Replies

1. 
   RonK_ | Feb 16, 2001 04:45pm | #1

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   ProDek,

   I've built a number of houses in King County where the top plate of the second story was bolted all the way down to the foundation, with threaded rod. Had to do that at all the corners.

   Ron.

1. 
   davidmason | Feb 17, 2001 08:50pm | #2

   *ProDek, We've got to use all those straps and Simpson ties you mentioned(zone 5 area)and it's a pain in the ass, but if we ever get another 9.0 earthquake, at least I know none of my houses will fall in and kill somebody. Dave

1. 
   wedgehead | Feb 18, 2001 05:01pm | #3

   *Was discussing this with a buddy recently, after helping a friend with his home, which is pretty much as you describe, w/o the 3x6 plate. It seems like it depends a lot on who your engineer is. If he is able (due to building design)to adjust some of the shear panel variables, hold down sizes, etc. to keep the loads below certain thresholds, you can bypass a lot of the added b.s.My buddy just started framing a simple 2000 s.f. home, which contains a total of two HD5's and 4' panels at the corners. Basic stuff.The one I'm helping finish right now (1900 sf one story) has 36 STHD holdowns and maybe 80' of shear. Two different homes, but more importantly two different engineers

1. 
   Mark_M | Feb 19, 2001 03:31am | #4

   *David Mason: If we get a 9.0 here, we are all goners. Maybe a 7.8 or so.

2. 
   Pro-Dek | Feb 19, 2001 03:31am | #5

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   Stopped buy my friends jobsite today to see how the new house was going up.This is more King county crap,1/2" sill bolt w/square washers every 12" through the new mud sill which is now a 3x6.Now the top plate is just nailed to the sill,so is this a test to see which will stay,the house or the sill? Pretty soon we"ll have to run a hurricane straps from the foundation,up the wall and over the roof to hold these Northwest homes down.I better get out of carpentry and into "Bolt Sales".