[Strawbale] Over building to code (Was 3 string bales)

[Chris Green]

Shody Ryon wrote:
> I have noticed that threaded rods for hold downs have
> in many cases been increased from 1/2" to 5/8". 
> Shody
>   
Somewhere I read that in some cases the hold downs also have 3x3 plates 
in place of washers. Fine Homebuilding, perhaps.

Two weeks ago, I was tasked with tightening a lot of these hold downs in 
one of the townhouses. The ones for load bearing walls are 3/4", with 
the matching round washers, the others are 5/8s, etc..
I judge the connectors to be 'tight enough' when the impact driver sets 
the washers about 1/32th to1/16th into the sill plates.
Since I live in a fairly low earthquake-risk area, and the townhouses 
are on a windy ridge, I'm assuming the engineer(s) specified these sizes 
to help reduce wind uplift. However, in reality, there aren't any other 
'earthquake tie-down' straps to connect the roof trusses through the 
studs to the foundation, so I think the practice is a bit dubious.
Or maybe somebody forgot to include the rest of the details on the plans?

Cheers,

Chris Green.