Design and Detailing of Seismic Connections For Braced Frame Structures

Design and
Detailing of
Seismic
Connections for
Braced Frame
Structures
Author
erry Lundeen is a principal

with the structural engineering
firm of Coughlin Porter Lundeen,
Inc., in Seattle. His experience
over the past 20 years includes
the design of numerous building
structures as well as deep water
offshore platforms and large aircraft assembly facilities. He
received his bachelor of science
in civil engineering from Bradley
University in 1980 and his master
of science in civil engineering
from the University of Houston in
Frames and Eccentrically Braced

Frames. The seismic design
approach and details are based
on practical implementation of the
current provisions on numerous
commercial, industrial, educational and residential buildings.
1985.
Terry R. Lundeen
Mr. Lundeen has a special

interest in seismic design and
retrofit of structures, he is active
in the development of seismic
design provisions for the Uniform
Building Code through the
Structural Engineers Association
of Washington and for the federal
NEHRP documents through the
Building Seismic Safety Council
and the American Society of Civil
Engineers. He contributes to the
preparation of the Western States
Structural Engineers Exam and
lectures on the seismic design of
steel structures at the University
of Washington. He is a registered
structural engineer in California,
Washington and British Columbia.
Summary
s a result of lessons learned
A
from recent earthquakes
(Loma Prieta, Northridge, Kobe)
as well as on-going research, the
seismic design and detailing of
braced frame connections has
evolved significantly over the past
ten years.
Using an example office building, this paper presents the
design of braced frame connections according to the recently
released 1997 Edition of the
Seismic Provisions for Structural
Steel Buildings by AISC. The
examples include various types of
brace connections and column
splices for Specially
Concentrically Braced Frames,
Ordinary Concentrically Braced
25-1
2003 by American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc. All rights reserved.
This publication or any part thereof must not be reproduced in any form without permission of the publisher.
DESIGN AND DETAILING OF SEISMIC CONNECTIONS

FOR BRACED FRAME STRUCTURES
TERRY R. LUNDEEN
INTRODUCTION
This paper presents the design and detailing of

braced frame connections for seismic loading. A
prototype 4-story office building in Seismic Zone 3
is used as the basis for the examples. A typical
floor framing plan with braced frame locations is
given in Figure 1.
The overall forces on the structure are based on the

1997 Edition of the Uniform Building Code. The
design of steel members and connections is based
on the AISC Seismic Provisions for Steel
Buildings, dated April 17, 1997. A list of the
general design criteria is given in Table 1.
The examples include the three basic braced frame

types: Special Concentrically Braced Frames
(SCBF), Ordinary Concentrically Braced Frames
(OCBF), and Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBF).
A variety of brace types are provided including
pipes, structural tubes, and wide flanges.
Additionally, both welded and bolted connections
are provided for reference.
While most of the new code provisions are similar

to those of older versions, there have been some
changes and updates. These changes include
explicit consideration of material overstrength and
more direct integration of the AISC Seismic
Provisions into the model building codes.
Additional, more detailed, revisions are also
presented in this paper.
While the subject of the paper is connection design,
brace and column member issues that directly
effect the connections are discussed. The detailed
design of these members, however, is not provided.
Table 1
General Criteria
Code:
AISC Seismic Provisions for

Structural Steel Buildings
AISC Manual for Load &
Resistance Factor Design
Structure:
Office building
Located in Seismic Zone 3

Soil profile type Sc
The frame configuration are
as follows:
1. Special Concentrically
Braced Frame; R = 6.4
2. Ordinary Concentrically
Braced Frame; R = 5.6
3. Eccentrically Braced
Frame; R = 7
Material
Specifications:
Steel framing A572, Grade 50

High-strength A325/A490
bolts
Welding Electrodes: E70
Loads:
Roof Dead Load = 20psf

Roof Live Load = 25psf
Floor Dead Load = 80psf
Floor Live Load = 80psf
(reducible)
Figure 1 - Typical Floor Plan
25-3
SPECIAL CONCENTRICALLY BRACED

FRAME (SCBF) CONNECTION DESIGN
For this system, a frame consisting of welded pipe

braces and a frame consisting of bolted wide flange
braces are provided. Frame elevations for both
configurations are given in Figures 2 and 3. The
braces are arranged in a Chevron pattern both
because it represents the most commonly used
arrangement and because of the additional design
considerations given in the Provisions.
For a building of this size, the welded pipe
configuration is preferable both from a design and
construction perspective. The bolted wide flange
configuration is given as a reference for large
structures with brace forces that cannot be
accommodated with pipes. Similarly, the strong
axis column orientation given in the first frame is
desirable; however, a weak axis column
arrangement is also provided for reference.
The SCBF is a newer version of the traditional
steel braced frame. This system was developed to

provide documented ductility, both analytically and
through testing. In general, yielding and column
buckling of the braces provide this ductility. In
order for this behavior to be achieved, local
buckling in the braces or connections cannot occur.
Figure 2 - SCBF Elevation
Another requirement to guarantee the desirable

behavior of this system is to preclude plastic hinge
formation in Chevron beams under unbalanced
brace buckling and yielding forces. Also, the beam
flanges at Chevron connections must be braced
out-of-plane.
The connections in SCBF's must be stronger than

the yielding members. For this system, the
connections must also have either the strength to
develop a strong axis plastic hinge or be arranged
to allow a weak axis yield line to form under the
cyclic yielding and buckling of the braces.
A final consideration for this system is with the
columns. In addition to having the strength to

resist axial forces from the amplified earthquake
load combinations, the columns and splices are
designed for a nominal shear force in the column.
This shear strength requirement is provided
because plastic hinges formed in the columns at
large story drifts in some of the initial analytical
analyses of the system.
Figure 3 - Frame Elevation
25-4
Brace-to-Gusset Weld
The required weld thickness for the brace-togusset, assuming 12 in. of weld along (4) edges:
WELDED PIPE BRACE-TO-WIDE FLANGE

COLUMN CONNECTION (Fig. 4)
Required Strength
The required strength of bracing connections, per

AISC Sec. 13.3.a, is determined from the least of
the following equations:
1. Bracing member's nominal axial tensile
strength:
where
equals 1.1 per AISC
Sec. 6.2.
Use 12" of " weld on (4) edges
The weld thicknesses are relatively large to

limit the extension of the gusset plates beyond
the yield line.
Gusset-to-Beam and Column Welds
Using the Uniform Force Method as recommended

per LRFD Vol. II Part 11, the axial force from the
brace is resolved into the corresponding moment,
horizontal, and vertical forces on the gusset plate.
This is shown on the free body diagram of the
gusset plate Fig. 5.
As can be seen, the connection force to the

beam is much larger than that to the column.
As such, larger welds are used at the beam
flange to control the size of the gusset plate.
Figure 4 - Welded Pipe Brace-to-Wide Flange

Column Connection
2. Maximum force,
transferred to brace
by system as determined by analysis
Case 1 is normally used in design since Case 2

basically requires static push-over analysis or
non-linear time history analysis to establish
the maximum system force.
This connection was designed with a "yield
line" a distance of 2t from the brace in lieu of
the flexural strength requirements of Section
13.3c.
Figure 5 Gusset-to-Beam and Column Weld
Forces
25-5
Weld of gusset-to-beam flanges
Gusset Plate Thickness
Per AISC Sec. 13.3.b: The design tensile strength,

determined from the limit states of tension rupture
and block shear rupture strength per LRFD Chapter
D, shall be greater than or equal to the required
strength,
as determined from above.
Also, the design compression strength, determined

from the plate buckling limit state, shall be greater
than the buckling strength of the brace which is
given from the following:
Use " weld for gusset to beam flanges.
Finally, the plate must have adequate shear

yielding strength for the designed fillet weld sizes.
Weld of gusset to column
Criteria
Table 2
Required Gusset Plate
Thickness (in)
Block Shear
.42
Tension Yielding
.41
Plate Buckling
.54
Shear Yielding at
Fillet Welds
.71
Use " gusset plate
Once the overall dimensions of the gusset

plate are established by the welds and yield
line, the thickness is determined from the
various remaining criteria.
Use " weld for gusset to column.
25-6
WELDED PIPE BRACE-TO-BEAM

CONNECTION (Fig. 6)
The minimum gusset plate thickness follows the

same procedures as for the pipe-to-column
connection.
The beam flanges of this connection must be

braced out-of-plane per AISC Sec. 13.4a.4.
Perpendicular floor beams or angle bracing
similar to that shown in the EBF section can
be used to provide this bracing.
Check minimum thickness of gusset
From pipe to gusset:
Required Strength
The required strength is the same as for the pipe-tocolumn connection.

From gusset to beam:
The brace-to-gusset weld is the same as for the

pipe-to-column Connection.
Gusset-to-Beam Weld
The Chevron beam is quite deep to

provide the required strength for the
unbalanced brace loads. This depth
results in a relatively long gusset plate
with large bending stresses.
The angle between the brace and the
gusset plate has been limited to 30 to
recognize shear lag effects at the plate-tobeam weld.

A stiffener plate has been added at the
center of the gusset plate to help develop
the yield line.
Figure 7 - Gusset-to-Beam Weld Forces
Weld size required
Figure 6- Welded Pipe Brace-to-Beam Connection
25-7
Brace-to-Gusset Connection
BOLTED WIDE FLANGE BRACE-TO-WIDE

FLANGE COLUMN CONNECTION (Fig. 8)
Using the connection layout shown, the following

basic LRFD requirements are checked:
Required Strength
Table 3
The required strength follows the same provisions

and procedures as for the pipe-to-column
Item
connection.
Single shear of brace

flange bolts
308
354
Flange plate gross

section yielding
308
405
Flange plate net section

rupture
308
356
Flange plate block shear
308
397
Bearing of bolts in brace

flange
308
524
Single shear of brace

web bolts
176
265
Web plate gross section

yielding
176
276
Web plate net section

rupture
176
203
Web plate block shear
176
367
Bearing of bolts in brace

web
176
239
Note that the flange and web are sized to have a

slightly higher sections than the brace flanges and
Figure 8 - Bolted Wide Flange Brace-to-Wide

Flange Column Connection
web are therefore acceptable by inspection.
Distribute brace force in proportion to web and

flange areas
The flange plate-to-gusset weld follows the same

procedures as for the pipe-to-column connection.
Force in flange
Assume 15" weld along all (4) edges of the plate.
Use 15" of " weld for the flange plate-to-
Force in web
gusset connection on (4) edges.
While potentially easier to erect, the bolted

connection requires a much more extensive
design effort as well as increased fabrication
cost.
While the strength requirements are the

same as for the welded pipe, the bolted wide
flange produces much higher connection
forces due to lower buckling-to-yield ratios
(brace design based on buckling and
connection design based on yielding).
For a bolted connection such as this, the net

section of the brace will by definition be the
weak link in the connection. This situation
occurs because the Provisions require the
remaining portions of the connection to be
sized for 110% of the tensile yield of the
brace gross section.
25-8
Gusset-to-Beam Welds
Gusset-to-Column Bolts
The gusset-to-beam welds follows the same

procedures as for the pipe-to-column connection.
However, since the column is bending about its

weak axis,
is taken as approximately zero
resulting in the moment and horizontal component
of the column being approximately zero. The
forces are shown on the free body diagram of the
gusset plate in Fig. 9.
Figure 10 Gusset-to-Column Bolt Forces
From LFRD Vol II, Table 8-19
This connection has been configured for shop

welding the gusset plate to the beam and
field bolting the beam/gusset to the column.
From table
For the weak axis column connection,

stiffeners have been added at the top and
bottom of the gusset to preclude local
buckling.
Use (5) 1" A490-x bolts in two vertical

rows
Weld of gusset to beam flange
The minimum thickness of the gusset plate is

determined following the same provisions and
procedures discussed earlier for the pipe-to-column
connection.
Table 4

Thickness (in)
Criteria
Use " weld for gusset to beam flange.

Weld of shear tab to column
Tension Yielding
.60
Plate Buckling
.73
Shear Yielding @
Fillet Welds
Use
1.09
gusset plate
Use " weld for shear tab to column.
25-9
BOLTED WIDE FLANGE BRACE-TO-BEAM

CONNECTION (Fig. 11)
Required Strength
The required strength is the same as for the bolted

wide flange brace-to-weak axis wide flange
column.

The minimum thickness of the gusset plate follows
the same procedures as for the pipe-to-column
connection.
Use 1" gusset plate
Brace-to-Gusset Connection
The wide flange brace-to-gusset connection
follows the same procedures as that for the bolted
wide flange brace-to-weak axis wide flange
column.
WIDE FLANGE COLUMN SPLICE (Fig. 13)
Gusset-to-Beam Weld
Figure 13 - Wide Flange Column Splice
Web Plate and Weld

The gusset-to-beam weld follows the same
procedures for welded pipe brace-to-beam
connection.
Per AISC Sec. 13.5.b: Splices shall be capable of

developing nominal shear strength of smaller
section.
Figure 11 Bolted Wide Flange Brace-to-Beam Connection
25-10
Size weld of plate-to-column web using LRFD
Per AISC Sec. 8.3a.2: The minimum required
Table 8-42.
strength for each flange shall be 0.5 times

Partial penetration weld
Try complete penetration weld
Flexural Strength Check

Per AISC Sec. 13.5.b: Splices shall develop 50
percent of the nominal flexural strength of the
smaller section.
Use
fillet weld
Design the weld plate to resist the column

shear and the flange welds to resist the axial
tension force.
Load condition 4-2 becomes significant for
taller, more slender frames.
Figure 14 Splice Flexural Forces
It is difficult for partial-penetration welds to

comply with the column splice requirements.
Although base plates have not been included

in this paper, there is strong analogy
between the strength and weld requirements
of column splices and base plates.
Flange Welds
Per AISC Sec. 8.3a.1: If partial penetration weld
used, the design strength of the joints must be at
least 200 percent of the required strength per
equation 4-2.
Equation 4-2 does not include the redundancy
factor.
Try partial joint weld
Since Equation 4-2 negligible, not

applicable.
25-11
ORDINARY CONCENTRICALLY
BRACED FRAME (OCBF) CONNECTION
DESIGN
This system is the basic steel braced frame that has

been a part of seismic codes for many years. The
frame is configured with welded pipe braces (see

Figure 15) for a direct comparison with the SCBF
in the previous section.
As opposed to the ductility approach for the SCBF,
the design basis for the OCBF is primarily based
on strength. The provisions require braces with
greater stiffness (lower kl/r ratios) and greater
strength (lower system R factor and 80% reduction
of design strength).
In addition to these
requirements, new provisions have been added to
preclude local buckling of the braces.
The OCBF system also has special requirements
for Chevron configurations. Instead of requiring
increased beam strength for unbalanced brace

forces, the OCBF provisions amplify the design
forces on the braces, resulting in even stronger,
stiffer braces.
The connections have slightly lower demands than

those of SCBF's. The design force can be based on
the amplified seismic load combination if it is
lower than the yielding of the brace. Also, until
recently, there were no requirements for plastic
hinge formation or out-of-plane yielding of the
connection. These requirements were added to the
current version of the Provisions. Even though the
requirements are slightly less, the actual
connections will be larger in the OCBF because of
the larger forces in the stronger, stiffer braces.
Column splices must be designed for the amplified
earthquake load combinations, but have no special
shear strength requirements. As for SCBF, the
Provisions include special requirements for splices
made with fillet welds or partial-penetration groove
welds.
Figure 15 - OCBF Elevation
WELDED TUBE BRACE-TO-WIDE FLANGE

Figure 16 Welded Tube Brace-to-Wide Flange

Column Connection
Required Strength
The required strength of bracing connections, per

AISC Sec. 14.3.a, is determined from the least of
the following equations:
Bracing member's nominal axial tensile strength:

where
equals 1.1 per AISC Sec. 6.2
Force in the brace resulting from the following

Load Combinations per AISC Sec. 4.1
Eqn. (4-1)
Eqn. (4-2)
25-12
where
for OCBF per UBC Table 16-N
and does not include the redundancy factor
The connection design for this OCBF is based

on the amplified seismic forces instead of the
brace yield force.
Maximum force,
transferred to brace by system
as determined by analysis
Use
The required weld length for the brace to the gusset

follows the same procedures as for the SCBF pipeto-column connection.
This connection is arranged with the brace

terminating close to the beam flange, resulting
in a smaller gusset plate.
weld for gusset-to-beam flange
Because the connection cannot rotate freely

out-of-plane, the new version of the Provisions
requires the welds to be designed for an
additional force based on the plastic moment
Strength of the brace. This additional
requirement results in very large welds and a
thick gusset plate.
Weld of gusset-to-column
Assume 15in of weld along (4) edges.

Use 15in of
weld on (4) edges
The gusset-to-beam and column connections

follow the same procedures used for the SCBF
pipe-to-column connection. However, per AISC
Sec. 14.3c, an additional plastic moment equal to
will be included when the analysis
indicates the brace will buckle.
Use 1" weld for gusset-to-beam column

Determining the thickness of the gusset plate

follows the same procedures as for the SCBF pipeto-column connection.
Table 5
Criteria
Required Gusset
Plate Thickness (in)
Block Shear
.32in
Tension Yielding
.33in
Plate Buckling
.42in
Shear Yielding @
Fillet Welds
Figure 17 Gusset-to-Beam and Column Weld

Forces
1.92in
Use 2" gusset plate
25-13
WELDED TUBE BRACE-TO-BEAM

Required Strength
The required strength is the same as for the tube-tocolumn connection.

The brace-to-gusset weld is the same as for the

tube-to-column connection.
Gusset-to-Beam Connection
The gusset-to-beam connection follows the same

procedures for the SCBF pipe-to-column
connection. Also included is the additional plastic
moment as discussed in the previous section.
The gusset plate thickness follows the same

procedures as for the SCBF pipe-to-column
connection.
use 1" gusset plate
Figure 19 Gusset-to-Beam Connection
Figure 18 Welded Tube Brace-to-Beam Connection
25-14
ECCENTRICALLY BRACED FRAME

(EBF) CONNECTION DESIGN
The EBF system was introduced into the building
codes in the late 1980's and has received moderate
use in steel braced frame buildings since. The
frame in this example uses welded tube

connections similar to the OCBF (see Figure 20 for
a frame elevation).
As for the SCBF and OCBF examples, a Chevron
configuration with the links in the center was
selected. The building codes currently also allow
links to be placed adjacent to columns. For that
configuration, the connection design criteria
currently being developed for welded steel moment
frame connections needs to be considered in
addition to the topics presented in this paper.
The ductility in the EBF system comes from the
rotation and yielding of the link. The link in this
example was configured for shear yielding (short
link) rather than for flexural yielding (long link).
The EBF provisions are based on a capacity design
approach and therefore all members and
connections must be stronger than the link. The
brace design is based on buckling strength under
the strain hardened link force. The required
strength of the connection then needs to exceed the
expected strength of the brace in compression.
Additional connection issues with the EBF are
associated with the design and detailing of the link.
To assure stable yielding, web stiffeners are
required at each end of the link and also at
intermediate locations. In general, closer stiffener
spacing is required for shear links than for flexural
links. The Provisions do not allow web doubler
plates or brace gusset plates extending into the link
region. Finally, the Provisions require the flanges
of the link to be braced out-of-plane.
Column splices must be designed for the amplified

earthquake load combinations, but have no special
shear strength requirements. As for SCBF, the
Provisions include special requirements for splices
made with fillet welds or partial-penetration groove
welds.
Figure 20 EBF Elevation

WELDED TUBE BRACE-TO-WIDE FLANGE
Figure 21 Welded Tube Brace-to-Wide Flange

Column Connection
Required Strength
The required strength of brace, per AISC Sec 15.6a

is determined from the resulting forces generated
by the expected nominal shear strength of the link
increased by 125% to account for strain
hardening.
Next, per AISC Sec. 15.6d, the required strength of
the connection shall be at least the expected
nominal strength of the brace. For the TS 8 x 8 x
25-15
Resultant
The required connection strength of the EBF

is the lowest of the various frames shown in
this paper. The reason for this lower demand
is that the EBF has the largest system R factor
and that the connection force is based on
brace compression strength rather than brace
yielding.
Use
fillet weld for gusset-to-beam flange
Weld of gusset to column
The required weld thickness for the brace to the
gusset follows the same procedures as for the
SCBF pipe-to-column connection.
Assuming 14" of weld along (4) edges
Use 14" of
weld along (4) edges

Use
weld (similar to weld along beam) for
gusset to column
As for the OCBF, the brace extends to the

beam flange to minimize the size of the
gusset plate.
Table 6
Figure 22 - Free Body Diagram of Brace to

Beam/Column Connection

Thickness (in)
Criteria
Uniform Force Method as recommended per LRFD

Vol. II Part 11, the axial force from the brace is
resolved into the corresponding moment,
horizontal, and vertical forces on the gusset plate.
This is shown on the free body diagram of the
gusset plate Fig. 22.
Block Shear
.33in
Tension Yielding
.21in
Plate Buckling
.31 in
Shear Yielding @
Fillet Welds
.55in
Use
gusset plate
25-16
WELDED TUBE BRACE-TO-BEAM

Required Strength
The required strength is the same as the EBF

welded tube brace-to-wide flange column
connection.
The required weld length for the brace to the gusset

is the same as the EBF welded tube brace-to-wide
flange column connection.
Choose
weld
Since the gusset plate cannot extend into the

link region, a stiffener is added at the end of
the link to balance the loading on the welds.
Table 7
Thickness (in)
Criteria
Figure 24 Free Body Diagram of

Brace-to-Beam/Column Connection
Elastic Vector Method
Block Shear
.33in
Tension Yielding
.29in
Plate Buckling
.31in
Shear Yielding @
Fillet Welds
.63in
Use
gusset plate
Figure 23 Welded Tube Brace-to-Beam Connection
25-17
BEAM LINK (Fig. 23)
Link Stiffener Welds
End Link Stiffeners
Per AISC Sec 15.3c, fillet welds connecting link

stiffeners shall have a design strength:
Per AISC Sec. 15.3a, provide full depth web

stiffeners on both sides of link at end of braces:
is area of stiffener) for connection

of web to stiffener.
Width
for connection of flange to stiffener.
Thickness
or 3/8" whichever is greater
Weld For Web
(2) sided, full beam width & depth
Use plate
thick
Link stiffener requirements are prescriptive.

Choose a
Intermediate Link Stiffeners
weld
Weld for Flange
Per AISC Sec. 15.3b:

1.) Provide intermediate web stiffeners
spaced at;
since link length
and link rotation
2.) - Intermediate link web stiffeners shall be
full depth.
-If link depth <25" deep, stiffener is
required on one side only.
- Thickness of 1 sided stiffeners > or
whichever is greater.
-Width
Choose a
weld
Lateral support of link
Per AISC Sec 15.5, lateral support is to be

provided at both the top and bottom of the link
flanges at each end.
Space intermediate web stiffeners at

maximum
Web stiffeners full depth/width

Only required on one side
Because of the short link and high link

rotation, the intermediate stiffeners must
be closely spaced.
Figure 25 Lateral Support of Link
25-18
Design support for 6% of flange strength
Weld at Beam
Lateral support of beam links @ ends of W18x40

Choose a
weld with a plate " x 4" x 4"
Choose 3 x 3 x
WIDE FLANGE COLUMN SPLICE @ EBF
The composite metal deck and concrete

slab provide lateral support of the top
flange.
BEAM-TO-COLUMN CONNECTIONS
Figure 27 EBF Column Splice
The column splice for the EBF is essentially

the same as for the OCBF.
Figure 26 - Beam-to-Column Connections
Required Strength
Required Strength
Per AISC Sec. 15.7, these connections shall have

the strength to resist (2) equal and opposite forces
equal to 2% of flange capacity acting
laterally on the beam flanges.
Per AISC Sec 8.3 the design strength of column

splices shall meet or exceed the required strength
of Sec. 8.2:
Eqn. 4-1
Eqn. 4-2
But need not exceed:
The Provisions require nominal torsional

restraint of the beam away from the link.
This requirement is met by adding stiffener
plates to a typical bolted shear connection.
a.
the maximum load transferred to the

column considering
times the
nominal strength of the member
b.
limit as determined form the resistance of

the foundation to overturning uplift
For this splice, Eqn 4-2 governs
Plates and Welds
Weld at Column:
Choose a
However, for EBF also check axial tension

when nominal shear strength of links reached,
weld
25-19
Flange Welds
CONCLUSION
Per AISC Sec. 8.3a and 8.3b:

Column splices made with fillet and partial joint
penetration groove welds shall not be located
within 4' nor half the column clear height of beam
to column connections, whichever is less.
If subjected to a tensile stress per load combination
4-2 filler metal shall meet requirements of CVN
toughness as required by Sec. 7.3b, and
1.) The design strength of partial joint

penetration welds shall be at least equal to
200% of required strength.
2.) The minimum required strength for each
flange shall be
Beveled transitions are not required when changes
in thickness and width of flanges and web occur.
Properly designed and detailed connections are

critical to achieve the expected performance of
braced frames in earthquakes. As can be seen in

the design examples, there are numerous building
code provisions that address connection design.
These provisions have evolved over the years as
new braced frame systems have been introduced
and as more experience has been gained from the
behavior of buildings in actual earthquakes.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The author wishes to acknowledge the considerable

efforts of Garo Pehlivanian, Kristie Fromhold,
Steve Curran and Michael Townsend in assisting in
the development of this paper.
Initially try a partial penetration groove weld that

will be at least equal to 200% of the required
strength.
Use a complete penetration weld at each flange,

this will satisfy strength requirements of Sec 8.2
and Sec. 8.3a.
Locate splice @ 4' from floor or 14/2 - 7/2 = 3'-6";
4' from floor governs
*provide shear plate to web for erection
25-20

Design and Detailing of Seismic Connections For Braced Frame Structures

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Design and Detailing of Seismic Connections For Braced Frame Structures

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Design and

erry Lundeen is a principal

Frames and Eccentrically Braced

Mr. Lundeen has a special

DESIGN AND DETAILING OF SEISMIC CONNECTIONS

This paper presents the design and detailing of

The overall forces on the structure are based on the

The examples include the three basic braced frame

While most of the new code provisions are similar

AISC Seismic Provisions for

Located in Seismic Zone 3

Steel framing A572, Grade 50

Roof Dead Load = 20psf

Figure 1 - Typical Floor Plan

SPECIAL CONCENTRICALLY BRACED

For this system, a frame consisting of welded pipe

The SCBF is a newer version of the traditional

steel braced frame. This system was developed to

Figure 2 - SCBF Elevation

Another requirement to guarantee the desirable

The connections in SCBF's must be stronger than

columns. In addition to having the strength to

Figure 3 - Frame Elevation

WELDED PIPE BRACE-TO-WIDE FLANGE

The required strength of bracing connections, per

equals 1.1 per AISC

Use 12" of " weld on (4) edges

The weld thicknesses are relatively large to

Using the Uniform Force Method as recommended

As can be seen, the connection force to the

Figure 4 - Welded Pipe Brace-to-Wide Flange

Case 1 is normally used in design since Case 2

Weld of gusset-to-beam flanges

Gusset Plate Thickness

Per AISC Sec. 13.3.b: The design tensile strength,

Also, the design compression strength, determined

Use " weld for gusset to beam flanges.

Finally, the plate must have adequate shear

Weld of gusset to column

Use " gusset plate

Once the overall dimensions of the gusset

Use " weld for gusset to column.

Gusset Plate Thickness

WELDED PIPE BRACE-TO-BEAM

The minimum gusset plate thickness follows the

The beam flanges of this connection must be

Check minimum thickness of gusset

From pipe to gusset:

The required strength is the same as for the pipe-tocolumn connection.

The brace-to-gusset weld is the same as for the

The Chevron beam is quite deep to

recognize shear lag effects at the plate-tobeam weld.

Figure 7 - Gusset-to-Beam Weld Forces

Weld size required

Figure 6- Welded Pipe Brace-to-Beam Connection

BOLTED WIDE FLANGE BRACE-TO-WIDE

Using the connection layout shown, the following

The required strength follows the same provisions

Single shear of brace

Flange plate gross

Flange plate net section

Flange plate block shear

Bearing of bolts in brace