorts the hold-downs from the database alphabetically.

   2. New

      Changes the input mode to refer a new hold-down being created rather than an existing one being edited.

   3. Delete

      Used to delete the currently selected hold-down from the database. Must delete incomplete entries before exiting box.

   4. Default hold-down in Shearwalls

      Indicates that this hold-down is the one that is used when new walls are created in Shearwalls.

4. Fasteners – Horizontal (slippage)

   This group pertains to the horizontal fasteners connecting hold-down bracket or strap to the wall end studs. This group is not active when full assembly displacement is specified (combined elongation and slippage), as the fastener information is not needed in this case.

   1. Bolts/Nails

      Used to select fastener type. Bolts are assumed to extend through the stud ( not lag bolts). Nails are assumed to be common wire nails.

   2. Diameter

      Shank diameter of bolt or nail – can select from list or enter custom size.

   3. Number

      Number of fasteners connecting one bracket or strap to wall end stud on upper or lower level.

5. Vertical Bolt ( add’l elongation)

   This group pertains to the anchor bolt which connects the upper hold-down bracket or strap to lower bracket or strap, or to the foundation or some other anchoring mechanism.

   1. No/with anchor bolt

      Radio buttons allow you to indicate that the connection does not have an anchor bolt, disabling the other controls and causing the program to dispense with anchor bolt calculations.

   2. Diameter

      Shank diameter of anchor bolt, used in tensile strength and elongation calculation, – can select from list or enter custom size.

   3. Max Length for Given Elongation

      The length of anchor rod the manufacturer used in tests to determine the displacement or elongation, usually found in a note in the product literature or evaluation reports. Elongation for any excess bolt length is calculated separately by Shearwalls.

6. Options

   There are checkboxes in the view for the following options:

   1. Elongation and Slippage Combined as Single Displacement

      The published displacement includes deflection from fastener slippage and from elongation of brackets or straps, or the published displacement is from elongation only, and slippage is calculated separately. Is checked for the Assembly Displacement method (see 1b, above).

   2. Elongation for Connector Only (without Anchor Bolt)

      The published elongation is for the brackets or straps only, or is for the anchor bolt as well. Used to create the Separate Slippage, Separate Elongation, or Separate Slippage, Combined Elongation displacement methods (see 1b, above). Can’t be used when elongation and slippage are combined.

   3. Shrinkage Compensating Device

      If hold-down a mechanical device to adjust for the shrinkage of the perpendicular-to-grain wood between the extreme hold-down fasteners.

   4. Always use Elongation at Maximum Capacity

      A checkbox is used to implement the choices described in Method of Determining Displacement in 1c, above.

7. Elongation/Displacement

   This Data Group allows you to enter different hold-down ASD capacities and/or displacements depending on stud width and thickness. It refers to “Displacement” when the Assembly Displacement method ( see 1b) is used, otherwise it refers to Elongation

   1. Elongation/Displacement List box
   • This box allows you to replicate the tables that appear in the hold-down product literature that have different hold-down capacities and/or displacements for each stud thickness and/or depth. Generally speaking, a number of records is needed for the Assembly Displacement type of data source ( see 1b, above). It is also possible to enter just one record that applies to all stud sizes, which is appropriate to the Elongation data sources.

     The values apply to only one bracket in a two-bracket hold-down.

   1. New

      Creates a new record corresponding to a line in the table of product information.

   2. Delete

      Delete an entire record consisting of one line of the Displacement/Elongation table. You must delete any incomplete lines before exiting the dialog.

   3. Note

      For any line in the table, you can enter a note corresponding to the one that appears in the product literature and/or evaluation report to show in the design results any further restrictions on the use of the hold-down, such as on the wood species, grade, or specific gravity.