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Calcs.com
United States
2026-2027ASD

Wood Connectors (ASD, NDS 2018 / C-C-2023)

Browse the full Simpson Strong-Tie 2021-2023 catalogue with applied loads linked directly from your beam calculations - no manual transfer, no transcription errors. Confirm connector adequacy under NDS 2018 ASD tabulated allowable capacities for joist hangers, post bases, and strap connectors in a single check.

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What it calculates

Browse the full Simpson Strong-Tie 2021-2023 Wood Construction Connectors Catalogue with end reactions linked directly from your Wood Beam calculations. Checks downward shear and uplift demand against NDS 2018 ASD tabulated allowable loads for joist hangers, top-flange hangers, and post connectors, with CD load duration factors applied and fastener schedules reported.

Code standards

  • Simpson Strong-Tie Wood Construction Connectors Catalogue 2021-2023

How it calculates

Connector lookup and compatibility filtering

The calculator begins by filtering the Simpson Strong-Tie 2021-2023 catalogue to connectors compatible with the specified joist or header member. Compatibility is based on member nominal dimensions (b × d), the number of plies, and the supporting member species (DF, HF, SP, or SPF). Face-mount hangers (LUS, IUS, HU, HUC, HHUS families) and top-flange hangers (PF, WP families) are treated as separate connector types with their own catalogue lookup tables.

For engineered lumber - glulam, Parallam PSL, TimberStrand LSL, and LVL - the calculator identifies connectors sized to the actual member width and depth and applies manufacturer allowable loads for the engineered wood product directly from the catalogue.

Load combination and demand

Applied loads are entered as unfactored loads by type: dead (D), floor live (L), roof live (Lr), snow (S), and wind downward and uplift. The calculator evaluates all applicable ASD load combinations per NDS 2018 Appendix B and identifies the governing combination for downward shear and uplift separately.

The CD load duration factor is applied to the catalogue allowable loads consistent with ASD practice. CD is determined by the shortest-duration load type in the governing combination:

  • D only: CD = 0.90
  • D + L (floor): CD = 1.00
  • D + S: CD = 1.15
  • D + Lr or D + W (downward): CD = 1.25
  • D + W (uplift): CD = 1.60

Capacity check

For each direction (downward shear and uplift), the check confirms:

Demand ≤ CD × (Catalogue Allowable Load)

The demand-to-capacity ratio (DCR) is reported for both directions. The connector passes when DCR ≤ 1.0 in every direction checked.

Where the catalogue lists separate allowable loads for different supporting species (DF/SP vs. HF/SPF), the calculator applies the value corresponding to the specified supporting species input.

Multi-ply members

For joist assemblies with more than one ply, the calculator identifies connectors in the HU-n and HUC-n families that explicitly support the required ply count. Allowable loads for multi-ply connectors are taken directly from the catalogue rows for that ply configuration - not derived by multiplying single-ply values by the ply count.

The fastener schedule output lists the minimum and maximum nail requirements for each face of the connector as stated in the catalogue. Nail specifications are given as count × diameter × length.

Linked loads from beam calculations

When the connector check is linked to an upstream Wood Beam (ASD) calculation via the load-linking mechanism, the beam's end reaction at the relevant support is passed directly as the connector's applied load. The joist member dimensions and species are also inherited from the beam calculation, pre-populating inputs automatically. Any update to the beam geometry or loading propagates to the connector check without manual re-entry.

Related calculators

Wood Beam (ASD, NDS 2018)→Wood Beam (ASD, NDS 2024)→Wood Column (ASD, NDS 2018)→Wood Connectors (ASD, 2026-2027)→

Frequently asked questions

What connectors does this calculator cover?
The calculator covers joist hanger and header hanger families from the Simpson Strong-Tie 2021-2023 Wood Construction Connectors Catalogue, including face-mount hangers (LUS, IUS, HU, HUC, HHUS series), top-flange hangers (PF, WP series), and heavy post hangers (U, LSSJ series). Post bases and holdowns are supported as separate connector types within the same calculator.
What are the key inputs?
Connector type and designation (selected from the catalogue lookup), joist or header member dimensions and species, supporting member width and depth, wood species and moisture service conditions, and applied concentrated loads broken out by load type (D, L, Lr, S, W). Loads can be entered manually or linked directly from a Calcs.com Wood Beam calculation.
What does it check and output?
The calculator compares applied loads against the NDS 2018 ASD tabulated allowable loads from the Simpson Strong-Tie catalogue for downward shear, uplift, and lateral (where applicable). It outputs a pass/fail for each direction, the governing load combination, the demand-to-capacity ratio, required fastener schedule, and connector dimensions. All allowable loads include the appropriate CD load duration factor.
Can I link loads directly from a beam calculation into this connector check?
Yes. If your joist or header has been designed in a Calcs.com Wood Beam (ASD) calculation, you can link that calc directly - the connector check reads the beam's end reactions automatically. When the beam calculation is updated, the connector check recalculates without any manual data entry. This load-linking is the intended workflow for full load-path documentation.
How do I select the right connector when multiple options pass?
The calculator displays all catalogue options compatible with your member dimensions and supporting species. When multiple connectors pass, compare demand-to-capacity ratios for downward shear and uplift to find the connector with the lowest excess capacity. Also compare fastener schedules - some connectors require more nails for the same allowable load. For multi-ply members, confirm the connector's fastener limits accommodate the required ply count.

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