AutoTight AutoDesign 11411

1/18/2011 Commins Mfg. Inc. 1

AutoTight®

AutoDesignInstructions 011811


AutoTight® AutoDesign

The Design is Fast, Accurate and Precise

Overview:

Page 1. List project information. 15 minutes

. The Load Justification Table

Insert tension loads 5 minutes

The system instantly designs the runs.

For Strength, Shrinkage, and Elongation.

Specific Code Requirements are considered


AutoTight®

AutoDesign

Customize the floor heights, components etc..

Simple to use, it does the work for you.

This program does not design embedments.

Any Tie-Down Design is only as good as it is accurate.

So the one warning we want to give . . .


Important Excel Settings

This program is Excel based.

•We recommend that 2003 or later version be used.

•The pictured options should be set to assure proper functioning of the program.

•This menu can be found “Tools” icon in the toolbar.

•Then click “Options”

•The “View” and “Calculation” tabs should be set to match this page.


General Warning!The program contains look-up tables and specialized information hidden away in the Transparent Designerspreadsheet pages. These are needed to perform the calculations. They need not ever be viewed or consulted by a designer using this program.

IF you modify ANY of the look-up tables or formulas you may destroy this programs

ability to work properly.

The instructions are easy to follow. Only modify what you are allowed to per these instructions. Staying in theseparameters, you will have plenty of freedom to customizetie-down runs as needed. It is rare that the default designresults need any modification.

More importantly you will have reliable andaccurate tie-down designs when you are finished.


Page 1 – Project Information AutoTight® AutoDesign

A: Fill in All Gold cells

Some cells have suggested values.

Review the value and adjust as needed

B: List plan set information and note location.

C. Some Cells are locked

ALWAYS START BY USING “SAVE AS”TO SAVE AND RENAME THE SPREADSHEET

TO THE PROJECT NAME AND REVISION NUMBER!


Page 1 – Project Information (cont.)


General Information

• 1. Bid Date - Today’s date. •• 2. Project ID - Enter project Identification.

• 3. Revision - Starting with “0”.

• 4. Takeoff By - Your Initials.

• 5. Runs – Auto-fill cell. After the design is complete the total number of runs will appear here.

• 6. Project – Name and project site address

• 7. Distributor – Add distributor name (optional).

• 8. Number of Run Types – Factory use.

• 9. Est. Start Date – Reference only


General Information Continued:

• 10. Plan Set – Plan set ID (include. Rev. if on plans)

• 11. # Of Bldgs - Number of buildings evaluated.

• 12. Plan Date – Plan Set Date on plans - Critical!

• 13. Ship to City, St, Zip – Ship To Address (Optional)

• 14. Plan Run Call Out – Factory Use Only

• 15. Engineer Firm – Engineer of Record

• 16. Framer or General Contractor– (Optional)

• 17. Elongation Limit Required – Toggle yes, no. (Carried to calculation package, See Discussion)

• 18. Complete CTDS System -Toggle yes, no. • Yes includes Embedments

Project Information (cont.)AutoTight® AutoDesign


• 19. Design Code – IBC, State, City or Canadian Building Codes.

• 20. per State and Local jurisdiction – List codes and date, if applicable. (Elongation Limits vary, See Discussion)

• 21. Detail OK – Auto Fill - Factory Use

• 22. DWG # – List building code location on plan set.

• 23. Detail Note – Enter the note number, detail number or table number from the plan specifying building codes.

• 24. Allowable Rod Load % – Overstress (if Allowed) Default 100% of Code

• 25. Reqd Loads per -- Load Source information (i.e., Schedule, Table, Detail . . . )

• 26. (Under #21) Detail OK –Auto Fill- Factory Use




• 27. (under # 22) DWG#Location on plans of Required Loads.

• 28. (under # 23) Detail/NoteDetail, table or note specifiing required loads

• 29. Wood Beam Species/TypeUse for WBS Wood Beam Starts, Pull down choices:“DFL” – Douglas Fir Larch“HF” – Hemlock Fir“SPF” - Spruce Pine Fir“SP” – Southern Yellow Pine“LVL” – Laminated Veneer Lumber“PSL – Parallel Strand Lumber.

• 30. Take-Up Device at Each LevelRequired by Code? Default yes. Toggle yes, or no (See Discussion)

• 31. Est. Wood Shrinkage, in/floor Estimated floor shrinkage. Default 1/4”. Adjusted as needed. (See Discussion.) Also Connected to # 43 floor joist

• 32. Elongation between connection (in.)Allowable stretch, per code. Default .200”(See Discussion.)



• 33. Run Termination Type

Drop down menu:

Mid-floor Termination (Sometimes called “Bridge”)

Top Plate

Floor Above

(See discussion for pro and con.)

• 34. Wood Beam Starts – Toggle yes, or no.

Selects Bearing plate start and rod.

• 35. Steel Beam Starts - Toggle yes, or no.

Selects Weld Plate start and rod.



Threaded Rod

See Discussion for selection criteria

• 36. Standard Rod – Default A307

Optional A36, F1554 grade 36.

• 37. High Strength Rod - Default C1045.

Optional A449, A325

• 38. Higher Strength Rod –Default A193-B7

Optional F1554 Grade 105

• 39. Extra High Strength Rod - Default A354

• Rod is selected based on the smallest diameter rod that can carry the load.

• The program starts at the bottom and works up.

• Elongation is added floor-by-floor.

• When high strength rod is selected use the same high strength throughout


Project Information AutoTight® AutoDesign

• Wood Specifications

• 40. Shearwall Plates –Select sill plate wood:

“DFL” – Douglas Fir Larch“HF” – Hemlock Fir“SPF” - Spruce Pine Fir“SP” – Southern Yellow Pine. Determines bearing plate size.

• 41. Studs per Plans – For reference only.

• 42. Post per Plans - For reference only. • Used for compression post calculations as

required.



43. Floor JoistDrop down menu withthirteen choices.Choose only one.

Used to determine overall floor height.

Also used to estimate shrinkage in cell 31, Estimated Wood Shrinkage.

0.25024.0024" OWWJ

0.25022.0022" OWWJ

0.25020.0020" OWWJ

0.25018.0018" TJI

0.25016.0016" TJI

0.25014.0014" TJI

0.25011.8811 7/8" TJI

0.2509.509 1/2" TJI

0.2500.00Balloon Framing

0.50013.252 x 14

0.50011.252 x 12

0.3759.252 x 10

0.3757.252 x 8

ShrinkageHeight inches

Joist

EstimatedFloor Joist Data Validation



• 44. Detail OK – Auto Fill- Factory Use

• 45. DWG# - Shearwall plate, stud, post and floor joist location on drawing plan set.

• 46. Detail – Detail, table or note # on the plans specifying the above.

• 47. Sill Plate Washer Required – Toggle yes, or no as required. See discussion

• 48. Elev. Location drawing plan set of floor heights including detail, table or note #.

USE CARPET TO CARPET HEIGHT –Critical for Elongation and Posting.

SEE PAGES 15 AND 16 FOR DETAILS

• 49. Additional Wood Notes – if needed.

• 50. Comp. Post Spec per – Drop down menu. “Structurals” = plan set Default if available otherwise “AutoTight” can design posting.



• 51. Floor/Level -enter name of floors starting with lowest floor. (See next slide for details)

• 52. ft. - Enter story height feet for each floor

• 53. in. – Enter story height inches.

You fill: Name of Floor/Level; Ft.; In…..

The rest auto-fills



“Carpet-to-Carpet” Height

Carpet to Carpet Height

This measurement is from carpet (floor) decking* top, to carpet (floor) decking top on the next floor up. [*slab top on lowest floor, usually].

Starting at the base each measurement includes the bottom plate (s), stud length, the top plates, the floor system above, and the floor decking.

On the top floor measurement is from the top of the carpet decking to the top of the top plate (s).


1. “Floor to Floor”, or “Carpet to Carpet”height often looks like this on the architectural plans. Many times, just the elevations from ground level is all you get.

2. Make certain that you are being shown the full height, as some just show from floor to ceiling. It is very important that the structure between the floors is included in the measurement.




Embedments details are not covered in thisedition of TD however the run-embedment interface affects the system.Embedment questions affecting the runs are marked in green and must be answered:

• 54. Flush Top Embedments – Toggle Yes, No. (changes run length by 8”) See Discussion

• 55. CAT Embeds – Toggle Yes if you want Commins to design the embeds or No.

• 56. Original Plan Embed Details –Embedment table, details and notes.

• 57. PT Deck – mark “Yes”, and fill in 60, 63, if PT Deck is used.



• 58. Footing – Mark with “Yes”, and fill in #61 and #63, if imbeds go into slab on grade.

• 59. Wall – Mark with “Yes” and fillin #62 and #63, if embeds go into walls.

• 60.Thickness – Thickness of PT deck in inches.

• 61. Depth - Footing depth in inches.

• 62. Width - of wall in inches.

• 63. Concrete PSI – Concrete strength only for embedment area.

• 64. Hot Dipped Galvanized (HDG) Rod Toggle yes, no (Required all Jobs affects nut and coupler sizing)

• 65. Embedment Chairs – Toggle yes or no

• 66. Anchor Bolt Above Slab – Check # 54 Toggles-Affects rod lengths.


Page 2 - Load JustificationAutoTight® AutoDesign

Prior to starting this page of the TD you have:

1. Completed the Project Information Page. NO Gold cells should remain.2. Generated the shear wall tension loads for each reaction point located

directly above one another vertically, these are called runs. 3. It is O.K. to have a run that only covers one floor. It is preferred to stack

and minimize the run count. 4. Consolidate runs into as few types possible. This saves time and money

both in engineering and in installation. Some Contractors only bid jobs where the run count (type) doesn’t exceed 6!

5. Name the run types, ready to input them onto the Load Justification Table.


2 - Load Justification TableAutoTight® AutoDesign

System Materials: Rod (R8), Bearing Plates (S8), and Shrinkage Compensators (AT) are the primary components used in tie-down systems. Each of these items are code rated for strength and elongation.

The system selects the smallest components (rod, bearing plates and Shrinkage Compensator) that will carry the uplift load. The program then computes rod elongation only or system elongation depending on the engineering requirements (toggle #201)

Elongation is calculated and compared to system limits entered in Box 32(Page 1). The designer can then adjust rod, bearing plates or shrinkage

compensators to change the elongation.

System Logic

Parameters must be set by you in the project information page. The software starts the component selection with STRENGTH, per code limits.

1. The smallest rod that will meet the strength requirements will be selected first. Note: if rod strength requirements exceeds 69 kips consult factory for additional information.

2. Then the smallest bearing plate that will meet the strength requirements will be selected.

3. Finally, the smallest Take-up Device (Shrinkage Compensator) that meets the rod diameter, strength and shrinkage is selected.


Page 2 - Load Justification TableAutoTight® AutoDesign

AutoTight® Rod

AutoTight rod is normally supplied with a continuous thread. Field cut as needed. Standard rod lengths are: 1’; 3’; 6’; 10’; and 12’. Rod may be ordered pre-cut withsufficient lead time and additional cost.

Rod Diameter is shown in 1/8” increments. Example: R6 is 6/8” or 3/4”Rod is available from 1/2” (R4) to 1 ¾” (R14) diameter. Thread is Unified National Coarse (UNC or NC).Need other sizes? Consult Factory.

Typical Rod DesignationsMaterial Designation Model # Material Spec Standard FinishStandard Strength Rod R8A307 ASTM A307 Grade A BlackHigh Strength Rod R8C1045 ASTM C1045 BlackHigher Strength Rod R8B7 ASTM A193 Grade B7 BlackExtra High Strength R10A354BD ASTM A354 Black

Allowable rod capacities are assigned based on the material, diameter and code.

The lowest floor rod is selected first.

• All rod above it in a run will be of the same size or smaller.

• The program will not mix different high strength rod materials in a single run.

• It can change from high strength rod to standard strength rod in a single run.

• Always check embedment rod size selected, check if they match plans. Adjust as needed

• Check plans to see if Hot Dipped Galvanized Rod is required. (See #64 page 1)



AutoTight® Bearing Plates

Bearing Plates transfer uplift loads into the structure at reaction points. Bearing loads are limited by wood crushing at allowable species bearing capacity.

Material I.D. FinishASTM A36 Steel Part Number example S12 Black

Bearing Plate Sizes- (See Catalog)S4-S16 = Small (3 ½” wide max. to fit on 2x4 or larger wall plate) and 1” holeS8-S16L= (3 ½” wide max. to fit on 2x4 or larger wall plate) and 1-1/4” holeS19-S44 = (3 ½” wide max. to fit on 2x4 or larger wall plate) and 1-1/4” holeL17-L32_ = (5-1/2” wide max. to fit on 2x6 or larger wall plates) and 1-1/4” hole

The TD will choose the smallest plate that will carry the differential load for that floor and fit rod.

Bearing Plate Modifications:

All bearing plates must fit onto wall plates!Example: a 5” wide bearing plate on a 2x4 wall plate = 1-1/2” overhanging plate!An “S” (3-1/2” wide max) bearing plate can be installed in any wall 4” wide or larger. An “L” (5” wide max) is made for 6” walls.Important: If a wide plate is selected (L17-L32) for a 4” wall select a S (small) plate.

Comments:Posting clearance is typically 6”. In installation the distance between the posting is only 6”commonly. A bearing plate that is longer than 6” will interfere with the posting. This may require notched posts. See Discussion.A plate that is 9” long will allow for the 6” gap, with 1-1/2” on each side. This would allow a 2x4”post to rest on the plate without notching. (But it must be short cut the thickness of the plate.)

Tips: Adjusting the bearing plate is very helpful when you need to remove a small amount of elongation. Here are a few cautions:

Do not attempt to reduce the elongation more than .012” by adjusting the bearing plate. Be

aware of the plate sizes as you enlarge them. It may be better to go to a larger rod instead.



AutoTight® ATs – Auto Take-up Devices

AT Automatic Take-Up The Shrinkage Problem: Wood dries and shrinks. Shrinkage can result in loose, non-performing connections. Wood floor shrinkage will average ½” per floor (solid sawn wood). Even manufactured wood joists can result in ¼” floor shrinkage. The result may be loose shear wall connections. One quarter inch (1/4”) of movement can result in a reduction in lateral wall capacity of 40% or more!

The AT Auto Take-Up keeps the wall tight by automatically expanding as the wood shrinks. Shear wall connections are kept tight and performing. Single AutoTight shrinkage compensators can handle up to 2.5” of shrinkage. When stacked they can double that capacity.

They have the lowest delta r *(Δr) deflection in the industry. * Δr = average travel and seating increment. (See Catalog Page XX)

These are selected first by strength, then by shrinkage compensation needed.If possible an aluminum AT will be selected as this will lower cost.


Page 2 - Load Justification Table


• Place tension loads by floor in these cells, the rest is automatic.

• The cells are marked with a “T” for tension.

• These are the only numbers you need to enter!

Run Name HereRun count enter here

This auto -fills with type

Load

Table auto fills & shows:

allowable rod load, rod, plate, and AT sizes.

elongation per floor, elongation limits, and differential loads.

Load

Compression loads by floor are for reference only. The cells are marked with a “C” for compression.



1. Once you have entered the tension loads for each floor – the rest is automatic!

2. All other information in the table Auto-fills. This run is now designed and all hardware is now in the material lists.

3. Your finished with this run! ..... Only modify if there are elongation issues or special needs.

Automatic!

Manually Enter



• For each floor:

• Tension load

• Allowable Rod load

• Rod model (adj.)

• Rod size

• Rod material

For each floor:

• Differential load

• AT model (adj.)

• Bearing plate model (adj.)

• Elongation Load

• Rod/system elongation

• Elongation Limit

Table Contents Defined


Page 2 - Load Justification Table AutoTight® AutoDesign

Rod size and type may

be adjusted using a pull

down menu.


Page 2 - Load Justification Table (cont.)AutoTight® AutoDesign

Modify the

AT on any

floor with a

drop down

menu.


Page 2 - Load Justification Table (cont.)AutoTight® AutoDesign

Modify bearing

plates on any

floor with a

drop down

menu.


Page 2 - Load Justification Table


Elongation

Elongation (stretch) per floor can be measured two ways.

1. Rod Stretch (Rod Only), or

2. System Stretch (all components, including:

• Rod• Plates• Take Up Devices

Toggle 201.“Elongation Components”

Set to Rod Only (“Rod Stretch”).With a limit of .200” per floor.(selected on sheet 1 # 32.)

Notice the “Rod (in)” section are all in black font, indicating at or below the required limit.


Load Justification Table (cont.)AutoTight® AutoDesign

Elongation

• Toggle now set at “System Stretch”.

• Note the elongation is now in red on the first four floors.

• This shows they are over the set limit and must be adjusted to meet code.

• Adjustment is made by increasing rod size OR bearing plate size. Bearing plate size can help fine tune stretch at the lowest cost.

Rod is usually all-thread (continuously) threaded. We can also supply Full Diameter (FD) Rod to lower stretch. This rod may addinstallation complexities. Call Factory



Elongation

How-to-Fix:

1. Starting at the lowest floor needed, change the rod size, one size up till the numbers in the elongation cells change to black.

2. Then move to the next higher floor. If needed.

3. Here, we changed the bottom two floors manually, and the program changed the third floor for us.

4. Default will keep the floor above the same or smaller diameter rod as the floor below. When 2nd Floor was changed to R7B7, the 3rd Floor automatically changed to R7A307.



Adjusting Elongation

Bearing plates

For a small amount of excesselongation (0.010-0.012”)Changing the bearing plates may be the least expensive fix.

Bearing plates vary greatly in size and expense. Use the smallest plate that carries the load and reduces elongation.

Consider plate fit :1. Typical 6” bay, 2. Wall width 3. Posting requirementsbefore changing bearing plates



Floor Skipping:

• Some jurisdictions allowed skipped floors and do not require a shrinkage compensator on every floor.

• This may lower cost by eliminating the take-up device and bearing plate on that floor.

• That floor will still shrink, so shrinkage will be transferred to the floor above.

• DO NOT skip the top floor! It will still shrink, but there will be NO compensation.

• Elongation will increase on the floor above the skipped floor.


Floor SkippingOn this run we will skip the

second floor.

• Look at the elongation (“stretch” loads, they need to be near or below 50% of the load limit on the floor you want to skip and on the floor above.

• Note the location of the cell, just below the tension load.

• To skip that floor put an asterisk in that cell



Floor Skipping

• The elongation on the floor above has increased to make up for the missing compensator.

• Note with skipped floor “Differential Load”, and “Stretch Load” columns are now blank for the second floor.



Floor Skipping – Watch the elongation!

• As an example, the loads are the same but we switched to “System Stretch”

• Note the System Elongation is higher, this will create a problem if we skip the second floor.



Floor Skipping• If elongation is a

problem. This can be corrected with larger rod, or larger bearing plate

• Note: Larger rod, and/or plate raises cost (defeating the reason for skipping floors).

• Note: Fewer compensators lowers cost

• As a designer you must find the balance.



Beam Starts• Run 1D will be a

beam start.

• Place the tension load on the floor level where the tie-down will start.

• AutoDesign knows this is not a normal embedment start, note: a bearing plate in grey (not in materials list yet)

• AutoDesign does not yet know this is a

beam start.



Beam Starts (cont.)

• The suffix “WBS”* is added to the run name.

• The bearing plate is now in yellow.

• A length of rod to go through the beam and needed hardware along with the plate are now included in the material list.

• This is now a *Wood Beam Start



Beam Starts (cont.)

• To make a *Steel Beam Start.

• The suffix is changed to *SBS in the run name cell.

• “Stl Beam”appears below the bearing plate.

• A weld plate and a short piece of the correct sized rod is placed in the materials list.

• Beam Starts are that easy.



Hiding Rows and Columns

The LJT (Load Justification Table) has room for 25run types. This is very hard to read on one page.

• Hide the unused spaces and make a readable report.

• Look to the upper left corner. “Hide Rows and Columns”

• Use “Unhide” if you have to add runs later.

As long as there is a quantity shown in any run, it hides the unused columns and rows. (note: fewer open Excel spread sheets will speed execution.

You can wait and do this later with the Final Check macro button, if you wish



Finished Load Justification Table.



The Run Take-Off provides a detailedmaterial list for each individual run.

Page 3 - Run Take OffAutoTight® AutoDesign

•Runs are listed by name

•All material sizes and lengths are listed per run



Expansion or quantity of automatic take up device per floor by color

No AT (skipped)

Size of rod per floor

Runs by name Stories/run Quantity Total runs


Details shown on this table include:


This information helps in estimating and project preparation.

Component model number

Component description

Quantity needed per run

Weight of each item

Total weight for each item line

Total for each item

Runs by Name



There are hundreds of different partsin the Run Take Off inventory.

Only a portion are used on a given project.

“Hide Rows and Columns” Button makes a concise report.

If you make changes, you must “hide” the material pages again to show new items.

Use Hide Button


Page 4 - Run MaterialsAutoTight® AutoDesign

The purpose of Run Materials is to give a running total of all materials that will be used in an entire system:

•Quantity

•Part Number

•Description

There are 100’s of different parts in a Take Off.

Use the “Hide Rows and Columns” Button to make the report more concise.

Important. If you make changes, you must “un-hide” and “hide”the material pages again to show new items.


Page 4 - Run MaterialsAutoTight® AutoDesign

Final Check Button

On top of Page 2, (Load Justification Page), there is a macro button called final check.

This is to be used when you’ve finished with your design.

It will unhide and hide all unused areas on all sheets.

This makes sure that any changes you may have done to the project will be visible.

It provides readable, printable report for pages 2,3, and 4.


Must Ask - Design QuestionsAutoTight® AutoDesign

Avoid these mistakes!

Save time and money, answer these before you finish designing.

Does the base rod coupler match the size and strength of the embedment rod?

If not, are the properly sized reducer couplers in the materialslist?

Is HDG needed anywhere in the system? (check for pressure treated and/or fire retardant treated lumber)

Oversized coupler threads will be needed for all HDG (hot dipped galvanized) rod, unless rod end(s) have had the threads rerolled (the preferred option), OR rethreaded.

Remember HDG requires 3 weeks lead time.



Avoid these mistakes!

Save time and money, answer these before bidding.

If not specified, is a mid-wall (bridge) termination right for this project?

Mid-wall (bridge), requires no ladder work to install. Saves on rod material. Good for areas with little space on top of wall.

•But, may requires an increase in posting material (header). Thisincreases lumber cost.

•Many contractors prefer it over the top wall termination.



Shared Tie-Down Runs ?

•Each shear wall normally has a tie-down on each end of the wall.

•Where two shear walls meet, it is possible to share the “corner” tie-down. (Though not recommended)

•It can not be placed at the corner, that area is filled with wood.

•It can go close to the corner on one wall.

•It must be calculated to take the additional load.


AutoTight®AutoTight® AutoDesign

Instructions 1/14/11

This concludes the software instructions.

Like any project of this nature, updates will be ongoing.

If you have any questions and/or wish to be informed of updates as they are available, Commins Manufacturing will be happy to help.

Email: [email protected]

Subject: AutoTight Software

Or call: 360-378-9484



The sample take-off details 4 runs.

The package includes:

1. Project Information,

2. Load Justification

3. Run Take-off (materials by run)

4. System (Total) Materials

5. Calculation Package (with instr.)

6. AT 1.0 System Details

7. AT 1.1 Run Details.

8. AT 1.2 Embedments

Items 5-8 are ready for review engineers stamp.



To design a complete system use the following:

1. AT Transparent Designer. Dated Excel

2. 1a. Transparent Design Instructions

3. Calculation Package, Excel

4. AT1.0 AutoTight Details AutoCad

5. AT1.1 AutoTight Runs AutoCad

6. AT 1.2 AutoTight Embedments AutoCad (Optional)

7. AutoTight Catalog 2011. Includes materials specification, design comments and general comments on system design.

Call for Support as needed: 360 378-9484

AutoTight AutoDesign 11411

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Transcript of AutoTight AutoDesign 11411