The Simpson Cross Column Cap for GFCMU and Concrete Piers is an engineered structural connector designed to anchor heavy floor support beams to raised concrete or concrete masonry unit pier foundations. Built from 7-gauge steel with a Hot Dip Galvanized finish, this cap delivers the uplift and lateral resistance required in high-wind structural applications. The main channel accepts a primary floor support beam while integrated side stirrups on each side accommodate intermediate beams at 90 deg. angles, making it a dependable solution for complex pier framing connections in both concrete and grouted filled concrete masonry unit column systems.

Key Features

• Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws included - configured specifically to provide high uplift design values, so the connection performs as engineered without requiring substitutions or additional hardware sourcing.
• Dual side stirrups at 90 deg. angles - allow intermediate support beams to frame into the cap perpendicular to the main channel, giving builders a single connector solution for multi-directional beam connections at a single pier.
• 7-gauge steel construction - provides the heavy-gauge strength needed to handle the demands of raised pier foundation framing where substantial loads bear directly on concrete or CMU columns.
• Hot Dip Galvanized finish - delivers corrosion resistance suited to the exposed or semi-exposed conditions common in pier and foundation work, protecting the connector over the life of the structure.
• Certified welds - provide verifiable confidence in structural integrity and load performance, supporting code-compliance requirements in demanding applications.
• Compatible with GFCMU and concrete piers - approved for use with both grouted filled concrete masonry unit columns and solid concrete piers, broadening its usefulness across common raised foundation construction types.

Why This Product

• Purpose-built for raised pier foundation systems - this cap is engineered specifically for the connection conditions found in concrete and CMU pier construction, where both high uplift resistance and lateral resistance are critical to structural performance in high-wind regions.
• Multi-beam connectivity in one connector - the main channel plus integrated side stirrups allow primary and intermediate beams to connect at the same pier location at 90 deg. angles, reducing the number of separate connectors needed and simplifying the framing layout.
• Complete hardware included - the 1/4" x 2-1/2" Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws ship with the cap, ensuring the specified fasteners for achieving rated uplift values are on hand when installation begins.
• Simpson engineering with domestic production - backed by Simpson's structural connector expertise and produced in the United States, this cap supports project specifications that require trusted, traceable connector sourcing for structural framing applications.

Specifications

• Model No.: CCCQM5.50-SDSG
• Main Channel Width (W1): 5-1/2 in.
• Side Stirrup Width (W3 and W4): 5-1/2 in.
• Main Channel Length (L1): 13-1/2 in.
• Side Stirrup Length (L2): 4 in.
• Material: 7-Gauge Steel
• Finish: Hot Dip Galvanized
• Country of Origin: United States

Approved Applications

• Raised pier foundation construction
• Applications where heavy beams rest on concrete columns
• Applications where heavy beams rest on concrete block (CMU) columns
• Floor support beam connections along a pier
• Intermediate support beam connections at 90 deg. angles using side stirrups
• High-wind resistance applications requiring high uplift and lateral resistance
• GFCMU (Grouted Filled Concrete Masonry Unit) pier connections
• Concrete pier connections

Installation

• Install 1/4" x 2-1/2" Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws (provided) in all round holes. (Lag screws will not achieve the same load.)
• Minimum (4) #7 vertical rebar (total for pier) required.

What's Included

• CCCQM5.50-SDSG Cross Column Cap
• 1/4" x 2-1/2" Strong-Drive SDS Heavy-Duty Connector screws (included)

Options

• Contact us for Configurable Options and Special orders
• Available in widths up to nominal 7-1/8" width.
• For variable widths on side stirrups, specify W3 or W4 (3 1/4" to 7 1/8")

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of foundation is the CCCQM5.50-SDSG designed for?

This column cap is engineered specifically for raised pier foundation construction, where heavy beams bear on concrete or concrete block (GFCMU) columns. It is suitable for structural applications requiring high uplift and lateral resistance, such as in high-wind environments.

What are the main channel and side stirrup dimensions of this cap?

The main channel has a width of 5-1/2 in. and a length of 13-1/2 in. Each side stirrup has a width of 5-1/2 in. and a length of 4 in., accommodating intermediate support beams at 90 deg. angles to the primary beam.

What material and finish does the CCCQM5.50-SDSG use, and why does it matter?

The cap is constructed from heavy-gauge 7-gauge steel with a Hot Dip Galvanized (HDG) finish. The HDG finish provides enhanced corrosion resistance, making this connector well suited for outdoor and exposed structural environments where moisture and weathering are concerns.

How does this cap accommodate both primary and intermediate beams?

The main channel accepts the primary floor support beam, while integrated stirrups on each side of the channel support intermediate beams at 90 deg. angles. This cross configuration makes it an essential component for structural framing connections where beams intersect at a column head.