Stiffwall^® Flat Strap

Flat strap is the tension element used to transfer loads between diagonally located strap tracks. Flat strap selection is simplified to 6 strap types (see chart below), with load capacity factored using standard 12ga (97mils) strap track  

- Screw shear values are based on #12 (0.216") screw attached to 97 mil (12 ga) Strap Track.
- Minimum screw spacing = 3d
- Minimum screw edge distance = 1.5d

 Flat Strap is cut to length with square ends, and will need to be cut to final length in the field. To determine the length of the flat straps, follow these simple steps:

1. Find the width (A) and the height (B) of the StiffWall^®.
2. Then, use the following formula to determine the length of the strap: A2 + B2 = C2,
3. Next, take the square root of C, round up to the nearest whole number and add 1.

This will result in a length in feet that you can work with. If C equals a whole number, you may want to add 2 to make sure the length is enough.

Example: 8’ wall height with a width of 16’ would look like this:
(8x8) + (16x16) = √320. = 17.88
Then round up to 18’ and add 1’ for a strap length of 19’.

Some points to remember concerning Flat Strap:

• Flat strap can not be installed, un-installed, and then re-installed (A new piece of strap is required).
• Strap must be pulled tight after a gravity load above has been applied.
• Do not fasten the strap to the infill studs between the columns.
• Straps should not be spliced without an approved design.
• Four (4) pieces of strap are required in each StiffWall^® (If there are 10 StiffWall^® shear walls, 40 pieces of flat strap will be necessary)