Simpson Strong-Tie Adds Steel Concealed Beam Hanger for Mass Timber Applications in Seismic Regions

Pleasanton, Calif. — Simpson Strong-Tie, the leader in engineered structural connectors and building solutions, continues to grow its lineup of mass timber hardware with the addition of the SCBH™ steel concealed beam hanger suitable for high-drift, high-capacity seismic applications. The new beam hanger provides a concealed connection to preserve a wood-only look while offering an allowable design load of approximately 20 kips (equivalent to 20,000 pounds of force) and a one- or two-hour fire resistance rating per ASTM E119 for a wood-to-wood connection.

The new steel beam hanger matches the beam-to-column load of the company’s ACBH™ aluminum concealed beam hanger, while increasing the ability to deform when subjected to joint rotation due to seismic forces and inter-story drift. This combination makes the SCBH ideal for use at glulam beam-to-column connections in high-seismic regions.

“As mass timber construction continues to gain traction around the US and Canada, architects and engineers need more connection solutions that meet the unique requirements of earthquake-prone areas,” said Michael Weinert, senior product manager for Mass Timber and Offsite Construction at Simpson Strong-Tie. “The new SCBH steel concealed beam hanger offers immense versatility for these applications by satisfying the combined needs of aesthetics, strength and fire-rated performance alongside compatibility with seismic deformation.”

The SCBH installs easily in the factory using Simpson Strong-Tie’s fully threaded Strong-Drive® SDCF Timber-CF structural screws. A generous onsite fit-up tolerance provides for smooth and easy beam installation.

Double connectors can be used on a single beam end for increased connection capacity, and a weldable SCBH-W backplate option is available for glulam-beam-to-steel support connections.

For more information, visit https://www.strongtie.com/miscconnectorsforengineeredwood_engineeredwood/scbh_hanger/p/scbh