AISC 358-20s2 - Prequalified Connections For Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames For Seismic Applications. Supplement No. 2 (2020)

AISC 358s2-20 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 1
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Prequalified Connections for
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Special and Intermediate
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Steel Moment Frames for
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Seismic Applications
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Supplement No. 2
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13 2020
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15 A supplement to ANSI/AISC 358-16
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35 AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
36 130 East Randolph Street, Suite 2000
37 Chicago, Illinois 60601
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AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

Supplement No. 2 to Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF STEEL CONSTRUCTION
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40 AISC © 2020
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42 by
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44 American Institute of Steel Construction
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46 All rights reserved. This book or any part thereof
47 must not be reproduced in any form without the
48 written permission of the publisher.
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50 The AISC logo is a registered trademark of AISC.
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52 The information presented in this publication has been prepared by a balanced committee following American
53 National Standards Institute (ANSI) consensus procedures and recognized principles of design and construction.
54 While it is believed to be accurate, this information should not be used or relied upon for any specific application
55 without competent professional examination and verification of its accuracy, suitability and applicability by a
56 licensed engineer or architect. The publication of this information is not a representation or warranty on the part of
57 the American Institute of Steel Construction, its officers, agents, employees or committee members, or of any other
58 person named herein, that this information is suitable for any general or particular use, or of freedom from
59 infringement of any patent or patents. All representations or warranties, express or implied, other than as stated
60 above, are specifically disclaimed. Anyone making use of the information presented in this publication assumes all
61 liability arising from such use.
62
63 Caution must be exercised when relying upon standards and guidelines developed by other bodies and incorporated
64 by reference herein since such material may be modified or amended from time to time subsequent to the printing of
65 this edition. The American Institute of Steel Construction bears no responsibility for such material other than to refer
66 to it and incorporate it by reference at the time of the initial publication of this edition.
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68 Printed in the United States of America
69

70
71 PREFACE
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73
74 (This Preface is not part of AISC 358s2-20, Supplement 2 to Prequalified Connections for Special and
75 Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications, but is included for informational purposes only.)
76
77 This supplement was developed by the AISC Connection Prequalification Review Panel (CPRP) using a
78 consensus process. This document is the second supplement to ANSI/AISC 358-16, Prequalified Connections
79 for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications.
80 This supplement expands the prequalification scope of Chapter 11 SidePlate Moment Connection and
81 Chapter 12 Simpson Strong-Tie Strong Frame. The SidePlate moment connection prequalification has been
82 expanded to include a new biaxial configuration with HSS or built-up box columns as well as a new bolted
83 configuration, configuration C (tuck). The Simpson moment connection prequalification has been expanded to
84 include an end-plate connection for smaller beams, stronger Yield-Links, a design procedure for the Yield-
85 Link buckling restraint mechanism, and to expand beam and column limitations.
86 A non-mandatory Commentary has been prepared to provide background for the provisions of the
87 Standard and the user is encouraged to consult it. Additionally, non-mandatory User Notes are interspersed
88 throughout the Standard to provide concise and practical guidance in the application of the provisions.
89 The reader is cautioned that professional judgment must be exercised when data or recommendations in
90 this Standard are applied, as described more fully in the disclaimer notice preceding the Preface.
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92 This Standard was approved by the CPRP:
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94 Michael D. Engelhardt, Chairman
95 Brett R. Manning, Vice-Chairman
96 John Abruzzo
97 Cam Baker
98 Joel A. Chandler
99 Michael L. Cochran
100 Theodore L. Droessler
101 Gary Glenn
102 Ronald O. Hamburger
103 Amit Kanvinde
104 Gregory H. Lynch
105 Jason McCormick
106 Pat McManus
107 Kevin Moore
108 Thomas M. Murray
109 Thomas A. Sabol
110 Robert E. Shaw, Jr.
111 James A. Swanson
112 Jamie Winans
113 Benham Yousefi
114 Margaret A. Matthew, Secretary
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116 The CPRP gratefully acknowledges the following individuals for their contributions to this document:
117
118 Henry Gallart
119 Steven Pryor
120 Behzad Rafezy
121

122
123
Table of Contents
124
125 SYMBOLS............................................................................................................................................... 6
126
127 CHAPTER 11. SIDEPLATE MOMENT CONNECTION................................................................... 10
128 11.1. General ................................................................................................................................ 10
129 11.2. Systems ................................................................................................................................ 16
130 11.3. Prequalification Limits ......................................................................................................... 16
131 1. Beam Limitations ................................................................................................................. 16
132 2. Column Limitations.............................................................................................................. 18
133 3. Connection Limitations ........................................................................................................ 20
134 11.4. Column-Beam Relationship Limitations................................................................................ 20
135 11.5. Connection Welding Limitations........................................................................................... 23
136 11.6. Connection Detailing ............................................................................................................ 24
137 1. Plates/Angles........................................................................................................................ 24
138 2. Welds ................................................................................................................................... 24
139 3. Bolts .................................................................................................................................... 29
140 11.7. Design Procedure ................................................................................................................. 30
141
142 CHAPTER 12. SIMPSON STRONG-TIE STRONG FRAME MOMENT CONNECTION .............. 34
143
144 12.1. General ................................................................................................................................ 34
145 12.2. Systems ................................................................................................................................ 34
146 12.3. Prequalification Limits ......................................................................................................... 36
147 1. Beam Limitations......................................................................................................... 36
148 2. Column Limitations ..................................................................................................... 36
149 3. Bolting Limitations ...................................................................................................... 37
150 12.4. Column-Beam Relationship Limitations................................................................................ 37
151 12.5. Continuity Plates .................................................................................................................. 38
152 12.6. Yield-Link Flange-to-Stem Weld Limitations ....................................................................... 38
153 12.7. Fabrication of Yield-Link Cuts ............................................................................................. 38
154 12.8 Connection Detailing ............................................................................................................ 39
155 1. Beam Coping ............................................................................................................... 39
156 2. Yield-Links.................................................................................................................. 39
157 3. Shear-Plate Connection Bolts ....................................................................................... 39
158 4. Shear-Plate Shear Connection Welds ............................................................................ 40
159 5. Bolt Hole Requirements ............................................................................................... 40
160 6. Buckling Restraint Assembly ....................................................................................... 40
161 7, Shims .......................................................................................................................... 40

162 12.9. Design Procedure ................................................................................................................. 42
163 COMMENTARY .................................................................................................................................. 52
164 REFERENCES...................................................................................................................................... 90
165

166
SYMBOLS
167
168 This Standard uses the following symbols in addition to the terms defined in the Specification for Structural Steel
169 Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-16) and the Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 341-16).
170 Some definitions in the following list have been simplified in the interest of brevity. In all cases, the definitions given
171 in the body of the Standard govern. Symbols without text definitions, used in only one location and defined at that
172 location, are omitted in some cases. The section or figure number on the right refers to where the symbol is first used.
173
174 Symbol Definition Section
175
176 Ac Area of concrete in the column, if applicable, in.2 (mm2) ............................................... 11.4
177 Ag Area of the steel column, in.2 (mm2) .............................................................................. 11.4
178 Ay-link Yield area of reduced Yield-Link section, in.2 (mm2) ..................................................... 12.9
179 Ay-link Estimated required Yield-Link yield area, in.2 (mm2)..................................................... 12.9
180 A Perpendicular amplified seismic drag or chord forces transferred through the
181 SidePlate connection, resulting from applicable building code, kips (N) ......................... 11.7
182 A|| In-plane factored lateral drag or chord axial forces transferred along the frame
183 beam through the SidePlate connection, resulting from load case 1.0EQ per
184 applicable building code, kips (N) ................................................................................. 11.7
185 Fsu Required strength of continuity or stiffener plate, ksi (MPa) .......................................... 12.9
186 Fu-link Specified minimum tensile strength of Yield-Link stem material, ksi (MPa) .................. 12.9
187 Fyb Specified minimum yield stress of the beam, ksi (MPa) ........................................... 11.4(3)
188 Fye Actual yield strength of the column at the connection. In the absence of Fye, expected yield
189 strength of the column (RyFyc) can be used, ksi (MPa) .............................................. 11.4(3)
190 Fy-BRP Specified minimum yield strength of buckling restraint plate material, ksi (MPa) ........... 12.9
191 Fy-link Specified minimum yield stress of Yield-Link stem material, ksi (MPa) ........................ 12.9
192 Hh Distance along column height from ¼ of column depth above the top edge of
193 lower-story side plates to ¼ of column depth below bottom edge of upper-story side plates,
194 in. (mm) .................................................................................................................. 11.4(3)
195 Ibeam Moment of inertia of the beam in plane of bending, in. 4 (mm4) ......................... Figure 11.16
196 Itotal Approximation of moment of inertia due to beam hinge location and side plate
197 stiffness, in.4 (mm4) ......................................................................................... Figure 11.16
198 K1 Elastic axial stiffness contribution due to bending stiffness in Yield-Link
199 flange, kip/in. (N/mm) .................................................................................................. 12.9
200 K2 Elastic axial stiffness contribution due to non-yielding section of Yield-Link,
201 kip/in. (N/mm).............................................................................................................. 12.9
202 K3 Elastic axial stiffness contribution due to yielding section of Yield-Link,
203 kip/in. (N/mm).............................................................................................................. 12.9
204 Keff Effective elastic axial stiffness of Yield-Link, kip/in. (N/m)........................................... 12.9
205 L Distance between column centerlines, in. (mm) ........................................................ 11.3(5)
206 Lbm-side Length of nonreduced Yield-Link at beam side, in. (mm) ....................................... Fig. 12.2
207 Lcant Lever arm from start of reduced region to edge of spacer plate bolt hole, plus plate stretch
208 from 0.05 rad of rotation, in. (mm) ................................................................. Figure 12.4(a)
209
210 Lcol-side Length of nonreduced Yield-Link at column side, in. (mm) .................................... Fig. 12.2
211 Lcrit Length of critical shear plane through cover plate as shown in Figure C-11.6, in.
212 (mm) .................................................................................................. Commentary 11.7
213 Lh Horizontal distance between centerlines of shear bolts in shear plate at each end of beam,
214 in. (mm) ................................................................................................................ Fig. 12.2
215 Lv Vertical edge distance for bolts in Yield-Link flange to column flange
216 connection, in. (mm) .............................................................................................. Fig. 12.2
217 Ly-link Length of reduced Yield-Link section, in. (mm) ..................................................... Fig. 12.2
218 Lslot-horz Shear plate horizontal bolt slot length, in. (mm)............................................................. 12.9
219 Lslot-vert Shear plate vertical bolt slot length, in. (mm)................................................................. 12.9
220 Mcant Factored gravity moments from cantilever beams that are not in the plane of
221 the moment frame but are connected to the exterior face of the side plates,
222 resulting from code-applicable load combinations, kip-in. (N-mm). ............................... 11.7
223 Mgroup Maximum probable moment demand at any connection element,
224 kip-in. (N-mm) ............................................................................................................. 11.7
225 Mpr Probable maximum moment capacity of Yield-Link pair, kip-in. (N-mm) ...................... 12.9
226 Mu-sp Moment in shear plate at the column face, kip-in. (N-mm)............................................. 12.9
227 Mye-link Expected yield moment of Yield-Link pair, kip-in. (N-mm)........................................... 12.9
228 Ndesign Number of contact points between reduced region of link stem and buckling restraint plate
229 or beam flange (rounded to the nearest integer) ............................................................. 12.9
230 Pr-weld Required strength of Yield-Link stem to Yield-Link flange weld, kips (N) ..................... 12.9
231 Pr-link Probable maximum tensile strength of Yield-Link, kips (N)........................................... 12.9
232 Pu-sp Required axial strength of beam web-to-column flange connection, kips (N).................. 12.9
233 Pye-link Expected yield strength of the Yield-Link, kips (N) ....................................................... 12.9
234 Py-link Estimated required Yield-Link yield force, kips (N) ...................................................... 12.9
235 Q Total vertical thrust force on beam flange, kips (kN) ..................................................... 12.9
236 Ru Ultimate strength of fillet weld, kips (N) .................................................. Commentary 11.4
237 Ry-BRP Ratio of the expected yield stress to specified minimum yield stress, Fy-BRP, taken as 1.1 for
238 buckling restraint plate material .................................................................................... 12.9
239 Tux Vertical thrust force transferred by one restraint bolt, kips (kN) .................................... 12.9
240 Vcant Factored gravity shear forces from cantilever beams that are not in the plane of the moment
241 frame but are connected to the exterior face of the side plates, resulting from code-
242 applicable load combinations, kips (N) .......................................................................... 11.7
243 Vu-bolt Maximum shear plate bolt shear, kips (N) ..................................................................... 12.9
244 Vux Out-of-plane shear thrust force exerted on each spacer plate .......................................... 12.9
245 Vuy In-plane shear thrust force exerted on each spacer plate in the strong axis direction ........ 12.9
246 V1, V2 Factored gravity shear forces from gravity beams that are not in the plane of the moment
247 frame but are connected to the exterior surfaces of the side plate, resulting from the load
248 combination of 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S (where f1 is the load factor determined by the applicable
249 building code for live loads, but not less than 0.5), kips (N) ........................................... 11.7
250 Zb Nominal plastic section modulus of beam, in.3 (mm3) .................................................... 11.4
251 Zec Equivalent plastic section modulus of the column at a distance of ¼ the column depth
252 from the top and bottom edge of the side plates, projected to the beam centerline,
253 in.3 (mm3) .................................................................................................................... 11.4
254 Zxb Plastic modulus of beam about the x-axis, in.3 (mm3)..................................................... 11.7
255 Zxc Plastic modulus of column about the x-axis, in.3 (mm3).................................................. 11.7
256 a Horizontal distance from centerline of bolt holes in shear plate to
257 face of column, in. (mm) .......................................................................................... 12.4(2)
258 b Vertical distance from centerline of bolt holes in Yield-Link flange to
259 face of Yield-Link stem, in. (mm) ................................................................................. 12.9
260 b Distance from the bolt centerline to the beam centerline, in. (mm) ................................ 12.9
261 bbm-side Width of nonreduced Yield-Link at beam side, in. (mm)......................................... Fig. 12.2
262 bcol-side Width of nonreduced Yield-Link at column side, in. (mm) ..................................... Fig. 12.2
263 bflange Width of Yield-Link flange at column side, in. (mm) .............................................. Fig. 12.2
264 bn Net width of buckling restraint plate, in. (mm) .............................................................. 12.9
265 byield Width of reduced Yield-Link section, in. (mm)....................................................... Fig. 12.2
266 db-brp Diameter of bolt connecting buckling restraint plate to beam
267 flange, in. (mm) ................................................................................................. Figure 12.3
268 db-flange Diameter of bolt connecting Yield-Link flange to column flange,
269 in. (mm) ....................................................................................................................... 12.9
270 db-sp Diameter of bolts in shear plate, in. (mm) ...................................................................... 12.9
271 db-stem Diameter of bolts connecting Yield-Link stem to beam flange, in. (mm) ........................ 12.9
272 dpl Depth of vertical shear element, in. (mm) ................................................. Commentary 11.7
273 dc1, dc2 Depth of column on each side of a bay in a moment frame, in. (mm) ............................. 11.3
274 fc Specified compressive strength of the concrete infill, if applicable, ksi (MPa) ................ 11.4
275 g Gap increase due to transverse shortening of the Yield-Link thickness, in. (mm) ............ 12,9
276 gflange Vertical distance between rows of bolts in connection of Yield-Link flange
277 to column flange, in. (mm) ..................................................................................... Fig. 12.2
278 gstem Horizontal distance between rows of bolts in connection of Yield-Link stem
279 to beam flange, in. (mm) ........................................................................................ Fig. 12.2
280 hflange Height of Yield-Link flange, in. (mm) .................................................................... Fig. 12.2
281 lo Effective buckling wave length .................................................................................... 12.9
282 lpl Effective length of horizontal shear plate, in. (mm)................................... Commentary 11.7
283 nBRP-bolts Total number of buckling restraint plate bolts ................................................................ 12.9
284 nbolt Number of bolts in Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange connection .................................... 12.9
285 nbolt-sp Total number of bolts in shear plate............................................................................... 12.9
286 nbolt-sp-horz Total number of horizontal bolts resisting axial force in the shear plate in line with the
287 central bolt ................................................................................................................... 12.9
288 nbolt-sp-vert Total number of vertical bolts resisting shear force in the shear plate ............................. 12.9
289 nrows Number of rows of bolts in Yield-Link stem.................................................................. 12.9
290 p Minimum of bflange/2 or sflange, in. (mm).......................................................................... 12.9
291 pe Effective (tributary) length per bolt from the yield line pattern, in. (mm) ....................... 12.9
292 rt Required tension force per bolt in Yield-Link flange to column flange
293 connections, kips/bolt (kN/bolt) .................................................................................... 12.9
294 sb Distance from center of last row of bolts to beam-side end of
295 Yield-Link, in. (mm).............................................................................................. Fig. 12.2
296 sc Distance from the reduced section of the Yield-Link to the center of the first
297 row of bolts, in. (mm) ............................................................................................ Fig. 12.2
298 sflange Spacing between bolts for Yield-Link flange-to-column-flange connection,
299 in. (mm) ................................................................................................................ Fig. 12.2
300 sstem Spacing between rows of bolts for Yield-Link stem-to-beam-flange connection,
301 in. (mm) ................................................................................................................ Fig. 12.2
302 svert Vertical distance from center of the top (or bottom) shear plate bolt to
303 center of center shear plate bolt, in. (mm) ...................................................................... 12.9
304 tBRP-min Minimum thickness of buckling restraint plate to prevent yielding during compression of
305 the link stem, in. (mm) .................................................................................................. 12.9
306 tcp Thickness of cover plates, in. (mm) .......................................................... Commentary 11.7
307 tflange Thickness of Yield-Link flange, in. (mm) ............................................................... Fig. 12.2
308 tstem Thickness of Yield-Link stem, in. (mm) ................................................................. Fig. 12.2
309 x Distance from plastic hinge location to centroid of connection element, in. (mm)........... 11.7
310 Δ0.04 Axial deformation in Yield-Link at a connection rotation of 0.04 rad ............................. 12.9
311 Δ0.07 Axial deformation in Yield-Link at a connection rotation of 0.07 rad ............................. 12.9
312 Δy Axial deformation in Yield-Link at expected yield, in. (mm) ......................................... 12.9
313 k Coefficient of dry kinetic friction, taken as 0.3 .............................................................. 12.9
314 θy Connection rotation at expected yield of Yield-Link, rad ............................................... 12.9

315
CHAPTER 11
316
SIDEPLATE MOMENT CONNECTION
317
318 The user’s attention is called to the fact that compliance with this chapter of the standard requires use of an
319 invention covered by multiple U.S. and foreign patent rights.1 By publication of this standard, no position is taken
320 with respect to the validity of any claim(s) or of any patent rights in connection therewith. The patent holder has
321 filed a statement of willingness to grant a license under these rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory terms and
322 conditions to applicants desiring to obtain such a license, and the statement may be obtained from the standard’s
323 developer.
324 11.1. GENERAL

325 The SidePlate® moment connection utilizes interconnecting plates to connect beams to columns. The
326 connection features a physical separation, or gap, between the face of the column flange and the end of
327 the beam(s). Both field-welded and field-bolted options are available. Beams may be either rolled or
328 built-up wide-flange sections or hollow structural sections (HSS). Columns may be either rolled or
329 built-up wide-flange, built-up box, boxed I-shaped, or HSS sections. Built-up flanged cruciform
330 sections consisting of rolled shapes or built up from plates may also be used as columns for biaxial
331 configurations. Figures 11.1, 11.2, and 11.3 show the various field-welded and field-bolted uniaxial
332 connection configurations. The field-bolted option is available in three configurations, referred to as
333 configuration A (standard), configuration B (narrow) and configuration C (tuck) as shown in Figure
334 11.3.
335
336 In the field-welded connection, top and bottom beam flange cover plates (rectangular or U-shaped) are
337 used at the end(s) of the beam, as applicable, which also serve to bridge any difference between flange
338 widths of the beam(s) and of the column. The connection of the beam to the column is accomplished
339 with parallel full-depth side plates that sandwich and connect the beam(s) and the column together. In
340 the field-bolted connection, beam flanges are connected to the side plates with either a cover plate or a
341 pair of angles and high strength pretensioned bolts as shown in Figures 11.2 and 11.3. Column
342 horizontal shear plates and beam vertical shear elements (as applicable) are attached to the wide-flange
343 column and beam webs, respectively.
344
(a) (b) (c)
1 ®
The SidePlate connection configurations and structures illustrated herein, including their described fabrication and
erection methodologies, are protected by one or more of the following U.S. and foreign patents: U.S. Pat. Nos.
5,660,017; 6,138,427; 6,516,583; 6,591,573; 7,178,296; 8,122,671; 8,122,672; 8,146,322; 8,176,706; 8,205,408;
9,091,065; Mexico Pat. No. 208,750; New Zealand Pat. No. 300,351; British Pat. No. 2497635; all held by MiTek
Holdings LLC. Other U.S. and foreign patent protection are pending.
(d) (e) (f)

345 Fig. 11.1. Assembled SidePlate uniaxial field-welded configurations: (a) one-sided wide-flange beam
346 and column construction;(b) two-sided wide-flange beam and column construction; (c) wide-flange
347 beam to either HSS or built-up box column; (d) HSS beam without cover plates to wide-flange column
348 with the same flange width; (e) HSS beam to wide-flange column; and (f) HSS beam to either HSS or
349 built-up box column.
350
351
(a) (b) (c)
(d) (e) (f)
352 Fig. 11.2. Assembled SidePlate uniaxial field-bolted standard configurations (configuration A): (a)
353 one-sided wide-flange beam and column construction; (b) two-sided wide-flange beam and column
354 construction; (c) wide-flange beam to either HSS or built-up box column; (d) HSS beam to wide-flange
355 column with the same flange width; (e) HSS beam to wide-flange column; and (f) HSS beam to either
356 HSS or built-up box column.
357

(a) (b) (c)

358 Fig. 11.3. SidePlate field-bolted connection configurations: (a) a typical field-bolted standard
359 connection (configuration A); (b) a typical field-bolted narrow connection (configuration. B); (c) a
360 typical field-bolted tuck connection (configuration C).
361 Figure 11.4 shows the connection geometry and major connection components for uniaxial field-
362 welded configurations.
363
364
Cover Plate Configurations
Plan

Elevation
(a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
365 Fig. 11.4. SidePlate uniaxial field-welded configuration geometry and major components: (a) typical
366 wide-flange beam to wide-flange column—detail, plan, and elevation views; (b) HSS beam without
367 cover plates to wide-flange column with the same flange width—plan view; (c) HSS beam to wide-
368 flange column—plan view; and (d) wide-flange beam to built-up box column— plan view.
369
370 Figure 11.5 shows the connection geometry and major connection components for biaxial field-welded
371 configurations, which permits connecting up to four beams to a column. Figure 11.6 shows the
372 analogous field-bolted biaxial connection with built-up box or HSS columns. Built-up box and HSS
373 columns may be filled with concrete. All field-bolted beam configurations as shown in Figure 11.3 and
374 all field-welded configurations as shown in Figure 11.4 are permitted in biaxial applications.

(a) (b) (c)
375
376 Fig. 11.5. SidePlate biaxial field-welded connection with built-up flanged cruciform column plan
377 views: (a) four sided; (b) three sided; and (c) two sided (corner) configurations.
378
(a) (b) (c)

379
380 Fig. 11.6. SidePlate biaxial field-bolted connection with built-up box/HSS columns plan views: (a) four
381 sided; (b) three sided and (c) two sided (corner) configurations.
382
383 Figure 11.7 shows the SidePlate built-up box/HSS biaxial configuration. Figure 11.7(b) shows the
384 assembly of the two intersecting side plates that are attached to the column to receive the beams as
385 shown in Figure 11.7(c). Each side plate is slotted to accommodate the other orthogonal side plate as
386 shown in Figure 11.7(a). The configuration shown in Figure 11.7(b) will be referred to as the side plate
387 interlock assembly herein.

(a) (b) (c)
388 Fig. 11.7. SidePlate built-up box/HSS biaxial configuration: (a) slotted intersecting side plates; (b)
389 side plate interlock assembly; and (c) column assembly.
390 Two different details may be used for constructing the side plate interlock assembly depending on the
391 type of the column. Figure 11.8(a) shows the plan view of a typical SidePlate biaxial configuration
392 with an HSS column where the side plates are connected with four fillet welds as shown in Figure
393 11.8(b). Figure 11.8(c) shows a typical SidePlate biaxial configuration with a built-up box column
394 where the side plates are connected with a combination of fillet and PJP welds as shown in Figure
395 11.8(d). The latter detail with PJP welds may also be used with HSS columns.
396 User Note: The side plate interlock assembly may be preassembled prior to attachment to the HSS or
397 built-up box columns. The side plates of the interlock assembly with PJP welds shown in Figure
398 11.8(d) may alternatively be attached to the column one at a time while turning the column around its
399 longitudinal axis.
400
(a) (b)
401

(c) (d)
402 Fig. 11.8. Biaxial side plate interlock assembly welding options: (a) HSS column plan view (b) side
403 plate interlock assembly welding configuration with HSS column; (c) built-up box column plan view;
404 (d) side plate interlock assembly welding configurations with built-up box column.
405 The SidePlate moment connection is proportioned to develop the probable maximum moment capacity
406 of the connected beam. Plastic hinge formation is intended to occur primarily in the beam beyond the
407 end of the side plates away from the column face, with limited yielding occurring in some of the
408 connection elements.
409 User Note: Moment frames that utilize the SidePlate connection can be constructed using one of three
410 methods: the full-length beam erection method (SidePlate FRAME configuration), the link-beam
411 erection method (SidePlate original configuration), and the fully shop prefabricated method. These
412 methods are described in the Commentary.
413
414 11.2. SYSTEMS

415 The SidePlate moment connection is prequalified for use in special moment frame (SMF) and
416 intermediate moment frame (IMF) systems within the limits of these provisions. The SidePlate moment
417 connections are prequalified for use in planar moment-resisting frames and orthogonal intersecting
418 moment-resisting frames (biaxial configurations, capable of connecting up to four beams at a column
419 as illustrated in Figures 11.5 and 11.6).
420
421 11.3. PREQUALIFICATION LIMITS

422 1. Beam Limitations
423 Beams shall satisfy the following limitations:
424
425 (1) Beams shall be rolled wide-flange, HSS, or built-up I-shaped beams conforming to the
426 requirements of Section 2.3. Beam flange thickness shall be limited to a maximum of 2.5 in. (63
427 mm).
428 (2) Rolled wide-flange beam depths shall be limited to W40 (W1000) and W44 (W1100) for the
429 field-welded and field-bolted connections, respectively. The depth of built-up wide-flange beams
430 shall not exceed the depth permitted for rolled wide-flange beams.
431 (3) Beam depths shall be limited as follows for HSS shapes:
432 (a) For SMF systems, HSS14 (HSS 356) or smaller.
433 (b) For IMF systems, HSS16 (HSS 406) or smaller.
434 (4) Rolled and built-up wide-flange beam weight shall be limited to 302 lb/ft (449 kg/m) and 400 lb/ft
435 (595 kg/m) for the field-welded and field-bolted connections, respectively. Beam flange area of
436 the field-bolted connection shall be limited to a maximum of 36 in.² (22900 mm2).
437 (5) The ratio of the hinge-to-hinge span of the beam, Lh, to beam depth, d, shall be limited as follows:
438 (a) For SMF systems, Lh/d is limited to:
439  6 or greater with rectangular shaped cover plates.
440  4.5 or greater with U-shaped cover plates for field-welded connections.
441  4.0 or greater with U-shaped cover plates for field-bolted connections.
442 (b) For IMF systems, Lh/d is limited to 3 or greater.
443 The hinge-to-hinge span of the beam, Lh, is the distance between the locations of plastic hinge
444 formation at each moment-connected end of that beam. The location of the plastic hinge shall be
445 taken as one-third of the beam depth, d/3, for the field-welded connection and one-sixth of the
446 beam depth, d/6, for the field-bolted connection, away from the end of the side-plate extension, as
447 shown in Figure 11.9. Thus,
448 Lh = L – ½(dc1 + dc2) – 2(0.33)d – 2A (field-welded) (11.3-1a)
449 Lh = L – ½(dc1 + dc2) – 2(0.165)d – 2A (field-bolted) (11.3-1b)
450 where
451 L = distance between column centerlines, in. (mm)

452 dc1, dc2 = depth of column on each side of a bay in a moment frame, in. (mm)
453 User Note: The 0.33d and 0.165d constants represent the distance of the plastic hinge from the
454 end of the side plate extension. A represents the typical extension of the side plates from the face
455 of column flange.
456 (6) Width-to-thickness ratios for beam flanges and webs shall conform to the limits of the AISC Seismic
457 Provisions.
458 (7) Lateral bracing of wide-flange beams shall be provided in conformance with the AISC Seismic
459 Provisions. Lateral bracing of HSS beams shall be provided in conformance with AISC Specification
460 Appendix 1, Section 1.3.2c, taking M1 M 2  1 in AISC Specification Equation A-1-7. For either
461 wide-flange or HSS beams, the segment of the beam connected to the side plates shall be considered
462 to be braced. Supplemental top and bottom beam flange bracing at the expected hinge is not required.
463 (8) The protected zone in the beam for the field-welded and field-bolted connections shall consist of the
464 portion of the beam as shown in Figure 11.10 and Figure 11.11, respectively.

465
466 Fig. 11.9. Plastic hinge location and hinge-to-hinge length.

467 2. Column Limitations
468 Columns shall satisfy the following limitations:
469 (1) Columns shall be any of the rolled or built-up wide-flange, built-up box, boxed I-shaped, HSS or
470 flanged cruciform sections consisting of rolled shapes or built-up from plates meeting the
471 requirements of Section 2.3. Flange and web plates of built up box columns shall continuously be
472 connected by fillet welds or PJP groove welds along the length of the column.
473 (2) HSS column shapes must conform to ASTM A1085.
474 (3) The beam shall be connected to the side plates that are connected to the flange tips of the wide-
475 flange or corners/sides of HSS or box columns.
476 (4) Rolled shape column depth shall be limited to W44 (W1100). The depth of built-up wide-flange
477 columns shall not exceed that for rolled shapes. Flanged cruciform columns shall not have a width
478 or depth greater than the depth allowed for rolled shapes. Built-up box columns shall not have a
479 width exceeding 33 in. (840 mm).
480 (5) There is no limit on column weight per foot.
481 (6) There are no additional requirements for column flange thickness.
482 (7) Width-to-thickness ratios for the flanges and webs of columns shall conform to the requirements
483 of the AISC Seismic Provisions.
484 (8) Lateral bracing of columns in accordance with AISC Seismic Provisions Section E3.4c1 is not a
485 requirement if the beam is braced at the top beam flange (e.g. with a deck or slab), otherwise,
486 lateral bracing of columns shall conform to the requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions.
487
488

489
490 (a)
491
492
493
494 (b)
495 Fig. 11.10. Location of beam and side plate protected zones for the field-welded connection: (a) one-
496 sided connection; (b) two-sided connection.
497
498
499 (a)
500

501
502 (b)
503 Fig. 11.11. Location of beam protected zone for the field-bolted connection: (a) one-sided connection;
504 (b) two-sided connection.
505 3. Connection Limitations

506 The connection shall satisfy the following limitations:
507 (1) All connection steel plates, which consist of side plates, cover plates, horizontal shear plates, and
508 vertical shear elements (if applicable) must be fabricated from structural steel that complies with
509 ASTM A572/A572M Grade 50 (Grade 345).
510 Exception: The vertical shear element as defined in Section 11.6 may be fabricated using ASTM
511 A36/A36M material.
512 (2) The extension of the side plates beyond the face of the column shall be within the range of 0.65d
513 to 1.0d for the field-welded connection and 0.65d to 1.7d for the field-bolted connection, where d
514 is the nominal depth of the beam.
515 (3) The protected zone of the connection in the side plates shall consist of a portion of each side plate
516 that is 6-in. (150 mm) high and starts at the inside face of the flange of a wide-flange or HSS
517 column and ends either at the end of the gap (field-welded connection) or the edge of the first bolt
518 hole (field-bolted connection) as shown in Figures 11.10 and 11.11.
519 11.4. COLUMN-BEAM RELATIONSHIP LIMITATIONS

520 Beam-to-column connections shall satisfy the following limitations:
521 (1) Beam flange width and thickness for rolled, built-up, and HSS shapes shall satisfy the following
522 equations for geometric compatibility (see Figure 11.12):
523 (a) Field-welded connection
524 bbf + 1.1tbf + 1/2 in. ≤ bcf (11.4-1a)

525 bbf + 1.1tbf + 12 mm ≤ bcf (11.4-1aM)
526 (b) Field-bolted connection
527 bbf + 1.0 in. ≤ bcf (11.4-1b)
528 bbf + 25 mm ≤ bcf (11.4-1bM)
529
530 where
531 bbf = width of beam flange, in. (mm)
532 bcf = width of column flange, in. (mm)
533 tbf = thickness of beam flange, in. (mm)
534
(a) (b) (c) (d)

535 Fig. 11.12. Geometric compatibility (a) field-welded connection; (b) field-bolted standard connection
536 (configuration A); (c) field-bolted narrow connection (configuration B); and (d) field-bolted tuck
537 connection (configuration C).
538 (2) Panel zones shall conform to the applicable requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions.
539 User Note: The column web panel zone strength shall be determined using AISC Specification
540 Section J10.6b.
541 (3) Column-beam moment ratios shall be limited as follows:
542 (a) For SMF systems, the column-beam moment ratio shall conform to the requirements of the
543 AISC Seismic Provisions as follows:
(i) For both uniaxial and biaxial connections, the value of  M pb shall be the sum of the
544 *
545 projections of the expected flexural strengths of the beam(s) at the plastic hinge
546 locations to the column centerline (Figure 11.13). The expected flexural strength of the
547 beam shall be calculated as:
548  M *pb   1.1Ry Fyb Zb  M y  (11.4-2)
549 where
550 Fyb = specified minimum yield stress of beam, ksi (MPa)
551
552 Mv = additional moment due to shear amplification from the center of the
553 plastic hinge to the centerline of the column. Mv shall be computed as
554 the quantity Vhsh; where Vh is the shear at the point of theoretical
555 plastic hinging, calculated in accordance with Equation 11.4-3, and sh
556 is the distance of the assumed point of plastic hinging to the column
557 centerline, which is equal to half the depth of the column plus the
558 extension of the side plates beyond the face of column plus the
559 distance from the end of the side plates to the plastic hinge, d/3.
2M pr
560 Vh   Vgravity (11.4-3)
Lh
561 where
562 Lh = distance between plastic hinge locations, in. (mm)
563 Mpr = probable maximum moment at plastic hinge, kip-in. (N-
564 mm)
565 Vgravity = beam shear force resulting from 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S (where f1
566 is the load factor determined by the applicable building
567 code for live loads, but not less than 0.5), kips (N)
568 Ry = ratio of expected yield stress to specified minimum yield stress, Fy, as
569 specified in the AISC Seismic Provisions
570 Zb = nominal plastic section modulus of beam, in. 3 (mm3)
571 User Note: The load combination of 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S is in
572 conformance with ASCE/SEI 7-16. When using the 2015 International
573 Building Code, a factor of 0.7 must be used in lieu of the factor of 0.2
574 for S (snow) when the roof configuration is such that it does not shed
575 snow off the structure.
576 (ii) For the uniaxial connection, the value of ∑M*pc shall be the sum of the projections of
577 the nominal flexural strengths of the column, Mpc, above and below the connection
578 joint, at the location of theoretical hinge formation in the column (i.e., one quarter the
579 column depth above and below the extreme fibers of the side plates), to the beam
580 centerline, with a reduction for the axial force in the column (Figure 11.13). The
581 nominal flexural strength of the column shall be computed as:
582  M *pc   Zec  Fyc  Puc Ag  (11.4-4)
583 where
584 Fyc = minimum specified yield strength of the column at the connection, ksi
585 (MPa)
586 H= story height, in. (mm)
587 Hh = distance along column height from ¼ of column depth above top edge of
588 lower story side plates to ¼ of column depth below bottom edge of upper
589 story side plates, in. (mm)
590 Puc/Ag = ratio of column axial compressive load, calculated in accordance with load
591 and resistance factor provisions, to gross area of the column, ksi (MPa)
592 Zc = plastic section modulus of column, in.3 (mm3)
593 Zec= equivalent plastic section modulus of column, Zc, at a distance of ¼ column
594 depth from top and bottom edge of side plates, projected to beam centerline,
595 in.3 (mm3), and calculated as:
Zc  H 2 Zc H
Z ec  
Hh 2 Hh
596 (11.4-5)
597
598 (iii) For the biaxial connection, the value of about each axis for the square HSS or
599 built-up box columns shall be taken as:
600
 Puc 
601  M *pc  0.67 Zec Fye 1   (11.4-6)
 Ag Fye  0.85 Ac fc 
602
603 where
604 Fye = actual yield strength of the column at the connection. In the absence of Fye,
605 the expected yield strength of the column (RyFyc) may be used, ksi (MPa)
606 Ag = area of the steel column, in.2 (mm2)
607 Ac = area of concrete in the column, if applicable, in. 2 (mm2)
608 fc’ = specified compressive strength of the concrete infill, if applicable, ksi
609 (MPa)
610
611
612 For column sections with unequal properties about both axes, interaction equations
613 based on rational analysis shall be used.
614
615 USER NOTE: Guidance for checking columns subject to biaxial bending and axial
616 force is provided in AISC Seismic Provisions Section E3 Commentary.
617
618 For the purpose of satisfying strong column-weak beam requirements, it shall be
619 permitted to take the actual yield strength of the column material as the specified yield
620 strength and to consider the full composite behavior of the column for axial and
621 flexural loading action if it is filled with concrete.
622
623 (b) For IMF systems, the column-beam moment ratio shall conform to the requirements of the
624 AISC Seismic Provisions.
625
626 Fig. 11.13. Force and distance designations for calculation of column-beam moment ratios.
627 11.5. CONNECTION WELDING LIMITATIONS

628 Filler metals for the welding of beams, columns, and plates in the SidePlate connection shall meet the
629 requirements for seismic force-resisting system welds in the AISC Seismic Provisions.
630 User Note: Mechanical properties for filler metals for seismic force-resisting system welds are detailed
631 in AWS D1.8/D1.8M as referenced in the AISC Seismic Provisions.
632 The following welds are considered demand critical welds:
633 (1) Shop fillet weld {2} that connects the inside face of the side plates to the wide-flange or HSS
634 columns (see plan views in Figure 11.14, Figure 11.15 and Figure 11.16) and for biaxial cruciform
635 dual-strong axis configurations connects the outside face of the secondary side plates to the
636 outside face of primary side plates (see Figure 11.5).
637 (2) Shop fillet weld {5} that connects the edge of the beam flange to the beam flange cover plate or
638 angles (see Figures 11.17 and 11.18).
639 (3) Shop fillet weld {5a} that connects the outside face of the beam flange to the beam flange U-
640 shaped cover plate or angles (see Figures 11.17 and 11.18).
641 (4) Field fillet weld {7} that connects the beam flange cover plates to the side plates [see Figure
642 11.19(a)] or connects the HSS beam flange to the side plates.
643 (5) Fillet weld {8} that connects the top angles to the side plates in the field-bolted connection.
644 (6) Shop weld {9} that connects side plate {A} to the column face (see Figures 11.20 and 11.21).
645 (7) Shop fillet weld {10} that connects the intersecting orthogonal side plates to construct the side plate
646 interlock assembly in biaxial connections (see Figures 11.20 and 11.21).
647 11.6. CONNECTION DETAILING

648 The following designations are used herein to identify plates and welds in the SidePlate connection
649 shown in Figures 11.14 through 11.21:
650 1. Plates/Angles
651 {A} Side plate, located in a vertical plane parallel to the web(s) of the beam, connecting frame beam to
652 column.
653 {B} Beam flange cover plate bridging between side plates {A}, as applicable.
654 {C} Vertical shear plate.
655 {D} Horizontal shear plate (HSP). This element transfers horizontal shear from the top and bottom
656 edges of the side plates {A} to the web of a wide-flange column.
657 {E} Erection angle. One of the possible vertical shear elements {F}.
658 {F} Vertical shear elements (VSE). These elements, which may consist of angles and plates or bent
659 plates, transfer shear from the beam web to the outboard edge of the side plates {A}.
660 {G} Longitudinal angles welded to the side plates {A} for connecting the beam flange cover plate
661 (field-bolted connection).
662 {H} Longitudinal angles welded to the beam flange for connecting to the side plates {A} (field-bolted
663 connection).
664 {T} Horizontal plates welded to the side plates {A} for connecting the beam flange cover plate as an
665 alternative for Angle {G} (field-bolted connection).
666 2. Welds
667 {1} Shop fillet weld connecting exterior edge of side plate {A} to the horizontal shear plate {D} or to the
668 face of a built-up box column or HSS section.
669 {2} Shop fillet weld connecting inside face of side plate {A} to the tip of the column flange or to the
670 corner of an HSS or built-up column section; and for biaxial dual-strong axis configurations
671 connects outside face of secondary side plates to outside face of primary side plates.
672 {3} Shop fillet weld connecting horizontal shear plate {D} to wide-flange column web. Weld {3} is also
673 used at the column flanges where required to resist orthogonal loads through the connection due to
674 collectors, chords, or cantilevers.
675 {4} Shop fillet weld connecting vertical shear elements {F} to the beam web, and where applicable, the
676 vertical shear plate {C} to the erection angle {E}.
677 {5} Shop fillet weld connecting beam flange tip to cover plate {B}/angles {H}.
678 {5a} Shop weld connecting outside face of beam flange to cover plate {B} (or to the face of the beam
679 flange with the angles {H}).
680 {6} Field vertical fillet weld connecting vertical shear element (angle or bent plate) {F} to end of side plate
681 {A} (field-welded connection).
682 {7} Field horizontal fillet weld connecting the cover plate {B} to the side plate {A}, or connecting HSS
683 beam corners to side plates (field-welded connection).
684 {8} Shop weld connecting the longitudinal angles {G} or horizontal plate {T} to the side plate {A} (field-
685 bolted connection).
686 {9} Shop fillet weld connecting side plate {A} to HSS/built-up box column in biaxial configuration.
687 {10}Shop weld connecting the intersecting orthogonal side plates to construct the side plate interlock
688 assembly.
689 Figure 11.14 shows the connection detailing for a one-sided moment connection configuration in which
690 one beam frames into a column (A-type). Figure 11.15 shows the connection detailing for a two-sided
691 moment connection configuration in which the beams are identical (B-type). Figure 11.16 shows the
692 connection detailing for a two-sided moment connection configuration in which the beams differ in
693 depth (C-type). Figures 11.17 and 11.18 show the beam assembly shop detail for the field-welded and
694 field-bolted connections, respectively. Figure 11.19 shows the beam-to-side-plate field erection detail.
695 If two beams frame into a column to form a corner, the connection detailing is referred to as a D-type
696 (not shown). The connection detailing for a three-sided and four-sided moment connection
697 configuration is referred to as an E-type and F-series, respectively (not shown). Figures 11.14, 11.15,
698 and 11.16 show the field-welded connection. The same details are applicable to the field-bolted
699 connection by using the beam end details for the field-bolted connection.
700
701
702
703 Fig. 11.14. One-sided SidePlate moment connection (A-type), column shop detail.
704

705
706 Fig. 11.15. Two-sided SidePlate moment connection (B-type), column shop detail.
707
708
709
710 Fig. 11.16. Two-sided SidePlate moment connection (C-type), column shop detail.
711

712
713 Fig. 11.17. Beam shop detail (field-welded).
714
715
716 Fig. 11.18. Beam shop detail, field-bolted standard (configuration A)

(a)
(b)
717 Fig. 11.19. Beam-to-SidePlate field erection detail: (a) elevation and section B-B, field welded; (b)
718 elevation and section B-B, field-bolted standard (configuration A).
719
(a) (b)

(c)
720 Fig. 11.20. Biaxial HSS column assembly shop detail: (a) plan view; (b) elevation; (c) side plate
721 interlock assembly section A-A.
722
(a) (b)
(c) (d)
723 Fig. 11.21. Biaxial built-up box column assembly shop detail: (a) plan view; (b) elevation; (c) side
724 plate interlock assembly section A-A; (d) side plate interlock assembly section B-B.
725
726 3. Bolts
727 (1) Bolts shall be arranged symmetrically about the axis of the beam.

728 (2) Types of holes:
729 (a) Standard holes shall be used in the horizontal angles {G} and {H}.
730 (b) Either standard or oversized holes shall be used in the side plates and cover plates.
731 (c) Either standard or short-slotted holes (with the slot parallel to the beam axis) shall be used in
732 the angle of the vertical shear element (VSE), if applicable.
733 (3) Bolt holes in the side plates, cover plates, and longitudinal angles shall be made by drilling,
734 thermal cutting, punching, or sub-punching and reaming. Bolt hole fabrication using thermal
735 cutting is not permitted for plates thicker than 2 in. (50mm).
736 (4) All bolts shall be installed as pretensioned high-strength bolts.
737 (5) Bolts shall be pretensioned high-strength bolts conforming to ASTM F3125 grade A490, A490M,
738 or F2280 or ASTM F3148 (fixed spline assemblies). Bolt diameter is limited to 1-1/2 in. (38 mm)
739 maximum.
740 (6) The use of shim plates between the side plates and the cover plate or angles is permitted at either
741 or both locations, subject to the limitations of the RCSC Specification.
742 (7) Faying surfaces of side plates, cover plates, and angles shall have a Class A slip coefficient or
743 higher.
744 User Note: The use of oversized holes in the side plates and cover plates with pretensioned bolts
745 that are not designed as slip critical is permitted, consistent with AISC Seismic Provisions
746 Section D2.2. Although standard holes are permitted in the side plate and cover plate, their use
747 may result in field modifications to accommodate erection tolerances.
748
749 11.7. DESIGN PROCEDURE
750 Step 1. Choose trial frame beam and column section combinations that satisfy geometric compatibility
751 based on Equation 11.4-1 or 11.4-1M. For SMF systems, check that the section combinations satisfy
752 the preliminary column-beam moment ratio given by:
753 ∑ (FycZxc) > 1.7 ∑ (FybZxb) (11.7-1)
754 where
755 Fyb =specified minimum yield stress of beam, ksi (MPa)
756 Fyc = specified minimum yield stress of column, ksi (MPa)
757 Zxb = plastic section modulus of beam, in. 3 (mm3)
758 Zxc = plastic section modulus of column, in. 3 (mm3)
759 Step 2. Approximate the effects on global frame performance of the increase in lateral stiffness and
760 strength of the SidePlate moment connection due to beam hinge location and side plate stiffening in the
761 mathematical elastic steel frame computer model by using a 100% rigid offset in the panel zone, and by
762 increasing the moment of inertia, elastic section modulus, and plastic section modulus of the beam to
763 approximately three times that of the beam for a distance of approximately 77% of the beam depth
764 beyond the column face (approximately equal to the extension of the side plate beyond the face of the
765 column), illustrated in Figure 11.22.
766 SMF beams that have a combination of shallow depth and heavy weight (i.e., beams with a relatively
767 large flange area such as those found in the widest flange series of a particular nominal beam depth)
768 require that the extension of the side plate {A} be increased up to the nominal depth of the beam, d, for
769 field-welded connections and 1.7d for field-bolted connections.
770 User Note: This increase in extension of side plate {A} of the field-welded connection lengthens fillet
771 weld {7}, thus limiting the extremes in the size of fillet weld {7}. Regardless of the extension of the
772 side plate {A}, the plastic hinge occurs at a distance of d/3 and d/6 from the end of the side plates for
773 the field-welded and field bolted connections, respectively.
774 Step 3. Confirm that the frame beams and columns satisfy all applicable building code requirements,
775 including, but not limited to, stress or strength checks and design story drift checks.
776 Step 4. Confirm that the frame beam and column sizes comply with prequalification limitations in
777 accordance with Section 11.3.
778
779
780 Fig. 11.22. Modeling of component stiffness for linear-elastic analysis.

781 Step 5. Upon completion of the preliminary and/or final selection of lateral load-resisting frame beam
782 and column member sizes using SidePlate connection technology, the engineer of record submits a
783 computer model to SidePlate Systems, Inc. In addition, the engineer of record shall submit the
784 following additional information, as applicable:
785 Vgravity = factored gravity shear in moment frame beam resulting from the load combination of 1.2D
786 + f1L + 0.2S (where f1 is the load factor determined by the applicable building code for live
787 loads, but not less than 0.5), kips (N)
788 User Note: The load combination of 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S is in conformance with ASCE/SEI
789 7-16. When using the 2015 International Building Code, a factor of 0.7 must be used in lieu
790 of the factor of 0.2 for S (snow) when the roof configuration is such that it does not shed
791 snow off of the structure.
792 (a) Factored gravity shear loads, V1 and/or V2, from gravity beams that are not in the plane of the
793 moment frame, but connect to the exterior face of the side plate(s),
794 where
795 V1, V2 = beam shear force resulting from the load combination of 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S (where f1 is
796 the load factor determined by the applicable building code for live loads, but not less
797 than 0.5), kips (N)
798
799 (b) Factored gravity loads, Mcant and Vcant, from cantilever gravity beams that are not in the plane of
800 the moment frame, but connect to the exterior face of the side plate(s),
801 where
802 Mcant = cantilever beam moment resulting from code applicable load combinations, kip-in. (N-
803 mm)
804
805 Vcant = cantilever beam shear force resulting from code applicable load combinations, kips (N)
806 User Note: Code applicable load combinations may need to include the following when looking
807 at cantilever beams: 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S and (1.2 + 0.2SDS)D + QE + f1L + 0.2S, which are in
808 conformance with ASCE/SEI 7-16. When using the 2015 International Building Code, a factor
809 of 0.7 must be used in lieu of the factor of 0.2 for S (snow) when the roof configuration is such
810 that it does not shed snow off of the structure.
811 (c) Perpendicular amplified seismic lateral drag or chord axial forces, A, transferred through the
812 SidePlate connection.
813 A = amplified seismic drag or chord force resulting from the applicable building code, kips (N)
814 User Note: Where linear-elastic analysis is used to determine perpendicular collector or chord
815 forces used to design the SidePlate connection, such forces should include the applicable load
816 combinations specified by the building code, including consideration of the amplified seismic
817 load, Ωo. Where nonlinear analysis or capacity design is used, collector or chord forces
818 determined from the analysis are used directly, without consideration of additional amplified
819 seismic load.
820 (d) In-plane factored chord axial forces, A||, transferred along the frame beam through the SidePlate
821 connection.
822 A|| = amplified seismic chord force resulting from applicable building code, kips (N)
823 Step 6. Upon completion of the mathematical model review and after additional information has been
824 supplied by the engineer of record, SidePlate engineers provide project-specific connection designs.
825 Strength demands used for the design of critical load-transfer elements (plates, welds, and columns)
826 throughout the SidePlate beam-to-column connection and the column are determined by superimposing
827 maximum probable moment, Mpr, at the known beam hinge location, then amplifying the moment
828 demand to each critical design section based on the span geometry, as shown in Figure 11.9, and
829 including additional moment due to gravity loads. For each of the design elements of the connection,
830 the moment demand is calculated using Equation 11.7-2, and the associated shear demand is calculated
831 as:
832 M group  M pr  Vu x (11.7-2)
833 where
834 Cpr = connection-specific factor to account for peak connection strength, including strain
835 hardening, local restraint, additional reinforcement, and other connection conditions. The
836 equation used in the calculation of Cpr is provided by SidePlate as part of the connection
837 design.
838 User Note: In practice, the value of Cpr for SidePlate connections as determined from
839 testing and nonlinear analysis ranges from 1.15 to 1.35.
840 Fy = specified minimum yield stress of yielding element, ksi (MPa)

841 Lh = distance between plastic hinge locations, in. (mm)
842 Mgroup = maximum probable moment demand at any connection element, kip-in. (N-mm)
843 Mpr = maximum probable moment at the plastic hinge as defined in Section 2.4.3, kip-in. (N-mm),
844 calculated as:
845 M pr  C pr Ry Fy Z x (11.7-3)
846
847 Ry = ratio of expected yield stress to specified minimum yield stress, Fy
848 Vgravity = gravity beam shear resulting from 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S (where f1 is the load factor determined
849 by the applicable building code for live loads, but not less than 0.5), kips (N)
850 Vu = maximum shear demand from probable maximum moment and factored gravity loads, kips
851 (N), calculated as:

2M pr
852 Vu   Vgravity (11.7-4)
Lh
853 Zx = plastic section modulus of beam about x-axis, in.3 (mm3)
854 x = distance from plastic hinge location to centroid of connection element, in. (mm)
855 Step 7. SidePlate designs all connection elements according to the proprietary connection design
856 procedures contained in the SidePlate Connection Design Software (version 16 for field-welded and
857 version 17 for field-bolted connections). The version is clearly indicated on each page of calculations.
858 The final design includes structural notes and details for the connections.
859 User Note: The procedure uses an ultimate strength design approach to size plates and welds,
860 incorporating strength, plasticity, and fracture limits. For welds, an ultimate strength analysis
861 incorporating the instantaneous center of rotation may be used as described in AISC Steel Construction
862 Manual Section J2.4b. For bolt design, eccentric bolt group design methodology incorporating ultimate
863 strength of the bolts is used. Refer to the Commentary for an in-depth discussion of the process.
864 In addition to the column web panel zone strength requirements, the column web shear strength shall
865 be sufficient to resist the shear loads transferred at the top and bottom of the side plates. The design
866 shear strength of the column web shall be determined in accordance with AISC Specification Section
867 G2.1.
868 Step 8. Engineer of record reviews SidePlate calculations and drawings to ensure that all project-
869 specific connection designs have incorporated the information provided in Step 5.

870
CHAPTER 12
871
SIMPSON STRONG-TIE STRONG
872
FRAME MOMENT CONNECTION
873
874 The user’s attention is called to the fact that compliance with this chapter of the
875 standard requires use of an invention covered by patent rights.* By publication of this
876 standard, no position is taken with respect to the validity of any claim(s) or of any
877 patent rights in connection therewith. The patent holder has filed a statement of
878 willingness to grant a license under these rights on reasonable and nondiscriminatory
879 terms and conditions to applicants desiring to obtain such a license. The statement
880 may be obtained from the standard’s developer.
881 12.1. GENERAL

882 The Simpson Strong-Tie® (SST) Strong Frame® moment connection is a partially
883 restrained (Type PR) connection that uses a modified shear plate connection (single-
884 plate shear connection) for shear transfer and a modified T-stub or end-plate
885 connection (the Yield-Link® structural fuse) for moment transfer, as shown in Figure
886 12.1. The central bolt in the vertical line of bolts in the shear plate uses a standard bolt
887 hole and defines the center of rotation for the joint, while the rest of the bolt holes are
888 slotted to allow rotation of the beam around the central bolt. Matching holes in the
889 beam web are all standard holes. This prevents moment transfer through the shear
890 plate connection. The central bolt and all horizontally slotted shear plate bolts
891 participate in shear resistance. The central bolt is also designed, together with the
892 additional horizontally aligned bolts, to resist the axial force in the beam at the
893 connection. The modified T-stub and end-plate link connections, which bolt to both
894 the beam flange and column flange, are configured as yielding links and contain a
895 reduced yielding area in the stem of the link that is prevented from buckling in
896 compression via a separate buckling restraint plate. The connection is based on a
897 capacity-based design approach, wherein connection response remains elastic under
898 factored load combinations, and seismic inelastic rotation demand is confined
899 predominantly within the connection with little, if any, inelastic behavior expected
900 from the members.
901
902 12.2. SYSTEMS

903 The Simpson Strong-Tie connection is prequalified for use in special moment frame
904 (SMF) and intermediate moment frame (IMF) systems within the limits of these
905 provisions.
906 Exception: Simpson Strong-Tie connections with concrete structural slabs are
907 prequalified only if the concrete structural slab is kept at least 1 in. (25 mm) from both
908 sides of both column flanges. It is permitted to place compressible material in the gap
909 between the column flanges and the concrete structural slab.
910
911
912
913
914
915
*
916 The proprietary design of the Yield-Link structural fuse and its use in moment-resisting connections is
917 protected under U.S. Patent Nos: 8,375,652; 8,001,734; 8,763,310; Japan Pat. No. 5398980; and
918 China Pat. No. ZL200710301531.4. Other U.S and foreign patent protection are pending.
919
920

921
922
923
924 (a) T-stub Yield-Link
925
926
927 (b) End-plate Yield-Link
928 Fig. 12.1. Simpson Strong-Tie Strong Frame moment connection.
929

930

933 Beams shall satisfy the following limitations:
934 (1) Beams shall be rolled wide-flange or welded built-up I-shaped members.
935 (2) Beam depth is limited to:
936 (a) For T-stub Yield Links, a maximum of W36 (W920) for rolled shapes.
937 Beam depth for built-up members shall not exceed the maximum depth of
938 the permitted W36 (W920) shapes.
939 (b) For end-plate Yield-Links, minimum W8 to maximum W12 shapes. Beam
940 depth for built-up members shall comply with the minimum and maximum
941 depths permitted for W8 to W12 sections.
942 (3) There are no limits on the beam web width-to-thickness ratio beyond those listed
943 in the AISC Specification. The beam flange width-to-thickness ratio shall not
944 exceed r per Table B4.1b of the AISC Specification. Flange thickness shall be
945 designed in accordance with Step 10 in the Design Procedure and shall not be
946 less than 0.40 in. (10 mm).
947 (4) Lateral bracing of beams and joints: there are no requirements for stability
948 bracing of beams or joints beyond those in the AISC Specification.
949 (5) The protected zone shall consist of the Yield-Links, the shear plate, and the
950 portions of the beam in contact with the Yield-Links and shear plate.
951 User Note: Limits on beam weight and span-to-depth ratio are not required for
952 the SST moment connection because plastic hinging in the connection occurs
953 solely within the Yield-Links. Span-to-depth ratio is typically limited to control
954 moment gradient and beam shear, both of which are limited by the shear plate
955 connection within the design procedure.
957 Columns shall satisfy the following limitations:
958
959 (1) Columns shall be any of the rolled or built-up I-shaped members permitted in
960 Section 2.3.
961 (2) The beam shall be connected to the flange of the column.
962 (3) Column depth is limited to a maximum of W36 (W920) for rolled shapes.
963 Column depth for built-up members shall not exceed the maximum depth
964 permitted for W36 (W920) shapes.
965 (4) There is no limit on the weight per foot of columns.
966 (5) There are no additional requirements for flange thickness.
967 (6) Column width-to-thickness ratios shall comply with the following:

968 (a) Where column-to-foundation connections are designed to restrain column

969 end rotation, column width-to-thickness ratios shall comply with AISC
970 Seismic Provisions Table D1.1 for highly ductile members within the first
971 story.
972 (b) At other locations and for other conditions, column width-to-thickness
973 ratios shall comply with the AISC Specification.
974 (7) Lateral bracing of columns shall be provided in accordance with the AISC
975 Seismic Provisions.
976 Exception: When columns are designed in accordance with Section 12.9 and
977 maximum nominal flexural strength, Mn, outside the panel zone is limited such
978 that Mn ≤ FySx, it is permitted that bracing be provided at the level of the top
979 flange of the beam only.
980 3. Bolting Limitations
981 Bolts shall conform to the requirements of Chapter 4.
982 Exceptions:
983
984 (1) The following connections shall be made with ASTM F3125 Grade A325 or
985 A325M bolts installed either as snug-tight or pretensioned, except as noted. It
986 shall be permitted to use ASTM F3125 Grade F1852 bolts for pretensioned
987 applications.
988 (a) Yield-Link flange- or end plate-to-column flange bolts
989 (b) Buckling restraint plate bolts installed snug tight
990 (c) Shear-plate bolts
991 (2) The Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange bolts shall be pretensioned ASTM F3125
992 Grade A325, A325M, A490, A490M, F1852 or F2280 bolt assemblies. Faying
993 surface preparation between the Yield-Link stem and beam flange shall not be
994 required, but faying surfaces shall not be painted.

996 Beam connection-to-column connections shall satisfy the following limitations:
997 (1) Panel zones shall conform to the requirements of the AISC Specification.
998 (2) Column-beam connection moment ratios shall be limited as follows:
999 (a) For SMF systems, the column-beam connection moment ratio shall
1000 conform to the requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions. The value
1001 of  M *pb shall be taken equal to   M pr  M uv  , where Mpr is
1002 calculated according to Equation 12.9-27, and where Muv is the additional
1003 moment due to shear amplification from the center of the vertical line of
1004 bolts in the shear plate to the centerline of the column. Muv is calculated as
1005 Vu  a  d c 2  , where Vu is the shear at the shear-plate connection
1006 calculated in Section 12.9, Step 12, a is the distance from the centerline of
1007 the shear-plate shear bolts to the face of the column as shown in Figure
1008 12.3(c), and dc is the depth of the column.
1009 (b) For IMF systems, the column-beam moment ratio shall conform to the
1010 requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions.
1011 12.5. CONTINUITY PLATES

1012 Continuity plates shall satisfy the following limitations:
1013 (1) The need for continuity plates shall be determined in accordance with Section
1014 12.9.
1015 (2) Where required, design of continuity plates shall be in accordance with the AISC
1016 Specification.
1017 (3) Continuity plates may be welded to the column flange and column web with
1018 fillet welds.
1019 12.6. YIELD-LINK FLANGE-TO-STEM WELD LIMITATIONS

1020 Yield-Link flange-to-stem connections may be CJP groove welds or double-sided
1021 fillet welds.
1022 (1) CJP groove welds shall conform to the requirements of demand critical welds in
1023 the AISC Seismic Provisions.
1024 (2) Double-sided fillet welds shall be designed to develop the tensile strength of the
1025 unreduced Yield-Link stem at the column side, bcol-side, and shall be demand
1026 critical.
1027 12.7. FABRICATION OF YIELD-LINK CUTS

1028 The reduced section of the Yield-Link shall be cut using the following methods: laser,
1029 plasma or water-jet method. Maximum roughness of the cut surface shall be 250 µ-in.
1030 (6.5 microns) in accordance with ASME B46.1. All transitions between the reduced
1031 section of the Yield-Link and the nonreduced sections of the Yield-Link shall utilize a
1032 smooth radius, R, as shown in Figure 12.2(a), where R equals the thickness of the link
1033 stem, tstem.
1034 Cutting tolerance at the reduced section shall be plus or minus 1/16 in. (2 mm) from
1035 the theoretical cut line.
1036
1037
1038 (a) Yield-Link plan view
1039

1040
1041 (b) Yield-Link elevation view
1042
1043
1044 (c) Yield-Link flange view
1045 Fig. 12.2. Yield-Link geometries.
1046

1048 1. Beam Coping
1049 Beams shall be coped in accordance with Figure 12.3(a).
1050 2. Yield-Links
1051 Yield-Links shall conform to the requirements of Figures 12.2 and 12.3, and shall be
1052 fabricated using ASTM A572 Grade 50 material or rolled sections conforming to the
1053 ASTM A992 or ASTM A913 Grade 50 specification. Each pair of Yield-Link stems
1054 at a connection shall be cut from the same heat of material. Minimum Yield-Link
1055 stem thickness shall be 0.50 in. (13 mm) and maximum Yield-Link stem thickness
1056 shall be 1.0 in. (25 mm), with a thickness tolerance in accordance with ASTM A6.
1057 Yield-Link flange edge distances, Lv and Lh, shall conform to AISC Specification
1058 Tables J3.4 or J3.4M.
1059 3. Shear-Plate Connection Bolts
1060 The shear-plate connection bolts shall be designed to resist the required axial and
1061 shear forces, see Figure 12.1 and Section 12.9, Step 15.
1062 4. Shear-Plate Shear Connection Welds

1063 The single-shear plate connection shall be welded to the column flange or end plate
1064 using double-sided fillet welds, PJP welds, or CJP welds, sized in accordance with
1065 Section 12.9, Step 15.4.
1066 5. Bolt Hole Requirements
1067 (a) Standard bolt holes shall be provided in the beam flanges and beam webs.
1068 Oversized holes or vertical slots are permitted in the column flanges with T-stub
1069 Yield-Links. Standard size bolt holes shall be used in the end plate and column
1070 flanges when using end-plate Yield-Links.
1071 (b) The central bolt hole in the shear plate shall be a standard hole. Remaining bolt
1072 holes for bolts resisting shear and axial forces shall be slotted to accommodate a
1073 connection rotation of at least 0.07 rad.
1074 6. Buckling Restraint Assembly
1075 The buckling restraint assembly consists of the buckling restraint plate, the buckling
1076 restraint spacer plate, and the buckling restraint bolts, and shall conform to the
1077 requirements of Figure 12.3. Design of the buckling restraint plate assembly shall be
1078 in accordance with Section 12.9, Step 10. The buckling restraint plate shall be a
1079 minimum of 0.875-in. (22 mm) thick, with a specified minimum yield stress Fy ≥ 50
1080 ksi (345 MPa). The buckling restraint plate shall extend from the centerline of the
1081 vertical shear bolt holes to the end of the cut region of the Yield-Link plate. The
1082 buckling restraint spacer plate shall have the same thickness as the Yield-Link stem,
1083 with a specified minimum yield stress Fy ≥ 36 ksi (250 MPa). Buckling restraint bolts
1084 shall have a minimum diameter of 0.625 in. (16 mm).
1085 7. Shims
1086 The use of finger shims at the T-stub or end-plate Yield-Link flange-to-column flange
1087 is permitted, subjected to the limitations of the RCSC Specification.
1088
1089
1090 (a) Beam coping
1091

1092
1093
1094 (b) Buckling restraint spacer plate placement
1095
1096 (c) Buckling restraint plate and Yield-Link Lcol-side limitations
1097
Le Le Le S Le Le S S Le
Min. 2 x db-brp
Min. 2 x db-brp
Min. 2 x db-brp
db-brp db-brp
db-brp typ. typ.
Ly-link/2 Ly-link/2 Ly-link/2
Min. Min. Min.
1 Bolt 2 Bolts 3 Bolts

1098
1099 (d) Buckling restraint spacer plate dimensions
1100 Fig. 12.3. Connection detailing.


1102 Step 1. Choose trial values for the beam sections and column sections subject to the
1103 prequalification limits of Section 12.3 assuming fully restrained beam-to-column
1104 connections and all load combinations specified by the applicable building code.
1105 Estimate the design story drift for compliance with the applicable limits specified by
1106 the applicable building code as 1.2 times larger than the value calculated assuming
1107 fully restrained connections.
1108 Step 2. Check the strength and deflection of the beam assuming the beam is simply
1109 supported between shear-plate connections. Check the beam strength for the
1110 applicable vertical load combinations of the applicable building code. Check that the
1111 deflection of the beam under dead and live loads is less than Lh/360, where Lh is the
1112 length of the beam between the center of the shear-plate shear bolts at each end of the
1113 beam.
1114 User Note: The deflection check serves to estimate beam stiffness needed to limit
1115 member end rotations. Other values may be acceptable.
1116 Step 3. Estimate the required Yield-Link yield strength from Step 1.
1117 Pylink  M u  b d  (12.9-1)
1118 Ay link  Pylink Fy link (12.9-2)
1119
1120 where
1121 Ay link = estimated required Yield-Link yield area, in.2 (mm2)
1122 Fy link = specified minimum yield stress of Yield-Link stem material, ksi (MPa)
1123 Mu = moment demand from elastic analysis assuming fully restrained
1124 connections, kip-in. (N-mm)
1125 Pylink = estimated required Yield-Link yield force, kips (N)
1126 d = depth of beam, in. (mm)
1127 b = 0.90
1128
1129 Step 4. Determine the nonreduced width and length of the Yield-Link at column side,
1130 see Figure 12.2(a).
1131 Step 4.1. Determine nonreduced Yield-Link stem widths, bcol-side and bbm-side.
1132 User Note: Try setting bcol-side and bbm-side equal to the minimum of beam flange
1133 width and column flange width, respectively.
1134 Step 4.2. Nonreduced Yield-Link stem length at column side, Lcol-side, shall
1135 have a maximum length equal to 5 in. (127 mm) and a minimum length equal
1136 to a − tflange + 1 in. (a − tflange + 25 mm). See Figure 12.3(c).
1137 Step 5. Determine the width of the yielding section of the Yield-Link stem,
1138 byield, where the thickness of the Yield-Link stem, tstem, shall be taken as 1/2 in. (13
1139 mm) minimum and 1 in. (25 mm) maximum.
1140 byield,req’d ≥ Ay link tstem (12.9-3)
1141 The value of byield,req’d shall not exceed the least of 0.5bcol-side, 0.5bbm-side, or 6 in. (150
1142 mm).
1143 Step 6. Determine the minimum yielding length of the Yield-Link stem, Ly-link, such
1144 that the axial strain in the straight portion of the Yield-Link is less than or equal to
1145 0.085 in./in. at 0.05 rad of connection rotation.
0.05  d  tstem 
1146 Ly link     2R (12.9-4)
0.085  2 
1147 Step 7. Compute the expected yield strength and probable maximum tensile strength
1148 of the Yield-Link.
1149 Pye-link = Ay-link Ry Fy-link (12.9-5)
1150 Pr-link = Ay-link Rt Fu-link (12.9-6)
1151 where
1152 Ay-link = area of reduced Yield-Link section (byield)(tstem ), in.2 (mm2)
1153 Fu-link = specified minimum tensile strength of Yield-Link stem material, ksi (MPa)
1154 Rt = ratio of expected tensile strength to specified minimum tensile strength,
1155 Fu, as related to overstrength in material yield stress, Ry; taken as 1.2 for
1156 Yield-Link stem material
1157 Ry = ratio of the expected yield stress to specified minimum yield stress, Fy;
1158 taken as 1.1 for Yield-Link stem material
1159 Step 8. Determine the nonreduced width, bbm-side, and length, Lbm-side, at beam side of
1160 the Yield-Link using Pr-link from Step 7.
1161 Step 8.1. Design bolts for shear transfer between the Yield-Link stem and the
1162 beam flange according to the AISC Specification and determine the bolt
1163 diameter, db-stem.
1164 Step 8.2. Determine the nonreduced width of the Yield-Link stem on the beam
1165 side, bbm-side.
1166 User Note: Try setting bbm-side equal to bcol-side from Step 4.1.
1167 Step 8.3. Determine the nonreduced length of the Yield-Link stem at beam
1168 side, Lbm-side.
1169 Lbm side  sc   nrows  1 sstem   sb (12.9-7)
1170 where
1171 nrows= number of rows of bolts from Step 8.1.
1172 sb = distance from center of last row of bolts to beam-side end of Yield-
1173 Link stem, from Table J3.4 of the AISC Specification, in. (mm)
1174 sc = distance from center of first row of bolts to reduced section of

1175 Yield-Link, from Table J3.4 of the AISC Specification, in. (mm)
1176 sstem = spacing between rows of bolts for Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange
1177 connection, minimum 2⅔db-stem, in. (mm)
1178 Step 8.4. Check the Yield-Link stem at the beam side for tensile yielding,
1179 tensile rupture, block shear rupture, and bolt bearing (where deformation at the
1180 hole is a design consideration) according to the AISC Specification. Check the
1181 beam flange for bolt bearing (where deformation at the bolt hole is a design
1182 consideration) and block shear rupture according to the AISC Specification.
1183
1184 Step 9. Design the Yield-Link flange-to-column flange or end-plate connection using
1185 Pr-link from Step 7.
1186 Step 9.1. Design bolts for tension force transfer between the Yield-Link flange
1187 or end plate and the column flange according to the AISC Specification and
1188 determine the diameter of the flange bolts, db-flange. The required tension force
1189 per bolt in the Yield-Link flange-to-column flange connection, rt, is:
1190 For T-stub Yield-Link:

Pr link
1191 rt  (12.9-8)
4
1192 For end-plate Yield-Link:
M pr v a
1193 rt   u (12.9-9)
2  ho  h1  2h1
1194
1195 where ho and h1 are defined in Table 6.2 of Chapter 6 Bolted Unstiffened and
1196 Stiffened Extended End-Plate Moment Connections,
1197
1198 Step 9.1a: For end-plate Yield-Link connections, check bolt shear rupture
1199 strength of the connection provided by bolts at the compression flange only
1200 using Equation 6.8-11 in Chapter 6.
1201
1202 Step 9.2. Determine the thickness of the Yield-Link flange, tflange, required to
1203 prevent prying action.
4rt b
1204 t flange  (12.9-10)
pd Fu
1205 b   b  db -flange 2  (12.9-11)
1206 where
1207 b = vertical distance from centerline of bolts in Yield-Link flange to
1208 face of Yield-Link stem, in. (mm)
1209 db-flange= diameter of bolt connecting Yield-Link flange and column flange,
1210 in. (mm)
1211 p = minimum of bflange/2 or sflange, in. (mm)
1212
1213 Step 9.3. Check the thickness of the Yield-Link flange, tflange, for shear yielding
1214 and shear rupture according to the AISC Specification.
1215
1216 Step 9.3a. For end-plate Yield-Link connections, check shear yielding and
1217 shear rupture of the extended portion of the end plate using Equations 6.8-7 and
1218 6.8-8 in Chapter 6.
1219
1220 Step 9.3b. For end-plate Yield-Link connections, check bolt bearing/tearout
1221 failure of the end plate and column flange using Equation 6.8-12 in Chapter 6.
1222
1223 Step 9.4. Design the stem-to-flange weld of the Yield-Link as either a CJP
1224 weld or a double-sided fillet weld that will develop the tensile strength of the
1225 Yield-Link at the column side, Pr-weld :
1226 Pr  weld  bcol sidetstem Rt Fu link (12.9-12)
1227 Step 10. Design the buckling restraint assembly

1228 Step 10.1. Determine the minimum thickness of the buckling restraint plate
1229 (BRP) to prevent yielding during compression of the link stem. BRP thickness
1230 shall not be less than 0.875in.:

 Lcant  Pr link 
1231 tBRP  min  0.51 (12.9-13)
 Fy  BRP  Ry  BRP  bn
1232 where
1233 Fy-BRP = specified minimum yield strength of BRP material, ksi (MPa)
1234 Lcant = lever arm from start of reduced region to edge of spacer plate bolt
1235 hole, plus plate stretch from 0.05 rad of rotation, in. (mm). See
1236 Figure 12.4(a).
1237 Ry-BRP = ratio of the expected yield stress to specified minimum yield stress,
1238 Fy-BRP, taken as 1.1 for BRP material
1239 bn = net width of BRP, in. (mm)
1240 Step 10.2. Determine minimum beam flange thickness to prevent yielding and
1241 BRP bolt induced prying. Minimum flange thickness shall not be less than 0.4
1242 in.
4bTux
1243 tbf  min  (12.9-14)
d pe Fub
1244 where
1245 Fub = specified minimum tensile strength of the beam material, ksi (MPa)
1246 Tux = vertical thrust force transferred by one restraint bolt, kips (kN)
Q
1247 = (12.9-15)
nBRP bolts
1248 b = the distance from the bolt centerline to the beam centerline, in. (mm)
1249 pe = effective (tributary) length per bolt from the yield line pattern, in.
1250 (mm)
1251
1252 where
1253 Q = total vertical thrust force on the beam flange, kips (kN)
1254 =NdesignQi (12.9-15)
1255 nBRP-bolts = total number of BRP bolts
1256 Ndesign = the number of contact points between the reduced region of the link
1257 stem and the BRP or beam flange (rounded to the nearest integer)
 1  Ly link
1258   (12.9-16)
 2  lo
1259 lo = effective buckling wave length [see Fig. 12.4 (b)]:
1
1900 I y   byield  
1260 = 1    1.013   (12.9-17)
Pr link   2 g  

1261 Iy = weak axis moment of inertia of reduced link stem region, in. 4 (mm4)
1262 g = gap increase due to transverse shortening of the Yield-Link thickness, in.
1263 (mm)
1264 = 0.25target tstem (12.9-18)

 d  tstem 
0.04  
1265 target   2  (12.9-19)
Ly link  2 R
4 gPr link
1266 Qi  (12.9-20)
lo
1267 Step 10.3. Determine the BRP bolt size and quantity
1268 Design BRP bolts for tension + shear interaction for out-of-plane thrust
1269 according to the AISC Specification, where Tux is from Step 10.2 and the shear
1270 is:
1271 Vux  k Tux (12.9-21)
1272 where kis the coefficient of dry kinetic friction, taken as 0.3.
1273 Check the BRP bolts for the in-plane shear thrust force exerted on each spacer
1274 plate, Vuy, in the strong axis direction:
1275
0.5Pr link
1276 Vuy  (12.9-22)
1900 I x  1
1   4tstem  1.013 
Pr link  
1277 where
1278 Ix = strong axis moment of inertia of reduced link stem region, in. 4 (mm4)
1279
1280 (a) BRP cantilever length
1281
1282 (b) Buckling wavelength and thrust forces
1283 Fig. 12.4. Buckling restraint assembly parameters.
1284
1285 Step 11. Verify the elastic frame drift and connection moment demand by accounting
1286 for actual connection stiffness.
1287 Step 11.1. Model the connection using a pair of nonlinear axial links or a
1288 nonlinear rotational spring at each connection determined from the following
1289 properties:
1290 K1 = elastic axial stiffness contribution due to bending stiffness in

1291 Yield-Link flange, kip/in. (N/mm)
 wcol  side t 3flange 
 0.75192  E  

12
1292 =   (12.9-23)
g 3flange
1293
1294 K2 = elastic axial stiffness contribution due to non-yielding section of
1295 Yield-Link, kip/in. (N/mm)
tstembcol  side E
1296 = (12.9-24)
Lcol  side  sc  lv
1297 where
1298 lv = 0 when four or fewer bolts are used at Yield-Link-to-beam
1299 connection
1300 = sstem/2 when more than four bolts are used at Yield-Link-to-
1301 beam connection
1302
1303 K3 = elastic axial stiffness contribution due to yielding section of Yield-
1304 Link, kip/in. (N/mm)
tstem byield E
1305 = (12.9-25)
Ly link
1306
1307 Keff = effective elastic axial stiffness of Yield-Link, kip/in. (N/mm)
K1 K 2 K3
1308 = (12.9-26)
( K1 K 2  K 2 K3  K1 K3 )
1309
1310 Mpr = probable maximum moment capacity of Yield-Link pair, kip-in.
1311 (N-mm)
1312 = Pr link (d  tstem ) (12.9-27)
1313
1314 Mye-link = expected yield moment of Yield-Link pair, kip-in. (N-mm)
1315 = Pye link (d  tstem ) (12.9-28)
1316
1317 nbolt = number of bolts in Yield-Link stem-to-beam flange connection
1318
1319 0.04 = axial deformation in Yield-Link at a connection rotation of 0.04
1320 rad
0.04(d  tstem )
1321 = (12.9-29)
2
1322
1323 0.07 = axial deformation in Yield-Link at a connection rotation of 0.07
1324 rad
0.07(d  tstem )
1325 = (12.9-30)
2
1326
1327 y = axial deformation in Yield-Link at expected yield, in. (mm)
Pye link
1328 = (12.9-31)
Keff
1329
1330
1331 y = connection rotation at expected yield of Yield-Link, rad
y
1332 = (12.9-32)
0.5  d  tstem 
1333 All other terms were previously defined or shown in Figure 12.2. Refer to
1334 Figure 12.5(a) for a plot of Yield-Link axial force versus Yield-Link axial
1335 deformation. Refer to Figure 12.5(b) for the moment versus rotation
1336 relationship required for the analysis and modeling of the SST moment
1337 connection.
1338 Step 11.2. Considering the applicable drift limit and all applicable load
1339 combinations specified by the applicable building code, but not including the
1340 overstrength seismic load, verify that:
1341 (a) The connection moment demand, Mu, is less than or equal to the
1342 connection available flexural strength, Mn, taking  as 0.90 and Mn as
1343 Mye-link/Ry.
1344 (b) The drift complies with applicable limits.
1345 Adjust connection stiffness and/or number of connections as needed to comply.
1346 Step 12. Determine the required shear strength, Vu, of the beam and beam web-to-
1347 column flange connection using:
2M pr
1348 Vu   Vgravity (12.9-33)
Lh
1349 where
1350 Lh = horizontal distance between centerlines of the shear bolts in shear plate at
1351 each end of beam, in. (mm)
1352 Vgravity = shear force in the beam, kips (N), resulting from 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S (where
1353 f1 is the load factor determined by the applicable building code for live
1354 loads, but not less than 0.5). The shear force at the shear plate connection
1355 shall be determined from a free-body diagram of the portion of the beam
1356 between the shear plate connections.
1357 User Note: The load combination of 1.2D + f1L + 0.2S is in conformance with
1358 ASCE/SEI 7-16. When using the International Building Code, a factor of 0.7 must be
1359 used in lieu of the factor of 0.2 for S (snow) when the roof configuration is such that
1360 it does not shed snow off the structure.
1361 Step 13. Verify the beam and column sizes selected in Step 1.
1362 Step 13.1. Beams shall satisfy the AISC Specification considering:
1363 (a) Vertical load from all applicable load combinations.
1364 (b) Axial force due to seismic effects determined as the minimum of the
1365 maximum the system can deliver or as determined from the overstrength
1366 seismic load.
1367 (c) The application of Mpr at each end of the beam as required.
1368 Step 13.2. Column strength shall satisfy the AISC Specification considering
1369 loads from all applicable load combinations in the applicable building code,
1370 where the seismic effects are determined from the minimum of either the
1371 maximum the system can deliver or the overstrength seismic loads. According
1372 to Section 12.3.2(7), if column bracing is only provided at the level of the top
1373 flange of the beam, in addition to the requirements of the AISC Specification,
1374 the maximum available flexural strength of the column outside the panel zone,
1375 bMn, shall be taken as bMn ≤ bFySx, where b = 0.90.
1376
1377 AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

1378
1379
1380
1381 (a) Yield-Link axial force vs. Yield-Link axial deformation
1382
1383
1384
1385 (b) Connection moment vs. rotation
1386 Fig. 12.5. Simpson Strong-Tie moment connection modeling parameters.
1387
1388 Step 14. Check the column-beam relationship limitations according to Section 12.4.
1389 Step 15. Design the beam web-to-column flange connection for the following
1390 required strengths:
1391 Mu-sp = moment in shear plate at column face, kip-in. (N-mm)

1392 = Vun a
1393 Pu-sp = required axial strength of the connection, taken as the minimum of the
1394 following:
1395 (1) The maximum axial force the system can deliver.
1396 (2) The axial force calculated using the load combinations of the
1397 applicable building code, including the overstrength seismic load.
1398
1399 Vu = Vu from Step 12.

1400 a = horizontal distance from centerline of the shear bolt holes in shear plate to
1401 face of the column, in. (mm). See Figure 12.3(c).
1402 Step 15.1.
1403 (a) Calculate the maximum shear plate bolt shear, Vu-bolt,, by sizing the shear
1404 plate central bolt to take the required axial and shear load from the beam.
1405
2 2
 Pu  sp   Vu 
1406 Vu bolt       (12.9-34)
 nbolt  sp  horz   nbolt  sp vert 
1407 where
1408 nbolt-sp-horz = total number of horizontal bolts resisting axial force in the
1409 shear plate in line with the central bolt.
1410 nbolt-sp-vert = total number of vertical bolts resisting shear force in the
1411 shear plate
1412 (b) Select a bolt diameter, db-sp, that satisfies the AISC Specification.
1413 Step 15.2. Determine the shear-plate geometry required to accommodate a

1414 connection rotation of ±0.07 rad.
1415
 nbolt  sp vert  1 
1416 Lslot  horz  db  sp  8 in.  0.14svert   (12.9-35)
 2 
 nbolt  sp vert  1 
1417 Lslot  horz  db  sp  3 mm  0.14svert   (12.9-35M)
 2 
1418 Lslot vert  db  sp  8 in.  0.14shorz  nbolt  sp horz  1 (12.9-36)
1419 Lslot vert  db  sp  3 mm  0.14shorz  nbolt  sp  horz  1 (12.9-36M)
1420 where
1421 db-sp = diameter of bolts in shear plate, in. (mm)
1422 shorz = horizontal bolt spacing, in. (mm)
1423 svert = vertical bolt spacing, in. (mm)
1424
1425 Step 15.3. Check the shear plate for tension and shear yielding, tension and
1426 shear rupture, block shear, combined tension and flexural yielding at the
1427 column face, and bolt bearing, where deformation at the bolt hole is a design
1428 consideration, according to the AISC Specification.

1429 Step 15.4. Size the weld at the shear plate-to-column flange or end-plate joint
1430 to develop the plate in shear, tension, and bending. For double fillet welds, the
1431 minimum leg size shall be 5/8tp.
1432 Step 15.5. Check the beam web for tension and shear yielding, tension and
1433 shear rupture, block shear, and bolt bearing, where deformation at the bolt hole
1434 is a design consideration, according to the AISC Specification.
1435 Step 15.6. Detail the beam flange and web cope such that the flange begins at a
1436 point aligned with the centerline of the shear-plate shear bolts. Check entering
1437 and tightening clearances as appropriate. See Figure 12.3(a).
1438 User Note: Checking the beam web for flexure at the cope is not required because the
1439 flange copes do not extend beyond the centerline of the shear bolts in the beam shear-
1440 plate connection.
1441 Step 16. Check the column panel zone shear strength in accordance with the AISC
1442 Specification. The required shear strength shall be determined from the summation of
1443 the probable maximum axial strengths of the Yield-Link. Doubler plates shall be used
1444 as required.
1445 Step 17. Check the column web for the concentrated force(s) of Pr-link according to the
1446 AISC Specification.
1447 Step 18. Check the minimum column flange thickness for flexural yielding.
1.11M pr
1448 tcfmin  (12.9-37)
d FycYc
1449 where
1450 Fyc = specified minimum yield strength of column flange material, ksi (MPa)
1451 Yc = column flange yield line mechanism parameter from Table 6.5 or 6.3. For
1452 connections away from column ends, Table 6.5 shall be used. For connections
1453 at column ends, Table 6.3 shall be used. An unstiffened column flange
1454 connection at the end of a column may be used where a rational analysis
1455 demonstrates that the unstiffened column flange design flexural strength, as
1456 controlled by flexural yielding of the column flange, meets or exceeds the
1457 connection moment demand, Mpr-link.
1458 Step 19. If a continuity plate or stiffener plate is required for any of the column limit
1459 states in Steps 17 and 18, the required strength, Fsu, is
1460 Fsu = Pr-link – minimum (Rn) (12.9-38)
1461 where
1462 Rn = design strengths from Step 17, kips (N)
1463 Step 19.1. Design the continuity plate or stiffener plate according to the AISC
1464 Specification.
1465 Step 19.2. Design the stiffener-to-column web weld and the stiffener to-column
1466 flange weld according to the AISC Specification.
1467 The continuity plate or stiffener shall conform to AISC Specification Section J10.8
1468 and shall have a minimum thickness of 1/4 in. (6 mm).
1469
1470

1471
1472
COMMENTARY
1473 On Prequalified Connections for
1474 Special and Intermediate
1475
Steel Moment Frames for
1476
Seismic Applications
1477
Supplement No. 2
1478
1479 Draft dated August 2, 2019
1480
1481
1482
1483 This Commentary is not part of ANSI/AISC 358-16, Prequalified Connections for
1484 Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for Seismic Applications or AISC 358s2-
1485 20, Supplement No. 2. It is included for informational purposes only.
1486 INTRODUCTION
1487 This Standard is intended to be complete for normal design usage.
1488
1489 The Commentary furnishes background information and references for the benefit of the
1490 design professional seeking further understanding of the basis, derivations, and limits of
1491 the Standard.
1492
1493 The Standard and Commentary are intended for use by design professionals with
1494 demonstrated engineering competence.
1495
1496

1497 CHAPTER 11
1498
SIDEPLATE MOMENT CONNECTION
1499 11.1. GENERAL
1500 The SidePlate® moment connection is a post-Northridge connection system that
1501 uses a configuration of redundant interconnecting structural plates, fillet weld
1502 groups, and high-strength pretensioned bolts (as applicable), which act as
1503 positive and discrete load transfer mechanisms to resist and transfer applied
1504 moment, shear and axial load from the connecting beam(s) to the column. This
1505 load transfer minimizes highly restrained conditions and triaxial strain
1506 concentrations that typically occur in flange-welded moment connection
1507 geometries. The connection system is used for both new and retrofit construction
1508 and for a multitude of design hazards such as earthquakes, extreme winds, and
1509 blast and progressive collapse mitigation.
1510 The wide range of applications for SidePlate connection technology, including
1511 the methodologies used in the fabrication and erection shown herein, are
1512 protected by one or more U.S. and foreign patents identified at the bottom of the
1513 first page of Chapter 11. Information on the SidePlate moment connection can
1514 be found at www.sideplate.com. SidePlate moment connections not specifically
1515 designed by SidePlate Systems Inc. shall be considered unauthorized and not
1516 prequalified and shall not be manufactured.
1517 SidePlate moment connections are designed and detailed in two types:
1518 1. Field-welded connection
1519 2. Field-bolted connection
1520 Both types are fully restrained connections of beams to columns conforming to
1521 AISC 358-16, Section 2.2. Figures 11.1 and 11.2 show the field-welded and
1522 field-bolted connections’ various configurations, respectively. The field-bolted
1523 connection is available in three configurations as shown in Figure 11.3:
1524 configuration A (standard), configuration B (narrow), and configuration C
1525 (tuck). The field-bolted connection is also referred to as the SidePlate Plus
1526 Connection.
1527 Moment frames that utilize the SidePlate connection system may be constructed
1528 using one of three methods. The most common construction method uses a full-
1529 length beam for erection, namely SidePlate FRAME® configuration, as shown in
1530 Figure C-11.1(a) and (b). This method employs a full-length beam assembly
1531 consisting of the beam with shop-installed cover plates {B}/angles {H} (if
1532 required) and vertical shear elements (as applicable), which are either fillet-
1533 welded or bolted near the ends of the beam depending on the type of the
1534 connection.
1535 Column assemblies are typically delivered to the job site with the horizontal
1536 shear plates {D} (as applicable) and side plates {A} shop welded to the column
1537 at the proper floor framing locations. Where built-up box columns or HSS
1538 columns are used, horizontal shear plates {D} are not required nor applicable.
1539 For the field-welded option: During frame erection, the full-length beam
1540 assemblies are lifted up in between the side plates {A} that are kept spread apart
1541 at the top edge of the side plates {A} with a temporary shop-installed spreader
1542 [Figure C-11.1(a)]. A few bolts connecting the beam’s vertical shear plates {C}
1543 (shear elements as applicable) to adjacent free ends of the side plates {A} are
1544 initially inserted to provide temporary shoring of the full-length beam assembly,
1545 after which the temporary spreader is removed. The remaining erection bolts (as
1546 many as can be installed) are then inserted and installed to a snug-tight
1547 condition. These erection bolts can also act as a clamp to effectively close or
1548 minimize potential root gaps that might have existed between the interior face of
1549 the side plates {A} and the longitudinal edges of the top cover plate {B} while
1550 bringing the top face of the wider bottom cover plate {B} into a snug fit with the
1551 bottom edges of the side plates {A}. To complete the field assembly, four
1552 horizontal fillet welds joining the side plates {A} to the cover plates {B} are
1553 then deposited in the horizontal welding position (position 2F per AWS
1554 D1.1/D1.1M), and, when applicable, two vertical single-pass field fillet welds
1555 joining the side plates {A} to the vertical shear elements (VSE) are deposited in
1556 the vertical welding position (position 3F per AWS D1.1/D1.1M). Alternately,
1557 this can be configured such that the width of bottom cover plate {B} is equal to
1558 the width of the top cover plate {B} (i.e., both cover plates {B} fit within the
1559 separation of the side plates {A}, which would also be slightly deeper in their
1560 lengths to accommodate), in lieu of the bottom cover plate {B} being wider than
1561 the distance between side plates {A}. Note that when this option is selected by
1562 the engineer, the two bottom fillet welds connecting the bottom cover plates {B}
1563 to the side plates {A} will be deposited in the overhead welding position
1564 (position 4F per AWS D1.1/D1.1M).
1565 For the field-bolted option: During frame erection, the full-length beam
1566 assemblies are typically dropped down in between the side plates {A} that are
1567 kept spread apart at the bottom edge of the side plates {A} with a temporary
1568 shop-installed spreader [Figure C-11.1(b)]. A few bolts/fasteners assemblies
1569 connecting the beam’s top cover plate {B} (or vertical shear plates {C} as
1570 applicable) to adjacent free ends of the longitudinal angles on the side plates
1571 {A} (or the side plates {A} themselves) are initially inserted to provide
1572 temporary shoring of the full-length beam assembly, after which the temporary
1573 spreader is removed. Shim plates may be installed between the side plates {A}
1574 and the cover plate {B} or longitudinal angles if required. The remaining
1575 bolts/fastener assemblies are then inserted to a snug-tight specification in a
1576 systematic assembly within the joint, progressing from the most rigid part of the
1577 joint until the connected plies are in as firm as contact as practicable. These
1578 bolts should clamp and effectively minimize any gaps that might have existed
1579 between the interior face of the side plates {A} and the longitudinal edges of the
1580 angles and that of the interface between the bottom face of the top cover plate
1581 {B} and the top longitudinal angles {G} on the exterior face of the side plates
1582 {A} (configuration A and configuration C). If the gaps are not closed during this
1583 process, it is acceptable to use a full length shim plate up to ¼” without penalty.
1584 Gaps that cannot be closed that are greater than ¼” should be documented, and
1585 SidePlate Systems, Inc., should be contacted for further consultation. Note that
1586 the standard and tuck configurations (configuration A and configuration C) have
1587 a pair of angles attached to the bottom flange of the beam, and the narrow
1588 configuration (configuration B) consists of pairs of angles attached to both the
1589 top and bottom flanges of the beam. To complete the field assembly, the second
1590 step of the pretensioning methodology is the subsequent systematic
1591 pretensioning of all bolt/fastener assemblies; they shall progress in a similar
1592 manner as was done for the snug-tight condition, from the most rigid part of the
1593 joint that will minimize relaxation of previously pretensioned bolts.
1594 Where the full-length beam erection method (SidePlate FRAME configuration)
1595 is not used, the original SidePlate moment configuration may be used (second
1596 method). The original SidePlate moment configuration utilizes the link-beam
1597 erection method, which connects a link beam assembly to the beam stubs of two
1598 opposite column tree assemblies with field complete-joint-penetration (CJP)
1599 groove welds [Figures C-11.1(c) and 11.1(d)]. As a third method, in cases where

1600 moment frames can be shop prefabricated and shipped to the site in one piece,
1601 no field bolting or welding is required [Figure C-11.1(e)].
1602 The SidePlate moment connection is proportioned to develop the probable
1603 maximum flexural strength of the connected beam. Beam flexural, axial and
1604 shear forces are typically transferred to the top and bottom rectangular cover
1605 plates {B} via four shop horizontal fillet welds that connect the edges of the
1606 beam flange tips to the corresponding face of each cover plate {B} (two welds
1607 for each beam flange). When the U-shaped cover plates {B} or angles {H} are
1608 used, the same load transfer occurs via four shop horizontal fillet welds that
1609 connect the edge of the beam flange tips to the corresponding face of each cover
1610 plate {B}/angles {H} (two welds for each beam flange), as well as two shop
1611 horizontal fillet welds that connect the outside faces of the beams top and
1612 bottom flanges to the corresponding inside edge of each U-shaped cover plate
1613 {B} (for the conditions with pairs of angles {H}, there are two welds that will
1614 connect each angle to the corresponding beam flange face). These same forces
1615 are then transferred from the cover plates {B} or pairs of angles {H} to the side
1616 plates {A} via either four field horizontal fillet welds (in the field-welded
1617 connection) or four lines of bolts (in the field-bolted connection) that connect
1618 the cover plates {B} or pairs of angles {H} to the side plates {A}. The side
1619 plates {A} transfer all of the forces from the beam (including that portion of
1620 shear in the beam that is transferred from the beam’s web via vertical shear
1621 elements, as applicable, or via the cover plate {B} and pairs of angles {H}, as
1622 applicable) across the physical gap to the column via shop fillet welding (or
1623 flare bevel welding, as required) of the side plates {A} to the column flange tips
1624 (a total of four shop fillet welds; two for each side plate {A}), and to complete
1625 the weld group, there are two horizontally placed shop fillet welds at the top and
1626 bottom of each side plates {A}. These welds may attach directly to the face of a
1627 box or HSS column, or they may attach to horizontal shear plates {D} as
1628 applicable (a total of four shop fillet welds two for each side plate {A}). The
1629 horizontal shear plates {D} are, in turn, shop fillet welded to the column web
1630 and under certain conditions, also to the inside face of column flanges.
(a) (b)
1631

(c) (d)
(e)
1632 Fig. C-11.1. SidePlate moment connection construction methods: (a) full-length beam
1633 erection method (SidePlate FRAME configuration, field welded); (b) full-length beam
1634 erection method (SidePlate moment standard configuration, field bolted); (c) link-beam
1635 erection method (original SidePlate moment configuration, field welded); (d) link beam-
1636 to-beam stub splice detail; and (e) all shop-prefabricated single-story moment frame (no
1637 field welding); multistory frames dependent on transportation capabilities.
1638 SidePlate Systems developed, tested, and validated the SidePlate moment
1639 connection design methodology, design controls, critical design variables and
1640 analysis procedures. The development of the SidePlate FRAME configuration
1641 that employs the full-length beam erection method builds off the research and
1642 testing history of its proven predecessor—the original configuration and its
1643 subsequent refinements. Moreover, in 2015–2017, the uniaxial field-bolted
1644 connection was developed and successfully tested and validated. In 2018, the
1645 biaxial version of the SidePlate connection with HSS and built-up box columns
1646 was developed and tested. It resulted in further performance enhancements:
1647 optimizing the use of connection component materials with advanced analysis
1648 methods and maximizing the efficiency, simplicity and quality control of its
1649 fabrication and erection processes. Following the guidance of the AISC Seismic
1650 Provisions, the validation of the field-welded and field-bolted SidePlate
1651 FRAME configuration consists of:
1652 (a) Analytical testing conducted by SidePlate Systems Inc. using nonlinear
1653 finite element analysis (FEA) for built-up and rolled shapes, plates, bolts,
1654 and welds and validated inelastic material properties by physical testing.
1655 (b) In addition to the tests conducted between 1994 and 2006 utilizing the
1656 original configuration, SidePlate Systems conducted physical validation
1657 testing with full-length beam assembly (SidePlate FRAME configuration) at
1658 the Lehigh University Center for Advanced Technology for Large
1659 Structural Systems (ATLSS) in 2010 (Hodgson et al., 2010a, 2010b, and
1660 2010c; a total of six cyclic tests) and at the University of California, San
1661 Diego (UCSD), Charles Lee Powell Laboratories, in 2012 and 2013 (Minh
1662 Huynh and Uang, 2012; a total of two cyclic tests; and Minh Huynh and
1663 Uang, 2013; a total of one biaxial cyclic test). The biaxial moment
1664 connection test subjected the framing in the orthogonal plane to a constant
1665 shear, creating a moment across the column-beam joint equivalent to that
1666 created by the probable maximum moment at the plastic hinge of the
1667 primary beam, while the framing in the primary plane was simultaneously
1668 subjected to the qualifying cycle loading specified by the AISC Seismic
1669 Provisions (AISC, 2016a). Also, a physical testing program was conducted
1670 at the UCSD (Mashayekh and Uang, 2016; Reynolds and Uang, 2017) to
1671 validate the performance of the field-bolted SidePlate moment connection.
1672 A total of seven cyclic tests—two of which utilized HSS columns and one
1673 of which utilized built-up box column—were conducted. The purpose of
1674 these tests was to confirm adequate global inelastic rotational behavior of
1675 either field-welded or field-bolted SidePlate moment connections with
1676 parametrically selected member sizes, corroborated by analytical testing,
1677 and to identify, confirm and accurately quantify important limit state
1678 thresholds for critical connection components to objectively set critical
1679 design controls. The 2015–2017 testing program at UCSD additionally
1680 aimed to verify the satisfactory performance of HSS columns with a “width
1681 to thickness” ratio of up to 21 in SidePlate moment connections through the
1682 application of a significant axial load on the column in addition to the AISC
1683 Seismic Provisions loading protocol. The testing program also attempted to
1684 verify the satisfactory performance of SidePlate moment connections with
1685 built-up box columns without any internal horizontal shear plates {D} or
1686 stiffener (continuity plates), where flange and web plates of built-up box
1687 columns are continuously connected by either fillet welds or PJP groove
1688 welds along the length of the column. It implies that no CJP welds will be
1689 required within a zone extending from 12 in. (300 mm) above the upper
1690 beam flange to 12 in. (300 mm) below the lower beam flange, flange, and
1691 web plates of boxed wide-flange columns in SidePlate moment connections.
1692 More recently, a full-scale testing program including four biaxial tests and
1693 one uniaxial test with HSS and built-up box columns was successfully
1694 conducted at the University of California, San Diego (Reynolds and Uang,
1695 2018). Two of the biaxial tests utilized the newly developed tuck
1696 configuration (configuration C) with a built-up wide-flange beam with no
1697 vertical shear element. The width-to-thickness ratio of the HSS column was
1698 19.9, confirming the satisfactory performance of HSS columns with a
1699 width-to-thickness ratio of up to 21 once again.
1700 (c) Tests on SidePlate moment connections, both uniaxial and biaxial
1701 applications, show that yielding is generally concentrated within the beam
1702 section just outside the ends of the two side plates {A}. Peak strength of
1703 specimens is usually achieved at an interstory drift angle of approximately
1704 0.03 to 0.05 rad. Specimen strength then gradually reduces due to local and
1705 lateral-torsional buckling of the beam. Ultimate failure typically occurs at
1706 interstory drift angles of approximately 0.04 to 0.06 rad for the field-welded
1707 and 0.06 to 0.08 rad for the field-bolted connection by low-cycle fatigue
1708 fracture from local buckling of the beam flanges and web.
1709 To ensure predictable, reliable, and safe performance of the SidePlate FRAME
1710 configuration when subjected to severe load applications, the inelastic material
1711 properties, finite element modeling (FEM) techniques, and analysis
1712 methodologies that were used in its analytical testing were initially developed,
1713 corroborated, and honed based on nonlinear analysis of prior full-scale physical
1714 testing of the original SidePlate configuration. The finite element techniques and
1715 design methodologies have been further refined and polished as a result of the
1716 testing program with field-bolted connections at UCSD in 2015–2017.
1717 The earliest physical testing of SidePlate connections consisted of a series of
1718 eight uniaxial cyclic tests, one biaxial cyclic test conducted at UCSD, and a
1719 separate series of large-scale arena blast tests. The blast tests consisted of an
1720 explosion followed by monotonic loading using the following configurations:
1721 two blast tests (one with and one without a concrete slab present), two blast-
1722 damaged progressive collapse tests, and one non-blast damaged test—all
1723 conducted by the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) of the U.S.
1724 Department of Defense (DoD), at Kirtland Air Force Base, Albuquerque, N.M.
1725 These extensive testing efforts have resulted in the ability of SidePlate Systems
1726 to:
1727 (a) Reliably replicate and predict the global behavior of the SidePlate FRAME
1728 configurations compared to actual tests.
1729 (b) Explore, evaluate, and determine the behavioral characteristics,
1730 redundancies, and critical limit state thresholds of its connection
1731 components.
1732 (c) Establish and calibrate design controls and critical design variables of the
1733 SidePlate FRAME configurations, as validated by physical testing.
1734 Connection prequalification is based on the completion of several carefully
1735 prescribed validation testing programs, the development of a safe and reliable
1736 plastic capacity design methodology that is derived from ample performance
1737 data from 36 full-scale tests, of which six were biaxial, and the judgment of the
1738 CPRP. The connection prequalification objectives have been successfully
1739 completed; the rudiments are summarized below:
1740 (a) System-critical limit states have been identified and captured by physical
1741 full-scale cyclic testing and corroborated through nonlinear FEA.
1742 (b) The effectiveness of identified primary and secondary component
1743 redundancies of the connection system has been demonstrated and validated
1744 through parametric performance testing—both physical and analytical.
1745 (c) Critical behavioral characteristics and performance nuances of the
1746 connection system and its components have been identified, captured, and
1747 validated.
1748 (d) Material submodels of inelastic stress/strain behavior and fracture
1749 thresholds of weld consumables and base metals have been calibrated to
1750 simulate actual behavior.
1751 (e) Sufficient experimental and analytical data on the performance of the
1752 connection system have been collected and assessed to establish the likely
1753 yield mechanisms and failure modes.
1754 (f) Rational nonlinear FEA models for predicting the resistance associated with
1755 each mechanism and failure mode have been employed and validated
1756 through physical testing.
1757 (g) Based on the technical merit of the preceding accomplishments, a rational
1758 ultimate strength design procedure has been developed based on physical
1759 testing, providing confidence that sufficient critical design controls have
1760 been established to preclude the initiation of undesirable mechanisms and
1761 failure modes and to secure expected safe levels of cyclic rotational
1762 behavior and deformation capacity of the connection system for a given
1763 design condition.
1764 11.2. SYSTEMS

1765 The SidePlate moment connection meets the prequalification requirements for
1766 special and intermediate moment frames in both traditional in-plane frame
1767 applications (one or two beams framing into a column) as well as orthogonal
1768 intersecting moment-resisting frames (corner conditions with two beams
1769 orthogonal to one another, as well as three or four orthogonal beams framing
1770 into the same column).
1771 The SidePlate moment connection has been used in moment-resisting frames
1772 with skewed and/or sloped beams with or without skewed side plates {A},
1773 although such usage is outside of the scope of this standard.
1774 The unique geometry of the SidePlate moment connection allows its use in other
1775 design applications where in-plane diagonal braces or diagonal dampers are
1776 attached to the side plates {A} at the same beam-to-column joint as the moment-
1777 resisting frame, while maintaining the intended SMF or IMF level of
1778 performance. When such dual systems are used, supplemental calculations must
1779 be provided to ensure that the connection elements (plates and welds) have not
1780 only been designed for the intended SMF or IMF connection in accordance with
1781 the prequalification limits set herein, but also for the additional axial, shear, and
1782 moment demands due to the diagonal brace or damper.

1785 A wide range of beam sizes, including both rolled and built-up wide-flange and
1786 HSS beams, has been tested with the SidePlate moment connection, in both
1787 uniaxial and biaxial conditions. For the field-welded connection, the smallest
1788 beam size was a W18×35 (W460×52) and the heaviest a W40×297
1789 (W1000×443). For the field-bolted connection, the smallest beam size was
1790 W21×73 (W530×109) and the largest beam size was W40×397 (W1000×591).
1791 The deepest beam tested was W44×290 (W1100×433) with the depth of 43.6 in.
1792 (1107 mm). Beam compactness ratios have varied from that of a W18×35
1793 (W460×52) with bf/2tf = 7.06 to a W40×294 (W1000×438) with bf/2tf = 3.11.
1794 For HSS beam members, tests have focused on small members such as the HSS
1795 7×4×1/2 (HSS177.8×101.6×12.7) having ratios of b/t = 5.60 and h/t = 12.1. As
1796 a result of these testing programs, critical ultimate strength design parameters
1797 for the design and detailing of the SidePlate moment connection systems have
1798 been developed for general project use. These requirements and design limits are
1799 the result of a detailed assessment of actual performance data coupled with
1800 independent physical validation testing and/or corroborative analytical testing of
1801 full-scale test specimens using nonlinear FEA. It was the judgment of the CPRP
1802 that the maximum beam depth and weight of the SidePlate moment connection
1803 would be limited to the nominal beam depth and approximate weight of the
1804 sections tested, as has been the case for most other connections.
1805 Because the behavior and overall ductility of the SidePlate moment connection
1806 systems is defined by the plastic rotational capacity of the beam, the limit state
1807 for the SidePlate moment connection system is ultimately the failure of the beam
1808 flange, away from the connection. Therefore, the limit of the beam’s hinge-to-
1809 hinge span-to-depth ratio of the beam, Lh/d, is based on the demonstrated
1810 rotational capacity of the beam.
1811 As an example, for test specimen 3 tested at Lehigh University (Hodgson et al.,
1812 2010c), the W40×294 (W1000×438) beam connected to the W36×395
1813 (W920×588) column reached two full cycles at 0.06 rad of rotation (measured at
1814 the centerline of the column), which is significantly higher than the performance
1815 threshold of one cycle at 0.04 rad of rotation required for successful
1816 qualification testing by the AISC Seismic Provisions. Most of the rotation at that
1817 amplitude came from the beam rotation at the plastic hinge. At this same 0.06
1818 rad measured at the column centerline, the measured rotation at the beam hinge
1819 was between 0.085 and 0.09 rad [see Figure C-11.2(a)]. The tested half-span
1820 was 14.5 ft (4.42 m), which represents a frame span of 29 ft (8.84 m) and an
1821 Lh/d ratio of 5.5. Assuming that 100% of the frame system’s rotation comes
1822 from the beam’s hinge rotation (a conservative assumption because it ignores
1823 the rotational contributions of the column and connection elements), it is
1824 possible to calculate a minimum span at which the frame drift requirement of
1825 one cycle at 0.04 rad is maintained, while the beam reaches a maximum of 0.085
1826 rad of rotation. Making this calculation gives a minimum span of 20 ft (6.1 m)
1827 and an Lh/d ratio of 3. Making this same calculation for the tests of the
1828 W36×150 (W920×223) beam [Minh Huynh and Uang, 2012; Figure C-11.2(b)]
1829 using an average maximum beam rotation of 0.08 rad of rotation, gives a
1830 minimum span of 18 ft, 10 in. (5.74 m) and an Lh/d ratio of 3.2. Given that there
1831 will be variations in the performance of wide-flange beams due to local effects
1832 such as flange buckling, it is reasonable to set the lower bound Lh/d ratio for the
1833 SidePlate field-welded moment connection system at 4.5 for SMF and 3.0 for
1834 IMF, regardless of beam compactness. It should be noted that the minimum Lh
1835 /d ratio of 4.5 (where Lh is measured from the centerline of the beam’s plastic
1836 hinges) typically equates to 6.7 as measured from the face of column to face of
1837 column when the typical side plate {A} extension (shown as “Side plate {A}
1838 extension” in Figure 11.9) from face of column is used. The 6.7 ratio, which is
1839 slightly less than the 7.0 for other SMF moment connections, allows the
1840 potential for a deeper beam to be used in a shorter bay than other SMF moment
1841 connections. The field-bolted testing program at UCSD (Mashayekh and Uang,
1842 2016; Reynolds and Uang, 2017) showed that the field-bolted connections
1843 sustained approximately 2% more story drift, so it is reasonable to set the lower
1844 bound Lh/d ratio for the SidePlate field-bolted moment connection at 4.0 for
1845 SMF and 3 for IMF regardless of beam compactness [see Figure C-11.2(c) for
1846 the measured rotation of the field-bolted W40×211 beam and Figure C-11.2(d)
1847 for the measured rotation of the field-bolted W40×397 beam at the hinge
1848 location]. All moment-connected beams are required to satisfy the width-to-
1849 thickness requirements of AISC Seismic Provisions Sections E2 and E3.
1850 Required lateral bracing of the beam follows the AISC Seismic Provisions.
1851 However, due to the significant lateral and torsional restraint provided by the
1852 side plates {A} as observed in all full-scale tests, for calculation purposes, the
1853 unbraced length of the beam is taken as the distance between the respective ends
1854 of each side plate {A} extension (see Figures 11.14 through 11.21 for depictions
1855 of the alphabetical designations). As determined by the full-scale tests, no
1856 additional lateral bracing is required at or near the plastic beam hinge location.
1857 Lateral bracing of columns in accordance with AISC Seismic Provisions Section
1858 E3.4c.1 is not a requirement if the beam is sufficiently braced at the top beam
1859 flange (e.g. with a deck or slab). Sufficient bracing of the beam can be attained
1860 by either continuous bracing of the beam top flange by slab/deck or by meeting
1861 the requirements of AISC Seismic Provisions Section D1.2b. The substantiation
1862 for not using direct bracing is twofold. One is that none of the qualifying tests
1863 had any additional direct column bracing at the level of the top or bottom beam
1864 flanges, and the column tree did not exhibit any sign of torsional twisting, even
1865 for deep columns. This was due to the significant lateral and torsional restraint
1866 provided by side plates {A} that indirectly braced the column. This is in
1867 accordance with AISC Seismic Provisions Section E3.4c.1, where the indirect
1868 stability bracing is permitted if substantiated. Second, an internal numerical
1869 study was conducted by SidePlate Systems to demonstrate that the side plates
1870 {A} provide adequate indirect stability bracing and that the connection does not
1871 need additional lateral bracing for column stability.
1872 The protected zone is defined as shown in Figures 11.10 and 11.11 and extends
1873 from the end of the side plate {A} to half the beam depth beyond the plastic
1874 hinge location, which is located at one-third the beam depth in the field-welded
1875 connection and one-sixth the beam depth in the field-bolted connection beyond
1876 the end of the side plate {A} due to the cover plate {B} or angle {H} extensions.
1877 This definition is based on test observations that indicate yielding typically does
1878 not extend past 83% and 67% of the depth of the beam from the end of the side
1879 plate {A} in the field-welded and field-bolted connections, respectively.
1880
1881
1882 (a)
1883

1884
1885 (b)
1886
1887 (c)

1888
1889 (d)
1890 Fig. C-11.2. SidePlate moment frame tests—backbone curves for (a) W40×294
1891 (W1000×438) beam (field welded); (b) W36×150 (W920×223) beam (field welded); (c)
1892 W40×211 (W1000×314) beam (field bolted); (d) W40×397 (W1000×591) beam (field
1893 bolted) (measured at the beam hinge location).
1895 SidePlate® moment connections have been tested with W14 (W360), W16
1896 (W410), W30 (W760), W33 (W840) built-up I-sections, W36 (W840), built-up
1897 box sections of 30×30×2 (750×750×50) and 27×27×2-1/2 (680×680×65) , and
1898 hollow structural sections (HSS) including HSS14×14×7/8, HSS18×18×3/4,
1899 and HSS20×20×7/8. Note that when using HSS and built-up box columns, the
1900 side plates {A} transfer the loads to the column in the same way as with wide-
1901 flange columns. The only difference is that the horizontal shear component at
1902 the top and bottom of the side plates {A} now transfer that horizontal shear
1903 directly into the faces of the HSS and built-up box column using a shop fillet
1904 weld; thus, an internal horizontal shear plate {D} or stiffener plate is not
1905 required. This was verified with the execution of various tests, including a test
1906 with a W40×397 beam and a 30×30×2 built-up box column, as well as a
1907 W27×102 beam and HSS20×20×7/8 column, both without internal horizontal
1908 shear plates {D} or stiffeners (continuity plates). As such, built-up box columns
1909 are prequalified as long as they meet all applicable requirements of the AISC
1910 Seismic Provisions, with the exceptions mentioned here. There are no internal
1911 stiffener or continuity plates within the column, and there are no requirements
1912 that the columns be filled with concrete for either SMF or IMF applications.
1913 Also no CJP welds will be required within a zone extending from 12 in. (300
1914 mm) above the upper beam flange to 12 in. (300 mm) below the lower beam
1915 flange, flange, and web plates of boxed wide-flange columns in SidePlate
1916 moment connections with built-up box columns. Note: In some blast or other
1917 seismic loading applications, there may be advantages to filling the HSS or
1918 built-box columns with concrete to strengthen the column.
1919 In 2015, SidePlate Systems conducted two tests with HSS columns as part of the
1920 testing program for expanding its prequalification to field-bolted connections
1921 (Mashayekh and Uang, 2016). This configuration is also referred to as the
1922 SidePlate PLUS Connection. The secondary purpose of these tests was the
1923 inclusion of HSS columns with the width-to-thickness ratio of up to 21-in.
1924 SidePlate moment connections. It was believed that the width-to-thickness ratio
1925 of the walls of HSS columns is a function of local buckling of the walls of the
1926 HSS shape in addition to the connection itself. Therefore, it was decided to
1927 apply a substantial axial load on the columns (40% nominal axial strength of the
1928 column) to test and relax the width-to-thickness limit for SidePlate moment
1929 connections. The columns performed very well, and there was no
1930 yielding/buckling on the face of HSS columns. As a result of two full-scale
1931 physical tests and numerous numerical studies, it was confirmed that the width-
1932 to-thickness limit of HSS columns in SidePlate moment connections can be
1933 increased to 21 as long as the axial load in the column stays below 40% of the
1934 nominal axial strength of the column—that is, 0.40AgFy. The HSS column in the
1935 tests complied with ASTM A500 Grade C. The columns performed very well;
1936 there were no issues regarding the performance of the column. However, it was
1937 decided to limit the HSS column to ASTM A1085 per the CPRP’s
1938 recommendation.
1939 The behavior of SidePlate moment connections with cruciform columns is
1940 similar to uniaxial one- and two-sided moment connection configurations
1941 because the ultimate failure mechanism remains in the beam. Successful tests
1942 have been conducted on SidePlate moment connections with cruciform columns
1943 using W36 (W920) shapes with rolled or built-up structural tees.
1944 In 2018, cyclic testing of five full-scale field-bolted SidePlate steel moment
1945 connections was conducted at the University of California, San Diego (Reynolds
1946 and Uang, 2018) to evaluate their performance. Four of the specimens (B1, B2,
1947 B3, and B4) were biaxially loaded, while Specimen B1a was uniaxially loaded.
1948 Each of the biaxially loaded specimens underwent two stages of loading. The
1949 first stage of loading was the monotonic loading of the transverse beams to a
1950 predefined load to develop the probable maximum moment at the column face in
1951 these beams. The second stage of loading consisted of the standard cyclic
1952 loading sequence as specified in the 2016 AISC Seismic Provisions applied to
1953 the primary beam. The uniaxially loaded specimen was only subjected to the
1954 AISC Seismic Provisions cyclic loading protocol. Specimen B2 was the first
1955 specimen tested and consisted of a built-up box column 27×27×2½
1956 (680×680×65) with W36×282 transverse beams and a W36×210 primary beam.
1957 Specimen B1 was the second specimen tested and consisted of an HSS column
1958 20×20×7/8 with W27×146 transverse beams and a W27×102 primary beam.
1959 The remaining tests reused the same side plates {A}, column, and transverse
1960 beams from Specimen B1. Specimens B3 and B4 used a built-up I section 33-in.
1961 deep with a nominal weight of 105 lb/ft. The newly developed tuck
1962 configuration (configuration C) was used for tests B3 and B4 where the bottom
1963 angles were inverted in comparison with the standard configuration and
1964 connected to the interior face of the beam’s bottom flange. Specimens B1a, B3,
1965 and B4 did not use vertical shear elements. These specimens utilized ASTM
1966 A992, ASTM A572/A572M Grade 50, and ASTM A500 Grade C steel for the
1967 W-shapes, plates, and HSS sections, respectively. ASTM F3148 and ASTM
1968 F2280 high-strength bolts were used in the connections. Specimen B2
1969 ultimately failed by fracture of the beam bottom flange after completing the 5%
1970 drift cycles. Testing of Specimens B1 and B1a was stopped after achieving 7%
1971 and 6% drift, respectively, to preserve the column for future tests. The primary
1972 beams of specimens B1 and B1a were identical except that Specimen B1a did
1973 not utilize vertical shear elements. The performance of the two beams was
1974 comparable and no degradation in the performance was observed due to the
1975 elimination of the vertical shear element.

1976 For SMF systems, the column bracing requirements of AISC Seismic Provisions
1977 Section E3.4c.1 are satisfied when a lateral brace is located at or near the
1978 intersection of the frame beams and the column. Note: Full-scale tests have
1979 demonstrated that without any additional lateral bracing the full-depth side
1980 plates {A} provide the required indirect lateral bracing of the column flanges
1981 through the side plate {A}-to-column flange welds and the connection elements
1982 that connect the column web to the side plates {A}. Therefore, no additional
1983 direct lateral bracing of the column flanges is required.
1984 3. Connection Limitations
1985 All test specimens have used ASTM A572/A572M Grade 50 plate material.
1986 Nonlinear finite element parametric modeling of side plate {A} extensions in the
1987 range of 0.65d to 1.7d have demonstrated similar overall connection and beam
1988 behavior when compared to the results of full-scale tests.
1989 Because there is a controlled level of plasticity within the design of the two side
1990 plates {A}, the side plate {A} protected zones have been designated based upon
1991 test observations as indicated in Figures 11.10 and 11.11, respectively. It should
1992 be noted that a more conservative design methodology is used for the design of
1993 the side plates {A} of the field-bolted configuration, which results in even less
1994 yielding in the critical section of the side plates {A}. However, it was decided
1995 for consistency to assign similar protected zones for both the field-welded and
1996 the field-bolted connections.

1998 See Figures 11.14 through 11.21 for depictions of the alphabetical and
1999 numerical designations. The beams and columns selected must satisfy physical
2000 geometric compatibility requirements between the beam flange and column
2001 flange to allow sufficient lateral space for depositing fillet welds {5} along the
2002 longitudinal edges of the beam flanges that connect to the top and bottom cover
2003 plates {B}. Equations 11.4-1a/11.4-1aM and 11.4-1b/11.4-1bM assist designers
2004 in selecting appropriate final beam and column size combinations prior to the
2005 SidePlate moment connection actually being designed for a specific project.
2006 Note: One of the field-bolted connection tests utilized a PJP weld for weld {5},
2007 which allows for a tighter tolerance in the geometric compatibility checks. The
2008 test performed similar to others with fillet welds for weld {5}; thus weld {5}
2009 may be deposited as a PJP weld or fillet weld as needed.
2010 Unlike more conventional moment frame designs that typically rely on the
2011 deformation of the column panel zone to achieve the required rotational
2012 capacity, SidePlate moment connection technology instead stiffens and
2013 strengthens the column panel zone by providing a minimum of three panel zones
2014 (the column web plus the two full-depth side plates {A}). This configuration
2015 forces the vast majority of plastic deformation to occur through flange local
2016 buckling of the beam.
2017 The column web must be capable of resisting the panel zone shear loads
2018 transferred from the horizontal shear plates {D} through the pair of shop fillet
2019 welds {3}. The strength of the column web is thereby calculated and compared
2020 to the ultimate strength of the welds {3} on both sides of the web. To be
2021 acceptable, the panel zone shear strength of the column must be greater than the
2022 strength of the two welds. This ensures that the limit state will be failure of the
2023 welds as opposed to failure of the column web. The two side plates {A} may be
2024 used as doubler plates to check the overall panel zone strength. The following
2025 calculation and check is built into the SidePlate moment connection design
2026 software:
Ru
2027  1.0 (C-11.4-1)
Rn
2028 where
2029 Ru = ultimate strength of fillet welds {3} from horizontal shear plates {D} to
2030 column web, kips (N)
2031 Rn = nominal strength of column web panel zone in accordance with AISC
2032 Specification Section J10.6b, kips (N)
 3b fct 2fc 
2033 Rn  0.60 Fy dctcw  1   (from Spec. Eq. J10-11)
 dsp dctcw 
 
2034 where
2035 bfc = width of column flange, in. (mm)
2036 dc = depth of column, in. (mm)
2037 dsp = depth of side plate {A}, in. (mm)
2038 tcw = thickness of column web, in. (mm)
2039 tfc = thickness of column flange, in. (mm)
2040 In determining the SMF column-beam moment ratio to satisfy strong
2041 column/weak beam design criteria, the beam-imposed moment, M*pb, is
2042 calculated at the column centerline using statics (i.e., accounting for the increase
2043 in moment due to shear amplification from the location of the plastic hinge to
2044 the center of the column as a result of the development of the probable
2045 maximum moment of the beam, Mpr, at the plastic hinge location), and then
2046 linearly decreased to one-quarter the column depth above and below the extreme
2047 top and bottom fibers of the side plates {A}. This location is used for
2048 determination of the column strength because the column is unlikely to form a
2049 hinge within the panel zone due to the presence and strengthening effects of the
2050 two side plates {A}.
2051 In calculating the biaxial column-beam moment ratio, it is permitted to take the
2052 actual yield strength of the column material as the specified yield strength in lieu
2053 of the specified minimum yield stress, Fy, and to consider the full composite
2054 behavior of the column for axial and flexural loading action (story drift analysis)
2055 if it is filled with concrete. The column strength formula, Equation 11.4-6,
2056 assumes equal column properties about both axes. For column sections with
2057 unequal properties about both axes, interaction equations based on rational
2058 analysis should be used. Guidance for checking columns subject to biaxial
2059 bending and axial force is provided in AISC Seismic Provisions Section E3
2060 Commentary.
2061 This requirement need not apply if any of the exceptions articulated in AISC
2062 Seismic Provisions Section E3.4a are satisfied. The calculation and check are
2063 included in the SidePlate connection design software.
2064 11.5. CONNECTION WELDING LIMITATIONS

2065 Fillet welds joining the connection plates to the beam and column provided on
2066 all of the SidePlate test specimens have been made by either of the self-shielded
2067 flux cored arc welding processes (FCAW-S or FCAW-G), with a few specimens
2068 using the submerged arc welding process (SAW) for certain shop fillet welds.
2069 Other than the original three prototype tests in 1994 and 1995 that used a non-
2070 notch-tough weld electrode, tested electrodes satisfy minimum Charpy V-notch
2071 toughness as required by the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions. Also, it should be
2072 noted that typically the test specimens were fitted and tacked together using an
2073 E7018 stick electrode and then welded with an FCAW process (implying that
2074 the intermixing of FCAW and E7018 has been tested and is not of concern).
2075 Test specimens that included either a field complete-joint-penetration groove-
2076 welded beam-to-beam splice or field fillet welds specifically utilized E70T-6 for
2077 the horizontal position and E71T-8 for the vertical position.

2079 Figures 11.14 through 11.16 show typical one- and two-sided moment
2080 connection details used for shop fabrication of the column with fillet welds.
2081 Tests have shown that the horizontal shear plate {D} need not be welded to the
2082 column flanges for successful performance of the connection. However, if there
2083 are orthogonal forces being transferred through the connection from collector,
2084 chord, or cantilever beams, then fillet welds connecting the horizontal shear
2085 plates {D} and the column flanges may be required.
2086 In the field-welded connection, tests have shown that the use of oversized bolt
2087 holes in the side plates {A}, located near their free end (see Figure C-11.3), do
2088 not affect the performance of the connection because beam moments and shears
2089 are transferred through fillet welds. Bolts from the side plate {A} to the vertical
2090 shear element are only required for erection of the full-length beam assembly
2091 prior to field welding of the connection and may be removed, at the contractor’s
2092 discretion after the field fillet welds have been applied (also implying that if all
2093 the erection bolts cannot be placed, it is acceptable as it relates to the
2094 connections performance).
2095 Figure 11.17 and 11.18 show the typical full-length beam detail used for shop
2096 fabrication of the beam with fillet welds. Multiple options can be used to create
2097 the vertical shear element (if needed), such as a combination of angles and plates
2098 or simply bent plates.
2099 Figure 11.19(a) and 11.19(b) show the typical full-length beam-to-side plate
2100 {A} detail used for field erection of the beam with fillet welds and bolts,
2101 respectively. In the field-bolted connection, either longitudinal angles {G}
2102 (rolled or built-up) or horizontal plates {T} that are welded to the side plates
2103 {A} may be used to transfer the load from the beam to the side plates {A}, as
2104 shown in Figure 11.19(b).
2105 Figures 11.20 and 11.21 show shop weld {9} connecting side plate {A} to
2106 column face as well as shop weld {10} that connects the intersecting orthogonal
2107 side plates to construct the side plate interlock assembly in biaxial connections.

2109 The design procedure for the SidePlate moment connection system is based on
2110 results from both physical testing and detailed nonlinear finite element
2111 modeling. The procedure uses an ultimate strength design approach to size the
2112 plates and welds in the connection, incorporating strength, plasticity, and
2113 fracture limits. For welds, an ultimate strength analysis incorporating the
2114 instantaneous center of rotation is used (as described in AISC Steel Construction
2115 Manual Part 8). For bolts, an ultimate strength analysis incorporating eccentric
2116 bolt group design methodology and instantaneous center of rotation is used (as
2117 described in AISC Specification Section J2.4b). Overall, the design process is
2118 consistent with the expected seismic behavior of an SMF system: Lateral drifts
2119 due to seismic loads induce moments and shear forces in the columns and
2120 beams. Where these moments exceed the yield strength of the beam, a plastic
2121 hinge will form. While the primary yield mechanism is plastic bending in the
2122 beam, in the field-welded connection, a balanced design approach allows for
2123 secondary plastic bending to occur within the side plates {A} (hence the
2124 reasoning for the protected zones on the side plates {A} for this option). In the
2125 field-bolted connection, more conservative side plate {A} design methodology
2126 has been developed so that secondary plastic hinging within the side plates {A}
2127 does not occur (hence the protected zones on the side plates {A} in this option
2128 are not required). Ultimately, the location of the hinge in the beam directly
2129 affects the amplification of load (i.e., moment and shear from both seismic and
2130 gravity loads) that is resisted by the components of the connection, the column
2131 panel zone, and the column, as shown in Figure C-11.3. Each connection
2132 component can then be designed to resist its respective load demands induced by
2133 the seismic drift (including any increases due to shear amplification as measured
2134 from the beams plastic hinge location).
2135 For the SidePlate moment connection, all of the connection details—including
2136 the sizing of connection plates, angles, fillet welds, and bolts—are designed and
2137 provided by engineers at SidePlate Systems. The design of these details is based
2138 on basic engineering principles, plastic capacities validated by full-scale testing,
2139 and nonlinear finite element analysis. A description of the design methods is
2140 presented in Step 7. The initial design procedure for the engineer of record in
2141 designing a project with SidePlate moment connections largely involves:
2142  Sizing the frame’s beams and columns, shown in Steps 1 and 2.
2143  Checking applicable building code requirements and performing a
2144 preliminary compliance check with all prequalification limitations, shown
2145 in Steps 3 and 4.
2146  Verifying that the SidePlate moment connections have been designed with
2147 the correct project data as outlined in Step 5 and are compliant with all
2148 prequalification limits, including final column-beam relationship limitations
2149 as shown in Steps 6, 7, and 8.
2150 Step 1. Equations 11.4-1a/11.4-1aM and 11.4-1b/11.4-1bM should be used as a
2151 guide in selecting beam and column section combinations during design
2152 iterations.
2153
2154 Fig. C-11.3. Amplification of maximum probable plastic hinge moment, Mpr,
2155 to the column face.

2156 Satisfying these equations minimizes the possibility of incompatible beam and
2157 column combinations that cannot be fabricated and erected or that may not
2158 ultimately satisfy column-beam moment ratio requirements.
2159 Step 2. The SidePlate moment connection design forces a plastic hinge to form
2160 in the beam beyond the extension of the side plates {A} from the face of the
2161 column (side plate {A} extension in Figure 11.9). Because inelastic behavior is
2162 forced into the beam at the hinge, the effective span of the beam is reduced, thus
2163 increasing the lateral stiffness and strength of the frame (see Figure C-11.4).
2164 This increase in stiffness and strength provided by the two parallel side plates
2165 {A} must be simulated when creating elastic models of the steel frame. Many
2166 commercial structural analysis software programs have a built-in feature for
2167 modeling the stiffness and strength of the SidePlate moment connection.
2168 Step 5. Some structural engineers design moment-frame buildings with a lateral-
2169 only computer analysis. The results are then superimposed with results from
2170 additional lateral and vertical load analysis to check beam and column stresses.
2171 Because these additional lateral and vertical loads can affect the design of the
2172 SidePlate moment connection, they must also be submitted with the lateral-only
2173 model forces. Such additional lateral and vertical loads include drag and chord
2174 forces, factored shear loads at the plastic hinge location due to gravity loads on
2175 the moment frame beam itself, loads from gravity beams framing into the face of
2176 the side plates {A}, and gravity loads from cantilever beams (including vertical
2177 loads due to earthquakes) framing into the face of the side plates {A}.
2178 There are instances where an in-plane lateral drag or chord axial force needs to
2179 transfer through the SidePlate moment connection, as well as instances where it
2180 is necessary to transfer lateral drag or chord axial forces from the orthogonal
2181 direction through the SidePlate moment connection. In such instances, these
2182 loads must be submitted in order to properly design the SidePlate moment
2183 connection for these conditions.
2184 Step 6 of the procedure requires SidePlate Systems to review the information
2185 received from the structural engineer, including the assumptions used in the
2186 generation of final beam and column sizes to ensure compliance with all
2187 applicable building code requirements and prequalification limitations contained
2188 herein. Upon reaching concurrence with the structural engineer of record that
2189 beam and column sizes are acceptable and final, SidePlate Systems creates a
2190 load matrix of the entire structure with these member sizes, including all
2191 submitted applicable loads and forces, and designs and details all of the
2192 SidePlate moment connections for a specific project in accordance with Step 7.
2193 Any changes in member sizes, loads, or forces need to be coordinated with
2194 SidePlate Systems because such changes will typically require this step to be
2195 repeated.

2196
2197 Fig. C-11.4. Increased frame stiffness with reduction in effective span of the beam.
2198 The SidePlate moment connection design procedure is based on the idealized
2199 primary behavior of an SMF system—the formation of a plastic hinge in the
2200 beam outside of the connection. In the field-welded connection, although the
2201 primary yield mechanism is the development of a plastic hinge in the beam near
2202 the end of the side plate {A}, secondary plastic behavior (plastic moment
2203 capacity) is developed within the side plates {A} themselves, at the face of the
2204 column (this is not the case for the field-bolted connections). Overall, a balanced
2205 design is used for the connection components to ensure that the plastic hinge
2206 will form at the predetermined location. The demands on the connection
2207 components are a function of the strain-hardened flexural strength of the beam,
2208 the gravity loads carried by the beam, and the relative locations of each
2209 component and the beam’s plastic hinge. Connection components closer to the
2210 column centerline are subjected to increased moment amplification compared to
2211 components located closer to the beam’s plastic hinge as illustrated in Figure C-
2212 11.3.
2213 Step 7 of the process requires that SidePlate Systems design and detail the
2214 connection components for the actions and loads determined in Step 6. The
2215 procedure uses an ultimate strength design approach to size plates, bolts, and
2216 welds, thus incorporating strength, plasticity, and fracture limits. For welds, an
2217 ultimate strength analysis incorporating the instantaneous center of rotation is
2218 used (as described in AISC Steel Construction Manual Part 8). For bolts, an
2219 ultimate strength analysis incorporating eccentric bolt group design
2220 methodology and instantaneous center of rotation is used (as described in AISC
2221 Specification Section J2.4b). Overall, the design process is consistent with the
2222 expected seismic behavior of an SMF system as described previously.
2223 The SidePlate moment connection components are divided into four distinct
2224 design groups:
2225 (a) Load transfer out of the beam
2226 (b) Load transfer into the side plates {A}
2227 (c) Design of the side plates {A} at the column face
2228 (d) Load transfer into the column
2229 The transfer of load out of the beam is achieved through welds {4} and {5}. The
2230 loads are in turn transferred through the vertical shear elements {E} and cover
2231 plates {B} into the side plates {A} by either welds {6} and {7} (field-welded) or
2232 bolt group (field-bolted). The load at the column face (gap region) is resisted
2233 solely by the side plates {A}, which transfers the load directly into the column
2234 through weld {2} and weld {1} in a box or HSS section. In a wide-flange
2235 column, the load is transferred through weld {2} and indirectly through weld
2236 {3} through the combination of weld {1} and the horizontal shear plates {D}. At
2237 each of the four design locations, the elements are designed for the combination
2238 of moment, Mgroup, and shear, Vu.
2239 Connection Design
2240 Side Plate {A}, Field-Welded. To achieve the balanced design for the
2241 connection—the primary yield mechanism developing in the beam outside of the
2242 connection with secondary plastic behavior within the side plates {A}—the
2243 required minimum thickness of the side plate {A} is calculated using an
2244 effective side plate {A} plastic section modulus, Zeff, generated from actual side
2245 plate {A} behavior obtained from stress and strain profiles along the depth of
2246 the side plate {A}, as recorded in test data and nonlinear analysis (see Figure C-
2247 11.5). The flexural strength of the plates, Mn,sp, is then calculated using the
2248 simplified Zeff and an effective plastic stress, Fye, of the plate. Allowing for
2249 yielding of the plate as observed in testing and analyses (see Figure C-11.6) and
2250 comparing to the design demand, Mgroup, calculated at the face of column gives:
M group
2251  1.0 (C-11.7-1)
M n,sp
2252 where
2253 M n,sp  Fye Z eff
2254 Side Plate {A}, Field-Bolted. The required minimum thickness of the side plate
2255 {A} is calculated based on the engineering principals of fully yielded section at
2256 either column face or at the location of the first bolt as shown in Figures C-
2257 11.7(a) and C-11.7(b). The section of the side plate {A} at the column face has
2258 larger design demand in comparison with that of the net section at the location
2259 of the first bolt so the required minimum thickness will be the greater of the two
2260 design checks.
2261 To ensure the proper behavior of the side plate {A} and to preclude undesirable
2262 limit states, such as buckling or rupture of the side plate {A}, the ratio of the gap
2263 distance between the end of the beam and the face of the column to the side
2264 plate {A} thickness is kept within a range for all connection designs. The
2265 optimum gap-to-thickness ratio has been derived based upon the results of full-
2266 scale testing and parametric nonlinear analysis.
2267

2268
2269 Fig. C-11.5. Stress profile along depth of side plate {A} at the column face at maximum load cycle.
2270
2271
2272 Fig. C-11.6. Idealized plastic stress distribution for computation of the effective plastic modulus,
2273 Zeff, of the side plate.
2274

2275
2276 (a)
2277
2278 (b)
2279 Fig. C-11.7. (a) Side plate {A} elevation view and stress diagram at the net section; (b)
2280 side plate {A} elevation view and stress diagram at the column face for configuration A
2281 (standard).
2282
2283 Cover Plate {B}. The thickness of the cover plates {B} is determined by
2284 calculating the resultant shear force demand, Ru, from the beam moment couple
2285 as:
2286 Ru   M group d  (C-11.7-2)
2287 and by calculating the vertical shear loads, resisted through the critical shear
2288 plane of the cover plates {B}.
2289 The critical shear plane for the field-welded connection is defined as a section
2290 cut through the cover plate {B} adjacent to the boundary of weld {7}, as shown
2291 in Figure C-11.8(a). Hence, the thickness, tcp, of the cover plate {B} is:
Ru
2292 tcp  (C-11.7-3)
2  0.6  Fye Lcrit
2293 where

2294 Lcrit = length of critical shear plane through cover plate {B} as shown in
2295 Figure C-11.8(a), in. (mm)
2296 The top cover plate {B} in the field-bolted connection (standard configuration)
2297 is designed based on the block shear check in the critical shear plane which is
2298 defined as a section cut through the cover plate {B} through the bolt holes, as
2299 shown in Figure C-11.8(b).
2300
2301
2302
2303 (a)
2304
2305
2306 (b)
2307 Fig. C-11.8. Critical shear plane of cover plate {B}, (a) field-welded connection; (b)
2308 field-bolted connection
2309
2310 Vertical Shear Element (VSE). The thickness of the VSE, if applicable, (which
2311 may include angles {E} and/or bent plates {C}, as shown in Figures 11.14–
2312 11.19) is determined as the thickness required to transfer the vertical shear
2313 demand from the beam web into the side plates {A}. The vertical shear force
2314 demand, Vu, at this load transfer comes from the combination of the capacities of
2315 the cover plates {B} and the VSE. The minimum thickness of the VSE, tvse, to
2316 resist the vertical shear force is computed as follows:
Vu
2317 t vse  (C-11.7-4)
2  0.6  Fy d pl
2318 where
2319 (1) Vu = calculated vertical shear demand resisted by VSE, kips (N)
2320 (2) dpl = depth of vertical shear element, in. (mm)
2321 Horizontal Shear Plate (HSP) {D}. The thickness of the HSP {D}, if
2322 applicable, (see Figures 11.14–11.19) is determined as the thickness required to
2323 transfer the horizontal shear demand from the top (or bottom) of the side plates
2324 {A} into the column web. The shear demand on the HSP is calculated as the
2325 design load developed through the fillet weld connecting the top (or bottom)
2326 edge of the side plates {A} to the HSP (weld {1}). The demand force is
2327 determined using an ultimate strength analysis of the weld group at the column
2328 (weld {1} and weld {2}) as described in the following section.
Vu
2329 thsp  (C-11.7-5)
  Fyl pl
0.6
2330 where
2331 Vu = calculated horizontal shear demand delivered by weld {1} to the HSP,
2332 kips (N)
2333 lpl = effective length of horizontal shear plate {D}, in. (mm)
2334 Welds. Welds are categorized into three weld groups and sized using an
2335 ultimate strength analysis.
2336 The weld groups are categorized as follows (see Figures 11.14-11.21 and Figure
2337 C-11.9):
2338 Weld Group 1—Fillet welds from the beam flange to the cover plate {B}/angles
2339 {H} (weld {5} and weld {5a}) and the fillet welds from the beam web to the
2340 VSE (weld {4}).
2341 Weld Group 2—Fillet welds from the cover plate {B} to the side plate {A}
2342 (weld {7}) and fillet welds from the VSE to the side plate {A} (weld {6}) (only
2343 for field-welded connections).
2344 Weld Group 3—Fillet welds from the side plate {A} to the HSP {D} (weld
2345 {1}), fillet welds from the side plate {A} to the column flange tips (weld {2}),
2346 and fillet welds from the HSP {D} to the column web (weld {3}).
2347
2348 Fig. C-11.9. Location of design weld groups and associated moment demand, MG#.
2349 The ultimate strength design approach for the welds incorporates an
2350 instantaneous center of rotation method as shown in Figure C-11.10 and
2351 described in AISC Steel Construction Manual Part 8.

2352 At each calculation iteration, the nominal shear strength, Rn, of each weld group
2353 for a determined eccentricity, e, is compared to the demand from the amplified
2354 moment to the instantaneous center of the group, Vpre. The process is continued
2355 until equilibrium is achieved. Because the process is iterative, SidePlate Systems
2356 engineers use design calculation software to compute the weld sizes required to
2357 achieve the flexural and shear strength needed for each weld group to resist the
2358 amplified flexural and vertical shear demand, Mgroup and Vu, respectively.
2359 Bolts (Field-Bolted Connection Only). The ultimate strength analysis
2360 incorporating eccentric bolt group design methodology and instantaneous center
2361 of rotation as shown in Figure C-11.11 and described in AISC Specification
2362 Section J2.4b is used to design the number of required bolts. An iterative
2363 process is required to find the solution. At each calculation iteration, the nominal
2364 shear strength, Rn, of the bolt group (comprising horizontal and vertical rows of
2365 bolts), for a determined eccentricity, e, is compared to the demand from the
2366 amplified moment and shear to the instantaneous center of the group, Vpre. The
2367 process is continued until equilibrium is achieved.
2368 Step 8 requires that the engineer of record review calculations and drawings
2369 supplied by SidePlate Systems engineers to ensure that all project-specific
2370 moment connection designs have been appropriately completed and that all
2371 applicable project-specific design loads, building code requirements, building
2372 geometry, and beam-to-column combinations have been satisfactorily addressed.
2373 The Connection Prequalification Review Panel (CPRP) has prequalified the
2374 SidePlate moment connection after reviewing the proprietary connection design
2375 procedure contained in the SidePlate moment connection design software
2376 (version 16 for welded and version 17 for bolted), as summarized here. In the
2377 event that SidePlate moment connection designs use a later software version to
2378 accommodate minor format changes in the software’s user input summary and
2379 output summary, the SidePlate moment connection designs will be accompanied
2380 by a SidePlate moment connection validation report that demonstrates that the
2381 design dimensions, lengths, and sizes of all plates and welds generated using the
2382 CPRP-reviewed connection design procedure remain unchanged from that
2383 obtained using the later version connection design software. Representative
2384 beam sizes to be included in the validation report are W36×150 (W920×223)
2385 and W40×294 (W1000×438) for the field-welded and W36×150, W40×211 and
2386 W40×397 for the field-bolted connection.

2387
2388 Fig. C-11.10. Instantaneous center of rotation of a sample weld group.
2389
2390
2391 Fig. C-11.11. Instantaneous center of rotation of a sample bolt group.

2392
CHAPTER 12
2393
SIMPSON STRONG-TIE STRONG FRAME
2394
MOMENT CONNECTION
2395 12.1. GENERAL
2396 The Simpson Strong-Tie® Strong Frame® moment connection uses patented
2397 Yield-Link® structural fuse technology to create a field-bolted, partially
2398 restrained (PR) moment connection for strong-axis wide-flange beam-to-
2399 column connections. The Yield-Links are either configured as separate T-
2400 stub elements connected to each beam flange, or they are connected to a
2401 common end plate for shallow beam connections. During seismic events,
2402 inelastic demand is absorbed in the Yield-Link elements of the beam-to-
2403 column connection instead of requiring the formation of a plastic hinge in the
2404 beam adjacent to the column. The connection eliminates field welding, and
2405 the frame behavior afforded by the connection enables frames to be designed
2406 without the need for flange bracing on the beams. This is particularly useful
2407 in structures where providing flange bracing can be difficult (such as when
2408 integrated into wood structures) or is an undesirable architectural intrusion.
2409 Connection testing qualified the use of snug-tight bolts for typical field-
2410 installed bolts, simplifying bolt installation, inspection, and frame erection.
2411 The connection centers around the Yield-Link (Link) structural fuse
2412 performance and a capacity-based design procedure that, under lateral
2413 loading, pushes inelastic demand into the Links rather than the members.
2414 Unlike other prequalified special moment frame (SMF) connections, little if
2415 any inelastic behavior is expected in the members. Whether configured as a
2416 modified T-stub or connected to a common end plate, the Link serves to
2417 transfer moment from the beam to the column. The connection bolts to the
2418 column flange with four snug-tight ASTM F3125 Grade A325 orA325M
2419 bolts at each link (pretensioned ASTM F3125 Grade A325, A325M or F1852
2420 bolt assemblies are also permitted). The stem of the Link bolts to the beam
2421 flange with pretensioned ASTM F3125 Grade A325, A325M, A490, A490M,
2422 F1852, or F2280 bolt assemblies. In between the connection to the beam and
2423 column, the stem of the Link is elongated and contains a section with reduced
2424 area that defines the location of yielding in the Link. This reduced area
2425 controls the axial strength of the Link and provides for very reliable estimates
2426 of the yield and ultimate moment strength of the beam-to-column connection.
2427 To prevent buckling of the yielding section of the Link when in compression,
2428 a buckling restraint plate (BRP) is placed over the Link and bolted to the
2429 beam flange on either side of the reduced-area section of the Link. The BRP
2430 uses snug tight ASTM F3125 Grade A325 or A325M bolts that pass through
2431 a spacer plate that fills the gap between the bottom of the BRP and the near
2432 surface of the beam flange. The web of the beam connects to either the
2433 column or the common end plate via a single-plate shear connection. The
2434 connection uses an arrangement of bolts that permit transfer of shear and
2435 axial forces between the beam and column, while at the same time limiting
2436 the transfer of moment. This is accomplished by having a central pivot point
2437 defined by a central bolt passing through standard holes in both the beam
2438 web and the shear plate and by having the remaining bolts in the shear plate
2439 pass through either horizontal or vertical slots in the shear plate and standard
2440 holes in the beam web. This arrangement creates a hinge in the beam web-to-
2441 column flange connection and defines the effective rotation point for the
2442 plastic hinge. Shear-plate bolts are permitted to be snug-tight ASTM F3125
2443 Grade A325 or A325M or pretensioned ASTM F3125 Grade A325, A325M,
2444 or F1852. The hinge is used to transfer net axial force from the beam to the
2445 column, so in addition to shear- and moment-related design provisions found
2446 in other prequalified moment connections, this connection also contains
2447 design provisions for axial load transfer.
2448 Initial qualification testing consisted of a series of nine reversed cyclic tests
2449 according to the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions, Section E3.6c (AISC,
2450 2010a) covering three configurations, each with three replications. Each test
2451 consisted of a single-story, single-bay frame with lateral loads (in-plane
2452 shear) introduced into the top flange of the beam through a wood nailer
2453 connected to the beam flange. Only one end of the beam used the Strong
2454 Frame connection, and the remaining beam-to-column and column-to-test
2455 bed connections were pinned. This configuration was chosen for testing the
2456 connection over the typical cantilever beam configuration for two primary
2457 reasons: It allowed beam axial loads to be driven through the joint to enable
2458 verification of both the axial and moment related design provisions, and it
2459 permitted observation of the beam flange response when flange bracing was
2460 omitted. The testing resulted in all frames reaching a drift level of 0.05 rad
2461 without a loss of strength greater than 20% of the nominal plastic moment
2462 strength, Mp, satisfying the requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions,
2463 Section E3.6b. For this connection Mp is calculated using the yielding area of
2464 the links and the connection geometry rather than the beam properties.
2465 At the current time there are no other PR connections that have been
2466 prequalified as an SMF connection, and PR SMF connections were not
2467 directly addressed in the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions. The 2016 AISC
2468 Seismic Provisions (AISC, 2016a) now address the potential use of PR SMF
2469 connections in Section E3.6b.(b). Accordingly, even though the initial testing
2470 met the SMF connection performance requirements of the 2010 AISC
2471 Seismic Provisions, additional requirements were created to demonstrate the
2472 suitability of the connection and the design procedure for use as SMF or IMF
2473 connections in high-seismic applications.
2474 The first additional requirement was to assess the connection performance
2475 through a component equivalency evaluation using the procedures found in
2476 FEMA P-795, Quantification of Building Seismic Performance Factors:
2477 Component Equivalency Methodology (FEMA, 2011). An independent study
2478 was commissioned to perform the FEMA P-795 evaluation, comparing the
2479 Strong Frame connection to the reduced beam section (RBS) connection,
2480 resulting in two changes to the design procedure. The Link flange-to-stem
2481 weld was required to develop the full strength of the unreduced portion of the
2482 stem at the column side (it had been previously designed for the probable
2483 maximum tensile strength of the reduced yielding area); and a single
2484 thickness of stem material, 1/2 in. (13 mm), was selected (initially different
2485 thicknesses were considered). Six additional tests similar to those described
2486 previously (three reversed cyclic tests according to the 2010 AISC Seismic
2487 Provisions and three monotonic tests) were then conducted to verify the
2488 performance with the amended design and detailing procedure.
2489 Although not required by the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions, the monotonic
2490 tests were conducted to satisfy FEMA P-795 requirements. The purpose of
2491 the monotonic testing is to better understand the collapse behavior of
2492 buildings using the connection by investigating the interstory drift capacity
2493 afforded by the connection. The results of the cyclic tests again showed that
2494 the connection meets the performance requirements of the 2010 AISC
2495 Seismic Provisions and that the ultimate limit state was as predicted: a net
2496 section fracture in the reduced portion of the Links. The results of the
2497 monotonic tests showed that the connection has tremendous displacement
2498 capacity, the tests being stopped at 9.5% interstory drift without failure or
2499 decreasing from peak capacity. The conclusion from the FEMA P-795 study
2500 was that the Strong Frame connection is equivalent to the prequalified RBS
2501 connection. It should be noted that for all the testsinitial and secondary,
2502 cyclic and monotonicyielding initiated from about 0.01 to 0.015 rad
2503 interstory drift angle as is typically expected of frames with SMF
2504 connections.
2505 Even with the successful FEMA P-795 evaluation, a second additional
2506 requirement was added to look more at system behavior rather than the
2507 individual connection behavior as was the focus of the FEMA P-795
2508 evaluation. To address this additional requirement, a series of nonlinear
2509 response history analyses were performed using a suite of ground motions
2510 and a suite of archetype buildings to compare the seismic response of
2511 buildings using the Strong Frame connection to buildings using a prequalified
2512 connection. The connection chosen for comparison was again the RBS
2513 connection. As before, an independent study was commissioned, with designs
2514 for both systems minimized to the extent allowed by the respective design
2515 procedures. The study included the development of archetype designs for
2516 representative steel moment frames for a two-story, four-story, and six-story
2517 building using ASCE/SEI 7-10 (ASCE, 2010), the 2010 AISC Specification
2518 (AISC, 2010b) and the 2010 AISC Seismic Provisions and was evaluated
2519 using seven scaled ground motion pairs. The study demonstrated that the
2520 performances of the Strong Frame and comparable RBS structures were very
2521 similar and within acceptable levels. No collapses were predicted by the
2522 analysis. The most severe response was recorded for the two-story RBS
2523 archetype, which exhibited a maximum story drift ratio for one record of
2524 nearly 5%. Mean story drift response for both the Strong Frame and RBS
2525 structures averaged approximately 2.3%, and the mean plus one standard
2526 deviation response averaged 3% for the Strong Frame structures and 2.8% for
2527 the RBS structures.
2528 In addition to the cyclic and monotonic testing specifically used to qualify the
2529 Strong Frame connection, other large-scale shake table test programs have
2530 employed the connection. Steel frames using the Strong Frame connection
2531 were part of the 2009 NEESWood Capstone tests at Japan’s E-Defense
2532 facility in Miki, Japan (van de Lindt et al., 2009). The full-scale seven-story
2533 structure consisted of first-story steel framing using the Strong Frame
2534 connection, which supported a six-story wood light-frame structure on top
2535 and had a plan dimension of 40 ft by 60 ft (12 m by 18 m). More recently,
2536 steel frames using the Strong Frame connection were employed as retrofit
2537 elements in the first story of a four-story full-scale light frame wood building
2538 built to simulate a typical San Francisco-style wood structure with a
2539 soft/weak first story due to ground-level parking. Known as the NEESSoft
2540 project (Bahmani et al., 2016; Pryor et al., 2014; van de Lindt et al., 2016),
2541 the building was successfully tested at the NHERI @ UC San Diego
2542 (formerly NEES @ UCSD) outdoor shake table under a variety of different
2543 ground motions.
2544 In 2015 six additional cyclic tests (three each of two configurations) were
2545 conducted on small frames employing shallow beams and the end-plate
2546 Yield-Link connection, where the single plate shear connection and the
2547 yielding stem of the Yield-Link are all welded to a common end plate, which
2548 is then bolted to the column flange. As before single story, single bay frames
2549 were tested. Column bases were hinged, and both beam-to-column
2550 connections were moment resisting. The smaller of the two frame specimens
2551 consisted of 6-in. deep welded H-section columns and an 8.5-in. deep welded
2552 H-section beam in a frame approximately 8-ft tall by 9.5-ft wide (to member
2553 centerlines). The larger of the frame specimens similarly consisted of 18-in.
2554 deep welded columns and an 8.5-in. deep welded beam in a frame
2555 approximately 8-ft tall by 12-ft wide. As before, in-plane lateral load was
2556 delivered through a wood nailer connected to the top flange of the beam, and
2557 the bottom flange remained unbraced. Bolts connecting the yielding stem of
2558 the Link to the beam were pretensioned, whereas the remaining bolts at the
2559 beam web-to-shear plate, the end plate-to-column flange, and the BRP bolts
2560 were all installed snug-tight. There were no observed failures in the smaller
2561 frame, and testing was stopped after two cycles of 0.08 rad interstory drift
2562 angle. For the larger frame, failure occurred in the Links, with fracture of the
2563 yielding area of the link occurring in the first cycle of 0.08 rad interstory drift
2564 angle for one test and in the second cycle of 0.08 rad for the other two tests.
2565 All tests met the connection performance requirements in the 2016 AISC
2566 Seismic Provisions Section E3.6b. For the smaller frames, yielding initiated
2567 at approximately 0.0125 rad interstory drift angle, whereas it was
2568 approximately 0.01 rad for the larger frame.
2569 In 2017 three additional cyclic tests and one monotonic test were conducted
2570 to support an expansion of both Yield-Link and member sizes. As before,
2571 single story, single bay frames were tested with one beam-to-column
2572 connection designed as moment resisting using T-stub Yield-Links, with the
2573 other beam-to-column connection and both column base connections
2574 designed as pins. In-plane lateral load was again delivered to the frame via a
2575 wood nailer connected to the top flange of the beam, and also as before the
2576 bottom flange was unbraced. Columns were braced out of plane at the cap
2577 plate (slightly above the level of the top flange of the beam) and the column
2578 base. Column sections were ( ), and the beam was
2579 ( ). The center-to-center distance between the two
2580 columns was 35 ft, and the beam centerline was 21.5 ft above the column
2581 base hinges. T-stub Yield-Links were designed for the new maximum size
2582 consisting of 1-in. thick stem material, with a 6-in. wide yield width in the
2583 reduced section, which for comparison corresponds to the remaining flange
2584 area of a 50% RBS cut on a . As expected, fracture of the yielding
2585 section of the Link was the failure mode in all three cyclic tests. Two of the
2586 test specimens completed one cycle of 0.05 rad interstory drift prior to
2587 failure, and one completed two cycles of 0.05 rad interstory drift angle before
2588 failure. No failures occurred in the monotonic test, and it was stopped at an
2589 approximately 0.09 rad interstory drift angle due to actuator limitations. For
2590 both cyclic and monotonic tests, initiation of yielding occurred at an
2591 approximately 0.01 rad interstory drift angle. The overall tested assembly is
2592 shown in Figure C-12.1, and a plot of moment at the face of the column
2593 versus story drift is shown in Figure C-12.2.

2594
2595 Fig. C-12.1. Testing new largest Link size with 6 in. 2 yield area.
25000
Test #1
Moment at Face of Column (k-in)
20000 Test #2
Test #3
15000 +0.8Mp
10000 -0.8Mp
+4% Drift
5000 -4% Drift
0
-5000
-10000
-15000
-20000
-25000
-6.0 -5.0 -4.0 -3.0 -2.0 -1.0 0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0 5.0 6.0
2596 Story Drift (%)
2597 Fig. C-12.2. Moment at face of column vs. story drift.
2598 In accordance with the design procedure, the length of the yielding section of
2599 the Links must increase with increasing beam depth. This leads to the need
2600 for more than one bolt on each side of the yielding area of the Link securing
2601 the BRP to the beam flange, and thicker Links mean more stress on the BRP,
2602 their bolts, and the beam flange. Whereas previously the BRP components
2603 were based on the empirical results of early testing, the buckling restraint
2604 assembly for the W36 tests previously discussed was designed according to a
2605 new set of requirements that add specific design provisions to the empirical
2606 minimum requirements.
2607 The inclusion of beams and columns of up to W36 profiles and Yield-Links
2608 of up to 6 in.2 yielding area opened up the connection to use in design space
2609 that had not been studied, specifically taller buildings. In accordance with
2610 the 2016 AISC Seismic Provisions, Section E3.6b.(b), additional analysis
2611 work complying with ASCE/SEI 7-16, Section 12.2.1.1 (ASCE, 2017), was
2612 requested by the CPRP committee. To meet this request, a FEMA P-695
2613 (FEMA, 2009) study was conducted to compare the performance of a steel
2614 SMF using both RBS connections and Strong-Frame connections. The basis
2615 of this comparison came from a previous FEMA P-695 study on 4-, 8-, 12-,
2616 and 20-story steel SMF using RBS connections and documented in a report
2617 by NIST (NIST, 2010). The NIST RBS frames were reanalyzed to verify the
2618 new model was achieving similar results, and then the frames were
2619 redesigned for use with the Strong-Frame connection and evaluated using
2620 FEMA P-695 procedures. The results showed that for all building heights the
2621 buildings with the Strong-Frame connection had better resistance to collapse,
2622 and the calculated overstrength ranged from 3.00 to 3.63 for the Strong
2623 Frame buildings. Table C-12.1 shows the comparison between the computed
2624 collapse margin ratios (CMR) and adjusted collapse margin ratios (ACMR)
2625 for both systems. Additional information on the large Link testing, buckling
2626 restraint design procedure verification, and FEMA P-695 analysis results is
2627 given in Pryor et al. (2018).
2628 Table C-12.1. Incremental Dynamic Analysis Results

Incremental Dynamic Analyses
Building SMF 𝑺𝑴𝑻
CMR ACMR
(g)
RBS 0.94 1.80 2.52
4-story
Strong Frame 0.94 1.83 2.58
RBS 0.55 1.39 1.87
8-story
RBS 0.40 1.41 1.84
12-story
RBS 0.08 1.95 2.23
20-story
2629 Strong Frame 0.08 5.53 8.81

2632 A number of different beam sizes were used in the frame tests, with the
2633 largest being W36 (W920) profiles and the smallest being W8 (W200)
2634 profiles. End-plate Yield-Links are qualified for use on smaller beams in the
2635 W8 (W200) to W12 (W310) range (or equivalent built-up sections). Because
2636 the capacity-based design procedure forces inelastic behavior into the
2637 connection rather than the beam, in general, the width-to-thickness
2638 requirements of the AISC Specification (AISC, 2016b) apply. However,
2639 because the connection does rely on the beam flange and web to form part of
2640 the buckling restraint assembly for the yielding portion of the Link, the beam
2641 flange thickness is required to be checked according to the requirements in
2642 Section 12.9, Step 10, and also have a minimum thickness of 0.40 in. (10
2643 mm). Furthermore, the width-to-thickness value cannot exceed λr in AISC
2644 Specification Table B4.1a. Additionally, the capacity-based design procedure
2645 and connection performance (no plastic hinging in the beam) allows the beam
2646 stability bracing to be designed in accordance with the AISC Specification.
2647 The protected zone encompasses the shear connection and yielding portions
2648 of the connection, specifically the Yield-Links, and elements of the
2649 connection in contact with both.

2651 A number of different column sizes were used in the frame tests, with the
2652 largest being W36 (W920) profiles and the smallest being W6 (W150)
2653 profiles. Because only strong-axis connections were tested, beams are
2654 required to connect to column flanges. Where frames are detailed to create
2655 plastic hinging at the column base, the width-to-thickness requirements for
2656 highly ductile members apply in the first story. Otherwise, the requirements
2657 of the AISC Specification apply. Column lateral bracing requirements in the
2658 AISC Seismic Provisions (AISC, 2016a) are to be satisfied. An exception is
2659 provided to allow bracing the column at the level of the top flange of the
2660 beam only if additional limits are placed on the column flexural design
2661 strength provisions of the AISC Specification to ensure the columns remain
2662 elastic outside the panel zones. The limits are noted in Step 13.2 of the
2663 Section 12.9 Design Procedure requirements.
2664 3. Bolting Limitations

2665 The connection testing specifically prequalified a number of bolts in the
2666 connection to be installed snug-tight. These include the Link flange-to-
2667 column flange bolts, end plate-to-column flange bolts, and the shear-plate
2668 bolts. These same bolts may also be installed pretensioned if desired. The
2669 buckling restraint plate bolts are required to be installed only snug-tight. The
2670 Link stem-to-beam bolts are required to be installed pretensioned to prevent
2671 slip that would occur under design loads. In the prequalification testing, slip
2672 would typically start between 2 to 3% interstory drift, at which point the bolts
2673 went into bearing. No special preparation of either the Links or the beam
2674 flange surfaces in the test frames was done. The only prequalification
2675 requirement is that faying surfaces not be painted.

2677 The requirements for the Strong Frame connection are similar to those of
2678 other prequalified SMF connections. Mpr, however, is calculated based on the
2679 probable maximum tensile strength of the Links, Mpr=Pr-link(d+tstem), where
2680 Pr-link is the probable maximum tensile strength of the Link calculated as the
2681 product of the yield area, the specified minimum tensile strength, Fu, and the
2682 ratio of the expected tensile strength to the specified minimum tensile
2683 strength, Rt. When Links are fabricated from ASTM A572/A572M Grade 50
2684 (345) plate material, this approach results in a 23% higher estimate of
2685 demand than what would be calculated if an approach equivalent to that of
2686 other SMF connections was used (Equation 2.4-1). Basing connection
2687 demand on the section properties and the expected tensile strength is used in
2688 numerous places in the design procedure and produces similarly higher
2689 demands when compared to typical SMF requirements. This is consistent
2690 with the overall goal of keeping nearly all inelastic demand in the replaceable
2691 Yield-Link elements and creating little if any inelastic demand in the
2692 members. Using this higher demand also applies to the evaluation of panel
2693 zone strength, which for the Strong Frame connection is done in accordance
2694 with the AISC Specification rather than the AISC Seismic Provisions. One
2695 effect of this requirement is the use of the AISC Specification  = 0.90 rather
2696 than the AISC Seismic Provision v = 1.00 (AISC Seismic Provisions Section
2697 E3.6e), in conjunction with nominal resistance, Rn, calculated in accordance
2698 with AISC Specification Section J10.6. Adding to the differences in how Mpr
2699 is calculated results in panel zone shear demands approximately 26% higher
2700 than would be calculated if typical SMF design methodologies were used.
2701 12.5. CONTINUITY PLATES

2702 The need for continuity plates is determined in the design procedure by
2703 basing demand on the expected tensile strength of the Links as discussed in
2704 Commentary Section 12.4 and design strength as determined by the AISC
2705 Specification. As was used successfully in the qualification testing, fillet
2706 welds are permitted at the web and flanges of the column.

2707 12.6. YIELD-LINK FLANGE-TO-STEM WELD LIMITATIONS

2708 As discussed previously, initially the design demand for this weld was based
2709 on the expected tensile strength of the reduced portion of the Link. While this
2710 did permit the qualification testing to successfully meet the performance
2711 requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions, the ultimate limit state for
2712 some of the tests was failure of this weld rather than the more desirable
2713 failure in the yielding area of the Link. As a result of the additional
2714 requirement to pass the FEMA P-795 component equivalency evaluation,
2715 which compared the Strong Frame connection performance to that of an RBS
2716 connection, this weld was changed to require either complete-joint-
2717 penetration groove welds or double-sided fillet welds that develop the tensile
2718 strength of the unreduced portion of the Link.
2719 12.7. FABRICATION OF YIELD-LINK CUTS

2720 The fabrication requirements reflect production quality necessary to ensure
2721 the proper performance of the links.

2723 The requirements of this section reflect the tested conditions and common
2724 allowances where appropriate. The connection is detailed to accommodate up
2725 to 0.07-rad rotation, which, along with frame flexibility, will accommodate
2726 the expected interstory drift without affecting any connection element other
2727 than the Yield-Links. Shear plate connection welds are required to develop
2728 the strength of the shear plate, and Yield-Link material thickness may vary
2729 from nominally 1/2-in. (13 mm) to 1-in. (25 mm) thick and fabricated from
2730 one of the three permitted steel grades. The previous specification of Link
2731 thickness tolerance was changed to reference ASTM A6.
2732 The stems of the pair of Yield-Links at each connection must be fabricated
2733 from the same heat of material to ensure minimum variability in actual Fy and
2734 Fu for the pair of Links in a connection. This is because imbalance of the
2735 Link strengths can drive additional force into the central pivot bolt of the
2736 connection. This force is parallel to and can be cumulative with the net axial
2737 connection force in the beam, which is also resisted by the central pivot bolt.
2738 Rather than include an explicit design procedure to accommodate unbalanced
2739 Link strength, it was decided at this time to simply use material from the
2740 same heat for the stems of each pair of Links at a given connection.
2741 In general, the topic of the potential adverse effects of unequal strength in the
2742 Links or flanges of a moment connection is not limited to just the Strong
2743 Frame connection. While the central pivot design of the Strong Frame
2744 connection in essence attempts to maintain the location of the plastic neutral
2745 axis at the centerline of the beam even if the Links are of different
2746 strengthsand thus create relatively even strain demands in each link for a
2747 given connection rotationthe same is not true for traditional built-up shapes
2748 that may have different flange strengths and form plastic hinges in the beam
2749 cross section. The neutral axis of the plastic section would shift toward the
2750 flange with higher strength, and uneven strain demands in the flanges would
2751 result. However, the effect on inelastic performance for this condition has not
2752 been studied, and currently there are no requirements to control flange
2753 strength in SMF connections using built-up sections subject to plastic
2754 hinging.

2755 When using separate T-stub Yield Links, beam shear is transmitted directly
2756 to the column through the single plate shear connections and not through the
2757 Yield-Link, which affords the opportunity to use other than standard holes at
2758 the Link flange-to-column connection. When end-plate Yield-Links are
2759 used, shear is transferred from the beam to the column through the bolts that
2760 connect the end plate to the column. Because these bolts may be snug-tight,
2761 standard holes must be used in both the column and the end plate. Specific
2762 methods of fabricating bolt holes and the specification of surface roughness
2763 were removed because any approved method is acceptable, and surface
2764 roughness must already conform to the AISC Specification.
2765 Changes to the requirements for the buckling restraint assembly reflect the
2766 addition of specific design requirements in Step 10 of the design procedure.
2767 The maximum BRP bolt diameter has also been removed because the bolts
2768 are now specifically designed in Step 10.

2770 The design procedure for the Strong Frame connection parallels the design
2771 concepts for frames with other moment connections but is adapted to the
2772 specific configuration of the connection. Connection flexural strength is
2773 controlled by the strength of the Yield-Links, and shear strength is controlled
2774 by the strength of the shear-plate connection. This allows beams to be
2775 designed, if desired, to be unbraced yet stable under the combined effects of
2776 expected ultimate connection flexural strength, gravity loads, and axial load
2777 resulting from lateral loading. Unlike some historical PR moment
2778 connections, the Strong Frame connection is proportioned to remain elastic
2779 under the combined effects of design lateral and vertical loads, with the
2780 Yield-Links only experiencing inelastic behavior during seismic events in
2781 which the real seismic forces are expected to exceed the unamplified design
2782 seismic forces (Rex and Goverdhan, 2000). This permits the use of typical
2783 elastic analysis procedures similar to other SMF connections. However, like
2784 some historical PR moment connections, the beams are designed as simple
2785 span for gravity loads (Geschwindner and Disque, 2005). This facilitates
2786 post-earthquake repairs, should they be needed, by ensuring the beam is
2787 proportioned to support its design gravity loads even if the Links are removed
2788 during replacement. In addition to the various strength checks for frame
2789 members and elements of the connection, the PR nature of the Strong Frame
2790 connection requires a detailed stiffness check using actual connection
2791 stiffness to ensure lateral drift limits are met. This means that the lateral
2792 stiffness-to-mass and lateral yield strength-to-mass ratios are required to be
2793 the same as any other frame using SMF connections. As such, the code
2794 equations for base shear and period estimation are equally applicable to
2795 frames using the Strong Frame connection as they are to frames using other
2796 SMF connections. This was verified as part of the nonlinear response history
2797 study comparing Strong Frame and RBS connections discussed previously.
2798 For each of the archetype structures, the periods of the RBS frames and
2799 Strong Frame frames were virtually identical.
2800 The design process can be iterative, and Step 1 begins with suggestions on
2801 how to create trial values for sizes of the frame members and provides an
2802 initial estimate of story drift which is explicitly checked later in the design
2803 procedure. In addition to designing the beam as simply supported, Step 2 also
2804 suggests a deflection limit on the beam to limit member end rotations that
2805 would affect the connection.

2806 Step 5 determines the width of the yielding portion of the Link based on the
2807 permitted thicknesses ranging from 1/2 in. (13 mm) to 1 in. (25 mm) and
2808 subject to limitations that include a maximum width of 6 in. (152 mm), which
2809 corresponds to the strongest Yield-Link that has been qualified. Testing
2810 showed that for the approved steel grades, if the length of the straight portion
2811 of the yielding section of the Link is proportioned such that the strain demand
2812 in that section does not exceed 0.085 when the connection is subjected to a
2813 rotation of 0.05 rad, the Link will possess sufficient toughness to enable the
2814 connection to meet the cyclic test performance requirements of the AISC
2815 Seismic Provisions; this is reflected in Step 6.
2816 In Step 7, the Link expected yield strength and probable maximum tensile
2817 strength are computed. The value of Rt is specified as 1.2 to reflect the proper
2818 value from AISC Seismic Provisions Table A3.1 for ASTM A572/A572M
2819 Grade 50 (345) plates, strips, and sheets. If the Link is fabricated from hot-
2820 rolled structural shapes of ASTM A992/A992M or A913/A913M Grade 50
2821 (345) as permitted, the tabulated value of Rt =1.1 is used.
2822 In Step 8, the Link-to-beam flange connection is designed. Both here and in
2823 the web shear-plate connection, bolt bearing is required to be designed using
2824 bearing values that limit deformation at the bolt hole. The purpose of this is
2825 to again drive the inelastic response into the reduced portion of the Link and
2826 to keep other areas of the connection outside of the link essentially damage
2827 free to facilitate Link replacement should it be desired after a seismic event.
2828 In Step 9, the Yield-Link connection to the column flange is designed. Step
2829 9.1 determines bolt tension demand from either T-stub Yield-Links or end-
2830 plate Yield-Links, as appropriate, for design of the bolts. While the end-plate
2831 Yield-Link is similar to the prequalified 4-bolt extended, unstiffened end
2832 plate (4E), the yield line mechanism in the end-plate Yield-Link is slightly
2833 different. Conservatively, the T-section two yield line model reflected in
2834 Equation 12.9-10 is used to design the end-plate Yield-Link. In Equation
2835 12.9-9, the second term is additional tensile force assigned to the two bolts
2836 directly adjacent to the shear tab due to the moment that results from the
2837 eccentric application of shear to the shear tab. Shear transfer from the end-
2838 plate Yield-Link to the column flange is accomplished through the bolts at
2839 the compression flange location of the end plate, which are checked in Step
2840 9.1a. In Step 9.2, the required Yield-Link flange thickness, for a no prying
2841 action condition with a force limited by the probable maximum tensile
2842 strength of the Link as reflected in the calculation of rt in Step 9.1, is
2843 determined.
2844 Step 10 has been expanded to include specific design provisions for checking
2845 the elements of the buckling restraint assembly, which include BRP
2846 thickness, beam flange thickness, and BRP bolts. Step 10.1 determines the
2847 required minimum thickness of the BRP. Lcant is the lever arm from the start
2848 of the reduced region of the Yield-Link to the edge of the first spacer plate
2849 bolt hole, plus plate stretch length due to 0.05 rad of joint rotation. It
2850 represents the bending leverage on the BRP from the angled reinsertion
2851 contact of a link after a large tension deformation has stretched the link (0.05-
2852 rad joint rotation) and then the link begins to be reinserted under
2853 compression. This was shown through detailed nonlinear finite element
2854 analysis (FEA) to be the controlling action for determining BRP thickness.
2855 In Step 10.2, the beam flange is checked for prying action from BRP bolt
2856 forces developed during full compression insertion into the buckling restraint
2857 assembly. Equation 12.9-14 is the same as the AISC Steel Construction
2858 Manual (AISC, 2017) prying equation (Equation 9-17a). The derivation of
2859 Tux is based on inelastic column buckling theory using the tangent modulus of
2860 elasticity. In comparison to FEA analysis, results predicted the yield lines
2861 from Dowswell (2011) provided the best correlation with the design
2862 procedure yielding conservative results. In Step 10.3, bolt size is determined
2863 from consideration of tension induced from constrained weak axis buckling
2864 plus shear due to friction associated with the constrained weak axis buckling,
2865 or from shear determined from in-plane buckling due to strong-axis buckling
2866 only.
2867 Step 11 is a procedure for calculating the actual connection stiffness for use
2868 in checking frame drift and connection behavior. The Link stiffness is
2869 calculated as three springs in series, where the springs represent the
2870 stiffnesses of the Link flange in bending, the yielding portion of the link stem
2871 under axial load, and the nonyielding portion of the Link stem under axial
2872 load. Once the axial stiffness of the Links is computed, the connection can
2873 either be modeled with appropriate geometry using discrete axial elements to
2874 represent the top and bottom links at a connection, or an equivalent rotational
2875 spring can be determined and used in the modeling. As seen in Figure C-12.1,
2876 this approach has been shown to be very effective for modeling both the
2877 elastic and inelastic behavior of the connection (Pryor and Murray, 2013).
2878
2879 Fig. C-12.1 Testing vs. FEA analysis for frame modeled with
2880 all material nonlinearity in the Yield-Link elements.
2881 Step 11.2 requires that the frame, using the actual Strong Frame connection
2882 properties, meets the required drift limit and that the connection response is
2883 elastic under design load combinations (not including amplified seismic load
2884 combinations). The calculation of required shear in Step 12 is analogous to
2885 that used in designing RBS connections. Because a plastic hinge is not
2886 formed in the beam in Strong Frame connections, the value of Lh is the
2887 distances between the rotational points in the shear-plate connections rather
2888 than between the centers of plastic hinges. The user is directed to the
2889 Commentary for Chapter 5, Reduced Beam Section (RBS) Moment
2890 Connection, for additional information.
2891 Required member checks are in Step 13. Step 13.1 requires the beams to be
2892 checked using the AISC Specification under combined demand that consists
2893 of the maximum probable end moments, axial forces considering either the
2894 maximum that the system can deliver, or amplified seismic loads and gravity
2895 loads. If the designer chooses, beam size can be selected to meet the
2896 requirements of the AISC Specification under this combined loading without
2897 lateral bracing. In Step 13.2, column design demand is determined from load
2898 combinations that include seismic effects derived from either the maximum
2899 that the system can deliver or the overstrength seismic loads for both axial
2900 force and moment [the exception in AISC Seismic Provisions Section
2901 D1.4a(b) allowing one to ignore overstrength level moments when checking
2902 the column is not permitted for designs using the Strong Frame connection.]
2903 The design strength of the column outside the panel zone is not permitted to
2904 exceed bFySx, where b =0.90 even if otherwise permitted by AISC
2905 Specification Section F2 when column bracing is only provided at the level of
2906 the top flange of the beam.
2907 In Step 15, the shear plate and beam web are designed in accordance with the
2908 AISC Specification to permit hinging about a central rotation point while
2909 resisting the beam shear and axial force demand determined from capacity-
2910 based design principles. In Step 15.1, note that the bolt shear demand is
2911 controlled by the shear force on the central bolt in the connection because it
2912 takes its portion of the vertical shear reaction in combination with its portion
2913 of the axial loads being transferred from the beam to the column, combined
2914 using the square root of the sum of the squares (vector sum) rule.
2915 Analogous to a beam flange force, in Step 16 the maximum probable axial
2916 strength of the Yield-Link is used to calculate panel zone shear demand. As is
2917 the case for typical connections, Link strengths are summed for double-sided
2918 connections.
2919 Borrowing from the bolted unstiffened and stiffened extended end-plate
2920 moment connection provisions in Chapter 6, Step 18 provides an analogous
2921 design procedure for checking the column flanges for flexural yielding based
2922 on the maximum probable tensile strength of the Yield-Link.
2923 If the design strength of the column web or flange without continuity plates
2924 or stiffeners is insufficient to support the maximum probable tensile strength
2925 of the Yield-Links, the design requirements for the stiffeners or continuity
2926 plates are in Step 19. Fillet welds are permitted at both column web and
2927 flange connections to the continuity plates or stiffeners.
2928

2929 REFERENCES
2930
2931
2932 CHAPTER 11
2933 SIDEPLATE MOMENT CONNECTION
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3006
3007 CHAPTER 12
3008 SIMPSON STRONG-TIE STRONG FRAME MOMENT CONNECTION
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3016
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3027 Unbraced Frames Subject to Lateral Forces – A Return to Simplicity,” Engineering
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3055


AISC 358-20s2 - Prequalified Connections For Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames For Seismic Applications. Supplement No. 2 (2020)

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AISC 358-20s2 - Prequalified Connections For Special and Intermediate Steel Moment Frames For Seismic Applications. Supplement No. 2 (2020)

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AISC 358s2-20 PUBLIC REVIEW DRAFT 1

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

161 7, Shims .......................................................................................................................... 40

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

324 11.1. GENERAL

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

(a) (b) (c)

(d) (e) (f)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

(a) (b) (c)

Cover Plate Configurations

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

(a) (b) (c)

(a) (b) (c)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

(a) (b) (c)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

414 11.2. SYSTEMS

421 11.3. PREQUALIFICATION LIMITS

432 (a) For SMF systems, HSS14 (HSS 356) or smaller.

433 (b) For IMF systems, HSS16 (HSS 406) or smaller.

438 (a) For SMF systems, Lh/d is limited to:

439  6 or greater with rectangular shaped cover plates.

442 (b) For IMF systems, Lh/d is limited to 3 or greater.

448 Lh = L – ½(dc1 + dc2) – 2(0.33)d – 2A (field-welded) (11.3-1a)

449 Lh = L – ½(dc1 + dc2) – 2(0.165)d – 2A (field-bolted) (11.3-1b)

451 L = distance between column centerlines, in. (mm)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

466 Fig. 11.9. Plastic hinge location and hinge-to-hinge length.

473 (2) HSS column shapes must conform to ASTM A1085.

480 (5) There is no limit on column weight per foot.

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

505 3. Connection Limitations

519 11.4. COLUMN-BEAM RELATIONSHIP LIMITATIONS

523 (a) Field-welded connection

524 bbf + 1.1tbf + 1/2 in. ≤ bcf (11.4-1a)

527 bbf + 1.0 in. ≤ bcf (11.4-1b)

528 bbf + 25 mm ≤ bcf (11.4-1bM)

(a) (b) (c) (d)

541 (3) Column-beam moment ratios shall be limited as follows:

582  M *pc   Zec  Fyc  Puc Ag  (11.4-4)

627 11.5. CONNECTION WELDING LIMITATIONS

632 The following welds are considered demand critical welds:

647 11.6. CONNECTION DETAILING

654 {C} Vertical shear plate.

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

716 Fig. 11.18. Beam shop detail, field-bolted standard (configuration A)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

728 (2) Types of holes:

736 (4) All bolts shall be installed as pretensioned high-strength bolts.

780 Fig. 11.22. Modeling of component stiffness for linear-elastic analysis.

840 Fy = specified minimum yield stress of yielding element, ksi (MPa)

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019

AISC 358s2-20 Public Review Draft Dated August 2, 2019