Steel flange buckling occurs
during shearwall product testing:
the FEA results closely mimic real
world test results, demonstrating
the credibility and usefulness of
the virtual environment. Investing in product development is fundamental to helping us find new,
cost-effective solutions for our customers. Reducing product development
time and physical testing cycles is essential to bringing products to market
more quickly. Using High Performance Computing (HPC) systems to conduct
Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is becoming an increasingly important tool in
our product development process.
We have always rigorously tested our products
with results verified by independent test laboratories.
Our test process typically consists of
physical laboratory tests and HPC-aided
computer simulations. Our FEA engineering is
pioneering the use of HPC in testing building
construction materials. Although the types of
test applications are common within this virtual
environment, the materials our products are
used on (wood and concrete) are not, so we
are forging new ground in this area.
Using FEA, we are able to simulate wood, steel
and concrete test setups, and use the results
to eliminate certain prototype models or
configurations that do not meet the structural
requirements. The simulations help minimize
the labor and time required to physically
test prototypes and can significantly reduce
total product development time - getting
products that solve important structural issues
in the hands of customers sooner.
Finite Element Analysis helped in the development
of these new products:
SB Anchor Bolt
The smooth
transition angle of the bolt
optimizes the performance
of both the anchor and the
wall, reducing the near edge
effects in concrete walls. 
FWAZ Angle
This product
connects foundation
walls to the floor system
to resist lateral loads
from soil pressure. This
connection is called out in
the International Building
Code® and International
Residential Code®. 
HDU14 Holdown
Our highest
capacity HDU holdown
yet, with over 14,000 lbs.
of allowable load. The predeflected shape virtually
eliminates deflection due
to material stretch.
THJU Hanger
This hip/jack hanger offers flexibility and ease of installation. It handles both right and left hand hips, and can be ordered for skews up to 65°, as well as single and 2-ply hip/jack combinations. 
H10A Hurricane Tie
This hurricane
tie attaches to double
top plates and provides
up to 1,340 lbs. of
uplift resistance when
attached to a Southern
Pine truss. 
Torq-Cut™ Self Undercutting
Anchor
The latest addition
to our mechanical anchors,
designed to meet or exceed
the 2003 and 2006 IBC
requirements. It performs in
both cracked and uncracked concrete
under static and seismic loads, and
provides the highest load carrying
capacity in our mechanical anchor series.
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