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
Loads

Lateral

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 1310 of the 14th edition). This typically means
there is a moment at the gusset-column

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).

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

Clip angles and end plates

Load calcs 174 and 176

Horizontal braces

Load calcs 264 and 265

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