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Bracing Connection Work Point Minimum Connection Depth

I am studying the effect of moving the Work Point (WP) on Is there a minimum connection depth required for a beam
a vertical brace connection. I have noticed that when moving framing to a supporting beam or column?
the WP from column web to column flange, the gusset plate
dimension is reduced. Is it a good practice to specify the WP Chapter F in the AISC Specification states “The provisions in
at the column flange? This will cause an additional moment this chapter are based on the assumption that points of support
(force) in the column due to the eccentricity. Do we have to for beams and girders are restrained against rotation about their
consider this additional moment for design? Which is the longitudinal axis.” That is, the Specification requires that rotational
most economical solution? support must be provided at supports. It is common practice
to provide a connection with depth at least equal to T/2, as
Moving the WP to the face of the column often results in a more recommended for all the framed connections in Chapter 10 of the
economical solution. It may reduce the dimensions of the gusset, AISC Manual, to ensure that the proper restraint is provided. It
which will help prevent fouling with mechanical systems. It also may be possible to provide the required restraint by other means,
reduces the forces at the gusset-to-column interfaces, which may but the half-depth connection has become a de facto requirement.
result in smaller welds. Larry S. Muir, P.E.
This arrangement, as you mentioned, will add a moment to the
column, which will have to be considered in the design. Though Faying Surface Preparation
the additional moment may increase the column size somewhat, The faying surfaces of a slip-critical connection have been
the cost savings in the gusset design will often more than offset prepared to meet the slip coefficient around the bolt
the additional column weight. locations only. Paint overspray has occurred on areas of the
In his “24 Tips for Simplifying Braced Frame Connections” Victor faying surface away from the bolt holes. Is this permitted?
Shneur (MSC May 2006) lists this as tip 20:
“When a brace and girder frame into the column flange, Figure C-3.1 in the RCSC Specification for Structural Joints Using
the work point doesn’t always need to be at the column and/ ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts shows the applicable requirements. A
or girder center line. If the column or girder can accommodate distance of one bolt diameter (or at least 1 in.) around the perimeter
additional bending moment due to eccentricity, the work point of each bolt hole, plus all area within this outside perimeter, must
can be moved to the face of the column and to the top or bottom meet the requirements for the qualified surface. The remainder of
of the girder. This makes braced frame connections much simpler the faying surface outside this zone can be painted.
because connection eccentricity doesn’t need to be considered for Larry S. Muir, P.E.
gusset and girder to column connections, and brace connections
become more compact because of improved geometry.” Beam Connection Location
Larry S. Muir, P.E. When using a double-angle shear connection for a beam-
to-column (or beam-to-beam) connection is there anything
Minimum Fillet Weld Size wrong with installing the angles in the lower portion of the
Table J2.4 in the 2005 AISC Specification lists minimum sizes beam? Is there a limit to the location of the angle placement
for fillet welds. Is this table limited to use with A992 steel only? relative to the beam depth?

No. Table J2.4 is not related to any specific material grade, but There are no restrictions on where connections are placed along
rather to the quench effect of thick material on small welds. the depth of the beam in the AISC Specification or Manual.
This effect is the same for all grades of steel covered in the AISC However, there are provisions in the Specification requiring
Specification. See the Specification Commentary Section J2.4 for torsional restraint at the supports. When you consider the
discussion of the basis of this table. importance of this in the erected condition, especially before the
Kurt Gustafson, S.E., P.E. slab is placed, you can begin to see that this is the origin of the
half-depth connection “requirement” in the Manual.
Shape Surface Area Often, due to such factors as cope depths, the connection will
Where can I find information to calculate the surface area of be placed lower and perhaps in the lower half of the beam. This
a 30-ft-long W24×68? usually is not a problem. However, if the copes are large, and/or
the connection is less than half depth, the beam lateral bracing
Appendix A of AISC Design Guide 19 provides the surface area in condition should be considered. In the completed condition with
ft2/ft. Assuming that you have what the table calls “Case B,” which the slab in place, this is less of a concern.
is the entire surface area of both flanges and web, the surface area A connection near the top of the beam will provide more
= (6.77 ft2/ft)(30 ft) = 203 ft2. The table also lists surface areas stability during erection than one near the bottom, but both
assuming that the shape is boxed-in or if the outside of one flange arrangements are allowed. It is common practice to place the
is not included. This publication is a free download for AISC connection as close to the top of the beam as is practical, keeping
members at www.aisc.org/epubs. in mind some allowance for shop standardization.
Brad Davis, Ph.D., S.E. Larry S. Muir, P.E.
 april 2010 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION
steel interchange
Vibration Problem AISC Seismic Design Manual Table 4.2
I am experiencing vibration problems in a steel-framed Section 9.3a of the AISC Seismic Provisions references AISC
floor. I see in Design Guide 11 that the fundamental natural Specification Section J10.6 for the panel-zone shear yielding
frequency is related to the deflection. If I camber the steel strength, which has Ω = 1.5 for ASD. Table 4.2 in the AISC
beam, the deflection would be less. In the calculations for Seismic Design Manual provides a design aid for Special
frequency, what deflection should I use? Is camber going to Moment Frames (SMF) that includes panel-zone shear
help with vibration? parameters. However, the table only lists f = 1.0, which is for
LRFD. Are these tables only good for LRFD or can they be
The deflection of a cambered member is no less than one that used for both LRFD and ASD?
is not cambered. The only difference is that deflection in a
cambered beam will tend to straighten the beam. So from Because only the value of f is shown, the tabulated values are
a vibration standpoint cambering a beam does not typically intended for use with LRFD. For a more detailed description of
ameliorate the problem. the table values please refer to page 4-77 in the AISC Seismic Design
The following equation may make this more obvious. The Manual. However, since f = 1.0 in the specific case you questioned,
natural frequency of a simply supported beam is really it is easy to adjust these values on your own for ASD. To do so,
you can either compare the table values to Ω times your ASD
p EI
fn = required shear strength, or divide the tabular values of Rv by Ω for
2 mL4
comparison with your ASD required shear strength.
where m is the mass per unit length along the beam. This is Heath Mitchell, P.E.
Equation 3.1 in AISC Design Guide 11 except substituting m
for w/g. That the subsequent equations are written in terms of HSS Dimensional Tolerances
deflection, Δ, can be confusing, but dynamic properties are simply a What is the tolerance for outside dimensions of an ASTM
function of stiffness and mass. The use of Δ is a measure of stiffness A500 HSS7½×3½×3⁄16?
in this case.
Amanuel Gebremeskel, P.E. ASTM A500 Section 11.1.2 and Table 3 covers “Permissible
Variations in Dimension.” This information is summarized in Table
Instantaneous Center of Rotation 1-27 of the 13th edition AISC Steel Construction Manual. For this
Is there a formula for determining coefficient C for case, the permissible over/under variation is given as:
eccentrically loaded bolt groups? Where can I find it? Large Flat Dimension 0.01 x 7½ in. = 0.075 in.
Small Flat Dimension 1.5 x Large Flat = 0.113 in.
There is not a formula to determine the C value. However, the Heath Mitchell, P.E.
procedure is provided on page 7-6 of the 13th edition AISC Steel
Construction Manual, under the heading “Instantaneous Center of
Rotation Method.” The procedure is somewhat complex—and
iterative. You must first guess a location for the instantaneous center
of rotation, then use statics to check your guess. If your guess was
incorrect, then you take another guess, and repeat the process.
Usually this is accomplished using a computer program, though it is
possible to solve for C manually, albeit with several iterations.
Larry S. Muir, P.E.
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Prequalified Connection capability. Visit Steel Interchange online at www.modernsteel.com.
Is there a prequalified moment connection with a welded Kurt Gustafson is the director of technical assistance and Amanuel Gebremeskel is
flange and bolted web available in ANSI/AISC 358-05? a senior engineer in AISC’s Steel Solutions Center. Larry Muir, Brad Davis and Heath
Mitchell are consultants to AISC.
FEMA 350 includes a Welded Unreinforced Flange – Bolted
Steel Interchange is a forum to exchange useful and practical professional ideas and
Web (WUF-B) Connection. I do not see this connection information on all phases of steel building and bridge construction. Opinions and
included in ANSI/AISC 358-05 or Supplement No. 1. suggestions are welcome on any subject covered in this magazine.
The opinions expressed in Steel Interchange do not necessarily represent an official
position of the American Institute of Steel Construction and have not been reviewed. It is
The WUF-B connection is not listed in ANSI/AISC 358-05. This recognized that the design of structures is within the scope and expertise of a competent
connection was included in FEMA 350, but only for Ordinary licensed structural engineer, architect or other licensed professional for the application of
principles to a particular structure.
Moment Frame (OMF) applications. ANSI/AISC 358 is a standard
If you have a question or problem that your fellow readers might help you solve, please
of prequalified moment connection for Special and Intermediate forward it to us. At the same time, feel free to respond to any of the questions that you
Moment Frames (SMF and IMF). The AISC Seismic Provisions have read here. Contact Steel Interchange via AISC’s Steel Solutions Center:

(341-05) does not require conformance demonstration for OMF

systems, as is required for SMF and IMF systems.
Kurt Gustafson, S.E., P.E. One East Wacker Dr., Suite 700
Chicago, IL 60601
tel: 866.ASK.AISC • fax: 312.803.4709
[email protected]

MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION april 2010