Frequently Asked Questions: Connectors for Cold-Formed Steel Curtain-Wall Construction and Bridging Connectors
Curtain-Wall Clips
General Design
You only provide allowable loads, but I need LRFD values. How can I convert tabulated allowable loads?
For select curtain-wall connectors reference Curtain-Wall Connectors: Service Load Limits, LRFD Design Strengths, and Nominal Strengths or the information provided in the Connectors For Cold-Formed Steel Construction catalog. For other connectors, Designers can multiply allowable loads by the factors tabulated below to obtain design strength for use with LRFD. Can I use Simpson Strong-Tie® Titen® hex-head screws, PDPT pins, or PDPAT pins to anchor curtain-wall clips when resisting seismic loads? See below for further information.
Condition | Load Type(s) | Factor |
---|---|---|
Allowable Connector Loads | Dead, wind, and seismic | 1.6 |
Allowable Anchorage Loads | ||
#12 self-drilling screws | Dead, wind, and seismic | 1.6 |
Welded | Dead, wind, and seismic | 1.6 |
Simpson Strong-Tie® PDPT and PDPAT powder-actuated fasteners /td> | Dead and seismic | 1.4 |
Wind | 1.6 | |
Simpson Strong-Tie® Titen® hex-head screws | Dead and seismic | 1.4 |
Wind | 1.6 |
Design strengths obtained in this manner will be accurate for conditions where allowable loads are controlled by strength limits, and conservative if the allowable load is limited by serviceability (deflection) criteria. For serviceability checks, the tabulated allowable loads can conservatively be considered to correspond to a deflection of 1/8" in the direction of the applied load. If more detailed information regarding LRFD design strengths is required, please contact Simpson Strong-Tie.
Do tabulated allowable loads for the FCB bypass framing fixed clips consider combined loads? If not, how should I account for them?
No, combined loads are not considered as testing was performed separately for each load direction (F2 – tension, F3 – compression, and F4 – vertical). Currently, we recommend Designers use whatever interaction equation they have used in the past. In the absence of other guidance, a linear interaction equation is suggested.
Based on the design conditions, I sometimes assume moment created by the eccentric weight of the curtain-wall is resisted entirely in the anchorage of the fixed clip to the structure, and other times assume it is resisted by horizontal forces at adjacent floor levels. How do I use your allowable loads to address both of these conditions?
For the FCB bypass framing fixed-clip connectors, the tabulated allowable connector loads and allowable anchorage loads for F4 (vertical) loads can be used for both conditions (see Figures A and B below). Testing to establish FCB allowable connector loads was conducted on test setups where most of the moment was resolved through a horizontal force couple as shown in Figure A. This condition results in both shear and moment on the fastener group attaching the connector to the stud and therefore is critical for the connector. Testing to determine FCB allowable anchorage loads, on the other hand, was conducted on test setups that required all of the moment be resisted in the anchorage of the fixed connector to the supporting structure (see Figure B). Since the allowable loads determined in this manner represent the extreme case for both the connector and anchorage, they are conservative for most practical design conditions and can be used without adjustment as long as the minimum of the tabulated allowable connector load and allowable anchorage load is used for design.

Eccentric Weight Resolved in Horizontal Force Couple

Eccentric Weight Resolved in Moment at Anchorage
How close to the web punch-out in the stud can I install your connectors?
Designers can determine this dimension in the same manner used for any other connection. A general rule of thumb is that the clip should not be within 1/2 of the stud depth from the top or bottom edge of the punch-out.
Design For In-Plane Loads
Fasteners and Anchorage
What is the maximum thickness stud I can attach to using the #14 shouldered screws provided with the SCB, SCW, and SSB slide-clip connectors?
We recommend limiting the maximum design thickness of the stud to 118 mil (10 ga). This ensures that the #14 shouldered screw extends through the connection a minimum of three exposed threads as required by code.
How should I install the #14 shouldered screws provided with the SCB, SCW, and SSB slide-clip connectors?
Simpson Strong-Tie recommends the shouldered screws be installed as follows:
- To avoid stripped and overdriven fasteners, install shouldered screws with a variable speed adjustable torque screwdriver (screw gun).
- Set torque adjustment to stop driving when the bottom of the shoulder comes into contact with the surface of the stud and there is a small gap between the bottom of the screw washer and the connector (see illustration below). Note that the proper torque will vary based on the thickness of the stud material.
- Adjust speed (RPM) and applied force as required to avoid tip “walking” and build-up of excessive heat. In general, 2500 RPM is the maximum drill speed that should be used for installation.
- Drive screw perpendicular to the surface of the stud and connector, centered in the connector slot.

Why aren’t Simpson Strong-Tie® Titen® hex-head screws and PDPT or PDPAT powder-actuated fasteners included in IAPMO UES ER-0238?
Currently, there are no acceptance criteria that can be used as the basis to issue a code report for concrete screws or shot pins installed in connectors. ICC-ES publishes criteria to establish allowable and design strengths for concrete screws (AC193) and shot pins (AC70), but these apply only to individual fasteners. Since the demand on the fasteners is complicated and difficult to accurately predict, testing of the complete system of the connector and anchors is required. Our PDPT and PDPAT powder-actuated fasteners have been qualified under AC70 and are listed in ICC-ES ESR 2138 for installation into ASTM A36 steel, ASTM A572 Grade 50 steel, and concrete.
Can I use Simpson Strong-Tie® Titen® hex-head screws, PDPT pins, or PDPAT pins to anchor curtain-wall clips when resisting seismic loads?
Yes, but only under certain conditions. Our Titen hex-head screws are not listed in a product evaluation report, so Designers should check with the local building official regarding their use to resist seismic loads. PDPAT pins may be used to anchor curtain-wall clips resisting seismic loads based on Seismic Design Category (SDC) as follows:
- SDC A and B: Permitted.
- SDC C: Permitted for designs in accordance with ASCE 7, Chapter 13.
- SDC D, E, and F:
- For designs under 2006 IBC and 2009 IBC – Not permitted (ASCE 7-05, Section 13.4.5).
- For designs under 2012 IBC – Permitted for installations in steel provided “the service load on any individual fastener does not exceed 250 lb” (ASCE 7-10, Section 13.4.5). Design must be in accordance with ASCE 7, Chapter 13.