TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

Page 1 of 8

The purpose of this Bulletin is to provide basic guidelines for

the design and use of Simpson Strong-Drive® wood screws for
various typical structural applications.
The Simpson Strong-Drive® screw provides strength, versatility
and installation economy in many common structural applications.
This Bulletin applies to the use of Simpson Strong-Drive®
wood screws only.

Two Ply Floor Truss Member

Two Ply Floor Truss

Multi-Ply Roof Truss

Multi-Ply Solid Sawn or LVL Member Multi-Ply Roof Truss Member

800-999-5099
www.strongtie.com

© Copyright 2005
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, Inc.

T-SDSCREWAPPS05 08/05 exp. 1/07

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

Page 2 of 8

GENERAL INFORMATION
Installation: ³⁄₈"
The Simpson Strong-Drive® wood screw has a hex washer head
for easy driving. The built-in reamer and type 17 tip allows for
installation without predrilling. Predrilling may be necessary SH Identification on
depending on the type and moisture content of wood. Refer to all screw heads
the 2001 NDS Section 11.1.4 for drill diameter requirements. (SDS¹⁄₄x3 shown)
Edge distances, end distances and spacing of all Strong-Drive®
screws shall be sufficient to prevent splitting of the wood. (Or as U.S. Patent 6,109,850
required or recommended in this Bulletin, whichever is the more
restrictive.) The bottom of the screw head shall be installed flush L1
to the surface of the member being connected. Do not over-drive Table 1 - Screw Dimensions
the SDS screws. For best installation use a low speed drill with a L1 SH T
³⁄₈" hex head driver. Model
T (in) (in) (in)

Design: SDS1/4x2 2 1/2 1 1/4

The information shown in this Bulletin is intended for the use of SDS1/4x2-1/2 2 1/2 3/4 1 1/2
a Professional Engineer. The Engineer shall be responsible for SDS1/4x3 3 3/4 2
the design of all members and connections, which includes SDS1/4x3-1/2 3 1/2 1 2 1/4
determining the number and location of all Strong-Drive® screws SDS1/4x4-1/2 4 1/2 1 1/2 2 3/4
to adequately transfer all required loadings. Allowable load values Simpson
SDS1/4x6 6 2 1/2 3 1/4
are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761. Strong-Drive® Screw

ALLOWABLE SCREW SHEAR LOADS

Table 2 - Wood Side Members
Allowable use on Allowable Shear Loads (lbs.)

Wood Side Structural Composite Douglas Fir-Larch & SCL

Southern Pine (G=0.55) Spruce Pine Fir (G=0.42)
Model No. Member Lumber (G=0.50) (G=0.50)
Thickness
Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof
(in.) LVL & PSL2 LSL
3
(100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125)
SDS1/4x3 1 1/2 OK OK 240 275 300 240 275 300 200 230 250
SDS1/4x3 1/2 1 3/4 OK OK 240 275 300 240 275 300 200 230 250

T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

SDS1/4x4 1/2 1 1/2-1 3/4 OK N/A 260 300 325 260 300 325 220 250 275
SDS1/4x6 1 1/2-1 3/4 OK N/A 260 300 325 260 300 325 220 250 275
SDS1/4x6 3 1/2 OK N/A 240 275 300 240 275 300 200 230 250
See notes below.

Table 3 - Steel Side Members

Allowable use on Allowable Shear Loads (lbs.)

Steel Side Structural Composite Douglas Fir-Larch & SCL

Lumber (G=0.50) Southern Pine (G=0.55) Spruce Pine Fir (G=0.42)
Model No. Member (G=0.50)
Thickness
Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof
LVL & PSL2 LSL
3
(100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125)
SDS1/4x2 OK OK 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
SDS1/4x2 1/2 OK OK 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
SDS1/4x3 14 ga. to OK N/A 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
SDS1/4x3 1/2 3 ga. OK N/A 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
SDS1/4x4 1/2 N/A N/A 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
SDS1/4x6 N/A N/A 470 540 585 470 540 585 395 455 495
1. "N/A" denotes not approved for this application. 5. All members for built up/joined members shall be of the same species and grade.
2. PSL is Parallam® PSL, is a registered trademark of Trus Joist, 6. Allowable load values are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761. No adjustments
A Weyerhaeuser Business. were made except for load duration. The engineer shall apply all adjustment factors
3. LSL is TimberStrand® LSL, is a registered trademark of Trus Joist, required per 2001 NDS. Maximum CD=1.33.
A Weyerhaeuser Business. 7. Contact Simpson for applications not covered.
4. Load values assume that the main member is thick enough to 8. Load values based on Allowable (working) Stress Design.
accommodate the full length of the screw. 9. Loads for steel side members are based on Fes = 45 Ksi.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

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JOINING MULTIPLE PLIES OF SOLID SAWN AND STRUCTURAL COMPOSITE LUMBER

Design & Installation:
1. Screw spacing shall not exceed 24 inches on center and shall not be less than 4 inches on center.
2. All members shall be full length with no intermediate splices.
3. Strong-Drive® screws shall be installed with the screw heads in the loaded ply for one-sided connections (Assemblies A & D).
4. Strong-Drive® screws shall be installed in both outer plies for all assemblies shown except A & D.
5. Individual screw locations may be adjusted up to ¹⁄₂ of the required screw spacing to avoid
conflicts with other hardware or to avoid lumber defects. (4" minimum spacing is still required.)
6. The spacing of applied uniform loads to the multi-ply member shall not exceed 24 inches
on center. (i.e. hanger spacing) See design examples for exceptions.
7. Screws on “backside” of members shall be staggered from “frontside” screws by ¹⁄₂ the required spacing (assemblies B, C, E, and F).

Assembly A Assembly B Assembly C Assembly D Assembly E Assembly F

Table 4 - Allowable Shear Load per SDS Screw

Solid Sawn Structural Composite Lumber
SDS Side Allowable Shear Loads (lbs) SDS Side Allowable Shear Loads (lbs)
Assembly Screw Member Douglas-Fir-Larch Spruce-Pine-Fir Screw Member LVL (DFL/SP) PSL7 LSL8
Length Thickness Length Thickness
(in) (in) Floor (100) Floor (100) (in) (in) Floor (100) Floor (100) Floor (100)
A 3 1 1/2 240 200 3 1/2 1 3/4 240 240 240
B 3 1 1/2 240 200 3 1/2 1 3/4 240 240 240
C 6 1 1/2 260 220 6 1 3/4 260 260 N/A
D 3 1 1/2 240 200 3 1/2 1 3/4 240 240 240
T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

E 3 1 1/2 240 200 3 1/2 1 3/4 240 240 240

F 6 3 1/2 240 200 6 3 1/2 240 240 N/A
1. "N/A" denotes not approved for this application. 7. PSL is Parallam(R) PSL, is a registered trademark of Trus Joist,
2. The capacities in the table are for the connection. The beam capacity should be A Weyerhaeuser Business.
checked to ensure proper design. 8. LSL is TimberStrand(R) LSL, is a registered trademark of Trus Joist,
3. All members for built-up / joined members shall be of the same species and grade. A Weyerhaeuser Business.
4. Allowable load values are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761. 9. Specific Gravities (G) assumed: DFL, LVL, PSL, & LSL G=0.50, SPF G=0.42.
No adjustments were made except for load duration. The Engineer shall apply 10. Allowable loads are based an all members having the same thickness for
all adjustment factors required per 2001 NDS. Maximum CD=1.33. assemblies A, B, C, and F.
5. Contact Simpson for applications not covered. 11. Allowable loads are based on 3¹⁄₂" inch thick main members for
6. Load values shown are based on Allowable (Working) Stress Design. assemblies D, E, and F.

Screw Spacing Requirements: 1" ± Recommended (Typ) 4"

(Other stagger patterns as approved min
by Engineer are acceptable)
1¹⁄₂" min
2¹⁄₂" min
End of
2¹⁄₂" min member

1¹⁄₂" min

Simpson hanger
Spacing Spacing
4" min - 24" max 4" min - 24" max
A minimum of 2 rows of screws shall be used for all members 2x6 and larger.
TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

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DESIGN EXAMPLES: SOLID SAWN & LVL

The following method is used when the designer assumes each ply supports equal portions of the load.
(Example: In a 3 ply member, each ply carries ¹⁄₃ of the total applied load.) This method applies only to
the connection. The beam capacity should be checked to ensure proper design.
Refer to page 3 for screw spacing requirements.
Design Examples - Uniform Loading:
2 Ply (Assembly "A"): Uniform Load = 995 plf Roof Load (125%) Multi-ply member
¹⁄₂ of the applied load must be transferred by the Strong-Drive® Screws.
Solid Sawn 2x DFL w/ SDS¹⁄₄x3
Use 2 rows of SDS's - Load capacity of 240 x 125% = 300 lbs. each (Table 4)
Spacing required: 300 x 2 rows x 12 / (995 x 0.5) = 14.5 in.
Use 2 rows at 14 in. on center.
Laminated Veneer Lumber 1-3/4" thk. w/ SDS¹⁄₄x3¹⁄₂
Use 2 rows of SDS's - Load capacity of 240 x 125% = 300 lbs. each (Table 4)
Spacing required: 300 x 2 x 12 / (995 x 0.5) = 14.5 in.
Use 2 rows at 14 in. on center.
3 Ply (Assembly "B"): Uniform Load = 1120 plf Floor Load (100%)
²⁄₃ of the applied load must be transferred by the
Strong-Drive® Screws.
Solid Sawn 2x DFL w/ SDS¹⁄₄x3 (or SDS¹⁄₄x4¹⁄₂)
Use 3 rows of SDS's - Load capacity of 240 lbs. each (Table 4)
Spacing required: 240 x 3 rows x 12 / (1120 x 0.67) = 11.5 in.
Use 3 rows at 10 in. on center. Simpson hanger

Laminated Veneer Lumber 1³⁄₄" thk. w/ SDS¹⁄₄x3¹⁄₂ Load Application

Use 3 rows of SDS's - Load capacity of 240 lbs. each (Table 4) Hanger assumed - Typ
Spacing required: 240 x 3 x 12 / (1120 x 0.67) = 11.5 in. (fasteners not shown)
Use 3 rows at 10 in. on center.
Note: For Assembly "C" the Strong-Drive® screws must be designed to transfer ³⁄₄ of the applied load.

T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

Design Example - Concentrated Load
2 Ply (Assembly "F"): Concentrated Load = 10,500 lbs. Roof Load (125%)
(Design for other Assemblies would be similar)
¹⁄₂ of the applied load must be transferred by the Strong-Drive® Screws.
Laminated Veneer Lumber, 3¹⁄₂" x 14" assumed, w/ SDS¹⁄₄x6
Use 5 rows of SDS's - Load capacity of 240 x 125% = 300 lbs. each (Table 4)
No. of screws required: 10,500 x 0.5 / 300 = 17.5
Use 18 - SDS¹⁄₄x6 screws.
Note: All screws must be located within 12 in. of the applied load to be considered effective.
It is also recommended that a min. of 2 rows of SDS screws be installed at 24" on center max. for the entire length of the member.

12" 12"
max max
Multi-ply member

Strong-Drive® Screw - Typ.

Screw locations determined by the
Engineer following the guidelines
in this bulletin.

Simpson hanger (HGLTV shown)

 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

Page 5 of 8

JOINING MULTI-PLY WOOD TRUSSES

3 and 4 ply trusses may be joined using Strong-Drive® wood screws.

Installation:

• No pre-drilling required.
• Screws are installed from one side of the truss for faster fabrication, eliminating the need to flip the truss.
• Screws shall be installed in the same truss ply that the hangers are attached to. (See drawing below)
• Screws may be used to field-join trusses if specified by the Truss Engineer.
• Screws shall be installed in the bottom and top truss chords and may be installed in the truss
webs if required by the Truss Engineer.
(Nails may be installed in the truss if desired, but do not add any load capacity.)
• Do not overdrive the screws.
• All truss lateral bracing shall be connected to each truss ply.

Design:

• Allowable load values are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761.
(Using 1¹⁄₂" wood side member values.)

Table 5 - Allowable Shear Load per SDS Screw

Allowable Shear Loads (lbs)
LVL & Doug-Fir-Larch Southern Pine Spruce-Pine-Fir
Model No. (G=0.50) (G=0.55) (G=0.42)
Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof
(100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125)
SDS1/4x4 1/2 260 300 325 260 300 325 220 250 275
T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

SDS1/4x6 260 300 325 260 300 325 220 250 275
1. Allowable loads are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761. No adjustments were made except for
load duration. The engineer shall apply all adjustment factors required per 2001 NDS. Maximum CD=1.33
2. Loads are based on 1¹⁄₂" thick wood side members and apply to 3 and 4 ply 2x wood truss applications.
(Side and main members of same wood species.) Contact Simpson for other applications.

Truss
Chord

Simpson
hanger

Strong-Drive®
Screw (typ)

Screw position in the truss

TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

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JOINING MULTI-PLY WOOD TRUSSES Truss Top Chord

Design Examples:
3 or 4 Ply Girder Truss:
Bottom Chord: 2x6 Doug Fir-Larch
Top Chord: 2x4 Doug Fir-Larch
Total Load on Bottom Chord: 500 plf
Total Load on Top Chord: 60 plf Bearing (typ.) Truss Bottom Chord
(Roof Live Load: CD = 1.25) Truss Span

SDS allowable load = 325 lbs. each (Table 5)

Typical Truss Profile
Bottom Chord Spacing: (Profile may vary)
2 rows of SDS's (Ref. Note 9)
Spacing = 2 (325) / 500 = 1.3 ft (15.6 in)
Use spacing of 15 inches on center max.
Top Chord Spacing:
1 row of SDS's
Spacing = 1 (325) / 60 = 5.4 ft (Table 5)
Use spacing of 24 inches on center max. (Ref. Note 3)
Summary:
In Bottom Chord use 2 rows of SDS's @ 15 in. o.c. max.
At Top Chord use 1 row of SDS's @ 24 in. o.c. max.
Use SDS¹⁄₄x4¹⁄₂ for a 3 ply truss.
Use SDS¹⁄₄x6 for a 4 ply truss.

General Notes:
1. All Strong-Drive® screws must penetrate a minimum of 1 inch into the last truss ply.
2. A maximum gap of 1/8 inch is allowed between each truss ply as long as the penetration required in note 1 is provided.
3. Spacing of screws shall not exceed 24 inches on center and shall not be less than 4 inches on center.

T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

4. The spacing of loads applied to the multi-ply truss shall not exceed 24 inches on center. (i.e. hanger spacing.)
5. The Truss Engineer shall ensure that adequate lateral bracing is provided to prevent displacement of the truss and the truss bottom
chord due to the torsion created by the structural members framing into the side of the multi-ply girder truss.
6. If the Strong-Drive® Screws are installed in the wrong face of the truss (see page 5 for correct installation) then install additional screws
in the correct face with a maximum spacing of 2 times the required spacing, not to exceed 24 inches on center. The additional screws
shall be offset from the existing screws to prevent splitting. (This results in screws being installed in both faces of the truss.)
7. Strong-Drive® Screws shall not be installed through metal truss plates unless approved by the Truss Engineer. (Pre-drilling required)
8. The Truss Engineer shall ensure that the use of Strong-Drive® Screws for joining multi-ply trusses is allowed by the Building Official
prior to completion of the truss design.
9. Use 1 row of SDS's in 2x4 members, 2 rows in 2x6 and 2x8 members, 3 rows in 2x10 members. Rows should be staggered.
10. Individual screw locations may be adjusted up to 1/2 of the required screw spacing to avoid conflicts with other hardware or
to avoid lumber defects.

1¹⁄₂" min 1" ± Recommended (Typ)

2¹⁄₂" 1¹⁄₂"
min min

Spacing Spacing
4" min - 24" max 4" min - 24" max

SDS Typical Spacing

 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

Page 7 of 8

JOINING TWO-PLY FLOOR TRUSSES

2 ply floor trusses may be joined using Strong-Drive® wood screws

The use of Strong-Drive® screws insures that loads are adequately supported by both trusses.
In addition differential deflection between the two trusses is reduced.
(Testing has shown that most currently available light gauge steel connectors do not uniformly
distribute applied loads to both trusses.)

Design & Installation:

• No pre-drilling required.
• Screws are installed from one side of the truss.
• Screws shall be installed with the screw heads in the loaded truss.
• Screws may be used to field-join trusses if specified by the Truss Engineer.
• Do not overdrive the screws.
• Screws may be installed in the truss top chord and webs. (Installation in truss bottom chords
is not recommended but is acceptable if designed and certified by the Truss Engineer.)

3¹⁄₂" 3¹⁄₂"

Truss member (Chord shown)

³⁄₄"
(typ @ all members)
1¹⁄₂"

Strong-Drive
Screw
Screw position in the truss
T-SDSCREWAPPS05 © Copyright 2005 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE CO., INC.

Installation Method 1 - Top Chord Installation Method 2 - Vertical Web

Applied Applied
Concentrated Load Concentrated Load

Strong-Drive
Screw (Typ) Strong-Drive
Screw (Typ)

Table 6
Allowable Shear Loads (lbs)
Doug-Fir-Larch Southern Pine Spruce-Pine-Fir
Model (G=0.50) (G=0.55) (G=0.42)
No.
Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof Floor Snow Roof
(100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125) (100) (115) (125)
SDS1/4x6 240 240 240 240 240 240 200 200 200
1. Allowable load values are derived from testing based on ASTM D-1761. No adjustments were made.The
engineer shall apply all adjustment factors required per 2001 NDS. No increase allowed for load duration.
2. Method 1 - To be considered effective all Strong-Drive® screws shall be installed within 12" of the applied concentrated load.
3. Method 1 and Method 2 screws can be combined as required to transfer ¹⁄₂ of the applied load to the supporting truss.
 TECHNICAL BULLETIN

STRONG-DRIVE® SCREW APPLICATIONS

Page 8 of 8

JOINING TWO-PLY FLOOR TRUSSES

Design Examples - Concentrated Load:
Example 1: Example 2:
2 Ply 4x2 DFL Truss: 2 Ply 4x2 SPF Truss:
Load applied at top chord panel point: 1800 lbs Load applied at top chord panel point: 3000 lbs
Floor Load (100%) Floor Load (100%)
Design Strong-Drive® screws to transfer 1/2 of Design Strong-Drive® screws to transfer 1/2 of
the applied load. the applied load.
SDS load capacity: 240 lbs each (Table 6) SDS load capacity: 200 lbs each (Table 6)
Method 1: (Screws in truss top chord only) Combine Method 1 & Method 2:
No. of screws required: 1800 x 0.5 / 240 = 3.75 (Install screws in truss top chord and vertical web)
Use min. of 4 No. of screws required: 3000 x 0.5 / 200 = 7.5
Use min. of 8.
Method 2: (Screws in vertical web)
Install 4 screws in truss top chord
No. of screws required: 1800 x 0.5 / 240 = 3.75
(2 on each side of the applied load)
Use min. of 4
and 4 screws in the vertical web.

4x2 Truss Top Chord (Typ) 4x2 Truss Web (Typ)

4x2 Truss Bottom Chord (Typ)

Bearing (Typ)
Truss Span

Typical Truss Profile (Web pattern may vary)

General Notes:
1. Screw spacing shall not exceed 24 inches on center and shall not be less than 4 inches on center.
A minimum end distance of 3 inches shall be provided at all truss members.
2. Gap between the trusses shall not exceed 1/8 inch.
3. Floor sheathing shall be screwed (or nailed) to each truss top chord.
(Fastener spacing per the applicable Code requirements, or 12 inches on center max.)
4. If the screws are installed in the wrong truss face, install additional screws in the correct face with a maximum spacing of 2x the
required spacing, not to exceed 24 inches on center. Offset the additional screws from the existing screws to help prevent splitting.
5. Do not install Strong-Drive® screws through metal truss plates unless approved by the Truss Engineer. (Pre drilling is required.)
6. The Truss Engineer shall ensure that each truss is designed for the appropriate load(s) considering the location of the applied
load(s) and the location of the Strong-Drive® screws.
7. The Truss Engineer shall design all trusses and the truss system to meet all Code and ANSI-TPI requirements.
8. Individual screw locations may be adjusted up to 3 inches to avoid conflicts with other hardware or to avoid lumber defects.
9. Strong-Drive® screws shall not be installed in areas where lumber wane exceeds 1/4 inch.
10. All concentrated loads were assumed to be applied at truss panel points.

This technical bulletin is effective until January 31, 2007, and reflects information available as of August 1, 2005. This information is updated periodically
and should not be relied upon after January 31, 2007; contact Simpson for current information and limited warranty or see www.strongtie.com.

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