Connection Design

[strucguy]

2010 AISC Code of Standard Practice contains the following section on how to handle connection design on steel projects.

" 3.1.2. The owner’s designated representative for design shall indicate one of the
following options for each connection:
(1) The complete connection design shall be shown in the structural design
drawings;
(2) In the structural design drawings or specifications, the connection shall be
designated to be selected or completed by an experienced steel detailer; or,
(3) In the structural design drawings or specifications, the connection shall be
designated to be designed by a licensed professional engineer working for
the fabricator."

The document also goes on to say, when option 2 from above three is used, the experienced detailer could use tables in AISC steel construction manual to select connections. How can that not be considered steel detailer performing engineering? No offense to the detailers (there are a lot of smart ones out there), but the language in AISC document is misleading. How can a detailer be forced to make engineering decisions by following this approach. Selecting connections from AISC manual does require some engineering background and knowledge of various failure mechanisms. It's not as simple as, you know the load and you can pick a connection from the table. Your opinions??

 

[connectegr]

Initially, I am glad that AISC is finally recognizing the current industry practice. And with Option 3, the actual existence of our service.

In simple applications, shear connections with loading provided by the EOR, the detailer can select AISC simple connections. Tables for shear capacities of single plates, clip angles, etc.

Other limit states and "design responsibility" will remain with the EOR.

http://www.FerrellEngineering.com

Providing fabrication and erection efficient structural design of connections. Consulting services for structural welding and bolting.