Retrofit Anchor Bolts for Residential Shear Walls

[NHDSE]

Since the advent of App. D, the task of holding down shear walls to existing residential foundations has become daunting. I am faced with yet another project where I can't get any anchor to work for even the small loads (2 - 3k wind, 1.5 - 2k seismic Cat D) on this project. The existing foundation is 6" wide concrete. I have looked at straps on the exterior as well as traditional PHD type holdowns. What are other engineers using in this situation?

 

[msquared48]

Have you tried MSTI60 or 72 straps nailed off to the end studs and thru-bolted to the outside of the foundation wall? You should be able to generate 5 to 6 kips at least.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[NHDSE]

Thanks for the suggestion. It will work in this case and I'll add it to the "bag of tricks" for the future!