Steel - MAX

Building Systems
www.steelmax.com.au
"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

Extra information.
The following pages briefly cover some extra associated information to the general
product info sheets, such as:-

1. Stump selection chart

2. Footings
3. Building loads on stumps
4. Bracing notes
5. Termite protection
6. Corrosion protection
7. Installation
8. Tools
9. Fixing
10. Certification

STUMP SELECTION CHART

BEARER TYPE

STUMP SIZE TIMBER RHS TUBE COLD LSB PFC

CHANNEL

75mm range BEST OPTIONAL

90mm range OPTIONAL BEST

Select a stump top with a vertical "fin" plate, which is high enough
to provide lateral support and good fixing to the bearers.

Do not allow the "fin' plate to exceed the height of the bearer
( especially with timber bearers, which may shrink )
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

• Footings:-

We recommend that you consult an engineer with local site knowledge, who can design a
footing, sub-floor and bracing solution to best suit your project.

Your engineer may decide to fix stumps to the tops of footings or to cast them into the footings
to achieve better wind force hold down and to provide cantilevered bracing for the structure,
depending on the soil classification and expected wind category loads.

If you already have a footing plan and bracing diagram designed by a qualified building
designer, simply use that.

Footings must comply with AS 2870 Residential Slabs and Footings code and we have included
the following diagrams as a guide only to some common footing types and applications.

Finish tops of footings approx. 50mm above finished ground level and taper or dome, to allow
moisture to drain away from bottoms of stumps.

Bearer

SMART stump
Masonry anchors
as specified.
Coat with Supaprime
to 100mm above footing.

F.G level Steel - MAX

Bored or pad footings

( as per AS 2870 )
Steel - MAX

150mm deep
concrete base pad.
Vertical section ( to AS 2870 ) Vertical section

Page : 1
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

The following diagram is a suggested footing and screw adjustable Smart Stump detail for Class
“E” reactive soil conditions. It must be approved by your project engineer for use with each
individual application, or modified to suit:-

Bearer
Steel-MAX
Screw top

SMART stump
Dome or taper concrete
Coat with SupaPrime away from stump
to 100mm above footing.
300 dia. N.B. PVC
100
stormwater pipe ( 4.5mm wall )
Used as a slip tube.

600 N20 concrete fill

to inside tube only.
Steel - MAX
Vibrate to ensure complete fill
2 / N 12 bars, and cover to stump and reo. bars.
1 / each side.

Total Finish PVC pipe 100mm above FGL.

required Fit pipe over stump assembly prior to
depth connecting bearers.
Backfill around tube
with sand.
Natural reactive soil

150mm deep
concrete base pad.
( to AS 2870 ) 450
dia.

Vertical section

Class - "E" footing & stump

suggested detail only.
( for approval by project engineer.)

Page : 2
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Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

• Building loads on stumps:-

As Smart Stumps are telescopically adjustable, they rely on the shear capacity of the tek
screws and bolts to carry the floor loads, so it is important to know both the shear capacity of
the fixings and the floor loads on each stump position, to determine the correct number of
fixings required.
Note: Steel-MAX Screw tops do not rely on shear capacity of fixings for downward loads; only
for uplift and lateral excentric loads.

The total load each stump is capable of carrying depends on the number of screws and/or bolts
used in the top fittings and their shear value. Refer to the structural load capacity tables
supplied by H.R.Design Group, in the general Product Range PDF in the Products page on the
Steel-MAX web site.

The following diagram of building loads on stumps, gives examples of how both the floor and
roof impose different loads on stumps in various positions in the job.

For example:- stump positions 3, 5 & 6 carry floor loads only, but 1, 2, 4 & 7 carry both floor &
roof loads of different amounts.
Where stumps carry roof loads, as in stump position "1", they often only carry about half the
floor area of other main floor stumps "5", so generally, the extra roof load they carry roughly
equates to the same floor area they are missing.

In other words, treat them the same as the main floor stumps, so if your stump grid is 3m x 3m,
assume that both stumps # 1 & 5 carry 9 square metres of equivalent floor loading.

Assumed domestic floor loads per square metre, based on the Design Criteria = say 360 kg.
You could work out the total load carried by the stumps by multiplying the number of square
metres carried x 0.36 t.
Eg: 3m x 3m grid = 9 x 0.36 = 3.24 t. ( this will vary and is an assumed uniform load only ).

Page: 3
Steel - MAX
Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

Building loads on stumps:-

Open deck
Gable end

Trussed roof
Hip end
over main floor

Roof over deck Skillian roof

SAMPLE BUILDING
6

1 2 1
2

1 1

5
3

4 4

7 7

Floor loaded areas Roof loaded areas

Page: 4
Steel - MAX
Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

• Bracing notes:-
Use the following bracing diagram as a guide to determining bracing for costing,
ordering and using Steel-MAX Smart Brace sets on site, in conjunction with
Smart Stumps.
You may us either M12 or M16 rod,as specified by your engineer.

* Do not load the floor frame or construct the superstructure until all
permanent bracing is correctly installed.

The force on elevation - 1

Bracing sets for forces must be resisted by bracing in direction - 2
on elevation - 2 Bracing sets for forces
on elevation - 1

Elevation - 1 Diagram - A Elevation - 2

Example for W41N conditions:-

Area of elevation - 1 = 80 m2 x 1.4 Example for W41N conditions:-
= 112 kPa of wind pressure. Area of elevation - 2 = 40 m2 x 1.4
= 56 kPa of wind pressure.
Assuming that the floor is 1.8 m high,
bracing could be provided by:- Assuming that the floor is 1.8 m high,
"A" - 56 cast - in stumps @ ~ 2 kN per stump, or bracing could be provided by:-
"B" - 7.5 sets of angle cross bracing @ ~ 20 kN per set "A" - 28 cast - in stumps, or
rounded up to 8 sets. "B" - 3.7 sets of angle cross bracing
* If the sub-floor has 35 stumps, rounded up to 4 sets.
cast - in stumps will not provide enough
bracing resistance alone.
Table - 1
For W28N "N1" wind conditions allow 0.67 kPa pressure
W33N "N2" .........................allow 0.92 kPa
W41N "N3" .........................alow 1.4 kPa
Bracing:-
1. Using the example in Diagram - A, take the area of elevation "1" and separately elevation "2".
2. Multiply the total area of each separate elevation x the wind pressure factor in Table - 1
to determine the total wind pressure in kPa against each elevation. Cantilevered bracing values
Be sure to include an allowance if an open deck or verandah for cast - in stumps only vary
may be built in as a room at some later stage and if the sub-floor area depending on height of stump
is to have cladding or will be built in. above the footing.
3. Using the example, divide the total pressure value by Eg:- 600 high = 4.3 kN
the resistance value in kN of either those found for cast-in stumps and / or angle bracing sets 800 high = 3.6 kN
to find the amount of bracing required to do the job. 1000 high = 3.1 kN
Round up the bracing required to the next set or cast - in stump, so that the 1200 high = 2.7 kN
amount of bracing you provide exceeds the job requirement. 1800 high = 2.0 kN
For W41N ( N3 ) wind category
Class "M" soil.
Cast - in stumps:- N20 - 20 (20 mPa ) concrete footing
We recomend casting stumps into footing pads where wind uplift forces require
hold down for the structure through the stump system.
Cast- in stumps also provide cantilevered bracing value to the sub-floor,
depending on the height of the stump and the size of the footing and soil type.

Page: 5
Steel - MAX
Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.
• Termite protection:-
Smart stumps comply with AS 3660.1 (termite code) Clause 4.2.2 , which states that termite
caps may be omitted where metal tubular piers are used, provided that these piers are free from
perforations, sealed at the top and remain fully exposed for inspection.
Refer also to the following notes on corrosion protection, which also contains references to
precautions relating to termite protection.

• Corrosion protection:-

Smart stump fittings are either hot dipped galvanized or Dacrotised and stump tube must be
Gal 140 or equivalent, gal coated to comply with the BCA requirements.

All screws and bolts used must be galvanized and rubberised protection paint such as Wattle
Supaprime or equivalent should be used where bare metal is exposed by cutting and in areas
described below.

All swarf, metal filings and other moisture holding or corrosive material must be removed from
the area to leave the stumps clear and clean of any corrosive elements.
Thoroughly wash away any corrosive fluids used on site for cleaning brickwork etc. from the
stumps and do not allow pooling of water or other fluids around stump bases.

Before you fix the base fittings to the footings, or the stump tube to the fittings, paint the base,
where it meets the concrete and the cut ends of the stump tube with Wattle Supaprime paint or
equivalent, to provide a physical barrier from corrosive elements and the zinc coatings.
It is recomended to paint the whole base fitting and the bottom of the stump tube to 100mm
above finished ground level. This will add to the longevity of all components.

Any surface abutting any other surface, should be coated with Supaprime to prevent oxidisation
of zinc coatings through capillary action, especially if CCA treated timber is used in contact with
metal components and members. This is because the copper in the treatment reacts with zinc
through leaching.

Where stumps are cast into footings, the whole of the stump from below the base plate to
approx. 100mm above finished ground level should be coated with Supaprime for maximum
corrosion protection.

It is good to allow a small gap between the bottom of the tube where it meets the flat section of
the base fitting, to allow any moisture to drain out at any time. Try not to fill or block this.
Do not back fill around or cover the stump bases with material which could hold moisture, inhibit
drainage or conceal termite trails. Keep stump bases clear and clean for drainage and termite
inspection at all times.

Finish tops of footings approx. 50mm above finished ground level and provide a slight slope to
promote drainage away from the stump base.
Be sure to advise home occupants to not build gardens or any sub-floor structures which cover
stump bases, or to store material against them. This may create a corrosive environment and
conceal termite trails to the floor above. Page: 6
Steel - MAX
Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

• Installation:-

It is common to use set out "profiles" at each corner of the job to establish the positions of
external walls and then to determine stump locations measured in from there. Be sure that the
job is square and level. Your surveyor can also set-out the extremities of your job on site if
required.
Profiles can also be used to establish finished pier, floor or stump heights by using a laser or
dumpy level.
Once you have set out the correct stump positions on your footings, stump tube lengths can be
established by measuring down from level string lines representing the bottom of bearers, to the
tops of each stump position on the footings. Make sure that the tube is cut to the exact height,
allowing for both the thickness of the base plate and the top plate, or up to 50mm below exact
height for stump top height adjustability.

Stump tube can be pre-cut by your steel supplier or cut on site as you go, from 8.0m stock
lengths of Gal 140® tube, or equivalent. Be sure to cut the long lengths first and use the off-cuts
for shorter stumps throughout the job.

Fix stump base fittings down to footings with either M10 or M12 masonry anchors, or chem.-
set anchors, as required by your engineer; by using a masonry drill bit and tightened with a
socket spanner with an extended section to avoid the channel sides.
Base fittings may be finished flush with external corners of the building, so that the stump tube
fits at the end of the base fitting to prevent any protrusions, or bases can be positioned so that
the tube can be fixed in the centre or at any point along the length of the base fitting.
This can be useful if you need to move the bottom of the tube to plumb the stump after the base
has been fixed down.
Bases may be fixed to out of level, sloped footings and to vertical surfaces such as retaining
walls and structural columns, to carry stump tube. Stump tube can be splay cut at the bottom, to
follow the slope of the footing and bases, so that tek screws can be securely fixed into the tube,
through the base fitting.
Fix the bottom of the tube by using a minimum of 6 / 14 g. tek screws, 3 / each side.

Fix stump tops to tube by using 1 / tek screw to "tack" the top into position for the correct
height.
This may be done after the top fitting is fixed to the bearer and the bearer is then propped up to
the correct finished height.
Once the stump is in its finished position; use the correct number of 14 g teks and/or bolts, as
determined by your project engineer, from the structural load capacity tables provide by H.R.
Design Group, within this document, depending on the loads carried.

Steel-MAX bracing brackets are designed to take both 12mm and 16mm threaded bracing
rods in cross sets and may be fixed as per the H.R. Design Group’s fixing tables in the attached
certification document.
Be sure to use temporary bracing as you construct the sub-floor and fix permanent bracing prior
to loading the floor framing or constructing the superstructure. Page: 7
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.

The finished floor frame must be level, straight and square, which provides a perfect working
platform for the rest of the building.

If you do need to re-adjust a stump top for height after it has been installed, you may need to
drill new bolt or screw holes laterally away from the originals, so that you can fix into solid stump
metal.
Do not rely on or try to tighten the bolts to "squeeze" the tops tight against the tube, because
the screws and bolts work entirely on shear capacity, not friction.

• Tools:-

Electric drill.
13mm ( half inch ) high speed metal drill bit.
10mm or 12mm masonry bit.
Tek screw driver.
Socket spanner set with extension arm, to avoid sides of base channel
fittings.
Shifting spanner.
Spirit level.
Hack saw.
Metal cut off saw, or angle grinder,
or a specialised metal cutting saw like a Makita (4130)
Paint brush for SupaPrime paint.

Page: 8
Steel - MAX
Building Systems
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"The right choice" SMART stumps D.I.Y. Stump System.
• Fixings:-

Refer to the Steel-MAX connection PDF’s for timber and steel floor framing, available on the
Products page of the Steel-MAX web site for fixings and their applications.

The following diagrams indicate some of the most common items used in the installation of
Steel-MAX Smart Stumps, Smart Brace and connector brackets.

Important:- Never use the smaller 10 g. screws, which are mostly meant for joist connector
brackets, in any stump or bracing fitting, where only the larger 14 g teks MUST be used.

le
Watt e
prim
Supa M10 or M12 masonry anchors,
M12 bolts
or chem-set anchors, as specified
Paint by your structural designer,
for each job specifically.

14-20 x 22 or 25 metal thread tek screws. 14-10 x 50 timber thread tek screws,
12-24x32 Series 500 teks are used in or 14-20 x 22 metal teks may be used
some applications detailed in the Steel-MAX though fin plates into bearers, as well as
Connection application PDF's in the Products Gal bolts or coach scews, as required.
page on the web site.
Use good building practice
and ensure that all connections
are structurally sound.

PAGE: 9
 HR Design Group ABN: 14 015 519 720
Pty Ltd

26 June 2008
File: 06-0317

Ref: Structural Load Capacities for ‘Smart Stumps’ and connections

This is a certification letter for the above-mentioned project, which has been structurally designed
by our engineering staff, and checked by myself. We are satisfied that all the details listed below,
are adequate, and conform to all requirements of structural mechanics.

The design parameters for this project are: -

 Building type - Residential dwelling, commercial or industrial buildings.

 Standards used in the design - AS1170.1 & 2, AS1720.1, AS1684, AS4100, AS4600

NOTES:
1. All capacities listed are subject to review of final product specifications and drawings.
2. Some limitations may apply to commercial or industrial projects for timber sections using screws or bolts – see
notes below applicable tables

The following eight items have been assessed:

1. SHS post capacities

2. Steel post connector cap to SHS connection.
Directors: 3. LSB bearer to steel post connector cap connection.
Stephen Hunt 4. Timber bearer to steel post connector cap connection.
Janette Hunt 5. 125 LSB joist joiner.
6. Wall bracket connection for steel bearers.
Engineering:
Craig Doherty 7. Wall bracket connection for timber bearers.
Benjamin Winning 8. Bracing bracket.
James Sweet
Jacob Kerswill

Building Design:
1. Steel Posts:
Brad Hunt
(Minimum Grade C350)
Software:
Luke Harpin

Administration: SHS Maximum Height

Carolyn Foot
Sharyn Crawford
75x2.0 1.8m
Reply to: - 75x2.5 2.5m
PO Box 103, 75x4.0 3.4m
Buddina, Q, 4575. 89x2.0 3.0m
89x3.5 4.0m
Office at: -
4/40 Technology Dr,
89x5.0 4.8m
Warana, Q, 4575. 89x6.0 5.5m
Telephone:
07) 5493 2677
Facsimile:
07) 5493 1816

Email: -
engineers@
huntrobinson.com.au

Web site: -
www.huntrobinson.com.au

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2. Steel Post Connector Caps:

(Minimum cap and post Yield Stress fy = 300MPa; Minimum bolt Yield Stess fy = 400MPa)

Connection Shear Capacity

Vu

2x14-20 Teks 14.7kN

4x14-20 Teks 29.4kN
8x14-20 Teks 58.8kN
16x14-20 Teks 117.6kN
20x14-20 Teks 147.0kN
1/M12 bolt 24.2kN
2/M12 bolts 48.4kN

NOTES:
1. All shear capacities are governed by the screw/bolt shear capacity.
2. Calculations based on a minimum post wall thickness of 2.0mm.
3. Teks screws to be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
4. Screws and bolts may be combined to achieve reduced shear capacities using the appropriate reduction factors
for each connection type.

3. LSB Bearer to Steel Connector Caps:

(Minimum cap Yield Stress fy = 300MPa; Minimum bolt Yield Stess fy = 400MPa)

Connection Shear Capacity

Vu

2x14-20 Teks 9.2kN

3x14-20 Teks 13.8kN
4x14-20 Teks 18.4kN
1/M12 bolt 10.2kN
2/M12 bolts 20.4kN

NOTES:
1. All shear capacities are governed by hole bearing capacity of the LSB web and not the screw/bolt shear
capacity.
2. Calculations based on a minimum web thickness of 1.2mm, minimum Tensile Strength (f u) = 490MPa and
minimum Yield Stress (fy) = 380MPa.
3. Teks screws to be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
4. LSB bearer members to be fully restrained against lateral displacement of both flanges and twisting about the
longitudinal axis.

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4. Timber Bearer to Steel Connector Caps:

(Minimum cap Yield Stress fy = 300MPa; Minimum bolt Yield Stress fy = 400MPa)

Connection Shear Capacity

Vu

2-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 5.3kN

3-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 7.9kN
4-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 10.6kN
2/M12 bolt 9.6kN

NOTES:
1. Capacities are based on a minimum timber joint group – JD4
2. Calculations based on a minimum timber thickness of 45mm.
3. Minimum edge distance and spacing of bolts to be 60mm.
4. Minimum edge distance of screws – 31.5mm
5. Minimum spacing of screws across grain – 20mm
6. Minimum spacing of screws along grain – 65mm
7. Minimum penetration of screw – 45mm.
8. Domestic or secondary element capacity factor (phi) of 0.75 for timber.

5. LSB Joist Joiner:

An LSB joist joiner of 3.0mm thickness (Grade C350) and minimum length of 320mm can be used
in 125x45x2.0 LSB and 125x45x1.6 LSB joist spans with the following limitations:

 Joists are to be continuous over two spans.

 All joists are to the fully restrained against lateral displacement of both flanges and twisting
about the longitudinal axis at support locations.
 Joists are to be supported through their web members at internal supports.
 Joiners can not be used for a distance of 0.8L (where L is the length of the largest span)
either side of the internal support.
 Joiners are to be tight fit between top and bottom flanges of the LSB member and fixed
with 14-10 Teks.

6. Wall Bracket Connection for Steel Bearers:

(Design based on 2/M12 chemset injection anchor fixing of bracket to core-filled masonry wall
(15MPa))

Connection Shear Capacity

Vu

2x14-20 Teks 9.2kN

3x14-20 Teks 13.8kN
4x14-20 Teks 18.4kN

NOTES:
1. .All shear capacities are governed by hole bearing capacity of the LSB web and not the screw/bolt shear
capacity.
2. Calculations based on a minimum web thickness of 1.2mm, minimum Tensile Strength (f u) = 490MPa and
minimum Yield Stress (fy) = 380MPa.
3. Teks screws to be installed in accordance with manufacturer’s specifications.
4. LSB bearer members to be fully restrained against lateral displacement of both flanges and twisting about the
longitudinal axis.

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7. Wall Bracket Connection for Timber Bearers:

(Design based on 2/M12 chemset injection anchor fixing of bracket to core-filled masonry wall
(15MPa))

Connection Shear Capacity

Vu

2-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 5.3kN

3-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 7.9kN
4-No.14 Type 17 batten screws 10.6kN

NOTES:
1. Capacities are based on a minimum timber joint group – JD4
2. Calculations based on a minimum timber thickness of 45mm
3. Minimum edge distance of screws – 31.5mm
4. Minimum spacing of screws across grain – 20mm
5. Minimum spacing of screws along grain – 65mm
6. Minimum penetration of screw – 45mm.
7. Domestic or secondary element capacity factor (phi) of 0.75 for timber.

8. Bracing bracket:

Connection Bracing Capacity

4x14-20 Teks 15kN (12mm rod)

M16 bolt 22kN (16mm rod)

NOTES:
1. Braces are to be installed at between 30 and 60 degrees to the horizontal to achieve the bracing capacities
specified.
2. Bracing rods to be tensioned.
3. Provide a washer to sit 5mm clear of each side of bracket to ensure distribution of load.
4. All capacities are based on a minimum SHS wall thickness of 2.0mm and minimum Yield Stress f y = 300MPa.

Yours faithfully,
HR DESIGN GROUP Pty Ltd

Stephen Hunt BEng (Civil), CPEng

(MIEAust #368737), (RPEQ #3731), NPER

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