×
INTELLIGENT WORK FORUMS
FOR ENGINEERING PROFESSIONALS

Log In

Come Join Us!

Are you an
Engineering professional?
Join Eng-Tips Forums!
  • Talk With Other Members
  • Be Notified Of Responses
    To Your Posts
  • Keyword Search
  • One-Click Access To Your
    Favorite Forums
  • Automated Signatures
    On Your Posts
  • Best Of All, It's Free!
  • Students Click Here

*Eng-Tips's functionality depends on members receiving e-mail. By joining you are opting in to receive e-mail.

Posting Guidelines

Promoting, selling, recruiting, coursework and thesis posting is forbidden.

Students Click Here

Jobs

WF collector to shear wall top track

WF collector to shear wall top track

WF collector to shear wall top track

(OP)
I have an interior steel stud shear wall (steel studs with gypsum sheathing) with a WF beam that runs over the top of the wall acting as a collector/drag strut to transfer the diaphragm load into the shear wall. What type of connection do I provide between the top track of the shear wall and the bottom flange of the collector beam? The WF collector carries the gravity load, so it will deflect, so I think I need to leave space between the top track and the top of the stud so the gravity load doesn't bear down onto the wall. However, I think I need a horizontal slip connection between the track and the stud. Am I on the right track? Does anyone have an elegant solution on how to detail this connection?

RE: WF collector to shear wall top track

You could use a wood plate set to the underside of the bottom flange of the W Shape with Nelson Sill Plate Anchors, then a Simpson DTC clip or equal, nailed to the wood plate and welded to the side of the track of the shear wall, or nailed to the shear wall sheathing.  

The DTC clip has vertically slotted holes to allow for vertical defection.  

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering
Motto:  KISS
Motivation:  Don't ask

RE: WF collector to shear wall top track

I would use something like a 14 GA. track with 4" vertical legs with 2" vertical slots to connect the studs (you will need to check deflection and shear capacity of connection). This will allow deflection and still transfer shear in the plan of the wall.

RE: WF collector to shear wall top track

Tack weld the top track to the WF and provide metal teks in vertically slotted holes. Specify where the builder needs to position teks so the connection does not transfer vertical load.

This sounds like a steel framed building with internal partitions which you are trying to use to resist lateral forces?

RE: WF collector to shear wall top track

I want to make sure I understand you correctly. Do you have a WF beam bearing on a masonry or concrete wall? If so, fasten a metal slip track with long legs to the underside of the WF with powder actuated fasteners or gas nails. Check out Hilti, Powers or Redhead. Then do as larsacious said. You should be able to find standard details for a slip track on Detrich's (or other light gage steel manufacturers) website.
Good luck!

www.anchorengineer.com

Red Flag This Post

Please let us know here why this post is inappropriate. Reasons such as off-topic, duplicates, flames, illegal, vulgar, or students posting their homework.

Red Flag Submitted

Thank you for helping keep Eng-Tips Forums free from inappropriate posts.
The Eng-Tips staff will check this out and take appropriate action.

Reply To This Thread

Posting in the Eng-Tips forums is a member-only feature.

Click Here to join Eng-Tips and talk with other members!


Resources