REMAX HOLD DOWNS
SHEAR WALL HOLD DOWNS
Seismic-rated hold downs for rocking re-centering shear walls (timber or concrete) that reduce forces on the structure leading to thinner walls, lighter foundations and reduced detailing complexity. REMAX Hold Downs are compact and easy to install, enabling offsite assembly and faster erection.
Applications
REMAX Hold Downs provide damping and re-centering all-in-one and are available in capacities from 50 kN to 5,000 kN (10 to 1125 kips). They can be used in timber or concrete walls and in both new and existing buildings.
Mass timber walls - a unique advantage
REMAX Hold Downs overcome the key disadvantages currently associated with timber shear walls in seismic regions:
- Increase ductility by more than 200%
- Recentering force overcomes 'creep' owing to timber's low dead weight cf concrete
- Able to reduce timber wall volume ( and cost) thanks to low overstrength factor
- Reduced overturning forces on the foundations
- Less detailing complexity
- No post-tensioning required on site and no maintenance once installed.
REMAX Hold Downs are based on the well-proven Tectonus RSFJ technology.
“Based on my 30 years' experience designing timber structures, I can see no better seismic solution for mass timber wall hold downs than Tectonus. Damping, ductility, and recentering in a compact package that is also simple to install on site.”
Value Engineering Opportunity
Smart structural designers are using REMAX Hold Downs to:
- Reduce seismic demand on structure and foundations by up to 200%
- Reduce wall volume and sometimes remove entire walls
- Reduce the number of fasteners
- Reduce foundation depth and/or need for piling
- Reduce forces on the diaphragm
REMAX Hold Downs have been extensively tested
- Timber large-scale system as per ISO 13033 loading protocol
- Concrete large-scale system as per ISO 13033 loading protocol
- Component testing as per ASCE 7-16 and EN15129
- Durability testing
Constructability
- Pre-shipment, every Tectonus device is individually performance-tested
- Devices can be pre-assembled into walls offsite allowing for faster erection
- Connection to timber walls by bolting into a pre-inserted knife plate / to concrete walls by epoxy rod or embedded anchors
- Connection to floors by bolting to a bottom plate that is bolted to the concrete
- Devices can be colour-matched to any scheme
- Fire retardant paint and covers are optional.
Reliable Flag-Shape Behavior
REMAX Hold Downs demonstrate the same hysteresis curve as the RSFJ technology.
- Damping and re-centering
- Up to 20% damping provided
- Fasteners and connections are capacity designed
- Overstrength factor 1.35
Learn more about the RSFJ technology here.
DESIGN GUIDANCE
Standard ductility factors are not yet available for REMAX Hold Downs however R=7 and RdR0=5.6 is often achievable. The hold downs can be modeled in ETABS and SAP2000 as follows:
- For REMAX use ‘Damper – Friction Spring’ link element
- Design parameters can be defined using our online calculator
- Overstrength of 1.35
Tectonus offers comprehensive design support services - if at any stage you need help please don't hesitate to get in touch.
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