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TapCon Shear?

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wallmaxx

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Discussion starter · #1 ·
I have been asked to anchor a beam hanger into concrete using TapCons (3" x 1/4"). I am more comfortable with a Simpson rated screw or "titan". Anyone care to voice a pro opinion if the tapcon option is okay, or NO WAY?

Mike
 
#4 ·
I think all the load ratings and shear values are printed on the box. I have used Tapcons successfully in similar applications. Make sure to read the fine print, because if my memory serves me correctly, Tapcon requires you to over spec with a certain ratio. I can not recall what it is, but they specify it on their chart.
 
#5 ·
I remember a long ago nails vs screws for hangers (not the one some hammerhead has going now) that said tapcons were the only screw that simpson would allow. I can't verify it though
 
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#8 ·
How much weight will this beam be carrying?? Is there any reason you can't pocket the the cement and place the beam in the pocket. I personally wouldn't trust tapcons to hold any serious weight. Could you explain the actual situation a little more for us.

Barry
 
#10 ·
I wouldn't use them for any shear application. It seams if you don't drill the hole just right and you put too much torque on them when screwing them in they snap really easy.
 
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#11 ·
What kind of weight is going to be on this hanger?

What size of beam?

The Tapcons are basically the same as the Simpson 3/16" and 1/4" Titan screws, and have basically the same tension and shear values. The Simpson HU and HUC hangers use these smaller screws. The Titan HD screws are a lot stronger and are used in the 3/8" to 5/8" sizes on the LGUM and HGUM hangers.

So depending on your load decide which hangers to use and I would follow what the Simpson book says. Look on pages 140-141 in the 2008 Simpson book.
 
Discussion starter · #12 ·
The plan calls for a pocket in the concrete (which has a bucked out opening below it).
The builder doesn't like beam pockets. Insulation I think.
He wants it hung.
A crew was sent out by the bldr to get the floor system installed already.
They have gone ahead with the tapcons.
The beam spans the house and has 2 posts under it plus a post under the end at the far wall.
The beam is built up 2x12s that have all the floor joists resting on it.

I am no engineer...I just hate deviating from the approved plans with something structural.

It may be totally fine...I just wanted to hear some other opinions. I will be framing the main structure soon, and I sure don't want a load failure.
 
#13 ·
wallmaxx said:
The plan calls for a pocket in the concrete (which has a bucked out opening below it).
The builder doesn't like beam pockets. Insulation I think.
He wants it hung.
A crew was sent out by the bldr to get the floor system installed already.
They have gone ahead with the tapcons.
The beam spans the house and has 2 posts under it plus a post under the end at the far wall.
The beam is built up 2x12s that have all the floor joists resting on it.

I am no engineer...I just hate deviating from the approved plans with something structural.

It may be totally fine...I just wanted to hear some other opinions. I will be framing the main structure soon, and I sure don't want a load failure.
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YEEEEIIIKES! That would scare hell out of me too, deviating from the approved structural engineering plans. I would want an escape hatch on that one. As my attorney once told me "There is no such thing as a valid waiver on negligence".That's not to infer that you are being negligent, point is, if something fails and there has been a deviation, that's where the liability would most likely fall, whoever did it.
 
#14 ·
That is just wrong on so many levels. I would ask innocently if they had a engineer sign off on those changes, or possibly ask a BI to just "stop by on the way to another job to look around". I think it would be a whole bunch mo better to get that addressed before you start building up. Get it fully approved or fixed before going forward, easier that way.
 
#20 ·
Builder ought to consider resting 2 3/4" of the beam in a 5 inch pocket and foaming in behind it.

Imagine, if just one fastener strips out in the concrete then technicaly the shear rating on the whole hanger is kaput.

I'm all for insulation, but I don't sacrifice my structure to achieve it.

"Damn Mabel, I sure was warm til the house fell down!"
 
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