Rigorously Tested
Each Chicago Clamp System® has been designed, and then rigorously tested by an independent engineering lab, to provide a product on which you can depend. Load tables derived by calculation and testing are conveniently organized in table form.
Suspension Clamp System
Live Load Capacity (pounds) vs. Span of Back-to-Back Angles 1-11
| Size of Each of an Angle Pair Longest angle leg is vertical | Span (feet) | |||||||||||||
| 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | |
| 2" x 2" x 3/16" | 1,690 | 1,123 | 821 | 635 | 511 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2" x 2" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 1,459 | 1,088 | 856 | 693 | 569 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 1/2" x 2" x 3/16" | 2,000 | 1,707 | 1,237 | 956 | 769 | 635 | 536 | – | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| 2 1/2" x 2" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,691 | 1,313 | 1,061 | 882 | 748 | 643 | 528 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3" x 2" x 3/16" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,645 | 1,270 | 1,020 | 842 | 708 | 604 | 521 | – | – | – | – | – |
| 3" x 2" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,791 | 1,446 | 1,200 | 1,061 | 873 | 759 | 665 | 587 | 520 | – | – |
| 3 1/2" x 2 1/2" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,682 | 1,428 | 1,232 | 1,074 | 945 | 837 | 746 | 667 | 599 |
| 4" x 3" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,873 | 1,618 | 1,414 | 1,246 | 1,106 | 988 | 886 | 798 |
| 5" x 3" x 1/4" | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,932 | 1,700 | 1,507 | 1,344 | 1,203 | 1,081 |
Table Notes 1-11
- Two Spanning Angles required per Suspension Clamp System, purchase though your local vendor.
- Angles are back-to-back, but spaced apart by Suspension Clamps.
- Allowable net load, per pair, may be located anywhere along the span. Weight of angles has been accounted for.
- Angle dimensions are listed “Vertical Leg” x “Horizontal Leg” x “Thickness”.
- No values below 500 lbs. are listed. Allowable loads have been limited to 2,000 lbs. maximum.
- Allowable loads are based on 36 ksi minimum yield steel and the AISC specifications.
- A single load equal to the tabulated capacity or multiple loads with a sum equal to the tabulated capacity is allowable.
- Live Load Capacities based on Safety Factor of 2.0.
- Loads in bold (528) are governed by deflection limit of Span/240; (e.g., 0.500″ for 10′ span).
- Tabulated values are based upon the additional bracing provided by Suspension Clamp System.
- Tabulated loads based on vertical loading only.
Joist Grip Framing Clamp System
Allowable Load (pounds) vs. Span a-h
| Tube Size (inches) | Load Type | Span (feet) | |||||||
| 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | ||
| HSS 4" x 2" x 1/8" | concentrated | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,801 | 1,572 | 1,318 | 1,067 |
| uniform | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,708 | |
| HSS 4" x 2" x 3/16" | concentrated | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 1,820 | 1,474 |
| uniform | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | 2,000 | |
Table Notes a-h
- Allowable concentrated load at middle of span. Allowable loads are net (weight of tube has been accounted for).
- Multiple loads, that are symmetrically placed and whose total equals the tabulated value, may be used.
- The reaction to each clamp bracket must be limited to a net value of the clamp’s charted capacity.
- Allowable loads have been limited to 2,000 lbs maximum.
- Allowable loads are based on 46 ksi minimum yield steel (A500, Gr. B), the AISC specification and a safety factor of 2.0.
- Loads in bold (1,067) are governed by applied-load deflection limit of Span / 240; (e.g., 0.50" for 10′ span).
- Tube’s 4" dimension is vertical. Span is horizontal.
- Tube weights: 4.75 lbs/ft for 1/8" wall, and 6.87 lbs/ft for 3/16" wall. Weights and thicknesses are nominal.
Tube Framing Clamp System
Live Load Capacity (pounds)
| Component Capacities | Download Positive | Uplift Negative |
| Allowable Load (pounds) | ||
| Joist Grip End Clamp | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| T-Bracket | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| InLine End Clamp | 1,000 | 1,000 |
| Girder Clamp | 1,000 | – |
| Cross Support Bracket | 1,000 | – |
Edge Tubes
Allowable Span vs. Load & Load-Type a-g
| Size of Rectangular Tube (inches); minor axis bending (a-g) | Max Load = 500 lbs. | Max Load = 1,000 lbs. | ||||||
| Concentrated | Uniform | Concentrated | Uniform | |||||
| (in.) | (ft. & in.) | (in.) | (ft. & in.) | (in.) | (ft. & in.) | (in.) | (ft. & in.) | |
| HSS 3" x 1.5" x 1/8" | 64 | 5′ – 4" | 81 | 6′ – 9" | 45 | 3′ – 9" | 57 | 4′ – 9" |
| HSS 3" x 1.5" x 3/16" | 73 | 6′ – 1" | 93 | 7′ – 9" | 52 | 4′ – 4" | 65 | 5′ – 5" |
| HSS 3" x 1.5" x 1/4" | 79 | 6′ – 7" | 100 | 8′ – 4" | 56 | 4′ – 8" | 70 | 5′ – 10" |
Table Notes a-g
- Short dimension of tube cross-section is vertical, parallel to load (minor axis bending).
- Allowable, net concentrated load, per tube, may be located anywhere in the span. Weight of tube has been accounted for.
- Allowable uniform load is the net loading on the tube. Weight of tube has been accounted for.
- allowable loads are based on 46 ksi minimum yield steel (ASTM A 500, Gr. B) and the AISC specification.
- All net (applied) loads are governed by deflection limit of Span / 240; (e.g., 0.250" for 5′ span)
- Tube-wall thicknesses are nominal. Minimum is 0.93 times nominal, per 2005 AISC specification.
- Allowable loads ("max" loads) arebased on a safety factor of 2.0.