Julie Kalista
Online Editor
With this in mind, Stanley-Bostitch, East Greenwich, RI, has created HurriQuake, a new nail, referred to as a smart-nail because it withstands two different types of destructive forces, uplift and shear, that account for most of the structural damage during hurricanes and earthquakes.
The HurriQuake nail exceeds Miami-Dade County code, arguably the strictest construction code in the U.S. It is made of high-quality carbon steel alloy construction, exceeding a bend yield of 100,000 psi. It is a 21° plastic collated nail with two diameters: 0.11 and 0.13.
Laboratory tests conclude that HurriQuake nails withstand uplift forces of over 271 lbs./in.2 (depending on nail pattern and shank diameter), providing twice the resistance to high winds of standard sheathing nails. The nail also has a 25% larger head, that increases holding power and plays a role in resisting the vacuum effect of uplift forces. The nails are rated for wind conditions and gusts up to 170 mph.
In addition to hurricanes, HurriQuake is versatile enough to take on another one of Mother Nature's most destructive forces - an earthquake. As a completely different type of structural force, earthquakes create stress at an angle perpendicular to the nail (shear load). Because of it's new shank design, HurriQuake has 50% more resistance to earthquake conditions. The cost to use HurriQuake on an average 2,000 square foot home is less than fifteen dollars.
More Information:
Stanley-Bostitch
This web-only article appears in the Fastening & Joining e-mail newsletter. If you enjoyed this article and would like to read more like it, sign up today for our free e-mail newsletters!