Hillside washers

[PostFrameSE]

I've not used these before. I have an application where the 7/8" rod that I'm using has a 57 degree angle and the hillside washer specs say that it's good for 56 degrees. Seems to me that this wouldn't be an issue to go ahead and use. If there was a more significant difference I'm assuming that the best way to fix this is actually weld the appropriate angle onto the column that can then match the angle (perpendicular) of the tie rod wouldn't it?

Thanks.........and Happy Easter!!

 

[TehMightyEngineer]

Something tells me their fab tolerance is +/- a degree so I wouldn't worry about it.

Maine EIT, Civil/Structural.

 

[racookpe1978]

Analyze it, check your actual design, then leave a specific note in your project file that the deviation is noted and is acceptable. Don't need to advertise anything, just record it.

 

[PostFrameSE]

Thanks for responding. And what would you all do if the angle was 10-20 degrees beyond the acceptable range? Just build the appropriate "bearing angle" into the web of the column you're tying to rather than just having a hole?

 

[ajh1]

The angle range on a hillside washer is set to allow the brace rod to fit through both the slot in the washer and the hole in the columnweb without binding or kinking. The one degree differential you have shouldn't be a problem but a 10-20 degree overage would likely be a problem. The other issue that could surface if the brace rod is at a very flat angle to the column web would be that the washer and nut on the brace rod that is keeping the rod in place and taut would be bumping up against the surface of the column web and not allowing the washer to seat flat against the hillside washer. The alternative approach to a brace rod connection when you are outside of the effective range of the hillside washer is to weld a gusset plate on the other side of the column web with a connection hole in it and attach the brace rod to the gusset with a clevis and pin. That detail can be made to work for almost any angle of the brace rod. Yes, a little more expensive in terms of components than a hillside washer, but can be guaranteed to work properly.

 

[PostFrameSE]

Great! Thanks for the response!

 

[ajh1]

The other thing to keep in mind, particularly for wall rods, is that if the angle of the rod is very steep the force in the rod will be very large in comparison with the horizontal force that you are trying to transfer through the rod. Adding a strut at mid-height of the building and making a double X of bracing (or additional struts and X's if you already have one) will reduce your rod loads substantially and also make it easier for your hillside washers to work.

 

[PostFrameSE]

Yep.......that was considered. This is a building that they are trying to avoid as many flat surfaces as possible so that was not an option. Thanks for the idea!