Joist tie used in structural decking systems and method of installing

A joist tie comprising:

• a tie web;
• a first tie flange operatively coupled to the tie web;
• a second tie flange operatively coupled to the tie web;
• and
• one or more ribs in the tie web;
• wherein the joist tie is configured to be operatively coupled to a first proximal end of a first joist having first opposing ends and at least one first joist seat, the first joist seat comprising a first chord having a first cavity, wherein the first proximal end of the first joist is operatively coupled to a first support member;
• wherein the joist tie is configured to be operatively coupled to second proximal end of a second joist having second opposing ends and at least one second joist seat, the second joist seat comprising a second chord having a second cavity, wherein a second proximal end of the second joist is operatively coupled to the first support member in series with the first proximal end of the first joist;
• wherein the one or more ribs have a width less than the first cavity opening of the first cavity and the second cavity opening of the second cavity, wherein a first portion of the one or more ribs of the joist tie is located within the first cavity of the first joist seat and a second portion of the one or more ribs of the joist tie is located within the second cavity of the second joist seat;
• wherein the joist tie is configured to allow for operatively coupling the joist tie to the first proximal end of the first joist and the second proximal end of the second joist using one or more connectors to minimize any rise in one or more decking panels at the location of the joist tie to a tie web thickness of the joist tie.

A method of assembling a structural decking system, the method comprising:

• assembling a first joist to one or more support members, wherein the first joist comprises first opposing ends and at least one first joist seat, the first joist seat comprising a first chord having a first cavity, wherein a first proximal end of the first joist is operatively coupled to a first support member;
• assembling a second joist to the one or more support members, wherein the second joist comprises second opposing ends and at least one second joist seat, the second joist seat comprising a second chord having a second cavity, wherein a second proximal end of the second joist is operatively coupled to the first support member in series with the first proximal end of the first joist;
• assembling a joist tie to the first joist and the second joist, wherein the joist tie comprises a tie web having one or more ribs, wherein the one or more ribs have a width less than the first cavity opening of the first cavity and the second cavity opening of the second cavity, wherein a first portion of the one or more ribs of the joist tie is located within the first cavity of the first joist seat and a second portion of the one or more ribs of the joist tie is located within the second cavity of the second joist seat;
• assembling one or more decking panels over the joist tie and the first joist and the second joist;
• and
• assembling one or more connectors to operatively couple the joist tie to the first joist and the second joist;
• wherein the joist tie minimizes any rise in the one or more decking panels at the location of the joist tie to a tie web thickness of the joist tie.