ISSUE 615 BULLETIN

CRITICAL CONNECTIONS
Critical connections in a building Failure of a connection is likely to This bulletin describes critical
October 2017

occur where loads are transferred result in loss of structural integrity. connections of timber-framed
from one structural element to buildings and the fixings required to
another. meet design loads.
1 INTRODUCTION Table 1. Fixing type and capacity reference guide
(from NZS 3604:2011 Table 2.2 1).
1.0.1 Loads imposed on buildings are transferred through
framing via load paths. The connections between elements Fixing Description (and Alternative See NZS
within a load path are critical to a building’s structural type NZS 3604:2011 fixing 3604:2011
integrity. If connections fail, load transference will not figure reference) capacity (kN) table
occur, and the building (or part of it) may fail. A 2/90 x 3.15 end nails 0.7 8.18
B 2/90 x 3.15 end nails 4.7
1.0.2 Critical connection locations are: + 2 wire dogs
∫∫ roof framing
∫∫ roof to wall C 2/90 x 3.15 end nails 8.5
+ strap fixing (see
∫∫ wall and wall to floor/subfloor
Figure 8.12)
∫∫ subfloor to foundation (suspended timber floor).
D 4/90 x 3.15 end 16.0
1.0.3 NZS 3604:2011 Timber-framed buildings specifies nails + 2 strap fixing
connections at the critical areas of timber-framed (double stud)
buildings. It gives fixing capacities in kilonewtons (kN) to E 2/90 x 3.15 skew 4.7 10.1, A10.1,
allow manufacturers to develop proprietary fixings that nails + 2 wire dogs 10.7, A10.7,
meet or exceed NZS 3604:2011 requirements. 10.11, A10.11,
F 2/90 x 3.15 skew 7.0 10.14, 10.15,
nails + strap fixing 15.6, A15.6,
1.0.4 This bulletin outlines the critical connections for (see Figure 10.6)
light timber-framed buildings and explains where the 15.10, A15.10
required fixing type and capacity can be found in G 10/90 x 3.15 nails (5 4.7 10.2, A10.2,
NZS 3604:2011. each side) 15.7, A15.7
H 1/M12 bolt 8.5
2 TYPES OF CONNECTIONS I 2/M12 bolts 16.0
2.0.1 Connections consist of: J 2/M16 bolts 24.0
∫∫ connectors such as straps, hangers, angles, plates
K 6/90 x 3.15 nails 3.0 10.5, A10.5
and cleats
∫∫ fasteners such as nails, screws and bolts. L 2/M12 bolts 9.8
M 2/M16 bolts 13.0
2.0.2 Tables in NZS 3604:2011 specify connections
based on timber size, span, moisture and exposure N 6/100 x 4.0 HDG 4.7 10.8, A10.8,
nails (hand-driven) 15.8, A15.8
levels, wind zone and light or heavy claddings.
O 2/M12 bolts (see 6.8
2.0.3 Conditions outside the scope of NZS 3604:2011 Figure 9.3(C))
require specific engineering design. P 2 HDG 'flat' straps 13.7
(see Figure 9.3(B))
2.0.4 NZS 3604:2011 uses letters to identify each type of
fixing (Figure 1). Q 2 HDG 'tee' straps 25.5
(see Figure 9.3(A))
2.0.5 Table 1 describes fixing types, alternative fixing R 1/90 x 3.15 nail 0.55 10.10, A10.10,
capacities and the tables in the standard where they can be 10.12,
S 2/90 x 3.15 nails 0.8
found. Fixings in each colour-shaded group can be used in 15.9, A15.9
the same location but may have different fixing capacities. T 1/10 g self-drilling 2.4
screw, 80 mm long
2.0.6 Each fixing type has a capacity based on the U 1/14 g self-drilling 5.5
configuration of the connection, load direction (e.g. type 17 screw,
gravity or uplift) and the in-service environment (wet or 100 mm long
dry). There may be situations where the fasteners are
Note: Capacities are associated with fixing type, not fasteners. See
the same but have different capacities. For example, individual selection tables for the appropriate fixing type for the
fixing types I and O both use 2/M12 bolts but the fixing application.
capacities are rated differently. Fixing type I connects
a ridge beam to its supporting studs for use in dry 3.1.2 NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.1(a) specifies fixing
internal environments, while fixing type O is for exposed types for ordinary and hip rafter connections and types,
situations (wet) to connect a veranda beam to post based on rafter size, spacing and span, as follows:
connections. ∫∫ Type E = 2/90 x 3.15 mm skew nails plus two wire dogs
(4.7 kN capacity).
3 ROOF FRAMING AND ROOF-TO-WALL ∫∫ Type F = 2/90 x 3.15 mm skew nails plus strap fixing
as shown in NZS 3604:2011 Figure 10.6 (7.0 kN
CONNECTIONS capacity).

3.1 RAFTER CONNECTIONS 3.1.3 NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.1(b) specifies 4.7 kN
fixings (type E) for valley rafter connections based on
3.1.1 Figures 2–5 describe rafter connections. rafter size, spacing and span.
1
Copyright in NZS 3604:2011 is owned by the Crown in right of New Zealand and administered by the New Zealand. Standards Executive.
Reproduced with permission from Standards New Zealand, on behalf of the New Zealand. Standards Executive, under copyright licence LN001236.

2 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 (a) Rafter to top plate connection –
single top plate (7.0 kN fixing capacity)
two skew nails

blocking
for ceiling

rafter

two wire dogs

single top
plate

Figure 1. Type E fixing. stud

(a) Rafter to ridge board connection

fix straps to each side of rafter (including
ridge board folded and fixed to underside of top plate) with:
-- 2/30 x 15 mm nails to side and bottom of top
plate (four total)
-- 3/30 x 3.15 mm nails to side of rafter

(b) Rafter to double top plate connection –

double top plate (7.0 kN fixing capacity)
rafter

(b) Rafter to top plate connection

blocking
for ceiling
top plate
ceiling
joist
rafter

rafter

stud
stud
double top
plate
type E: type F:
-- 2/90 x 3.15 mm skew nails -- 2/90 x 3.15 mm skew nails
and two wire dogs or plus strap fixings as per fix strap to each side of rafter with:
NZS 3604:2011 Figure 10.6 or
-- 4.7 kN connectors -- 4/30 x 3.15 mm nails to side of both top plates
-- 7.0 kN connectors
-- 4/30 x 3.15 mm nails to side of rafter
(NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.1)

Figure 2. Rafter to ridge board and top plate connections. Figure 3. Fixing straps to rafters.

3 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 (a) Option A (b) Option B

fix each rafter to beam with 4/75 x 3.15 mm skew nails plus fix each rafter to ridge beam with:
fixings from NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.1 or 10.15
-- 4/75 x 3.15 mm skew nails plus fixings
(type E or type F fixings)
from NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.1 or 10.15
(type E or type F fixings)
rafter

rafter
rafter ridge beam
ridge beam
rafter

rafters birdmouthed 15 mm housing

over ridge beam to
give 32 mm minimum
bearing on beam
25 x 1 mm strap
6.0 kN fixing or 25 x 1 mm strap with 6/30 x 2.5 mm nails
with 6/30 x 2.5 mm nails into each rafter into each rafter when rafters
when rafters support a ceiling lining support ceiling lining

Figure 4. Rafter to ridge beam connections from NZS 3604:2011 Figure 10.5.

(a) Hip and common rafter connection (b) Jack rafter to hip rafter connection

25 x 1 x 500 mm MS straps fixed with fix with 2/100 x 3.75 mm

6/30 x 2.5 mm nails to each rafter nails on both sides

common rafter

hip rafter
ridge
board

hip jack rafter

rafter

hip common rafter

rafter

Figure 5. Rafter to rafter connections.

4/30 x 3.15 mm nails to fix strap to each

side of rafters and to each stud – if no
3.2 ROOF TRUSS CONNECTIONS stud to fix to, fold strap and
fix to underside of top plate
3.2.1 NZS 3604:2011 provides fixing types and
capacities (Figure 6) for a maximum roof truss reaction
of 16.0 kN in up or down directions. Where loads are
greater, truss connections require specific engineering
design. truss

3.3 RIDGE BEAM SUPPORT

3.3.1 End support and resistance to uplift for ridge top plate
beams must be provided by gable end wall framing or
internal posts (Figure 7).
90 x 3.15 mm skew nail
3.4 UNDERPURLINS, STRUTS AND STRUTTING BEAMS stud
each side plus strap fixing
as per NZS 3604:2011
3.4.1 Underpurlins support rafters at an intermediate Figure 10.6 for 7.0 kN capacity
point along their length. They are supported by
underpurlin struts or strutting beams, which are Figure 6. Truss to single top plate showing type F connection
supported off internal loadbearing walls. (NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.14, 10.15 and Figure 10.6).

4 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 ridge beam 3.6.4 NZS 3604:2011 clause 10.2.1.16.7 states that
top plate tile batten sizes and fixings should be taken from Table
connector 10.12. Do not use Tables 10.10 and 10.11 as referenced
in clause 10.2.1.16.5.
raking
plate 3.7 ROOF BRACING

fix strap with 3.7.1 NZS 3604:2011 fixing requirements for roof
30 x 2.5 mm bracing are given in Figures 8–13.
80 mm nails
3.8 VERANDA POSTS AND BEAMS
built-up raking
studs plate 3.8.1 Wind uplift forces can be greater on veranda roofs
bolt that are open to wind exposure.
fixing
bolt fixing: 3.8.2 NZS 3604:2011 section 9 deals with posts
-- type H: 1/M12 bolt (8.5 kN) supporting roofs. Table 9.2 gives connection capacities
-- type I: 2/M12 bolts (16.0 kN) based on the area of roof supported, wind zone and
-- type J: 2/M16 bolts (24.0 kN) roof cladding weight. Post/beam connection details are
(Note: bolt fixings include 50 x 50 x 3 mm washers) shown in Figure 14.

Figure 7. Ridge beam to wall connection (NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.2). 3.8.3 NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.8 sets out veranda beam
sizes and fixings for all wind zones based on beam span
3.4.2 NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.5 provides details for and loaded dimension.
underpurlin sizes, spans, loaded dimensions and fixings.
Table 10.5 describes fixing types L and M. These use M12 3.8.4 The post connections in NZS 3604:2011 Tables 9.1
and M16 bolts, which are not shown in Figures 10.11 and and 9.2 may be applied to carports. The veranda beam
10.12. table only applies to verandas.

3.4.3 NZS 3604:2011 Table 10.7 and Figure 10.13 4 WALL AND WALL-TO-FLOOR
describe the fixings for strutting beams.
CONNECTIONS
3.5 OUTRIGGERS AND FLYING RAFTERS
4.0.1 Wall and wall-to-floor connections resist vertical
3.5.1 Overhanging gables are vulnerable to wind uplift downwards and upwards and in-plane and out-of-plane
forces. NZS 3604:2011 clause 10.2.1.15 describes loads that occur at studs, lintels and top and bottom
the requirements for cantilevered purlins or outrigger plates.
framing but it contains some errors.
4.1 LINTEL SUPPORT
3.5.2 BRANZ Build 142 ‘Constructing timber outriggers’
provides alternative tables adapted from Table 10.9 in 4.1.1 NZS 3604:2011 Table 8.19 gives lintel to trimmer
NZS 3604:2011 and clarifies the following: stud fixing.
∫∫ Table 10.10 fixings for purlins on the flat are suitable
for the cantilever distances given in 10.2.1.15.2(a). 4.2 SECURING LINTELS AGAINST UPLIFT
∫∫ For 10.2.1.15.2(b), use Table 10.9 for purlins on edge
when cantilevered, not Table 10.8(a). 4.2.1 Lintels supporting rafters or trusses may be
∫∫ For 10.2.1.15.3, use Figure 10.16(B), not Figure required to be secured against uplift based on wind zone,
10.16(A). loaded dimension and maximum span (NZS 3604:2011
∫∫ For 10.2.1.15.3(a), use Figure 10.16(B), not Figure Table 8.14). Fixings to resist uplift are given in Figure 15.
10.17. The bottom of both trimming studs must be fixed to a
concrete floor slab as shown in NZS 3604:2011 Figure
3.6 PURLINS AND TILE BATTENS 8.12 or with an alternative fixing capacity of 7.5 kN in
tension along the line of the trimming stud.
3.6.1 Purlins or tile battens span across and are fixed to
rafters or trusses. 4.3 TOP PLATES

3.6.2 Tile batten spacing is determined by tile size (400 4.3.1 Top plates transfer and distribute loads from
mm maximum spacing) while purlin spacings are based rafters and ceiling joists to wall studs.
on roof cladding span and rafter spacing. Graded timber
must be used for purlins, while battens can be ungraded. 4.3.2 Top plate fixings (NZS 3604:2011 Table 8.18) are
based on roof member spacing, wind zone, roof type and
3.6.3 NZS 3604:2011 Tables 10.10 and 10.11 give purlin loaded dimension of the wall. In addition, when a truss
sizes and fixings to rafters and trusses. Figure 10.20(B) lands on a top plate more than 150 mm from the face
gives fixings for purlins laid over sheet sarking or ceiling of a stud, fix the strengthener under the top plate as in
sheet lining material that is 20 mm maximum thick. Figure 16.

5 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 folded down strap fixed
with 5/75 x 3.15 mm nails ridge board 19 mm
minimum thick
diagonally opposed pair
25 x 1 mm galvanised MS wrap strap around ridge board
straps with 4.0 kN tension and fix with 5/75 x 3.15 mm nails
capacity after tensioning
fixed to each rafter with
90 x 19 mm timber
2/30 x 3.15 mm nails
brace fixed to rafters
45° with 3/75 x 3.15 mm
max. nails at every crossing

fold down
strap
strap
tensioners 45°
max.

brace rafters

wall framing

wrap strap and fix with

3/60 x 3.15 mm nails into
rafter and top plate
ceiling
joists

see Figure 9

Figure 8. Fixing roof plane bracing.

90 x 19 mm brace fixed to every

4.4 JOINTS IN TOP PLATES
rafter with 4/75 x 3.15 mm nails
4.4.1 Joints in top plates must be made over support
such as a stud or blocking.
rafter
4.4.2 For walls that are not braced, joints may be
halved and nailed or butted and nailed over blocking. An
ceiling joists alternative fixing must have a 3.0 kN capacity in tension
90 x 45 mm
blocking fixed and compression.
between ceiling
joists and aligned
4.4.3 For braced walls of single-storey buildings, top
with brace – fix to
brace with 4/75 x plate connections are based on the bracing capacity of
3.15 mm nails the wall (Figure 17).

4.4.4 For braced walls at right angles to each other, top

plate connections are as shown in Figure 18.
fix blocking
between joists with
4.5 DRAGON TIE CONNECTIONS
top plate 2/100 x 3.75 mm
nails each end 4.5.1 Dragon ties (NZS 3604:2011 section 8.3.3) are
fixed directly to:
studs
∫∫ top plates with 3/100 x 3.75 mm hand-driven nails or
5/90 x 3.15 mm power-driven nails
Figure 9. Fixing detail of timber roof plane brace connection to
∫∫ joist, truss or rafter with 2/100 x 3.75 mm hand-
blocking between ceiling joists. driven nails or 2/90 x 3.15 mm power-driven nails.

6 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 brace longer than 2 m (see Figure 11) ridge brace less than 2 m (see Figure 12)

blocking
rafters

45°
maximum

top plate ceiling joists ceiling runners

Figure 10. Diagrammatic section of bracing within a roof space.

fix with 3/90 x 3.15 mm 4.5.2 Fix blocking to the top plate or spanning between
nails both sides joist, truss or rafter with 4/100 x 3.75 mm hand-driven
rafter nails, or 6/90 x 3.15 mm power-driven nails.
ridge board
4.6 CEILING DIAPHRAGM CONNECTIONS
rafter

2/90 x 45 mm braces 4.6.1 Install ceiling diaphragms (NZS 3604:2011 section

with 45 mm packing 13.5) with nails or screws at:
between @ 1 m crs ∫∫ 150 mm centres maximum around the diaphragm
boundary and sheet perimeter
ceiling joist
3/90 x 3.15 mm ∫∫ 300 mm centres maximum to intermediate supports
nails both sides ∫∫ 10 mm minimum from the edge of the sheet.

4.7 BOTTOM PLATES TO CONCRETE SLAB ON GROUND

top plate of
braced wall 4.7.1 Bottom plates of walls for slabs on ground must
be able to resist uplift forces using cast-in bolts or
70 x 45 mm on-edge proprietary anchors.
runner spanning over a
minimum of four ceiling 300 mm
joists with two joists maximum 4.7.2 Cast-in bolts are installed as shown in Figure 19.
each side of brace
runner must be within 300 mm
of a braced parallel wall (or
4.7.3 Table 2 gives the minimum fixing capacities (NZS
above a diaphragm ceiling) 3604:2011 clauses 7.5.12.3 (external walls) and 7.5.12.4
(internal walls)) for proprietary anchors.

Figure 11. Fixing detail of roof space bracing longer than 2 metres.

Table 2. Minimum holding capacities for proprietary anchors (non-

90 x 45 mm blocking bracing wall).
2/90 x 3.15 mm
rafter nails both ends Type of force Capacity (kN)

External walls horizontal in-plane 2.0

(along wall)
horizontal out-of-plane 3.0
(across wall)
rafter
vertical (uplift) 7.0
Internal walls horizontal in-plane 2.0
90 x 45 mm brace fixed
(along wall)
with 3/90 x 3.15 mm
70 x 45 mm on-edge nails both ends horizontal out-of-plane 2.0
runner as for Figure 11
(across wall)

Figure 12. Fixing detail of roof space bracing less than 2 metres.

7 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 sarking fixed with 30 x 2.5 mm flathead
nails at 150 mm maximum centres sheets laid across rafters,
around perimeter and at 200 mm centres staggered sheet joints
to intermediate supports

purlins

rafter
fixings must be a
minimum of 10 mm
from sheet edges

ceiling joist or
truss cord

sheet sarking shall consist of: dwangs to support

-- 6 mm minimum thick 3-ply plywood sheet edges
-- 4.5 mm minimum thick wood-based product
(880 kg/m3 minimum density)
-- 6 mm minimum thick wood-based product top plate
(600 kg/m3 minimum density)

Figure 13. Fixing roof plane bracing using sarking.

(a) Option 1 (b) Option 2 (c) Option 3

100 mm of post 60 mm minimum fix strap with M12 bolts
above top bolt to beam with 50 x 50 x 3 mm
avoid splitting 60 mm washers where
50 mm bolts bear
butt joint in on timber 60 mm
beam minimum

50 mm
2/M12 bolts and minimum
100 mm minimum
50 x 50 x 3 mm 100 mm
washers, bolts 60 60 mm minimum minimum
mm minimum apart
rebate cut 60 mm
M12 bolts with 50 x 6 mm minimum
in post post 6 mm
50 x 50 x 3 mm strap
welded
washers where
75 mm bracket
bolts bear on
minimum timber
fixing capacity = 6.8 kN fixing capacities: capacity of 1 strap = 6.8 kN
-- 1 bracket = 12.2 kN capacity of 2 straps = 13.7 kN
-- 2 brackets = 25.5 kN

Figure 14. Veranda beam-to-post connections.

fixings as Table 8.18 or strap 90 x 45 mm dwang fixed at both ends with:

fixings 0.7/4.7 kN capacity -- 2/100 x 3.75 mm nails for a light roof
25 x 1 mm -- 4/100 x 3.75 mm nails for a heavy roof
lintel to trimming
strap with
stud nailing:
6/30 x 2.5 mm
top truss
-- 4/75 x 3.15 mm lintel nails in both
plate
skewed hand- blocking joist
driven or 25 x 1 mm strap and stud (or
-- 2/100 x 3.75 mm with 6/30 x 2.5 mm 7.5 kN tension single top
end nailed hand- nails in both lintel connection) plate
driven or and stud (or 7.5 kN
-- 3/90 x 3.15 mm tension connection)
end nailed power- not more
driven than 150 mm stud
trimming trimming stud to a stud
stud stud

bottom plate floor joist or blocking Figure 16. Fixings for top plate strengthened with
a dwang (as required by NZS 3604:2011 clause
Figure 15. Lintel and trimming stud fixings to resist uplift. 8.7.1.1(c) and Figure 8.13).

8 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 (a) Butt joint over blocking (b) Butt joint over stud

extra top plate

extra top plate (when used) when used
shown cut away

stud
blocking

top plate

-- less than 100 bracing units (BUs) – 3.0 kN capacity connection in tension and compression along the plate
-- more than 100 BUs and walls to which ceiling diaphragms are attached – 6.0 kN capacity connection in
tension and compression along the plate

Figure 17. Connecting top plates in braced walls.

(a) Butt joint (b) Butt joint with ceiling joists

extra top plate (when used)

shown cut away 450 mm long block
ceiling joist
connection ceiling joist
plate shown cut away

top plate top plate

top plate
studs studs

ceiling joist cut away to show block top plate

-- total bracing capacity of each wall less than 125 BUs and at least one external wall – 6.0 kN capacity connection
-- total bracing capacity of each wall less than 250 BUs and at least two external walls – 6.0 kN capacity connection
-- total bracing capacity of each wall more than 250 BUs and at least two external walls – 2.4 kN per 100 BUs

Figure 18. Connecting top plates in braced walls at right angles.

(a) In situ concrete slab edge (b) Concrete masonry header blocks at slab edge

90 x 45 mm
90 x 45 mm
cast-in M12 cranked anchor bottom plate cast-in M12 cranked anchor bolt bottom plate
bolt with 50 x 50 x 3 mm washer with 50 x 50 x 3 mm washer

DPC DPC

120 mm minimum
90 mm minimum bolt 50 mm minimum bolt embedment
50 mm minimum centre embedment in slab centre of bolt to in slab
line of bolts to outside outside face of header block
face of concrete header block

Figure 19. Cast-in bolts

9 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 4.7.4 Proprietary anchors must be installed at 900 ∫∫ Cast-in R10 steel rods bent at least 90º, embedded at
mm centres maximum where the slab edge is in situ least 75 mm into the concrete, spaced at maximum
concrete and 600 mm centres maximum where it is 900 mm centres and no more than 300 mm from the
concrete masonry header blocks. Anchors should be no end of the plates at the corners.
more than 150 mm from each end of every plate. ∫∫ Proprietary anchors complying with NZS 3604:2011
clause 7.5.12.2 (150 mm from each end of plate and
5 SUBFLOOR-TO-FOUNDATION spaced at 600 mm centres maximum).

CONNECTIONS
(a) Bearer connection to ordinary concrete pile
5.0.1 Suspended timber floor structures must resist
downwards and uplift vertical loads and horizontal or 4 mm wire fixed with 2/3.5 mm
lateral loads. staples at both ends

5.1 PILE CONNECTIONS

staples
5.1.1 Ordinary pile connections against gravity and
uplift are shown in Figure 20.
DPC
5.1.2 Cantilever pile connections:
∫∫ Pile to bearer (timber and concrete) – 6.0 kN capacity
connection in both horizontal directions parallel and
perpendicular to the bearer.
∫∫ Timber pile to bearer – bearer seated on rebated pile
and fixed with M12 bolt or 12 mm diameter threaded bearer
rod and 50 x 50 x 3 mm washers (70 mm minimum
of timber pile cross-section must remain to support
bolt).
∫∫ Bearer to joist (closest to cantilever pile) – 6.0 kN concrete pile
minimum horizontal capacity in both directions at
right angles to one another.

5.1.3 Braced pile connections are shown in Figure 21.

Where joists are parallel to the brace and the brace is
(b) Bearer connection to ordinary timber pile
attached to the:
∫∫ pile – attach the two floor joists immediately above
the upper end of the brace with 6.0 kN minimum two wire dogs and
capacity connections in the horizontal direction to 2/100 x 3.75 mm
brace skew nails
∫∫ joist – use Figure 21(b) connection.

5.1.4 Anchor pile connections to:

∫∫ bearers and joists – M12 bolts or 12 mm diameter
threaded rod with 50 x 50 x 3 mm washers or
minimum 12.0 kN capacity connections in tension and
compression
∫∫ bearers only – M12 bolts or 12 mm diameter threaded
rod with 50 x 50 x 3 mm washers or minimum 12.0 kN
capacity connections in tension and compression. bearer
timber pile
5.2 JOISTS TO BEARERS

5.2.1 Joists are connected to bearers with 2/100 x

3.75 mm hand-driven skew nails or 3/90 x 3.15 mm
power-driven skew nails.

5.3 WALL PLATES TO FOUNDATION WALLS Figure 20. Ordinary pile-to-bearer connections.

5.3.1 Wall plates may be fixed to foundation walls as

follows:
∫∫ Cast-in M12 bolts with 50 x 50 x 3 mm washers,
embedded at least 75 mm into the concrete, cranked
(bent), spaced at maximum 1.4 m centres and no
more than 300 mm from the end of the plates at the
corners.

10 BRANZ Bulletin 615

 (a) Brace to joist

see detail Figure joists

18(b)

bearer

M12 bolt and

washer

bearer

12.0 kN pile to
maximum height: bearer connections
-- timber pile 3.0 m 6.0 kN connections braced pile 125 mm
-- concrete pile 1.5 m square or 140 mm round
and minimum of 3 x 100 mm
minimum brace
H where H = brace
connection to
cleared ground braced pile
maximum 45°

200 mm minimum
300 mm maximum

maximum brace length:

-- 3.0 m for 100 x 75 mm
-- 5.0 m for 100 x 100 mm
450 mm minimum
or to good ground

(b) Brace to pile

joists on both sides of

the braced pile with
6.0 kN connectors to
bearer

90 mm minimum
both ends

bearer
brace
M12 bolt and
50 x 50 x 3 mm
washers

pile

Figure 21. Braced pile connections.

11 BRANZ Bulletin 615

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