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Anchor Bolts vs. Straps ???

JerseyJedi | Posted in Construction Techniques on January 26, 2004 05:00am

This past fall a mason finished a foundation at my home for an addition I’m planning on building this spring. I never specified but he used a type of anchor I’m not familiar with which consists of a strap folded in half and set into the concrete instead of a typical anchor bolt. Anybody have any thoughts about this type of anchor???

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Replies

  1. woodguy99 | Jan 26, 2004 05:11am | #1

    I just came across this type of anchor myself.  We assumed the strap wrapped flat across the top of the foundation and up the sides of the mudsill.  Later someone told us that you are supposed to drill a hole in the sill and bring the strap up through the hole.  So far I like bolts better.

    1. JerseyJedi | Jan 26, 2004 05:19am | #2

      Yeah you know I was told that they're folded over and run up the sides too but it would seem to me that the sill could still move upwards slightly. I was wondering if drilling through the sill was the way to go.

      1. woodguy99 | Jan 26, 2004 05:22am | #3

        One problem we found with running them out flat is that they don't hold the sill in place very well.  They bounce around when you're nailing 'em and they shift around when you're trying to set the rim joist.  Fooey.

  2. Piffin | Jan 26, 2004 05:41am | #4

    I just used straps on a job. drilled up through and folded over to nail per specs. The sills can still move slightly, maybe up to 1/4"

    They have some advantages and som disadvantages. I liked not haveing to chisle for nut/washer space, but disliked not being able to suck the plate down to the shims to level it out. This was a good flat pour tho so that didn't bother much.

    .

    Excellence is its own reward!

  3. Piffin | Jan 26, 2004 05:46am | #5

    BTW, I hope you are protecting this foundation from frost if you are in a northern area

    .

    Excellence is its own reward!

  4. RalphWicklund | Jan 26, 2004 05:49am | #6

    Not sure how the nailed straps, whether wrapped over the plate or bent over through a hole would work. If we used embedded straps they would extend up the side of the corners and 32" oc thereafter up the studs.

    But we don't.

    We use the threaded rod tiedowns. Embed threaded anchors into the foundation, leaving then proud of the concrete or block to clear the first floor framing and bottom plates and then add all thread through the tops plates with 3" washers and nuts. Crank 'em down and after the roof is on crank' em down again.

    Some of the larger builders have further subdivided the trades. After the framers do their thing, a separate group comes in, drills holes through the plates and into the foundation, sets the threaded rod into epoxy and comes back to tighten everything down after the epoxy cures.

    1. dIrishInMe | Jan 26, 2004 06:02am | #8

      Ralph: where do you live - sounds like a high wind or seismic area....

      JJ- Those kind of strap tiedowns have been around for a number of years.  Personally I don't think it's a big deal - where I live (non- high wind area) anchors weren't even required until we got a new model code a few years ago - except for stem walls (garage), slab on grade load bearing walls and a few other special situations. 

      Matt

      Edited 1/26/2004 7:48:58 AM ET by DIRISHINME

      1. brownbagg | Jan 26, 2004 05:16pm | #9

        Its a code item here, must have both, anchor bolts and straps. anchor bolts hold sill plate. straps hold stud and then hurrican straps at top. everything must be strap from slab to roof. even rafter or truss

  5. WayneL5 | Jan 26, 2004 05:55am | #7

    I believe the advantage is that you nail them up the rim joist, or higher.  Along with the sheathing, this ties the whole structure to the foundation.  With anchor bolts through the sill, only the sill is secure, the rest of the structure is dependent on a few toe nails holding it down to the sill.  There is some strength tieing it all together through the bottom of the sheathing being nailed to the sill, but these straps add more.

    All of this is for earthquake or wind resistance.  If there were no wind or earthquakes then gravity alone would be sufficient.

    A structural engineer or a visit to a tie down manufacturer's web site would have to provide a better answer.

  6. kaorisdad | Jan 26, 2004 07:46pm | #10

    Sounds like a Simpson MA or MAB anchor strap.  If this is what it is, you should talk to a Simpson rep for proper installation requirements.

    1. JohnSprung | Jan 26, 2004 11:16pm | #11

      > talk to a Simpson rep for proper installation requirements.

      Or look at http://www.strongtie.com

      -- J.S.

      1. marv | Jan 27, 2004 12:30am | #12

        Or this strap.

        http://www.strongtie.com/products/connectors/PA-PAHD-HPAHD.htmlYou get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

        Marv

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