The Role of Tension Rods and Tension Straps in Construction

The Role of Tension Rods and Tension Straps in Construction

As a versatile and renewable building material, wood is gaining popularity in the modern construction industry worldwide. Architects and developers are choosing the ecological building material more and more to construct sustainable and energy-efficient buildings. Building with wood is characterized by a high degree of design flexibility, making it possible to realize projects of various sizes. From classic single-family homes to wide-span halls and complex multi-story engineered structures – wood as a building material offers nearly unlimited possibilities.

In order for timber structures to perform to their full potential, and for buildings to reliably withstand external environmental influences over a long period of time, reliable connections between the individual components are essential. Especially in projects with increasing building heights, large spans or complex structural designs, connections must be able to withstand high loads and tensile forces. In this context, the right fastening and connection solutions play a crucial role: they not only ensure the cohesion of the structure, but they also guarantee the structural safety and longevity of the building.

Fastening Solutions for High Demands in Timber Construction

Tension rods and tension straps are reliable connectors to meet the requirements of modern timber construction projects. They ensure maximum safety even in challenging projects and are highly versatile in timber construction applications. As efficient fasteners, tension rods and tension straps play a key role in structural stability and safe load transfer. Timber constructions are exposed to various forces caused by external influences such as wind, snow loads or earthquakes. These forces can lead to tensile loadings or compressive and bending stresses that need to be controlled. In particular, tensile forces that occur along the joint line between components require specialized solutions to ensure structural integrity. In this case, tension rods and tension straps are used to improve the safety and durability of timber structures and prevent the components from shifting or deforming.

Tension Rods: Stability and Safety Through Optimal Load Transmission

Tension rods are sheet steel moulded parts specifically designed to transfer tensile forces. They are used in various construction methods and play a particularly important role in timber frame construction, as they enable simple and quick base point anchoring of the elements. These anchor points can be applied not only in timber substrates, but also in steel or concrete foundations. Tension rods are used to firmly connect construction elements to each other and ensure a stable and durable building method.

The tension rods are placed on the planking in the floor area and fastened to the stem and, if necessary, to the sole plate with screws or anchor nails. In this regard, the connection can safely transfer tensile, suction and shearing forces into the tension rod via the screws and finally into the baseplates via a dowel. Due to their specialized design, these fasteners can withstand high loads and ensure the structural stability and load-bearing capacity of the constructions.

Note

Eurotec tension rods may only be used in combination with the pressure plate tension rod provided for this purpose. Please make sure to follow the relevant instructions in the product data sheet. Any other use is not permitted.

Tension rods & pressure plates

Tension Straps: Solid Connections for Tensile Forces

Tension straps are connecting elements used in construction, especially in modern timber construction, to absorb the tensile and shear forces of a connection. They play a significant role in stabilizing structures by securing components against tensile forces. Tension straps are often used to connect walls, ceilings, or roof structures and offer a wide range of applications. Depending on the product type, they are suitable for timber-to-wood or timber-to-concrete connections and can therefore be used in various application areas. Tension straps for timber-to-wood connections are commonly used in solid timber construction (CLT, cross-laminated timber) as multi-story connectors, linking wall elements with ceiling elements. In contrast, tension straps for wood-to-concrete connections are used, for example, to fasten timber walls to concrete foundations. The anchoring in timber or concrete is typically done with screws, bolts, or nails. Tension straps are available in different sizes and shapes, allowing them to be selected according to the structural requirements of the construction.

Tension straps

Tension straps

The Powerful Duo from Eurotec: Angle-Bracket Screw Strong and Tension Strap HighLoad

Angle-bracket screws (WBS) are used for the secure connection between sheet steel and wood and are particularly applied in combination with corner connectors, angle brackets, perforated panels, or tension straps. These screws ensure reliable handling of both vertical and horizontal loads and are frequently used in high-load areas such as roof trusses, load-bearing walls, or in CLT (cross-laminated timber) construction.

To meet the increasing demands of the construction industry and ensure maximum load-bearing capacities, Eurotec has expanded its angle-bracket screw series with the WBS Strong. This screw, made from hardened carbon steel, is specifically designed for heavy-duty connections between sheet steel and wood. Its scraper groove allows for quick gripping, while the optimized screw geometry minimizes the splitting effect when screwed in. The increased shank diameter improves shear force absorption, increasing the stability of the joint.

Angle-bracket screw Strong

The Angle-bracket screws Strong are used in combination with the Tension strap HighLoad to increase the strength and stability of connections in areas that subject to high tensile and shear forces. This combination ensures that the construction is reliably secured against lateral and vertical loads by distributing the stresses evenly across the connection. As a result, the risk of displacement is significantly reduced, and the overall structural integrity of the construction is sustainably enhanced.

Eurotec's Tension straps HighLoad are specifically designed for maximum load transfers and are particularly suited for use in multi-story CLT buildings. They can absorb tensile loads from seismic forces or wind-induced effects for floor slabs and ceiling thicknesses of up to 240 mm. Their optimized geometry allows them to be used in three different load levels and offers a characteristic tensile strength of up to 200 kN. To achieve these values, installation with the Eurotec WBS Strong is required.

Tension strap HighLoad

Strong Connections for Solid Timber Constructions

Reliable fasteners are the key to strong and durable structures in modern timber construction. To safely control and distribute complex forces acting on timber components, fasteners such as tension rods, tension straps, or angle-bracket screws form an essential basis. These fasteners work together to ensure the stability and safety of timber structures and meet the highest standards of precision and reliability. Their purposeful application not only makes timber construction more flexible but also enhances its resistance to external influences.

Construction with CLT

As a specialist in connection and fastening technology with 25 years of experience, Eurotec continuously develops comprehensive systems for various modular and system construction methods, actively contributing to the advancement of sustainable timber construction projects.

Would you like to learn more about our diverse connection solutions? Discover our CLT brochure and explore our innovative fastening solutions for various applications in this field.

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