Staples for Roof Diaphram, Shear Wall 1

[dhoward26]

Any one on here ever use staples for the roof diaphragm or shear walls? I have a request from a contractor to use staples instead of nails for a barn because it "greatly" reduces cost.

I can't see it costing THAT much less to go with staples.

Where do you find values for staples? I haven't dove into the IBC or the Wood code yet to see if there are recommendations in there. I'm too busy at the moment so I thought I would ask here.

 

[BadgerPE]

Tell the contractor you will need X amount of hours at $/hr to evaluate all of the diaphragms and shear walls. This may make him realize that it will be just cheaper to go with nails and save you the headache of trying to fit it in.

 

[MiketheEngineer]

Follow IBC 2009 - it does allow use of staples in some applications!!

 

[dhoward26]

Thanks. I just took a minute to search and found the info I needed. I hadn't ever paid attention to the staple part of the values for roof diaphragms and shear walls.

 

[SteelPE]

dhoward26

I never pay attention to the parts of the code I don't use.

 

[msquared48]

If you allow it, make sure you spec the staple specifications exactly as the code states. Length and gage are critical.

Mike McCann
MMC Engineering

 

[Ron]

Mike is exactly right. There is little or no room for error in sizing the staples. Think of how many staples it takes just to get the equivalent shear area of a 10d nail.