Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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PORTAL FRAME WITH LAP JOINT FOR MOMENT RESISTANCE
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
s
[0001] This invention relates to a method and apparatus for connecting a
header or
beam to a panel or support to form a lateral force resisting system, typically
known as
a portal frame, in a building.
[0002] All structures must be designed to resist lateral forces. Lateral
forces on
buildings are typically produced by wind loading and seismic forces. Building
components that resist lateral forces are called lateral force resisting
systems. Lateral
forces imposed on a structure create moment forces at the joints or
connections
between the vertically and horizontally disposed members of the system. These
moment forces at the joints between the horizontal and vertical members are
particularly pronounced in what are called portal frames. A portal frame is a
lateral
force resisting system where a header or beam spans an opening and is
supported on
either side by uprights. When the design of the building calls for a large
opening in
the exterior wall of a building that must be spanned by a long header or beam,
such as
at a garage opening, these moment forces are particularly pronounced.
Designing
sufficiently strong portal frames can be particularly difficult in this
situation because
the uprights or walls that support the header for a garage return must
typically be very
narrow due to space considerations.
[0003] Currently, the International Residential Code and the prescriptive
portion of
the International Building Code prescribe a minimum width for at least one
upright of
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certain portal frames, if the frame is not designed by an engineer. The braced
wall
panel or upright of the portal frame must be at least 16 inches wide.
[0004] The present invention provides an improved portal frame that can meet
the
s
necessary lateral loading requirements with a braced wall panel or upright
that is less
than 16 inches wide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is an object of the present invention to attach a horizontally
disposed
member to vertically disposed member in a manner that provides a strong lap
joint
between the members that can carry large moment forces even though the
vertical
member is relatively narrow, preferably the lap joint is a half-lap type
joint. In the
preferred embodiment of the invention, the vertical member is only a nominal
10 to
12 inches wide, and both the vertical and horizontal members are nominal 3
inches
deep. The thin depths of the horizontal and vertical members in the wall make
it easy
to place the invention in a standard wall and be able to provide insulating
materials
and typical external coverings. It is a further object of the present
invention to create a
strong portal frame that is easily and inexpensively formed as it is made from
readily
available building materials and components.
[0006] The lateral force resistance system of the present invention is
provided in a
building where a large opening is to be provided in the side of the building.
The
lateral force resistance system has a foundation which is the foundation for
the
building which supports and anchors the other members of the lateral
resistance
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system. The lateral force resistance system has a supported structural member
that
spans the opening in the building. The supported structural member has an
elongated
axis with a first connection end and a second connection end disposed
oppositely
along the elongated axis from the first connection end. The supported
structural
s
member is operatively connected to the foundation. The supported structural
member
is directly connected to a supporting member by fasteners and the supporting
structural member is connected to the foundation by anchors. The supporting
structural member also has an elongated axis with an upper connection end and
a
lower basal end disposed oppositely along the elongated axis from the upper
connection end. The supporting structural member is operatively connected to
both
the supported structural member and the foundation. The elongated, supported
structural member and the elongated, supporting structural member are in
direct
connection with each other at the first connection end of the supported
structural
member and the upper connection end of the supporting structural member. The
elongated axes of the supported and the supporting structural members are
disposed
non-parallel to each other. The supported structural member and the supporting
structural member form a first side or portion of a portal frame that borders
the
opening in a building. The portal frame has a longitudinal axis that runs
parallel to the
gravitational forces exerted on the portal frame and a lateral axis orthogonal
to the
longitudinal axis. The lateral axis of the portal frame is in general
alignment with the
elongated axis of the supported structural member. The portal frame also has a
depth
axis orthogonal to both the lateral and longitudinal axes. The portal frame
has a lateral
width along the lateral axis, a longitudinal height along the longitudinal
axis, and a
depth along the depth axis, with the lateral width and the longitudinal height
of the
portal frame being much greater than the depth of the portal frame. The first
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connection end of the supported structural member is formed with a lapping
surface
that is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the portal frame, and the
first
connection end of the supported structural member is formed with an abutment
surface that is not parallel to the lateral axis of the portal frame. The
supporting
s
structural member has a lateral width along the lateral axis of the portal
frame and a
longitudinal height along the longitudinal axis of the portal frame, and the
supporting
structural member is formed with a lateral load resisting member formed from a
single piece member that spans the lateral width and extends the longitudinal
height,
and the upper connection end of the supporting structural member is formed
with a
lapping surface that is not orthogonal to the longitudinal axis of the portal
frame, and
the upper connection end of the supporting structural members is formed with
an
abutment surface that is not parallel to the lateral axis of the portal frame
and the
lapping surface of the supporting structural member and the abutment surface
of the
supporting structural member are both formed on the lateral load resisting
member.
The lapping surface of the supported structural member and the lapping surface
of the
supporting structural member correspond such that the lapping surfaces are
disposed
adjacent to each other, and the abutment surface of the supported structural
member
and the abutment surface of the supporting structural member correspond such
that
the abutment surfaces are disposed adjacent to each other.
[0007] In the present invention, the supporting structural member can have an
inner
lateral side and an outer lateral side with the supported structural member
extending
from the supporting structural member at the inner lateral side and beginning
to
overlap with the supporting structural member at the inner lateral side, and
the
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abutment surface of the supporting structural member can be disposed at the
inner
lateral side of the supporting structural member.
[0008] In the present invention, the lateral load resisting member can be
directly
s
anchored to the foundation at two separate points disposed laterally from each
other
along the lateral axis of the portal frame.
[0009] In the present invention, the lateral load resisting member can be
formed with
an inner side surface with the supported structural member extending from the
lateral
load resisting member at the inner side surface. The lateral load resisting
member can
also be formed such that the lateral width of the lateral load resisting
member of the
supporting structural member is greater than the depth of the portal frame,
and the
abutment surface of the supporting structural member is formed on the inner
side
surface of the lateral load resisting member.
[0010] In the present invention, the lapping surfaces of the supporting
structural
member and the supported structural member can be parallel, planar surfaces.
[0011] In the present invention, the abutment surfaces of the supporting
structural
member and the supported structural member can be parallel, planar surfaces.
[0012] In the present invention, the supporting structural member can have an
inner
lateral side and an outer lateral side with the supported structural member
extending
from the supporting structural member at the inner lateral side and beginning
to
overlap with the supporting structural member at the inner lateral side. A
portion of
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the supported structural member does not extend past the inner lateral side of
the
supporting structural member, and the portion of the supported structural
member that
does not extend past the inner lateral side of the supporting structural
member is
connected to the supporting structural member with a strap.
s
[0013] In the present invention, the supported structural member can have a
lower
longitudinal side and an upper longitudinal side with the supporting
structural
member extending from the supported structural member at the lower
longitudinal
side and beginning to overlap with the supported structural member at the
lower
longitudinal side. A portion of the supporting structural member does not
extend past
the lower longitudinal side of the supported structural member, and the
portion of the
supporting structural member that does not extend past the lower longitudinal
side of
the supported structural member is connected to the supported structural
member with
a strap.
[0014] In the present invention, the supporting structural member can be
formed from
a plurality of elongated framing members joined together forming first and
second
layers of members of equal depth and overlying each other, and the supported
structural member can be formed from a plurality of elongated framing members
joined together forming first and second layers of members of equal depth and
overlying each other. The first layer of the supported structural member can
extend
past the second layer at the connection where the supported structural member
and the
supporting structural member intersect, and the first layer of the supporting
structural
member can extend past the second layer at the connection where the supported
structural member and the supporting structural member intersect.
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[0015] In the present invention, the supported structural member and the
supporting
structural member can be joined by fasteners that are driven through the
lapping
surfaces of the supported structural member and the supporting structural
member.
s
The fasteners driven through the lapping surfaces of the supported structural
member
and the supporting structural member can be spaced from each other to form a
substantially rectangular array.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Fig. 1 is a front view of a portal frame having an supporting
structural
member and an upright post supporting a header or supported structural member
wherein the upright panel is connected to the header according to the present
invention. Portions of the foundation are omitted so as to reveal the anchor
members
embedded in the foundation to connect the upright panel and the post to the
foundation. The particular anchor members shown securing the upright panel are
strap
anchors.
[0017] Fig. 2 is a front view of a portal frame having an supporting
structural
member and an upright post supporting a header or supported structural member
wherein the upright panel is connected to the header according to the present
invention. Portions of the foundation are omitted so as to reveal the anchor
members
embedded in the foundation to connect the upright panel and the post to the
foundation. The particular anchor members shown securing the upright panel and
the
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post are strap anchors.
[0018] Fig. 3 is a front view of portal frame having a pair of upright panels
supporting a header wherein the upright panels are connected to the header
according
s
to the present invention. Portions of the foundation are omitted so as to
reveal the
anchor members embedded in the foundation to connect the upright panel and the
post
to the foundation.
[0019] Fig. 4 is a front view of the connection according to the present
invention of
the upright panel to the header in a portal frame.
[0020] Fig. 5 is a back view of the connection according to the present
invention of
the upright panel to the header in a portal frame.
[0021] Fig. 6 is a top view of the connection according to the present
invention of the
upright panel to the header in a portal frame.
[0022] Figure 7 is a bottom cross-sectional view of the connection according
to the
present invention of the upright panel to the header in a portal frame taken
generally
along the view line indicated as Fig. 7 in Fig. 1 .
[0023] Fig. 8 is an outer side view of the connection according to the present
invention of the upright panel to the header in a portal frame taken generally
along the
view line indicated as Fig. 8 in Fig. 1.
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[0024] Fig. 9 is an outer side view of the connection of a post to the header
in the
portal frame shown in Fig. 1.
[0025] Fig. 10 is a top view of the supporting structural member of the
present
s
invention.
[0026] Fig. 11 is a back view of the supporting structural member of the
present
invention.
[0027] Fig. 12 is an outer side view of the supported structural member of the
present
invention.
[0028] Fig. 13 is a front view of a portion of the supported structural member
of the
present invention.
[0029] Fig. 14 is a front view of a building in which the portal frame of the
present
invention is used. Portions of the exterior of the building are shown as
removed to
reveal the portal frame of the present invention.
[0030] Fig. 15 is a perspective view of a portion of a portal frame having a
supporting
structural member supporting a header or supported structural member wherein
the
upright panel is connected to the header according to the present invention.
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[0031] Fig. 16 is a front view of a portal frame having a supporting
structural member
and an upright post supporting a header or supported structural member wherein
the
upright panel is connected to the header according to the present invention.
s
[0032] Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a stand-off member and u-shaped
anchors for
anchoring the supporting structural member.
[0033] Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a stand-off member, u-shaped anchors
and the
lower portion of the supporting structural member.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0034] As shown in Fig. 1, the present invention teaches a connection for
securing a
vertically disposed or longitudinal supporting structural member or first
structural
member 10 to a horizontally disposed or lateral supported structural member 50
by
overlapping the members in what is typically called a half lap joint. The
supporting
structural member 10 and the supported structural member 50 are part of a
lateral
force resistance system 1 in a building 2. The lateral force resistance system
1
includes a foundation 3 which supports and anchors the other members of the
lateral
force resistance system 1. Anchoring a lateral force resistance system 1 to a
building's
foundation 3 is a common method of resisting uplift and overturning moment
forces.
[0035] The supported structural member 50, also commonly called a header, of
the
lateral force resistance system 1 has an elongated axis 51. At one end of the
elongated
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axis 51, the supported structural member 50 is formed with a first connection
end 52.
At the other end of the elongated axis 51 the supported structural member 50
is
formed with a second connection end 53. The first and second connection ends
52 and
53 are disposed oppositely from each other along the elongated axis 51. As
shown in
s
Fig. 1, the first connection end 52 is connected to supporting structural
member 10
with a connection formed according to the present invention, and the second
connection end 53 is connected to a typical post 5. The post 5 as shown is a
typical
nominal 4 x 4 post used in the United States. The post can also be built up 2x
members. As is also shown in Figure 1, the supported structural member 50 is
positively and directly connected to the supporting structural member 10 which
is
positively and directly connected to the foundation 3, thus the supported
structural
member 10 is operatively connected to the foundation 3.
[0036] The supporting structural member 10, often commonly called an upright
or
braced panel, of the lateral force resistance system 1 has an elongated axis
11. At one
end of the elongated axis 11, the supporting structural member 10 is formed
with an
upper connection end 12. At the other end of the elongated axis lithe
supported
structural member 50 is formed with a lower basal connection end 13. The first
and
second connection ends 12 and 13 are disposed oppositely from each other along
the
elongated axis 11. As is typical, the elongated axis 11 of the supporting
structural
member 10 is in alignment with the gravitational force 4 exerted on the
building 2
[0037] As shown in Fig. 1, the supported structural member 50 is directly
connected
at its first connection end 52 to the upper connection end 12 of the
supporting
structural member 10. Typically, the elongated axes 51 and 11 of the supported
and
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supporting structural members 50 and 10 will be disposed orthogonally to each
other,
although lateral force resistance systems 1 are also formed where the
supported
structural member 50 is disposed at an obtuse angle to the supporting
structural
member 10 to follow an angled roof line. The elongated axes 51 and 11 of the
s
supported structural member and the supporting structural member do not lie in
parallel, but meet at an angle.
[0038] As shown in Fig. 1, the supported structural member 50 and the
supporting
structural member 10 form a first side or portion 150 of a portal frame 100.
The portal
frame 100 has a longitudinal axis 101 that runs parallel to the gravitational
force 4
exerted on the portal frame 100, a lateral axis 102 that is disposed
orthogonally to the
longitudinal axis 101, and a depth axis 103 that is disposed orthogonally to
both the
longitudinal and lateral axes 101 and 102. The lateral axis 102 of the portal
frame 100
will generally be in alignment with the elongated axis 51 of the supported
structural
member 50. As is shown in Fig. 1, which represents a very common building
situation, the two axes 51 and 102 are parallel and aligned. If the portal
frame 100 is
formed where the supported structural member 50 is not set orthogonally to the
gravitation force 4 on the building 2, as when the supported structural member
50
follows an angled roof line, then the lateral axis 102 of the portal frame 100
is only
generally in alignment with the elongated axis 51 of the supported structural
member
50.
[0039] As best shown in Figures 1, 3, 6, 8 and 14, the portal frame 100 has a
lateral
width 112 along said lateral axis 112, a longitudinal height 111 along said
longitudinal
axis 101, and a depth 113 along said depth axis 103, with said lateral width
112 and
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said longitudinal height 111 of said portal frame 100 being much greater than
said
depth 113 of said portal frame 100.
[0040] As is best shown in Fig. 7, the first connection end 52 of the
supported
s
structural member 50 is formed with a lapping surface 54 that is not
orthogonal to the
longitudinal axis 101 of the portal frame 100, and the upper connection end 12
of the
supporting structural member 10 is formed with a lapping surface 14 that is
not
orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 101 of the portal frame 100. The lapping
surfaces
54 and 14 of the supported structural member 50 and the supporting structural
member 10 correspond such that the lapping surfaces 54 and 14 are disposed
adjacent
to each other. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the lapping surfaces 54
and 14
are substantially planar surfaces that closely interface with each other. The
lapping
surfaces 54 and 14 need not be substantially planar surfaces although it is
preferred,
especially given the preferred manner of forming the supported and supporting
structural member 50 and 10 from a plurality of pieces of dimensional lumber
with
substantially planar surfaces. Preferably, the lapping surfaces 54 and 14 are
orthogonal to the depth axis 103 of the portal frame 100.
[0041] As is best shown in Fig. 7, the first connection end 52 of the
supported
structural member 50 is formed with an abutment surface 55 that is not
parallel to, but
rather intersects with the lateral axis 102 of the portal frame; and the upper
connection
end 12 of the supporting structural member 10 is formed with an abutment
surface 15
that is not parallel to, but rather intersects with the lateral axis 102 of
the portal frame
100. The abutment surfaces 55 and 15 of the supported structural member and
the
supporting structural member 50 and 10 correspond such that the abutment
surfaces
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are disposed adjacent to each other. As shown in the preferred embodiment, the
abutment surfaces 55 and 15 are substantially planar surfaces that closely
interface
with each other. The abutment surfaces 55 and 15 need not be substantially
planar
surfaces although it is preferred, especially given the preferred manner of
forming the
s
supported and supporting structural member 50 and 10 from a plurality of
pieces of
dimensional lumber or laminated veneer lumber with substantially planar
surfaces.
The abutment surfaces 55 and 15 are preferably disposed orthogonally to the
lateral
axis 102 of the portal frame 100, and the depth of the abutment surfaces 55
and 15 is
preferably substantially half of the depth 113 of the portal frame 100.
[0042] As is best shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, the supporting structural
member 10
has a longitudinal height 21 along said longitudinal axis 101 of the portal
frame
10 land a lateral width 22 along the lateral axis 102 of the portal frame 100,
and the
supporting structural member 100 is formed with a lateral load resisting
member 20
formed from a single piece member that spans the lateral width 22 and extends
the
longitudinal height 21, and the lapping surface 14 and the abutment surface 15
are
both formed on the lateral load resisting member 20. In the preferred
embodiment the
lateral load resisting member 20 is formed from a single piece of wood or
laminated
veneer lumber and is a standard 2 x 12 member.
[0043] As is best shown in Figs. 1, 10 and 11, in the preferred lateral force
resisting
system of the present invention, the supporting structural member 10 has an
inner
lateral side 31 and an outer lateral side 32 with the supported structural
member 50
extending from the supporting structural member 10 at the inner lateral side
31 and
beginning to overlap with the supporting structural member 10 at the inner
lateral side
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31, and the abutment surface 15 of the supporting structural member 10 is
disposed at
the inner lateral side 31 of the supporting structural member 10. The
supported
structural member 50 can span a distance of 18 feet from the inner lateral
side 31 of
the supporting structural member 10 to the inner lateral side of the
supporting member
s
such as post 5 at the second connection end 53 of the supported structural
member 10.
[0044] As is best shown in Fig. 1, the lateral load resisting member 20 is
directly
anchored to the foundation 3 at two separate points disposed laterally from
each other
along the lateral axis of the portal frame 102. Typical commercially available
anchors
90 made from steel can achieve tension loads over 5000 pounds when used with
typical wood members available in the United States and are suitable for use
with the
present invention. Such anchors include the STHD holdown which is available
from
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., and is the subject of U.S. Patent 5,813,182
which
is incorporated herein by reference. The anchor 90 shown in Fig. 1 for the
post is
commercially available from Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc. as an HDC
holdown.
As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the supporting structural member can be further
secured to
the foundation with an additional anchor 90 available from Simpson Strong-Tie
Company, Inc. as a MASA anchor.
[0045] As is best shown in Figs. 1, 6, 10 and 11, the lateral load resisting
member 20
is formed with an inner side surface 25 with the supported structural member
50
extending from the lateral load resisting member 20 at the inner side surface
25. As is
best shown in Figs. 1, 6, 10 and 11, the lateral width 22 of the lateral load
resisting
member 20 of the supporting structural member 10 is greater than the depth 103
of the
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portal frame, and the abutment surface 15 of the supporting structural member
10 is
formed on the inner side surface 25 of the lateral load resisting member 20.
[0046] As best shown in Figs. 1, 4 and 6, the supporting structural member 10
has an
s
inner lateral side 31 and an outer lateral side 32 with the supported
structural member
50 extending from the supporting structural member 10 at the inner lateral
side 31 and
beginning to overlap with the supporting structural member 10 at the inner
lateral side
31, a portion of the supported structural member 50 does not extend past the
inner
lateral side 31, and the portion of the supported structural member 50 that
does not
extend past the inner lateral side 31 is connected to the supporting
structural member
10 with a strap 6. Preferably, the straps 6 overlie the lateral load resisting
member 20.
Preferably, the connection is made with two straps 6. The straps 6 are
preferably
fastened to the wood members with nails 7 at the uppermost and lowermost
possible
positions on the supported structural member 50. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16
the
strap can be provided with a central embossment 200 that extends along the
longitudinal length of the strap to strengthen the strap.
[0047] As best shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 6, the supported structural member 50
has a
lower longitudinal side 70 and an upper longitudinal side 71 with the
supporting
structural member 10 extending from the supported structural member 50 at the
lower
longitudinal side 71 and beginning to overlap with the supported structural 50
member at the lower longitudinal side 71, a portion of the supporting
structural
member 10 does not extend past the lower longitudinal side 71, and the portion
of the
supporting structural member 10 that does not extend past the lower
longitudinal side
71 is connected to the supported structural member 50 with a strap 6.
Preferably, the
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connection is made with two straps 6. The straps 6 are preferably fastened to
the wood
members with nails 7 at the outermost and innermost possible positions on the
supporting structural member 10. As shown in Figs. 15 and 16 the strap can be
provided with a central embossment 200 that extends along the longitudinal
length of
s
the strap to strengthen the strap.
[0048] As best shown in Figs. 8 ¨ 13, the upper connection end 12 of the
supporting
structural member 10 is formed with a support surface 16 that is generally
orthogonal
to the longitudinal axis 101 of the portal frame 100 and a top surface 17, and
the first
connection end 52 of the supported structural member 50 is formed with a
bearing
surface 56 that corresponds to the support surface 16 of the supporting
structural
member 10 and rests on at least a portion of the support surface 16, and the
first
connection end 52 of the supported structural member is formed with a top
surface 57
that is aligned with and parallel to the top surface 17 of the supporting
structural
member 10.
[0049] As best shown in Figs, 5 ¨ 13, the supporting structural member 10 is
formed
from a plurality of elongated framing members joined together forming first
and
second layers of members 35 and 36 of equal depth and overlying each other,
and the
supported structural member 50 is formed from a plurality of elongated framing
members joined together forming first and second layers of members 75 and 76
of
equal depth and overlying each other. The first layer 75 of the supported
structural
member 50 extends past the second layer 76 at the connection where the
supported
structural member 50 and the supporting structural member 10 intersect; and
the first
layer 35 of the supporting structural member 10 extends past the second layer
36 at
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the connection where the supported structural member 50 and the supporting
structural member 10 intersect.
[0050] The preferred lateral load resisting member 20 is a nominal 2 x 12
member
s
made from Douglas Fir or Laminated Veneer Lumber. A nominal 2 x 10 member can
also be used. The lateral load resisting member 20 makes up the first layer 35
of the
supporting structural member 10. As shown in Figs. 15, 16 and 18, the
preferred
supporting structural member 10 is also made with a second nominal 2 x 12
member
made from Douglas Fir or Laminated Veneer Lumber joined to the lateral load
resisting member 20. The second 2 x 12 member is connected to the lateral load
resisting member 20 along its length with spaced screw fasteners 8, such as
self-
drilling SDW22300 screws available from Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.,
spaced
12 inches on center along the longitudinal axis 101 and disposed near the
lateral sides
of the supporting structural member 10. Alternatively, as shown in Figs. 5 and
6, two
posts 27 that are nominally 2" wide or deep along the depth axis 103 of the
portal
frame 100, are connected to the lateral load resisting member 20 along their
lengths
with spaced screw fasteners 8, such as self-drilling 5DW22300 screws available
from
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc., spaced 12 inches on center along each post
27.
The posts 27 are preferably disposed at the lateral edges of the lateral load
resisting
member 20. The posts 27 are preferably wood members made from similar
materials
as the lateral load resisting member 20.
[0051] The supported structural member 50 is preferably made of two nominal 2
x 12
members made from Douglas Fir or Laminated Veneer Lumber connected to each
other along their length with spaced screw fasteners 8 or nails, preferably 10
penny
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nails spaced 16 inches on center along the lateral axis 51 near the top and
bottom of
the structural supported member 50.
[0052] The portal frame connection between a supported structural member 50
and a
s
supporting structural member 10 is formed as follows. The supporting
structural
member 10 is built up by connecting the posts 27 or other member to the
lateral load
resisting member 20 with the posts 27 or other member creating the aligned
support
surface 16 and the lateral load resisting member extending past the aligned
support
surface 16 to create the lapping surface 14. Similarly, the members of the
supported
structural member 50 are connected to each other with one of the members
extending
past the other to create an abutment surface 55 and a lapping surface 54. The
supporting structural member 10 is then anchored to the foundation 3. Then,
the
lapping surfaces 14 and 54, the abutment surfaces 15 and 55 and the support
surfaces
16 and the bearing surface 56 are all aligned and set in paired engagement
with each
other. Then, a plurality of fasteners 8 are driven through the supporting
structural
member 10 into the supported structural member 50. Preferably these fasteners
8 are
driven through the lapping surfaces 14 and 54 in the direction of the depth
axis 103 of
the portal frame 100. Preferably, eight SDW 22300 screw fasteners 8 are driven
through the members in a rectangular arrangement, and an additional 3
fasteners are
driven into the supported structural member 50 near the lap joint between the
supported structural member 10 and the supporting structural member 50.
Oversized
washers 9 can be used with the screws. Finally, straps 6 are used to further
connect the
supported and supporting structural members together. The straps are
preferably
attached with 10 penny nails.
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[0053] A portal frame 100, with a connection formed according to the present
invention as described above, where the distance between the base 18 of the
supporting structural member 10 and the upper longitudinal surface 71 of the
supported structural member 50 is a distance of 8 feet and the width 22 of the
s
supported structural member is only 12 inches, when tested according to the
ICC-ES
Acceptance Criteria AC 130 can resist over 1000 lbs. of force applied to the
supported
structural member 50 and move laterally less than 0.53 inches. Such a portal
frame
100 formed according to the present invention also has a nominal depth along
the
depth axis 103 of the portal frame 100 of nominal 4" and as such when placed
in a
standard framed wall will have room for the application of insulation without
adding
to the thickness of the wall. Straps 6 are very thin and provide little depth
to the portal
frame 100.
[0054] As shown in Fig. 1, the portal frame 100 can be made with only a first
side
150 that has a connection between the supported structural member 50 and the
supporting structural member 10 that is made according to the present
connection.
The second side or portion 151 of the portal frame 100 can be made with just a
standard post 5 consisting of a single member or built up members supporting
the
supported structural member 50 with straps 6 making the connection.
Alternatively, as
shown in Fig. 2, the first and second sides 150 and 151 of the portal frame
100 can be
made with connections between a supported structural member 50 and supporting
structural members 10 according to the present invention.
[0055] As shown in Fig. 1, the connection of the present invention includes an
anchor
member 90, having an embedment portion 93 disposed within and securely
attached
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to the foundation 3 and a first anchor attachment end 94 protruding from the
foundation 3, a supporting structural member 10 attached to the first anchor
attachment end 94, and a plurality of fasteners 97 connecting the anchor
member 90
to the supporting structural member 10. Preferably, the supporting structural
member
s
10, and even more preferably the lateral load resisting member 20, is directly
anchored to the foundation 3 at two separate points disposed laterally from
each other
along the lateral axis 102 of the portal frame 100.
[0056] The anchor member 90 is preferably set in the foundation 3 while the
foundation 3 is poured. This allows a one-piece anchor member 90 with a bend
or
compound curve to be used, creating a strong mechanical interlock between the
foundation 3 and the anchor member 90. Setting the anchor member 90 while the
foundation 3 is being poured also prevents any space or gaps in the foundation
3 near
the anchor member 90. Space between the anchor member 90 and the foundation 3
can allow water to reach the embedment portion 93 of the anchor member 90,
where it
can have a corrosive effect. Alternatively, the anchor member 90 can be set in
the
foundation 3 after the foundation 3 is cured. The preferred method for setting
the
anchor member 90 after the foundation 3 has cured is to drill a hole in the
foundation
3 and set a bolt 120 that connects to the anchor member 90 in epoxy or similar
compound poured into the hole.
[0057] In the preferred embodiment, the anchor member 90 is formed from steel.
If
such is the case, the preferred fasteners 97 for attaching the first anchor
attachment
end 94 to the supporting structural member 10 are nails or screws that are
self-tapping
and self-drilling. Other fasteners 97 can be used such as pins, dowels, rivets
or non-
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self-drilling screws, when holes are pre-drilled in the supporting structural
member 10
and the first anchor attachment end 94. A plurality of fasteners 97 are used
to create a
strong connection. Furthermore, using a plurality of fasteners 97 allows
readily
available fasteners 97 to be used that do not have to be specifically designed
for the
s
present application.
[0058] The anchor member 90 is formed in accordance with the loading that will
be
placed on it and the dimensions of the supporting structural member 10 to
which it
will attach. Where the loading on the anchor member 90 will be high, as with
tall and
laterally elongated lateral force resisting systems 1 the anchor member 90 can
be
made of a better grade and thicker gauge steel.
[0059] As is best shown in Figs. 1, 4, 5 and 9, the connections between the
supported
structural member 50 and the supporting structural member 10 are reinforced
with
steel straps 6. The connection between the supported structural member 50 and
the
posts 5 shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 9 are also preferably made with steel straps
6. The
steel straps 6 preferably able to withstand tension loads greater than 1000
pounds
when used with the particular wood members of the portal frame.
[0060] As shown in Figs. 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9, the supported structural member 50
has a
lateral width 62 along said lateral axis 102 of said portal frame 100, a
longitudinal
height 61 along the longitudinal axis 101 of the portal frame 100 and a depth
63 along
the depth axis 103 of the portal frame 100 with the lateral width 62 of the
supported
structural member 50 being far greater than the longitudinal height 61 and the
depth
63 of the supported structural member. Similarly, the supporting structural
member 10
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has a lateral width 22 along the lateral axis 102 of the portal frame 100, a
longitudinal
height 21 along the longitudinal axis 101 of the portal frame 100 and a depth
23 along
the depth axis 103 of the portal frame 100 with the longitudinal height 21 of
the
supporting structural member 10 being far greater than the lateral width 22
and the
s
depth 23 of the supporting structural member 10.
[0061] As shown in Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 18, the supporting structural member
10 can
rest on a stand-off member 201. As shown, the stand-off member 201 can work in
conjunction with u-shaped anchoring holdown members or anchors 90. The stand-
off
member 201 sits on top of the u-shaped anchoring members between the side
flanges
of the anchoring members. The stand-off member 201 spans the distance between
the
anchoring members 90. The stand-off member has openings that receive anchor
bolts
120 that are embedded in the foundation 3. Nuts 202 on the anchor bolts 120
are held
by the stand-off member 201 and prevent the stand-off member from lifting off
the
anchor bolts 120. The u-shaped anchor members 90 also have openings that
receive
the anchor bolts 120.
[0062] The invention is not limited to the specific form shown, but includes
all forms
within the definitions of the following claims.
30
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