Built to Hold: Smart Connections for CLT Homes
Today we explore connection systems and structural engineering details for CLT home design, translating codes and research into field-ready decisions. From screws and plates to diaphragms and uplift control, you will learn practical, inspection-friendly solutions, plus stories from projects that survived real storms.
Forces, Paths, and Load Logic
Design clarity starts by tracing forces from roof to foundation and proving every path. We will map gravity, shear, and uplift, then match each demand with a connection strategy that respects wood behavior, creep, and installation realities rather than idealized laboratory assumptions.
Timber-to-Timber Joinery That Works
When wood meets wood, fibers carry force best with bearing, dowels, and well-angled screws. We will compare proprietary concealed systems and straightforward shop-fabricated solutions, highlight tolerances that matter, and set inspection criteria that reward craftsmanship without punishing crews for harmless, expected dimensional variations.
Interfaces with Steel and Concrete
Base Connections to Concrete
Foundations are unforgiving, so we design adjustability into sill details. Non-shrink grout, shim packs, and slotted washers help level panels while waterproofing remains continuous. We will coordinate anchor layouts with panel seams to simplify erection, reduce rework, and keep tolerances achievable without heroic field improvisation.
Steel Knife Plates and Hangers
Thin plates carry immense forces when embedded correctly. We will check block shear, bolt tear-out, and local bearing, then specify edge distances and fire wraps that preserve capacity. Practical welding notes and shop drawings ensure what leaves fabrication fits openings and tolerances arriving on site.
Avoiding Bimetallic Traps
Moist timber, steel hardware, and dissimilar metals can invite corrosion. We will pair appropriate coatings, isolate connectors with gaskets, and select stainless strategically where exposure persists. These choices extend life, protect aesthetics, and maintain reliable friction where slip-critical behavior is required by design intent.
Lateral Resistance, Diaphragms, and Uplift
Durability, Moisture, and Fire-Safe Detailing
Connections last when they stay dry and cool. We will design capillary breaks, ventilated cavities, and sealant joints that shed water, while coordinating char calculations and hardware protection for required ratings. Thoughtful strategies preserve capacity, simplify maintenance, and keep interiors tranquil through decades of changing seasons.
Assembly, Tolerances, and Documentation
Even perfect calculations fail without buildable drawings and realistic sequencing. We will choreograph lifts, temporary bracing, and inspection hold points, define tolerances that keep joints tight, and publish schedules and checklists that translate design intent into consistent execution, training, and long-term homeowner confidence.
All Rights Reserved.