Verification Example - Single Nail Lateral Design - Single Shear - Wood-to-Wood Connection (ASD)
Description
This verification example utilizes Tekla Tedds to calculate the lateral design value of a wood-to-wood connection in single shear with a nail. This example is based on Design Example E2.2 of 2015/2018 Structural Wood Design Examples by American Wood Council (AWC) (pages 86 to 90). Comparisons and contrasts are tabularized and discussed regarding the results from Tedds and the AWC Design Example. The Tedds file used in this example is provided in the Tedds “Select Calculation” window, under Verification Examples.
Problem statement
Determine the allowable stress design (ASD) reference lateral design value for a nail connection in single shear with the configuration shown in Figure 1.
References
2015/2018 Structural Wood Design Examples by American Wood Council
2018 National Design Specification for Wood Construction
Example information
Main member: Nominal 3x Douglas Fir-Larch
Side member: Nominal 1x Douglas Fir-Larch
Both members are loaded parallel to grain; G=0.5
Fastener Dimensions:
10d Common Nail
Length = 3”
Notes / Assumptions
-
All adjustment factors = 1
-
End distance = 2” leading to full design strength of connection.

Figure 1: Wood-to-wood connection configuration
Comparison of Results between Tedds and AWC Design Example E2.2 | |||
---|---|---|---|
Component | Tedds Result | AWC Design Example E2.2 | % Difference |
Dowel bearing strength parallel to grain (main member), Fem | 4,637 psia | 4,650 psi | 0.3% |
Dowel bearing strength parallel to grain (side member), Fes | 4,637 psia | 4,650 psi | 0.3% |
Mode Im,ZIm | 656 lbs | 658 lbs | 0.3% |
Mode Is, ZIs | 234 lbs | 235 lbs | 0.4% |
Mode II, ZII | 219 lbs | 219 lbs | 0.0% |
Mode IIIm, ZIIIm | 229 lbs | 230 lbs | 0.4% |
Mode IIIs, ZIIIs | 105 lbs | 105 lbs | 0.0% |
Mode IV, ZIV | 117 lbs | 118 lbs | 0.9% |
Comparison Notes
a Determined from NDS 2018 Table 12.3.3 Note 2 (Fl = 16600 * G1.84). The AWS Design Example utilizes the tabulated values from Table 12.3.3 which are rounded to the nearest 50 psi.
Conclusion
Upon reviewing the results above, the determination of the capacity of a single nail in single shear in a wood-to-wood connection using Tekla Tedds is consistent with the result of AWC Design Example 2.2. Differences between Tedds and the example can be attributed to rounding. Users should feel confident that results determined in the Tedds Wood Connection Design module are in agreement with NDS and SDPWS.