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HWDC Head-of-Wall Drift-Clip Connector

HWDC

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Made for Versatility, with Proven Strength and Stiffness

The head-of-wall drift-clip connector (HWDC) is used to secure the head of a wall to the bottom of a slab or beam. The unique design allows anchor screws to be installed closer to the bend, providing a stronger and stiffer connection while also allowing horizontal and vertical movement during seismic and high-wind events. HWDC5.25 provides anchorage location options with a third slot providing a solution for clips overhanging beam flanges.

HWDC connectors are an optimal solution for adding strength to window or door jambs at head-of-wall connections. Tested load values are provided for anchorage to steel and concrete.

Key Features

  • Accommodates 1" of lateral drift in each direction, and 1" of upward and downward vertical deflection
  • Unique design and placement of the anchorage slots allows for closer attachment of anchorage to the clip bend, providing increased load capacity
  • The HWDC5.25 clip has three slots located at the anchorage leg allowing for attachment at the outer slots (anchorage pattern — centered) for maximum capacity or anchorage to the adjacent slots (anchorage pattern — off center) for walls that overhang the edge-angle or beam-edge
  • Stiffening ribs are placed in between anchorage slots through the bend to provide additional strength and stiffness
  • Simpson Strong-Tie® No-Equal® stamps mark the center of the slots to help ensure proper shouldered screw and anchor placement

Product Includes

  • (55) XLSH78B1414 shoulder screws are provided with each order

Material

  • 97 mil (12 ga.), 50 ksi

Finish

  • Galvanized (G90)

Installation

  • Use the specified type and number of fasteners and anchors.
  • In the vertical slots, use the specified number of #14 shoulder screws (included) for attachment to the stud. Install screws to align with No-Equal stamp.
  • For attachment to steel, use Simpson Strong-Tie Strong Drive® XL Large-Head Metal Screws (XLQ114B1224). Use two screws centered in horizontal slot. Install screws to align with the No-Equal stamp and then back out one half-turn.
  • For attachment to concrete, use a Titen Turbo™ screw anchor. Use two screws centered in each horizontal slot. Install screws to align with the No-Equal stamp and back out half-turn.

Ordering Information

  • HWDC5.25-KT25, HWDC3.37-KT25 — (55) XLSH78B1414 #14 shoulder screws are provided with each order
  • Replacement #14 shoulder screws for the HWDC are XLSH78B1414-RP83

Related Literature

HWDC Head-of-Wall Drift-Clip Connector
F-CF-HWDC20
A flier describing our HWDC head-of-wall drift connector clip for cold-formed steel applications.
Flier

Product Information Table

Fastener Production Information and Stuff & Things
New products
Model No. Thickness (mil) Ga. W (in.) Product Includes Coating/Material Packaging Qty.
HWDC3.37-KT25 97 12 3 3/8 (25) clips and (55) XLSH78B1414 #14 shoulder screws Zinc Galvanized, G90 25
HWDC5.25-KT25 97 12 5 1/4 (25) clips and (55) XLSH78B1414 #14 shoulder screws Zinc Galvanized, G90 25

HWDC Allowable Connector Loads

Model No. No. of #14 Shoulder Screws to Stud Anchorage Pattern Allowable Load, F4 (lb.)
Stud Thickness
33 mil (20 ga.) 43 mil (18 ga.) 54 mil (16 ga.)
HWDC3.37 1 — 315 410 580
HWDC5.25 2 Center 390 785 1,110
Off Center 390 590 770
  1. For additional information, see General Notes.
  2. HWDC allowable connector loads are also limited by the HWDC allowable anchorage loads below. Use the minimum tabulated values from the connector and anchorage load tables as applicable.
  3. See the illustration for shouldered screw fastener placement to stud framing.
  4. The published allowable load is the lower of the tested ultimate with a safety factor, load at 1/8" deflection or the fastener calculation limits.


HWDC Allowable Anchorage Loads

Model No. Anchorage Pattern Minimum Base Material Number of Anchors (Anchorage Pattern) Allowable Load F4 (lb.)
HWDC3.37 #12-24 self-drilling screws 5/8" Washer Diameter Min. (XLQ114B1224) A36 Steel 3/16" thick 2 610
Simpson Strong-Tie® 1/4" x 1 3/4" Titen Turbo™ screw anchor (TNT25134H) Concrete f'c = 2,500 psi 2 340
HWDC5.25 #12-24 self-drilling screws 5/8" Washer Diameter Min. (XLQ114B1224) A36 Steel 3/16" thick 2 (Center) 1,440
2 (Off Center) 1,150
Simpson Strong-Tie 1/4" x 1 3/4" Titen Turbo screw anchor (TNT25134H) Concrete f'c = 2,500 psi 2 (Center) 340
2 (Off Center) 530
  1. For additional information, see General Notes.
  2. Allowable loads are for clip anchorage only. The capacity of the connection system will be the minimum of the tabulated value and the HWDC allowable connector load table above.
  3. Tabulated values require a minimum 1 1/4" and 2 5/8" end distance for center and off-center anchorage pattern, respectively, for masonry screws in concrete.
  4. See the illustration in the image gallery above for anchorage pattern to base material.

Code Reports & Compliance

Drawings

PDF DWG DXF RFA IFC SAT

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