STRENGTH TABLES FOR SPECIAL SEISMIC AND BLAST DESIGN OF COLD

FORMED STEEL CONNECTIONS

Kurtis Kennedy, E.I.T, and Nabil A. Rahman, Ph.D., P.E.

Introduction
Various specifications and design standards allow the use of nominal strength of
material when calculating resistance values of components for special blast or seismic
design. Beyond the use of nominal strength, some design codes allow the use of an
increased nominal strength or an increased expected strength. A Static Increase Factor
(SIF) and a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) can be applied to nominal and expected
strength, respectively, to attain greater material strength of components for special design
purposes and when using dynamic analysis. The Steel Network has developed LRFD
design strength, nominal strength and ultimate strength tables for each connector
manufactured which can be used in special seismic and blast design and are compatible
with the Static and Dynamic Strength Increase factors. This technical note provides
background on the development of TSN connectors strength and how to use it for
seismic and blast design per various codes and standards in the US.

Seismic Design
Special seismic design requirements are mandated in AISI S213 section C1.1
Seismic Requirements, which are applicable to the design of cold formed steel shear
walls or systems using diagonal strap bracing that resists wind, seismic, or other in-plane
lateral loads. Section C1.1 directs the designer to the Special Seismic Requirements
section, Section C5, if the design is in the United States or Mexico and the Response
Modification coefficient, R, is greater than 3.
Section C5 Special Seismic Requirements is referenced and contains the
provisions allowing nominal strength of materials to be used in the design of members
and/or connections. Section C5.1 Shear Walls and Section C5.2 Diagonal Strap
Bracing presents the provisions for design of connections, chord studs and anchorage,
and foundations when using a shear wall or diagonal strap bracing lateral force resistance
systems. Section C5.2.2.2 presents provisions that allow the nominal strength to be used
for design of connections in the load path of diagonal strap bracing. This section states:
All members in the load path and uplift and shear anchorage thereto from the
diagonal strap bracing member to the foundation shall have the nominal strength to
resist the expected yield strength AgRyFy, of the diagonal strap bracing member(s), except
the nominal strength need not exceed the following, as applicable:
(a) In the United States and Mexico: Amplified seismic load.
(b) In Canada: Maximum anticipated seismic loads calculated with RdRo= 1.0.
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The load to design for is the expected strength of the diagonal strap bracing, but
not to exceed the amplified seismic load.
Blast Design
UFC 4-010-01 Section B-3 outlines the design of window and skylight systems
under extreme pressure loading such as a blast. Provisions are given for a static or
dynamic method of design for window and skylight opening framing and connections.
Section B-3.1 Standard 10. Windows and Skylights provides guidance on not reducing
the nominal strength with a strength reduction factor. The code states:
Use strength design with load factors of 1.0 and strength reduction factors of
1.0 for all methods of analysis referenced herein.
The UFC design code provides an alternative design method utilizing the
dynamic material properties of the window glazing, framing members, connections, and
supporting structural elements. Section B-3.1.1 Dynamic Analysis states:
Any of the glazing, framing members, connections, and supporting structural
elements may be designed using dynamic analysis to prove the window or skylight system
will provide performance equivalent to or better than the hazard rating associated with
the applicable level of protection as indicated in Table 2-1... The design loading for a
dynamic analysis will be the appropriate pressure and impulse from the applicable
explosive weight at the actual standoff distance at which the window is sited. The design
loading will be applied over the area tributary to the element being analyzed.
The dynamic method of analysis and design of framing members incorporates
strength increase factors that enhance the nominal and expected strength of materials. A
Static Increase Factor (SIF) or Average Strength Factor (ASF) can be applied to the
nominal strength of a material, while a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) can be applied to
the expected strength of a material.
Documents such as the UFC 3-340-02, the ASCE Publication Design of BlastResistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities, and the ASCE 59-11 Standard describe
Static and Dynamic Increase Factors and the uses of each. Since the nominal strength is
typically taken as the lower bound minimum yield strength of the material, the Static
Increase Factor (SIF) or Average Strength Factor (ASF) are applied to the nominal
strength to account for higher yield strength of installed components than minimum
specified yield strength values. The resultant value is the expected strength. Beyond
the use of this expected strength level, ASCE and the UFC code states that the Dynamic
Increase Factor (DIF) is to be applied to the expected strength to account for strain rate
effects from a rapid beffects from a rapid blast loading to achieve greater dynamic
strengths. Table 1 shows suggested increase factors to be used for cold-formed steel
design as recommended by two different ASCE publications and the DoD UFC 3-340-02.

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888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated April 2013

Table 1 - Static and Dynamic Increase Factors for Cold-Formed Steel

ASCE/SEI 59-11 (2011)

ASCE Design of Blast-Resistant
Buildings in Petrochemical
Facilities (2010)
UFC 3-340-02 (2008)

Static Increase
Factor (SIF) or
Average Strength
Factor (ASF)
1.1

Dynamic Increase Factor

(DIF)
Bending/
Tension/
Shear
Compression
1.1
1.1

1.21

1.1

1.1

1.21

1.1

1.1

In reference to the AISI S100-07 specifications and the development of the

nominal strength tables, it should be noted that LRFD design strength is typically
determined as the nominal strength multiplied by the appropriate resistance factor ().
Chapter F of the AISI specification permits the calculation of LRFD design strength
based upon the ultimate strength of a specimen tested according to the provisions given
within. This ultimate strength value is then multiplied by a lesser resistance factor than
the main specification. Figure 1 is a diagram depicting the various levels of strength and
the relationship between LRFD design strength, nominal strength, expected strength,
ultimate strength, and dynamic strength.

Figure 1 - Strength Relationship Diagram

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First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated April 2013

Strength Tables
The Steel Network has developed the following tables to present the LRFD design
strength, nominal strength, and ultimate strength for all clip connectors manufactured.
The ultimate and LRFD values for each clip are calculated according to the test method
specified in AISI S100-07, Chapter F. The nominal strength is calculated as the LRFD
strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
VertiClip Series
Clip/Load Direction
SL362
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SL400
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SL600
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SL800
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SL1000
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SL1200
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLD150
F2 Direction
SLD250
F2 Direction
SLD362/400
F2 Direction
SLD600
F2 Direction
SLD800
F2 Direction
SLB362
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLB600
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLB600-HD, (2)
Screws
F1 Direction
F2 Direction

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)

Nominal
Strength
(lbs)

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs)

397
1696

441
1885

721
2680

318
1817

353
2019

600
3074

588
2691

653
2990

1068
4251

579
2994

643
3327

1052
4730

664
2521

738
2801

1206
4266

611
2863

679
3182

1110
4845

82

91

139

254

282

430

575

639

973

648

720

1302

1091

1212

1844

364
2563

405
2848

661
4381

364
2563

405
2848

661
4381

374
1901

416
2112

679
3216

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The Steel Network, Inc.
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First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated April 2013

Clip/Load Direction

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)

Nominal
Strength (lbs)

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)

388
1606

431
1785

704
2718

357
2563

397
2848

604
4381

2266

2517

4112

2266

2517

4112

2266

2517

4112

1991

2096

3821

3315

3489

5237

3398

3577

5750

3036

3196

5137

2909

3062

4922

546
822

575
865

991
1492

784
1116

825
1175

1422
2026

2282
3888

2402
4092

3861
6578

SLB600-HD, One 1/2

Anchor
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLB800
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLB1000
F2 Direction
SLB1200
F2 Direction
SLBxxx-10, -12
F2 Direction
SLS362/400-9, -12
F2 Direction
SLS600-12
F2 Direction
SLS600-15, -18, -20
F2 Direction
SLS600-24
F2 Direction
SLS800-12, -15, -18, -20
F2 Direction
SLT9.5
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
SLT(L)
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
Splice
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
Notes:

Strength values provided are those of the clip only. Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is the average maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor
(SIF) and a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

DriftClip and DriftTrak Series

Clip/Load Direction
DSLB
F2 Direction
DSLB
F2 Direction
DSLS600-12
F2 Direction

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)
1467
916
2980

Nominal
Strength (lbs)
Fastener Pattern 1
1630
Fastener Pattern 2
1018
Fastener Pattern 1
3311

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)
2317
1663
4707

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First Published Aug. 2011
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Clip/Load Direction
DSLS600-12
F2 Direction
DSLS600-15
F2 Direction
DSLS600-151
F2 Direction
DSLD362
F2 Direction
DSLD362
F2 Direction
DSLD600
F2 Direction
DSLD600
F2 Direction
DSLD800
F2 Direction
DSLD800
F2 Direction
DSL362
F2 Direction
DSL362
F2 Direction
DSL600
F2 Direction
DSL600
F2 Direction
DSL800
F2 Direction
DSL8001
F2 Direction
DTSL
F2 Direction
DTSL
F2 Direction
DTSL
F2 Direction
DTSL
F2 Direction
DTSLB
F2 Direction
DTSLB
F2 Direction

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)
2788
3045
3045
186
85
286
399
318
293
796
397
1242
1840
1666

Nominal
Strength (lbs)
Fastener Pattern 2
3098
Fastener Pattern 1
3383
Fastener Pattern 2
3383
Fastener Pattern 1
207
Fastener Pattern 2
94
Fastener Pattern 1
317
Fastener Pattern 2
443
Fastener Pattern 1
354
Fastener Pattern 2
326
Fastener Pattern 1
884
Fastener Pattern 2
441
Fastener Pattern 1
1380
Fastener Pattern 2
2044
Fastener Pattern 1
1851

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)
4405
4811
5008
317
141
481
869
578
858
1320
720
2254
3051
3023

Fastener Pattern 2
1851
4122
8" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 1
1001
1112
1807
8" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 2
770
856
1303
16" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 1
1338
1487
2264
16" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 2
774
860
1309
8" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 1 and 2
1292
1435
2186
16" Fastener Spacing - Pattern 1 and 2
1206
1340
2040
1666

Notes:

1
LRFD strength limited by fastener pattern 1.
Strength values provided are those of the clip only. Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as the LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor
(SIF) and a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated April 2013

StiffClip Series
Clip/Load Direction
AL362
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
AL600
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
AL800
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB362
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB600
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB600-HD, (2)
Screws
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB800
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB800-4" Offset
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB1000
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB1000-4" Offset
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
LB1200
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

1177
2493
4522

1308
2770
5025

2137
4219
7652

1388
3493
4830

1542
3882
5366

2348
5911
8172

2827
4022
9798

3141
4469
10887

4784
6806
16579

1481
3297
4256

1646
3664
4729

2506
5579
7202

1481
3297
3080

1646
3664
3423

2506
5579
5212

1764
1810
3149

1959
2011
3499

2984
3062
5328

1993
3297
6188

2214
3664
6875

3617
5579
10470

1993
3297
2496

2214
3664
2773

3617
5579
4223

1465
2270
2872

1627
2522
3191

2658
4120
4859

2270
2506

2522
2784

4120
4240

1465
2270
3041

1627
2522
3379

2658
4120
5146

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Clip/Load Direction
HE(L)-43 mil
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
HE(H)-68 mil
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
CL362/400-68
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL362/400-118
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL362/400-118H
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL600-68
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL600-118
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL600-118H
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL800-68
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
CL800-118
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

2005
4901

2227
5446

3392
8293

3478
8880

3864
9867

5885
15026

2267
3071
1842
2888

2519
3412
2047
3209

4122
4851
3349
5251

3880
7090
3611
6299

4311
7878
4012
6999

6129
11201
6565
11453

4160
7973
9150
10750

4622
8858
10167
11944

6572
12595
14455
19545

2275
4020
1932
4978

2528
4467
2147
5531

3594
6351
3513
9050

4131
6578
3561
9126

4590
7308
3956
10140

7147
10391
6474
16592

6659
10337
9620
9958

7399
11485
10689
11065

10520
16330
15197
18106

2298
4263
1724
4578

2553
4736
1916
5086

3630
6734
3135
8323

5375
10265
4270
13170

5972
11406
4744
14634

8491
16217
8291
23946

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Clip/Load Direction
CL800-118H
F1 Direction
F2 Direction
F3 Direction
M1 Direction (in-lbs)
TD
F3 Direction

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)

7713
13251
11925
17834

8570
14723
13250
19815

12185
20933
18839
32425

17149

19055

20863

Notes:
Strength values provided are those of the clip only. Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is the average maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor
(SIF) and a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

References
American Iron and Steel Institute, North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel
Framing Lateral Design, AISI Standard, 2007 Edition, Washington, D.C.
ASCE/SEI 59-11, Blast Protection of Buildings, ASCE Standard 2011.
Department of Defense, UFC 3-340-02 Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental
Explosions, 2008, Washington, D.C.
Department of Defense, UFC 4-010-01 DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for
Buildings, 2012, Washington, D.C.
Design of Blast-Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities, 2nd Edition, ASCE 2010.

________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated April 2013