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TECHNICAL NOTE
test
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On Cold-Formed Steel Construction

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute ● Washington, DC ● www.cfsei.org ● 866-465-4732

Evaluation of Screw Strength

Summary: The design provisions for screw connections contained in the North American Specification for the Design
of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, AISI S100-07 with 2010 Addendum, contains specific limit states equa-
tions that pertain to the design strength of the connecting elements, i.e. sheets. In addition to sheet related design limit
states, AISI S100 also provides design provisions for the screw when subjected to either pure shear or pure tension.
However, the screw design provisions require that the screw capacity be defined by tests. In the absence of test data,
the design engineer is at a loss for evaluating the strength of the screw. This Tech Note provides design guidance for
the evaluation of the screw when subjected to pure shear, pure tension and combined shear and tension.
Disclaimer: Designs cited herein are not intended to preclude the use of other materials, assemblies, structures or de-
signs when these other designs and materials demonstrate equivalent performance for the intended use; CFSEI docu-
ments are not intended to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.

In the absence of test data, the design engineer is at a loss

INTRODUCTION
The design provisions for screw connections, Section E4,
in the North American Specification for the Design of
Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, AISI S100-07
with 2010 Addendum, contains specific design equations
for the following design limit states:
• Shear strength of the sheet parallel to the direc-
tion of the applied load (Section E4.3.2)
• Shear strength of the sheet resulting from ei-
ther bearing or tilting of the screw on the sheet
(Section E4.3.1)
• Tension pull-out of the screw from the sheet
not in contact with the screw head (Section
E4.4.1)
• Tension pull-over of the sheet in contact with
the screw head (Section E4.4.2)
• Combined shear and tension pull-over of the
sheet in contact with the screw head (Section
E4.5)
• Combined shear and tension pull-out of the
sheet not in contact with the screw head (Section
E4.5 of AISI S100-12).
The above limit states pertain to the design strength of the
connecting elements. In addition to the above sheet re-
lated design limit states, AISI S100 also provides design
provisions for the screw when subjected to either pure
shear or pure tension. However the screw design provi-
sions require that the screw capacity be defined by tests.
AISI S904-08 Standard Test Method for Determining the
Tensile and Shear Strength of Screws is the recognized
test protocol for determining the nominal shear and ten-
sion capacity for a screw.
for evaluating the strength of the screw. This Tech Note
provides design guidance for the evaluation of the screw
when subjected to pure shear, pure tension and combined
shear and tension. The design guidance is based on the
evaluation of published screw shear and tension nominal
strength values as summarized in Table 2. The outside
diameter for the array of screws is listed in Tables 1a and
1b.
PURE SHEAR STRENGTH
Manufacturer’s data for the pure shear strength for the
array of screw diameters reveals that an average nominal
shear strength, PSS, may be assumed as summarized by
Table 2. The safety factor and phi factor are stipulated by
Section E4.3.3 of AISI S100 as 3.0 and 0.5.
PURE TENSION STRENGTH
Manufacturer’s published data for the pure tension
strength for the array of screws reveals that an average
nominal tension strength may be taken as summarized by
Table 2. The safety factor and phi factor are stipulated by
Section E4.4.3 of AISI S100 as 3.0 and 0.5.
COMBINED SHEAR AND TENSION STRENGTH
The interaction of shear and tension strength has not been
extensively studied and a design relationship does not
currently exist in AISI S100. In the absence of a definite
relationship that defines the interaction of shear and ten-
sion stresses on a screw the following linear equation is
suggested:
Q/Pss + T/Pts ≤ 1.0

Cold- TECH NOTE F701-12 July 2012

For Allowable Strength Design apply a safety factor of safety or phi factors it is recommended that the design
3.0: documents define the available strength for the screw that
was used in the design. The available strength should be
Q/Pss + T/Pts ≤ 1/3 given for each screw size (diameter) and each steel thick-
ness.
For Load and Resistance Factor Design apply a resistance
factor of 0.5: For example:

Q/Pss + T/Pts ≤ 0.5 54 mils; No. 10 screw; allowable shear strength 500 lbs.;
allowable tension strength 750 lbs.
Where Q = required shear strength per screw and T =
required tension strength per screw. 68 mils; No. 14 screw; allowable shear strength 750 lbs.;
allowable tension strength 1100 lbs.
TEST VS. COMPUTED CONNECTION
STRENGTH

Section E4 of AISI S100 permits the use of tested values

TABLE 1a Nominal Body Diameter for Screws
for the strength of a screw connection. Tested values will
provide a more accurate assessment of the performance of
a screw connection when used as stipulated by the manu- NOMINAL DIAMETER FOR
facturer’s design information. Tested values may be pro-
vided by the individual manufacturer or listed by an NUMBER SCREWS
evaluation service. When tested values are used the safety
factor and resistance factor must be determined in accor- DESIGNATION IN. MM
dance with Chapter F of AISI S100. For guidance on the
application of Chapter F refer to CFSEI Tech Note G100- 0 0.060 1.52
07, Using Chapter F of the North American Specification 1 0.073 1.85
for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members. 2 0.086 2.18
3 0.099 2.51
MANUFACTURER’S PUBLISHED DATA
4 0.112 2.84
The following is a list of the ICC-ES Reports and manu- 5 0.125 3.18
facturer’s published product data pertaining to screws or 6 0.138 3.51
screw connections: 7 0.151 3.84
8 0.164 4.17
Product data Simpson Strong-Tie Company, 10 0.190 4.83
Inc. 12 0.216 5.49
ESR-5280 John Wagner Assoc Grabber 1/4” 0.250 6.35
Division and Hitachi Koki
USA LTD
ESR-1408 Primesource Building Prod
ucts, Inc. TABLE 1b Hex Head Diameter
ESR-1730 Global Fasteners LTD and
Hilti Corp
ESR-1976 ITW Buildex
ESR-2196 Hilti, Inc Number Designation Head Diameter (in.)
ESR-3231 Porteous Fastener
6 0.272
DESIGN APPLICATION 8 0.272
10 0.340
The suggested design values, Pss and Pts, are average val-
ues as presented by Table 2. The design engineer may 12 0.340
opt to choose different, i.e. higher values, or refer to a 1/4” 0.409
specific manufacturer’s product data or Evaluation Re-
port.

To eliminate potential confusion regarding the required

Pss and Pts values , as well as the required corresponding

TECH NOTE F701-12 July 2012 2 Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute

TABLE 2 Published Data
The following data was derived from the listed ICC-ES reports and manufacturer’s published data.

Screw Diameter Pts Pss

8 0.164 1000 1170
2179 1392
1457 1326
586 1007
1810 1495
Average 1406 1278
Std. Dev. 633 192
COV 0.450 0.150

10 0.190 2170 1645

1370 1215
1390 1845
1158 1484
1857 1883
2645 1718
1783 1222
2215 1710
2120 1885
2885 1835
Average 1959 1644
Std. Dev. 560 256
COV 0.286 0.156
12 0.216 2325 1880
3900 2285
2603 2077
3602 2553
3551 2171
4750 2654
3380 2535
4045 2485
Average 3520 2330
Std. Dev. 777 271
COV 0.221 0.116
1/4” 0.25 4580 2440
3201 2772
3852 3309
4816 2970
5767 3925
4419 2871
Average 4439 3048
Std. Dev. 872 514
COV 0.196 0.169

Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute 3 TECH NOTE F701-12 July 2012

References

1. AISI S100-07, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, American
Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C., 2007
2. AISI S100-12, North American Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members, American
Iron and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C., 2012 (to be published)
3. AISI S904-08, Standard Test Method for Determining the Tensile and Shear Strength of Screws, American Iron
and Steel Institute, Washington, D.C., 2008

Primary author of original Tech Note:

Roger LaBoube, Ph.D., P.E., Wei-Wen Yu Center for Cold
-Formed Steel Structures

Technical Review:
Randy Daudet, P.E., S.E. Simpson Strong-Tie, Co.
Maribeth Rizzuto, CFSEI

This “Technical Note on Cold-Formed Steel Construction” is published by the Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute (“CFSEI”).
The information provided in this publication shall not constitute any representation or warranty, express or implied, on the part of
CFSEI or any individual that the information is suitable for any general or specific purpose, and should not be used without consult-
ing with a qualified engineer, architect, or building designer. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ENTITY MAKING USE OF THE IN-
FORMATION PROVIDED IN THIS PUBLICATION ASSUMES ALL RISKS AND LIABILITIES ARISING OR RE-
SULTING FROM SUCH USE. CFSEI believes that the information contained within this publication is in conformance with pre-
vailing engineering standards of practice. However, none of the information provided in this publication is intended to represent any
official position of the CFSEI or to exclude the use and implementation of any other design or construction technique.
Copyright © 2012, Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute ● Washington, DC ● www.cfsei.org

TECH NOTE F701-12 July 2012 4 Cold-Formed Steel Engineers Institute