providing shop joint in the protected zone

[senthil83]

hi

we have a support structure designed to aisc 341-05 as SCBF system.

in brace member we want to make a shop joint to get requried length
of brace.

But this shop joint is lying in the protected zone as per aisc 341 spec.

is protected zone applicable for shop joint in member also.

regards
senthil

 

[KootK]

As I'm sure you know, the purpose of the protected zone provisions is to prevent things that would result in stress concentrations and fracture in locations where significant plasticity is required. To maintain that in a shop splice, I would argue that you would need full penetration welds all around. And those welds would need to be perfect, ground smooth, and carefully inspected. Backing bars would also need to be removed which would rule out HSS.

And even after all that, you'd still need EOR approval I'd think. And many EOR's would surely be Leary of the added risk. Would it not be more economical shift the splice to a more favourable location, even at the cost of additional wastage?

I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.