Fully Detail Connection in Midwest?

[PhDE]

What is typical practice for connection design in the Midwest - fully design connection or provide forces (performance spec) for connection to be design by Contractor's engineer? In the East Coast we typically only provide forces. Thanks

 

[joemarch]

FOR A STANDARD CONECTION I WOULD THINK FORCES WOULD BE FINE. I WORK WITH A FORMER STRUCTURAL STEEL DETAILER AND HE SAYS A GOOD DETAILER KNOWS WHAT NEEDS TO BE THERE. IF YOU HAVE A COMPLICTED CONNECTION IT DOESN'T HURT TO DETAIL YOUR CONNECTION, BUT FOR THE MOST PART THE STEEL DETAILERS ARE MORE THEN CAPABLE OF MAKING THE CONNECTIONS.

 

[SperlingPE]

I practice in Nebraska, Iowa, north Kansas, west and central Iowa. Typically, the standard connection is shown and the detailer designs connections based on a prescribed load formula and following AISC procedure for standard connections. For moment connections, I have designed the connection and I have shown the loads on the plans and let the detailer design the connection. In the latter case, I ask to review the design prior to shop drawings. If an engineer's stamp is required for connection design, this is usually an added cost to the steel. Most buildings that I work on are in the low to mid rise category.