Codes & Connection Design

Presented by
Colin Keierleber, Ph.D., P.E.
Design Data
 Session Outline

1)Connection design resources

2)The basics
3)FAQs
4)Connection design changes in version 2015
 Session Outline

1)Connection design resources

2)The basics
3)FAQs
4)Connection design changes in version 2015
 Connection Design Resources

1)AISC Steel Construction Manual

2)AISC Design guides
3)AISC website
 Manual Chapters Used by SDS/2 Detailing

1) Chapter 1: Dimensions and Properties

2) Chapter 7: Design Considerations for Bolts
3) Chapter 8: Design Considerations for Welds
4) Chapter 9: Design Considerations of Elements
5) Chapter 10: Design of Simple Shear Connections
6) Chapter 12: Design of Fully Restrained Moment Connections
 Manual Chapters Used by SDS/2 Detailing

7) Chapter 13: Design of Bracing Connections and Truss

Connections
8) Chapter 14: Design of Beam Bearing Plates, Col. Base Plates,
Anchor Rods, and Col. Splices
9) Chapter 16: Specifications and Codes
10)Chapter 17: Miscellaneous Data and Mathematical
Information
 Manual Chapters Used by SDS/2 Detailing

10 of 17 total chapters are directly (or indirectly)

related to connection design. (You can skip chapters
2-6, 11, and 15!)
Connection Design Related Design Guides
Connection Design Related Design Guides
Connection Design Related Design Guides
Connection Design Related Design Guides

*Upcoming Design Guide 29 on brace connection

 Connection Design Related Design Guides

7 of 28 design guides are directly related to connection design.

 Contact AISC

Solutions Center:
http://www.aisc.org/content.aspx?id=4376
 Session Outline

1)Connection design resources

2)The basics
3)FAQs
4)Connection design changes in version 2015
 Basic Connection Design Algorithm

1)Form minimum connection

2)Calculate capacity for each limit state using
load calcs
3)Increment connection where necessary, if
possible
 Session Outline

1)Connection design resources

2)The basics
3)FAQs
4)Connection design changes in version 2015
 Shear Plates

Why are the weld sizes so big?

At the manual's recommendation, welds are sized to
develop the strength of the plate.
(5/8)tp AISC 13th and 14th editions
(3/4)tp LRFD 3rd and earlier
 Shear Plates

Why doesn't SDS/2 use the minimum edge

distance in setup?
For 13th and 14th edition designs, Leh is set to satisfy the
dimensional limitations of the Conventional Configuration
Leh = max{ setup value, Leh,min, 2db }
 Shear Plates

Why doesn't SDS/2 use the minimum edge

distance in setup?
For other design methods
Leh = max{ setup value, Leh,min, 1.5, 1.5db }
 Shear Plates

Why does SDS/2 round the width of shear

tabs up to the nearest 1/2?
SDS/2 designs shear tabs using flats when possible. Flats
are available in 1/2 increments. So, the widths are
rounded accordingly.
Setup option?
 End Plates

Why can't I extend to beam flanges without

an axial load applied?
A shear end-plate connection is made with a plate length less than the
supported beam depth
Note that welding across the entire top of the plate must be avoided as it
would inhibit the flexibility and, therefore, the necessary end rotation of the
connection. The performance of the resulting connection would not be as
intended for simple shear connections.
--pg 10-49, 14th edition
 Axial Loads

Why does the connection need to be filled

up?
Using a full depth connection reduces the vertical
eccentricity in the connection while maintaining the
vertical to first hole distance.
 Axial Loads

Why don't we support axially loaded knife

connections (clip angle welded to supported)?
Tension force opens up root of fillet welds
Requires a different weld shape
 Moment Connections

What is the sign convention for moment loads

in SDS/2?
(+) is clockwise
(-) is counterclockwise
 Moment Connections

Gravity Loads Lateral Loads

*PR 19130
 Moment Connections

Why do I get Member moment strength exceeded

when my % of maximum allowable moment is set at
85% in setup?
This occurs for bolted moment connections because a
portion of the beam section was removed for the flange
holes. This reduces the moment capacity of the beam.
 Vertical Braces

What is the Uniform Force Method?

A procedure used to distribute the forces in a beam-
column-vertical brace joint.
The procedure allows you to select the geometry of the
connection so that no moments exist at the interfaces.
In SDS/2, we develop the geometry of the connection
based on necessary clearances and setup and then
evaluate the connection as though it is an existing
connection (pg 13-10 of the 14th edition). This typically
means there is a moment at the gusset-column interface
and/or the gusset-beam interface.
 Vertical Braces

Uniform Force Method

As part of the procedure, loads must be transferred to the
beam connection.
SDS/2 only transfers the loads if it increases the load on
the beam connection.
 Vertical Braces

Uniform Force Method

 Vertical Braces

Special Case 2

*PR 27169
 Vertical Braces

Why doesn't SDS/2 combine gusset and beam

connections in all cases?
Maximum spacing requirements of J3.5:
(a) For painted members or unpainted members not
subject to corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 24 times
the thickness of the thinner part or 12 in. (305 mm).
(b) For unpainted members of weathering steel subject to
atmospheric corrosion, the spacing shall not exceed 14
times the thickness of the thinner part or 7 in. (180 mm).

*PR 26877
 Vertical Braces

Why don't 3/4 bolts fit on my double angle brace? They fit
on a single angle brace . . .

For 3/4 bearing-type bolt:

C2 = 3/4
C1 = 1 1/4
(even worse for TC bolts)
 Framing Situation

What does framing sit do?

Resolve overlapping materials
Match up bolts
Stagger bolts or trim member material to allow bolt clearances
Change connection type (normally to shear tabs) if necessary
Create shared beam-gusset connections
Create thru plates
 Session Outline

1)Connection design resources

2)The basics
3)FAQs
4)Connection design changes in version 2015
 New Designs

New design methods

Eurocode 3
CSA 10th Edition

New use of Uniform Force Method

Vertical brace framing to column cap/base plate

New connection
Axially loaded thru
plate
Field Welds Shown in Model
 New Setup Option

Why aren't the miscellaneous flats used for end plates?

*In 7.3 and 2015
 New Member Edit Field

For information only design notes

Shear tabs

Load calcs 264 and 265
Clip angles and end plates

Load calcs 174 and 176
Horizontal braces

Load calcs 175, 185, and 359
Vertical braces
 New Member Edit Field
Vertical brace Shear tab
New Member Edit Field
New Member Edit Field
 Connection Design Locks

Changing connection types

User Defined connections

 Changing Connection Types

Only auto standard connections change to plain end

when failed

The system will not change the type of a connection

if it has locked variables

Common lockables are copied over if the user

changes the connection type
 User Defined Connections

Changes made in User Defined Connection Edit will

be reflected on the members that have that user
defined connection

. . . unless the connection field was previously

changed in member edit.
 User Defined Connections

Save as User Defined