Connector Not Found

The following describes the most plausible scenarios that may affect hanger selection; however, the list is not exclusive. For more information, contact the hanger manufacturer or a Weyerhaeuser® technical representative.

When the system does not find a hanger, consider the following:

  • There may be no such hanger in the software that fits the product being sized. This includes hanger options such as slope, skew, top flange offsets and concealed flanges. This is a geometry fit issue.
  • Capacity reductions may be required for hanger options or for the support type. Capacities for supports other than wood beams may be located in other sections of the hanger manufacturer's literature. Significant reductions may be required by the hanger manufacturer for hangers supported by a stud wall. These reductions may not be included in the hanger manufacturer's literature. Consult with the manufacturer for the maximum capacity.
  • The hangers that fit the product being sized don't have the load carrying capacity (downward and uplift) required by the design loads. Allowable loads are revised from time to time.
  • The hanger seat must be at least as long as the required bearing length (the "b" or "D" dimension in the catalog). After you run the design, this is listed in the Connectors tab on the Required Seat Length row.
  • The software does not contain all the hanger models or all the nailing options for a given hanger.
  • The easiest way to determine whether there is a geometry fit problem is to run a design with the same product and bearing conditions, but using almost no load. This will generate a list of hangers that fit the product and bearing conditions.

Manually selecting connectors

If you need to manually select a connector using a manufacturer's catalog, consider the following:

  • Top Flange Fit: The top flange must fit on the supporting member. Compare the "TF" hanger dimension to the width of the support. Apply all reduction factors applicable for modified hangers and alternate installations.
  • Nail Penetration: Verify that the nail length does not exceed the wood support.
  • Nailer Plates: If hanger is on a nailer (a wood plate on a steel beam or masonry wall), verify the downward and uplift loads do not exceed the values provided in the nailer tables for a given hanger model. If nailer tables are not provided, at least verify that nailers have sufficient thickness to satisfy recommended top flange nailing requirements. Make sure that the nailer is adequately attached to the beam to resist the uplift.
  • Supporting Material: Some hangers are specifically forbidden when the supporting member is of a particular type. Check the catalog to make sure that hanger is allowed with the intended supporting member material. This is listed after design is run, in the Connectors tab, Support Material row.
  • Stud Walls, Shearwalls and Firewalls: These are conditions that may only be covered by the manufacturer's technical bulletins.
  • Sloped Seats: Sloped seat hangers may require backing. Hangers are considered "backed" if two-thirds of the hanger height is supported.
  • Depth Mismatch: If the supported member is more shallow than the hanger, a load capacity reduction may be required.
  • Double Shear Hangers and TJI® Joists: Double shear hangers are not allowed with TJI® products, even with web stiffeners. Apply all reduction factors applicable for modified hangers and alternate installations.
  • Nail Penetration: Check that the nail length does not exceed the wood support.
  • Depth Mismatch: For TJI® products, if the side flange of hanger does not catch at least 3/8" of the product's top flange, web stiffeners are required. For all products, the face mount hanger height must be at least 60% of the unsloped depth of the supported member unless alternate bracing is provided. Consult the hanger manufacturer's literature for more information.
  • Partial Backing: The seat of a face mount hanger should not be more than 0.5" below the bottom of the supporting member.
  • Nail Options: Reduction factors for nail substitutions are given in the catalog along with the very important table footnotes. Nail options are not typically allowed for double shear hangers. Consult hanger manufacturer for requirements.
  • Nail Locations: The specified hanger fasteners must be driven into wood. Optional joist nails for uplift may require web stiffeners for TJI® products.
  • Backer Blocks: When the supporting member is a TJI®, check if backer blocks are required behind the hanger; refer to Weyerhaeuser application guides for backer block details.
  • Slope Tolerances: The supported member slope and the hanger seat slope don't need to match exactly, but there are tolerances for this slope mismatch which depend on hanger series and model. Consult the manufacturer's catalog.
  • Skew Tolerances: The supported member may be slightly skewed in a straight hanger depending on hanger series and model. Consult manufacturer's catalog.
  • Non-Wind Uplift: If design uplift is not due to wind loads then the catalog's tabulated uplift capacities may be reduced for the applicable load duration factor.
  • Catalog Footnotes: Read all the notes. Important and vital information is held in these notes.
  • Welded Installation: Not all hangers can be welded to the supporting member. Check your catalogs for this option.
  • Manufacturer's Catalogs: Make sure you have the latest version. Manufacturers update their catalogs annually, and there are many technical bulletins that may be of interest to you. Check the manufacturer's web sites for updates.