Steel Frame Design for Patio Cover

[socaljoe13]

Hi all.

I'm new to this site and hoping someone can get a straight answer.

I'm designing a simple patio cover with tube steel columns and beams. Lid is corrugated metal so fairly light weight.

I'd like to use gusset plates at the beam to column connection thus making it rigid connection.

Should I be treating this as ordinary steel moment frame using an R value of 3.5? I'd also like to embed the columns in pole footings for more stability at the base.

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Joe

 

[structSU10]

Some of your terminology would not indicated inherent fixity - i.e. gussets - do you mean a moment connection, with top and bottom at the column?

If you are in a high seismic area that limits you, you could use that, but using an R=3 (steel not specifically detailed...) saves you the headache of following AISC 341.

More than likely, the base will be more flexible than a full moment connection due to foundation-soil interaction. It is easier to design it as a pinned frame, and conservative, if drift starts to become an issue.

 

[socaljoe13]

Thanks for the response. And yes....a moment connection is what I meant. I was hoping to use a simple welded knee brace (plate) at each column to beam connection (top of tube steel frame) and pin connect the base. Obviously if drift becomes an issue, then fix the base.

Other than referring to AISC Chapter 12 (HSS Connections), any other recommended sources I might be able to refer to using HSS members?

Thanks

 

[structSU10]

AISC has a design guide (24), which is a free download if you are a member, about HSS connections which may be helpful.