Construction frame houses, V Lately, is gaining momentum more and more. This is due to the fact that it is frame housing construction that, in the shortest possible time, can fulfill your dream by giving you your own, country, warm, natural and environmentally friendly house. In addition, we note that frame houses are relatively inexpensive, because their construction implies savings on the foundation, as well as the use of labor.
The strength of such structures is undeniable. The fact is that thanks to innovations, new types of fasteners have recently begun to be actively used, one of which is a nail plate. Actually, we will talk about what exactly this fastener is in this article.
Nail plate, application features
Such fasteners are supplied to the market building materials in the form of a plate, which is made of alloyed or galvanized steel. The latter allows the plate not to oxidize and not rust, performing its functions for a sufficiently long period of time. This plate is called a nail plate because the nails (thorns) obtained during stamping protrude perpendicular to its plane. The average length of one spike is from 8 to 9 mm. Depending on the purpose, one plate with nails may have a different number of strips with teeth.
The plate itself is very thin, which allows it to be used in almost any stage of building a house. However, the main area of application of the plate is the construction of the truss system. In this case, the dimensions of the fasteners are selected based on the dimensions of one rafter. As a result, a plane, say, 50 mm wide and 110 mm long, allows you to fasten rafters that are in the same plane without using an additional fastener including nails and screws.
One of the main problems that a potential consumer may encounter when using a plate is natural humidity tree. As you know, the tree dries out during operation, changing its shape, weight and volume. In this regard, using a plate with nails, for example, in the construction of a log house, one should not save on the foundation so that the effect of changing the geometry of the building is not enhanced due to the subsidence of the house under its own weight. Only in this case, nail fasteners can fully reveal all their useful properties:
- Strong and durable connection. It has been scientifically proven that today not a single fastener can compete with a nail plate. At the same time, it does not ruin the integrity of the tree, does not lead to decay, does not cause cracks and chips.
- The complete absence of swaying of the rafters, even with a strong gusty wind. In this case (of course, if an even cut is made), the “monolithic” base of this fastener provides the tightest connection.
- No shrinkage. Even if your house is not built well enough and during its operation it shrinks, be sure that the geometry of the truss system will not give curvature, which will not lead to a change in its shape.
- Doesn't rust. Some models of plates are additionally coated with galvanized coating. But, even without it, rust will be completely absent.
- The installation process of such fasteners does not require the use of electrical priors. In addition, compared with conventional nails and self-tapping screws, it must be said that the installation of the nail strip is much faster.
- Low cost. Buy a nail plate for construction own house everyone can. In general, it is sold in any city in our country, but in Moscow, it can be purchased at the address: Moscow region, Balashikha, st. Soviet, 35.
- Excellent compatibility with any tree species. There are cases that metal dowels are simply rejected by the tree, as a result of which the wood begins to rot and will soon require replacement. In the case of a nail plate, this is guaranteed not to happen over the entire life of your frame house.
The nail plate is used for fastening the rafter part of the house, as well as for joints in frame housing construction. It is a strip (plate) made of galvanized sheet steel with stamped nails (teeth). The production of nail plates by cold stamping on a hydraulic press makes it possible to obtain high-quality connecting elements. The standard insert teeth are 8 millimeters high. One nail plate can have from 2 to 16 rows of teeth.
The thickness of the nail plate is from 1 mm, the width can be, depending on the size, from 20 to 132 mm, and the length - from 76 to 1250 mm. With the help of metal toothed connecting plates, such wooden structural elements as boards, beams, beams, lying in the same plane, can be connected without the use of nails, screws and other fasteners.
Why fastening can be a problem
The issue of fastening is very important due to the characteristics of wood, its "behavior" depending on weather conditions. As the degree of humidity changes, wooden building elements shrink or grow in size and are often subject to bending. As a result, there are large and long-term "stress" in the places of their connections and fit. The reason for this may also be the construction of a light foundation or its complete absence (which is possible based on the light weight and elasticity wooden structures), leading to a change in the geometry of these structures.
When using a metal plate, increased corrosion resistance is provided connecting element, which favors its operation in conditions high humidity, as well as when performing external works.
Nail plate properties
The connecting nail (toothed) plate has important benefits compared to other types of fasteners. For example, from separately driven nails, each of which is by itself.
-*The strength of the bond with the tree is achieved tooth shape and angle of inclination, arrangement in rows. At the junction of elements wooden structures the nail plate forms a joint with high strength properties that no other fastener can compete with. These indicators are verified by many mechanical tests of structures.
-*Common monolithic platform- the base on which all the teeth are attached eliminates the possibility of their mobility and swaying. The platform becomes a common, connecting basis for the structural parts to be joined, due to which the connection is again given the quality of strength.
make it possible to provide excellent strength even when splicing wooden structural elements by butt joint.
-*Parts are attached exceptionally firmly. it's the same proven by experience. For example, a beam assembled using a plate of two butt-joined wooden beams, when exposed to a fracture, it broke not at the junction of structural elements, but in the monolithic part of the beam. Thus, the monolithic platform of the nail plate completely prevents shifting or loosening of the teeth and becomes a reliable basis for the connecting assembly.
-*If needed drawing is possible electroplating - This is a possible additional service at the request of the customer. Such a coating will give additional durability to the steel nail plate.
-*Metal toothed plates installed faster than traditional views fasteners due to its unique design. This will significantly save the time of construction and installation work on fastening the elements of the truss and under truss systems.
-*Due to the possibility of manufacturing floor beams with "corridors" specially designed for this purpose this method of fastening facilitates the laying of communications(ventilation ducts).
The listed qualities of nail connecting plates have become the reason for their widespread use in the construction and construction of wooden structures for any purpose. The simplicity of the nail plate design concept brings exceptional strength and durability to the joint.
Experience with nail plates
Steel nail plates have been used for more than twenty years in Canada and the USA, in particular in North America they began to be massively used in the construction of wooden structures. This fastening method is now widely used throughout Europe. With the help of industrially produced roof structures on the basis of plates it is possible to build almost any type of roofs, attics, attics, skylights, etc.
Roofs using nail plates are applicable in all types of structures, for example:
- residential houses,
- industrial,
- agricultural,
- sports and commercial facilities.
In addition to truss structures, this technology can be successfully used for:
- reconstruction of buildings and flat roofs, where plates are considered an indispensable type of fastener;
- production of panels for walls;
- production of lattice frames,
- construction of formwork for concrete structures,
- construction of large-span premises, completely made of wood.
The possibility of creating trusses with a span of more than 30 meters without internal supports (for example, tennis courts), which has arisen in connection with the use of connecting plates, is widely used. The plates can be successfully used when splicing boards along the length.
Tooth (nail) plate is a strong, fast and economical connection for wooden structures. The distinctive advantages and properties of this fastening contribute to its ever wider distribution in construction. wooden houses and facilities in our country. The possibility of purchasing this product is becoming more and more accessible, and those who are interested can appreciate the convenience and quality of this fastener in practice.
It is a metal plate, on the surface of which there are several rows of spikes made by stamping.
It is they who, during the installation of this fastener, “dig into” the wood and are firmly fixed in it.
Depending on the variety and size, nail plates can have from 2 to 16 rows of spikes, the height of which is usually about 8-14 millimeters.
The fastening element is made of galvanized steel with a thickness of 1 to 1.5 mm by cold stamping, the teeth have a height of up to 14 mm.
What are toothed blades made of?
Serial production of nail (toothed) plates is carried out on a specialized industrial equipment. They are made from galvanized sheet steel.
In the production of this type of fastener, powerful hydraulic presses with high performance.
This equipment makes it possible to obtain high-quality and, importantly, relatively inexpensive nail plates in large quantities.
Scope of application of nail plates with GP marking
Metal serrated nail plates are also used as connectors for construction.
They are great for firmly connecting elements together. wooden rafters used in the construction of buildings with large spans.
Mounting plates (toothed) are also used to connect the timber, and it turns out to be very strong and durable. This fastener significantly simplifies and speeds up the assembly of lattice frames.
Benefits of studded mounting plates
Studded fastener connectors have gained wide popularity due to the many advantages and benefits they offer.
The main one is, perhaps, that this fastener guarantees a strong and durable connection. wooden parts. At the same time, the wood does not split, its integrity is preserved.
Due to the presence of a high-quality anti-corrosion coating, the nail plates practically do not rust, which is especially important for such a hygroscopic material as wood.
Such wooden structures are most relevant in the construction of garages, outbuildings and cottages.
This technical manual describes the principles of connecting parts, provides illustrations of the main structural units and recommendations for choosing sections for elements of wooden hanging truss systems.
More complex types of wooden structures must be calculated and assembled at the manufacturer's factory.
Rice. 11.01 Installation of self-made wooden hanging truss systems. The joints of the lower belt should rest on the bearing walls in the middle of the span.
- The upper and lower chords of the structures are in the same plane.
- Steel perforated plates are located on both sides.
- The lower construction belt is attached to the upper overlay.
- Wooden linings are allowed to be nailed on one side only.
- Bolted connection using lock washers with external teeth, clamped between the parts to be joined, as well as using washers.
Rice. 11.02 Span, roof angle, location bearing wall
1. The lower belt of home-made wooden triangular three-hinged arches (hanging truss systems), designed for a span of more than 4.2 m, should rest in the middle on a load-bearing wall.
Rice. 11.03 Example of a perforated steel plate with holes arranged to ensure optimum spacing between nails Table 11.1
| Snow load S 0 , kN/m² | Roof angle 18°≤ α ≤ 22° | Roof angle 22°≤ α ≤ 37° | Roof angle 37° ≤ α ≤ 45° | ||||||||||
| Span L*, m | Upper belt h, mm | Lower belt h, mm | Upper belt h, mm | Lower belt h, mm | The connection of the upper and lower chords, the junction of the parts of the lower chord***** | Upper belt h, mm | Lower belt h, mm | The connection of the upper and lower chords, the junction of the parts of the lower chord***** | |||||
| Number of nails**** | D st. washers ***, mm | Number of nails**** | D st. washers ***, mm | Number of nails**** | D st. washers ***, mm | ||||||||
| 2,5 | 3,0 | 123 | 173 | 6 | 50 | 123 | 173 | 5 | 50 | 123 | 173 | 3 | 50 |
| 3,6 | 148 | 198 | 7 | 62 | 148 | 198 | 6 | 50 | 148 | 198 | 4 | 50 | |
| 4,2 | 173 | 223 | 8 | - | 173 | 223 | 7 | 62 | 173 | 223 | 4 | 50 | |
| 4,8 | 198 | 148 | 9 | - | 198 | 148 | 8 | - | 198 | 148 | 5 | 62 | |
| 5.4 | 198 | 148 | 10 | - | 198 | 148 | 8 | - | 198 | 148 | 5 | 62 | |
| 6.0 | 223 | 173 | 11 | - | 223 | 173 | 9 | - | 223 | 173 | 5 | 62 | |
| 6,6 | 223 | 173 | 12 | - | 223 | 173 | 10 | - | - | - | - | - | |
| 4,5 | 3,0 | 123 | 173 | 8 | - | 123 | 173 | 7 | 62 | 123 | 173 | 4 | 50 |
| 3,6 | 173 | 198 | 10 | - | 148 | 198 | 9 | - | 148 | 198 | 5 | 62 | |
| 4,2 | 198 | 223 | 11 | - | 173 | 223 | 10 | - | 173 | 223 | 6 | 62 | |
| 4,8 | 223 | 148 | 13 | - | 223 | 148 | 11 | - | 223 | 148 | 7 | - | |
| 5,4 | 223 | 148 | 14 | - | 223 | 148 | 12 | - | 223 | 148 | 7 | - | |
| 6,5 | 3,0 | 148 | 173 | 11 | - | 148 | 173 | 9 | - | 148 | 173 | 5 | 62 |
| 3,6 | 173 | 198 | 13 | - | 173 | 198 | 11 | - | 173 | 198 | 6 | - | |
| 4,2 | 223 | 223 | 15 | - | 198 | 223 | 13 | - | 198 | 223 | 7 | - | |
|
* The thickness of the construction belts is 48 mm, the lumber grade is 3rd, the center distance between the arches is 600 mm. |
|||||||||||||
Rice. 11.04 Basic parameters of homemade wooden teugular arches - Upper belt of a homemade wooden triangular arch.
- Lower belt.
- span.
- Overhang.
- Roof angle.
- The binding of the load-bearing wall should reach up to the outer edge of the junction of the upper and lower chords of the truss.
- The overhang of the roof should not exceed 500 mm.
Rice. 11.05 Connection of the upper and lower chords of the structure using perforated steel plates and nails - For homemade wooden arches, in this case, plates are used on both sides:
100×240×1.5 mm if the span is up to 4.2m
100×300×1.5 mm if the span is over 4.2m
At the same time, the calculated snow load must be less than 4.5 kN/sq.m - Minimum distance from end wooden element must be greater than 60mm.
- In this case, you need to use corrugated nails 4.0 × 40 mm, evenly distributing them over the plate, observing the minimum indents (points 3 and 4). The number of nails per connection is selected according to table 11.1.
Table 11.2
Rice. 11.06 Connection of the upper and lower chords of the arches with a bolt and two one-sided lock washers with external teeth, clamped between the parts to be joined, as well as using washers - Lock washers with external teeth - 2 pcs. The diameter of the lock washers is selected according to table 11.1.
- Bolt, 20 mm. See table 11.2 for minimum distances from the end and edges of timber elements.
- Washer, 60×60×5 mm.
Rice. 11.07 Connection of the upper chords of triangular arches in the ridge with steel perforated plates and nails - Perforated steel plates 80 × 140 × 1.5 mm are used on both sides.
- On each side, along the outer edge of the plate, 2 corrugated nails 4.0 × 40 mm are hammered.
- The area of the plate that is allowed to be used for driving nails.
- The minimum distance from the end of the wooden element must be more than 40mm.
- The minimum distance from the edge of the wooden element must be greater than 28mm.
Rice. 11.08 Connecting the upper chords of the arches in the ridge using overlays from boards or plywood - Overlay 148 × 300 mm from a board with a thickness of more than 30 mm or from plywood with a thickness of more than 15 mm.
- The area of the plate that is allowed to be used for driving nails.
- Nails 3.5×90 mm, 8 pcs. from each side.
Rice. 11.09 The joint of the lower chord of a homemade wooden triangular arch should always be located above the support. If there is no support, then breaks in the lower chord are unacceptable, and the maximum length of the lower chord must be less than 4.2 m 
Rice. 11.10 Connecting the elements of the lower chord of the arch with steel perforated plates and nails - Perforated steel plates 100×300×1.5 mm are mounted on each side and centered relative to the joint.
- The area of the plate that is allowed to be used for driving nails.
- The grooved nails 4.0x40 mm should be placed as evenly as possible over the outer holes of the plate.
Rice. 11.11 Connection of elements of the lower chord of arches with bolts and one-sided lock washers with external teeth, clamped between the parts to be joined, as well as using washers - The junction of the elements of the lower belt of the arch.
- Minimum distances are given in table 11.2.
- The thickness of the lining and the thickness of the elements of the lower chord of the arch must be the same.
- Lock washers with external teeth - 2 pcs. to the connection. The diameter of the lock washers is selected according to table 11.1.
- Bolt, 20 mm.
- Washer, 60×60×5 mm.
Rice. 11.12 Diagonal wind braces 23×98 attached to each triangular arch 1. Diagonal wind connection.
Rice. 11.13 Diagonal wind ties are attached to the lower edge of the upper chords of the arch with 3 nails 2.8 × 75 or 3.4 × 95 mm 1. Fastening of the diagonal wind connection to the upper belt of the structure.
Rice. 11.14 Anchoring wooden arches with perforated steel bands 
Rice. 11.15 If chimneys or other obstacles come across in the way of installing the arch, then the arch is shifted to the side. On the other side of the obstacle, an additional arch is installed. - Triangular arch, which should be moved to the side.
- Additional triangular arch.
The material was prepared by the designer Vladislav Vorotyntsev on the basis of the Norwegian technology of frame housing construction, developed by the SINTEF Institute
From time immemorial, we have built houses from wood. Sometimes completely without the use of other building materials, with the help of only an ax, without single nail… Well, you know, right?
Originally Russian technologies are not forgotten. There are still hereditary specialists who will slowly but surely assemble you an authentic hut, as in the good old days. But basically, the methods and approaches have changed significantly - to the topic of the day and in accordance with modern requirements for comfort, energy efficiency, and safety. They have evolved and taken it to the next level. Now we are successfully applying, so to speak, world experience - the developments of builders from other countries, which have long proved their worth.
One of these well-established borrowings is (still considered innovative in our country) a system of perforated fasteners, which is designed for quick and reliable assembly of all kinds of frame structures from cut lumber. The elements of this complex system are various angles and brackets, tapes and plates, which are equipped with a large number of pre-prepared holes. A nail plate stands somewhat apart in a large list of fixing devices, we will talk about it later.
What is MZP?
A metal-toothed plate (MZP), or as this fastener is also called a “nail plate”, is a flat rectangular (sometimes square) part made of cold-rolled steel. One of the MZP options is a "studded disc" or "studded strut".
The thickness of the plate can vary from 1 to 2.5 mm, which allows solving a variety of tasks in terms of loads. The thicker the metal, the larger the section of the structural elements the plate can connect. In any case, the steel grade is used so that the product has a balanced combination of ductility and strength.
The general dimensions of the samples sold are usually in the range of 2.5-18 cm in width and up to 30 cm in length. However, of course, the available range is much wider, many domestic manufacturers offer quick production of MZP according to individual, practically unlimited sizes. Terms of cutting the required size of non-standard minimum wages is about 7-14 days.
Like any other version of perforated fasteners, the steel toothed plate is necessarily endowed with a layer of zinc, which protects the fastener from corrosion. For use in open visible structures, the product can be coated with a colored powder coating.
Compared to conventional perforated products with round holes under nails, screws, bolts or anchors - here we have on the surface of the product a large number of spikes extruded from metal using a punching press.
The number of cloves can reach up to 80 pieces per decimeter of the product. Each of them, during installation, enters the tree, where it clings to the fibers, and the fasteners begin to work as a whole. After pressing the MZP, the board or beam no longer chipped in the attachment zone, the forces acting on the assembly can only act on crushing, and the bearing capacity of the finished structure only increases significantly because of this. Under extreme loads, the spliced lumber breaks on the array, but does not separate under the nail plate. That is, to compare this hardware with a hundred scattered carnations is at least incorrect.
It should be noted that the height of the spikes in different nail plates may be different. The traditional option can be considered teeth with a length of 8-10 mm, but there are also products with a brushing of 14-15 mm or 25-26 mm. As a rule, there is a dependence and relationship between the thickness of the plate and the height of the tooth (the thicker the MZP - the longer the tooth - the larger lumber can be collected).
It is customary to distinguish between two fundamental options for nail plates, depending on the shape of the spikes:
- With multidirectional notch,
- With unidirectional notch.
Teeth with one direction and angle work fine, but with multi-vector loads, fixation in some directions is considered less effective. In addition, during installation, it is necessary to take a more serious approach to the orientation of the plate relative to the direction of the fibers of the board or beam, which are loaded more in the assembly. The upgraded MZPs with one direction of perforation are endowed with a displacement of studs (staggered type) in each adjacent row, which improves the engagement effect.
Experts are convinced that very good performance is given by plates in which the teeth are inclined in different directions (usually two mutually perpendicular), for example, along the diagonals of a rectangular plate or along its length and width. So, in theory, fasteners work equally well with lumber, which has any orientation of the fibers in the array, and also holds loads no matter where they are directed during the operation of the truss. There are also models in which studding is done not just in different directions, but also the rows of teeth are tilted at different angles.
Important! Choice specific model plate is based on the thickness of the fastener, overall dimensions, number of teeth, their inclination, length, section shape ... There are computer programs, allowing to make calculations of suitable MZP as accurately as possible for any type of structure.
Where is the MSP used?
The main function of a metal toothed plate is to connect two or more edged boards or bars in the same plane. Moreover, the best reliability indicators will be achieved if the sawn timber is not used wet, which is not prone to drying out and cracking.
The first samples of MZP began to be used in the patrimony of frame housing construction (in North America) at the beginning of the last century. The experience turned out to be successful. In complex spatial structures, toothed plates create a strong fixed connection, acting simultaneously as a reference base plane for frame elements.
Based on them, they collect:
- wall load-bearing frames and panels,
- various three-dimensional structures made of wood (for example, stairs),
- powerful formwork,
- longer beams by splicing lumber end-to-end,
- thicker or higher beams by splicing lumber overlay (layers or edges, respectively),
- arched structures made of piece elements (without the use of wood bending).
- complex elements of a wooden roof.
On this moment in our country, they prefer to buy metal toothed plates mainly for creating roof trusses, which can cover very large spans - up to several tens of meters, with a variety of docking angles. Fasteners are actively used both in industrial and private construction.
Among the benefits we receive are the following:
- There are no restrictions on the maximum length of lumber available for sale,
- The terms for assembling structures are reduced, the laboriousness of operations for connecting elements is reduced (since there is no need to perform cuts or tie-ins, no need to massively turn screws, hammer nails).
- There is no need to purchase ruffed nails or corrosion-resistant self-tapping screws in large volumes, which are very expensive.
- The reliability of the assembled units increases with a decrease in cross sections and mass.
- The amount of wood that goes to waste is reduced.
- The number of available design solutions is increasing, especially if specialized software is used for design.
There are also some restrictions:
- It will not work to assemble directly on the spot.
- It is necessary to prepare a flat area on the ground or work in the workshop.
- You need to have some of the equipment for secure installation MZP.
What are the nuances of installing nail plates?
- The most important point is that each connection node is fixed with a plate on both sides.
- The platinum with unidirectional teeth should be oriented so that the rows of spikes are parallel to the fibers of the beam or board, which should perform a larger load-bearing function.
- For installation of the MZP, options with a hammer or sledgehammer are not suitable. The pressure is too weak and uneven. Vibration is very harmful, even when struck through spacers, the plate and its spikes can be deformed.
In order for, for example, rafter boards to evenly accept fasteners over its entire area, you need to use a rolling press. Accordingly, the assembly of roof trusses and wall frame sections is mainly carried out in workshops. And only then the frame is transported to the construction site, where it is lifted and secured in place with the help of a crane. - It is still possible to mount the MZP at the facility. To do this, they create a flat, clean working platform on the ground, and use a metal frame (shaped like a clamp) as a pressing device, as well as a bottle-type car jack, the working force of which is from 30 tons.
- From lumber prepared in size, the truss is set up on stands, and through the toothed plates with single self-tapping screws, all elements are temporarily fixed in the design position.
- All plates are laid out in the right places.
- An impromptu press is brought under the connection zone with the plate. First, the outer corners of the structure are crimped, and then other joints.
- The MZP is pressed into the wood smoothly until the entire plane of the plate is pressed against the truss array (squeezing, of course, is not welcome). Normally sliced lumber is assembled tightly, although the technology allows gaps between the ends of boards / beams up to 5 mm.
In conclusion, I would like to note that the assembly of complex frame structures from edged lumber using notched plates is slowly, but gaining popularity. Accordingly, the offer for the sale of this interesting fastener is growing very quickly. As practice shows, samples of the minimum wage of very low quality appeared on the market. Not only do one-day firms that press gear perforated fasteners do not comply with the basic requirements for the design of the spikes, they can also use low-grade steel with low strength, or a very thin zinc coating that does not last more than a couple of seasons. Therefore, the acquisition of minimum wages must be taken extremely responsibly, giving preference to trusted suppliers. In order for trusses and frames to work as expected, it is also equally important to buy a board or timber of normal quality.
