authors of this page or responsible for its content.
UPLIFT CONNECTORS As it flows over the roof the wind creates
a strong lifting effect, much like that of
air flowing over an airplane wing. This is
called
uplift.
1
UPLIFT CONNECTORS
UPLIFT CONNECTORS
CONTINUOUS LOAD PATH
This flier highlights connectors that, when used properly, will help a house
resist wind uplift forces only. For examples of connectors that resist over-
turning and sliding forces, please see our Addressing Overturning,
The Effects of Wind and/or Earthquake fliers.
When a home is built with a system of
connectors at all the joints from the
roof to the foundation its ability to
withstand Mother Natures forces
increases significantly. This system of
connectors redistributes the external
pressures of wind from the frame of
the house to the foundation. This is
referred to as continuous load path.
H2.5A
RSP4
RSP4
LSTA
LFTA
LTP4Z
MTSZ
LSTAZ
MABZ
FSC
RFBHDG
with HDG BP
MASBZ
TITEN HD
with HDG BP
CS
LTP5
MTS
H5A
H14
HGA10 installed on
the inside of the
gable end truss helps
resist horizontal pressure
and uplift on gable.
H8
SPH4
OSB or
Plywood
Structural
Sheathing
Non
Structural
Sheathing
*These are examples of uplift connectors. Please refer to our
catalog for appropriate applications and loads for your area.
NOTE: Refer to
www.strongtie.com/info
for corrosion information.
800-999-5099
www.strongtie.com
Home Office
4120 Dublin Blvd., Ste 400
Dublin, CA 94568
FAX: 925/833-1496
Northwest USA
5151 S. Airport Way
Stockton, CA 95206
FAX: 209/234-3868
Southwest USA
260 N. Palm Street
Brea, CA 92821
FAX: 714/871-9167
Northeast USA
2600 International Street
Columbus, OH 43228
FAX: 614/876-0636
Southeast USA
2221 Country Lane
McKinney, TX 75069
FAX: 972/542-5379
Quik Drive Factory
436 Calvert Drive
Gallatin, TN 37066
FAX: 615/451-9806
Eastern Canada
5 Kenview Blvd.
Brampton, ON L6T 5G5
FAX: 905/458-7274
Western Canada
11476 Kingston St.
Maple Ridge, BC V2X 0Y5
FAX: 604/465-0297
Warehouses:
Enfield, CT
Jacksonville, FL
Kent, WA
Langley, BC
CODE ANALYSIS:
FLOOR-TO-FLOOR
IRC-2000/2003 R301.1/R601.2 and IBC-2000/2003 1604.4/1604.8.1
requires that the uplift load be adequately transferred from the second story to the first story.
IBC-2000/2003 2305.1.2
states, "Diaphragm and shear wall sheathing shall not be used
to splice boundary elements".
Notes:
If using structural sheathing to span the joints at a floor system, the design professional
should specify nailing requirements to achieve continuous load path. Also, blocking would
be required to achieve the lateral load nailing schedule as required by code.
When using flat straps (CS, LSTA, MSTA) to connect the upper story to the lower
story, nails are required in the upper story studs and lower story studs only. Consideration
should be given to installation to prevent bowing of the straps.
© Copyright 2006 Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.
Printed in the USA
F-UPLIFTCON06 1/06
During a thunderstorm, blizzard, hurricane
or tornado, the force of wind on a house
works in three ways:
It exerts lateral forces on the structure
which attempt to rack the structure
or force the structure to slide off of
the foundation.
If the structure is unable to rack or
slide, the lateral forces attempt to
rotate or overturn elements throughout
the structure.
3
2
Page 1 of 4
Page 4 of 4 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC. F-UPLIFTCON05R 12/05
UPLIFT CONNECTORS
International Residential
Code
®
-2000/2003
R301.1 Design.
The construction of buildings and
structures shall result in a system
that provides a complete load path
capable of transferring all loads
from their point of origin through
the load-resisting elements to the
foundation.
International Building
Code
®
-2000/2003
1604.4 Analysis.
Any system or method of
construction to be used shall be
based on a rational analysis in
accordance with the well-established
principles of mechanics. Such
analysis shall result in a system
that provides a complete load path
capable of transferring loads from
their point of origin to the load
resisting elements.
RFBHDG
with HDG BP

H2.5A
H2.5A
H2.5A
SP4
SSP
H1
SP1Z
DSP
SP2
RSP4
H10
SPH4Z
HGA10 installed on
the inside of the
gable end truss helps
resist horizontal pressure
and uplift on gable.
MABZ
DSPZ
H4Z
SSPZ
SPH4
MTS
H16
TITEN HD
with HDG BP
LSTA
MASZ
A
llowable loads for more than one direction
for a single connection cannot be added
together. A design load which can be divided
into components in the directions given
must be evaluated as follows:
Design Uplift/Allowable Uplift
+ Design Lateral Parallel to
Plate/ Allowable Lateral Parallel to Plate
+ Design Lateral Perpendicular to
Plate/Allowable Lateral Perpendicular to
Plate < 1.0.
Some hurricane ties and toenails alone
may not be sufficient to meet the unity
equation.
PLEASE NOTE: Many of the new Pressure
Treated Woods use chemicals that are
corrosive to steel. By selecting connectors
that offer greater corrosion resistance
(Stainless Steel, Post Hot-Dip Galvanized,
or ZMAX) you can extend the service life of
your connectors. However, corrosion will still
occur. You should perform periodic inspection
of your connectors and fasteners to insure
their strength is not being adversely affected by
corrosion. In some cases, it may be necessary
to have a local professional perform the
inspections. Because of the many variables
involved, Simpson Strong-Tie cannot provide
estimates on service life of connectors,
anchors or fasteners.
Notes:
Based on testing and analysis of this
connection, Jim Cheng, Senior
Research Analyst for State Farm
Insurance states,
"Most toe-nailed
connections of a wood-framed
structure can fail when wind speed
goes beyond 90 M.P.H. Building
failuresare often due to failures
of toe-nailed connections".
AF&PA NDS 1997 12.1.3.2
Proper installation of nails.
AF&PA NDS 1997 12.4.1 #2
Toe-nailing cannot split the wood.
Installing hurricane ties on the outside of
the wall is best done direct to framing. If
installing on the outside of structural
sheathing the nail must penetrate into
the top plates 10 diameters.
When installing hurricane ties to
the inside of the wall or using non-
structural sheathing, the next
connection down (top plates-to-stud)
must be on the same side of the wall.
TOP PLATES-TO-STUD
IRC-2000/2003-R301.1/R601.2/ R801.2
and IBC-2000/2003-1604.4/1604.8.1
Requires that the uplift load be transferred
from the top plates to studs for a
continuous load path.
NOTE: Refer to
www.strongtie.com/info
for corrosion information.
STUD-TO-SILL PLATE
IRC-2000/2003-R301.1/R601.2 and IBC-2000/2003-1604.4/1604.8.1
Requires that the uplift load be transferred from the studs to the
sill plate for a continuous load path.
Notes:
If using structural sheathing to resist uplift loads, the design professional
should specify nailing requirements to achieve continuous load path.
If using non-structural sheathing, a mechanical connection may be
required for a continuous load path.
*These are examples of uplift connectors.
Please refer to our catalog for appropriate
applications and loads for your area.
RAFTER/TRUSS-TO-TOP PLATES
IRC-2000/2003-R802.10.5 and R802.11
(t
russes only)
and IBC-2000/2003-2308.10.1, 1609.1.3
Page 3 of 4
Page 2 of 4 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE COMPANY, INC. F-UPLIFTCON05R 12/05
UPLIFT CONNECTORS
International Residential
Code
®
-2000/2003
R301.1 Design.
The construction of buildings and
structures shall result in a system
that provides a complete load path
capable of transferring all loads
from their point of origin through
the load-resisting elements to the
foundation.
International Building
Code
®
-2000/2003
1604.4 Analysis.
Any system or method of
construction to be used shall be
based on a rational analysis in
accordance with the well-established
principles of mechanics. Such
analysis shall result in a system
that provides a complete load path
capable of transferring loads from
their point of origin to the load
resisting elements.
RFBHDG
with HDG BP

H2.5A
H2.5A
H2.5A
SP4
SSP
H1
SP1Z
DSP
SP2
RSP4
H10
SPH4Z
HGA10 installed on
the inside of the
gable end truss helps
resist horizontal pressure
and uplift on gable.
MABZ
DSPZ
H4Z
SSPZ
SPH4
MTS
H16
TITEN HD
with HDG BP
LSTA
MASZ
A
llowable loads for more than one direction
for a single connection cannot be added
together. A design load which can be divided
into components in the directions given
must be evaluated as follows:
Design Uplift/Allowable Uplift
+ Design Lateral Parallel to
Plate/ Allowable Lateral Parallel to Plate
+ Design Lateral Perpendicular to
Plate/Allowable Lateral Perpendicular to
Plate < 1.0.
Some hurricane ties and toenails alone
may not be sufficient to meet the unity
equation.
PLEASE NOTE: Many of the new Pressure
Treated Woods use chemicals that are
corrosive to steel. By selecting connectors
that offer greater corrosion resistance
(Stainless Steel, Post Hot-Dip Galvanized,
or ZMAX) you can extend the service life of
your connectors. However, corrosion will still
occur. You should perform periodic inspection
of your connectors and fasteners to insure
their strength is not being adversely affected by
corrosion. In some cases, it may be necessary
to have a local professional perform the
inspections. Because o