ASDIP STEEL is a structural engineering software for design of steel members and connections. ASDIP STEEL software includes the design of beam to column moment connections based on the AISC 360 provisions. Following is an overview of the graphical user interface and the required steps for moment connection design, with annotated screenshots of the software.
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Moment connection design steps
In the Geometry tab enter the sizes, dimensions, and all geometric information of the connection. At the top of the page select the moment connection type: either Flange-plated, Welded flange, or End plate. The program will automatically update the graphical interface to reflect the selection.
At the bottom of the page, click on the Column tab to specify the column steel section from the built-in AISC sections database. If there is a similar connection at the other side of the support, then check the corresponding box to specify that the column web needs to be checked for buckling. Connections at floor or roof have different strengths, so it's necessary to specify the top condition. If continuity plates are added, a number of column web limit states are not required to be checked.
Click on the Beam tab to enter the beam dimensions. The beam size can be selected from the AISC sections database as well. Select the shear connection type, either Double angle, or a Shear plate. A tab for the connector will show up depending on the connection type. The angle can be either bolted or welded to the column and to the beam. If bolted, specify the bolt edge distance. Similar information is required for the single-plate.
For Flange-plated moment connections, the plate can be either bolted or welded to the beam flanges. If bolted, specify the bolt edge distance. Enter the plate dimensions.
Depending on whether the connector is bolted or welded, the Bolts tab and Weld tab will show up to enter the corresponding geometric information.
In the right pane, the At-a-Glance tab show a summary of the results, with the most relevant information, organized by topic. This is useful for a quick identification of any problem in the design. The program shows the moment connection strength, the shear connection strength, the combined loads, and the design checks.
In the Materials tab specify material properties for column, beam, and connector, such as Fy and Fu. In the Bolts tab enter the bolt diameter and material specification. In the Weld tab enter the fillet weld leg size and electrode strength.
The Condensed tab shows a more detailed set of results, organized by topic. This is useful when more information is required, for example the full list of the geometric constraints checks. The program shows the design strength of all the applicable limit states, and it identifies the controlling limit state for both moment and shear connection. Likewise, the program calculates the factored loads per load combination, and it identifies the controlling load combination, as show above.
In the Loads tab you can specify either a single set of pre-combined loads, or a set of nominal load cases to be combined internally. The first option applies when the loads come from another software and they are already combined, for example the beam reaction for 1.2D+1..6L. In this case enter this load as a pre-combined load and the software will use this load without any additional load factor.
Specify the load combinations code, either ASCE 7-05 or 10/16. Select the steel design method philosophy, either ASD or LRFD. The required load information is the vertical load P and bending moment M acting at the end of the beam, as shown below.
The Detailed tab shows full detailed results, step-by-step calculations with exposed formulas and Code references. It includes the detailed calculation of the design strength of every applicable limit state for both moment and shear connection. This is useful for a granular check of the moment connection design and for submittals to approval agencies.
ASDIP STEEL generates scaled graphics of front, side, and top views with the corresponding dimensions. and a summary of the design ratios, for final check, as shown above.
Takeaway
ASDIP STEEL includes the design of moment connections, with multiple options to optimize the design easily. The design of moment connections may be cumbersome and error-prone, with multiple limit states checks. With the friendly user interface the design can be completed and optimized with ASDIP STEEL in minutes.
For engineering background please read the post Shear Connections: Overview of the Design Process. For design examples please see the post Flange-Plated Moment Connection Example Using ASDIP STEEL and the blog post End Plate Moment Connection Example Using ASDIP STEEL. For our collection of blog posts about steel design please visit Structural Steel Design.
Detailed information is available about this structural engineering software by visiting ASDIP STEEL. You are invited to download a Free 15-Day Software Trial or go ahead and Place Your Order.
Best regards,
Javier Encinas, PE
ASDIP Structural Software