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Support CenterKnowledge Base ArticlesSteel connection capacity design
Advanced analysis types for your steel structures
Seismic analysis in IDEA StatiCa Connection
Qualification checks of seismic prequalified connections for AISC
Prequalified Steel Connections (AISC) - Summary, Conclusion, and Recommendations
Steel connection capacity design
Capacity design (EN)
Capacity design (AISC)
Capacity design according to Canadian standards
Capacity design according to Australian standards
Capacity design according to Indian Standard
Capacity design according to Hong Kong Code
Capacity design according to Chinese standard
Capacity design according to Russian standards
The objective of capacity design is to confirm a building undergoes controlled ductile behavior in order to avoid a collapse in a design-level earthquake. Structural design of welded and bolted connections.
SteelConnection designKnowledge baseConnectionAISC (USA)

Steel connection capacity design

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Capacity design is a part of a joint check-in seismic design. When relying on the ductility of a structure, the capacity design must be performed.Ā 

The objective of capacity design is to confirm a building undergoes controlled ductile behavior to avoid a collapse in a design-level earthquake.

A dissipative item is selected with increased strength and a modified material diagram. An overstrength factor γov\gamma_{ov}γov​ is defined in Materials, and a strain-hardening factor γsh\gamma_{sh}γsh​ at the dissipative item operation. Note that the nomenclature differs between the codes. A dissipative item is excluded from the strain check of plates.Ā 

The objective of capacity design is to confirm a building undergoes controlled ductile behavior in order to avoid a collapse in a design-level earthquake. Structural design of welded and bolted connections.

Modified material diagram for dissipative item

IDEA StatiCa Connection checks the connection on applied design load, which should create a plastic hinge in the selected dissipative item, usually the beam. The plastic strain in the dissipative item should be around 5%. This can serve as a confirmation that the magnitude and position of loads were determined properly.Ā 

Plastic hinge

Plastic hinge created at the intended place of the dissipative item – the beam

The supports of the continuous member are automatically defined as supported at one end and with restrained moments at the other end. This way, the continuous column may be loaded by the normal force and shear forces, and also one side may move sideways so that the failure of the column web in shear is revealed.

Note, that detailing is very important for seismic resistant joints but is not checked in IDEA StatiCa.Ā 

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Theoretical background

IDEA StatiCa Connection – Structural design of steel connections

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IDEA StatiCa step-by-step tutorial on designing and performing seismic code-check of a steel joint using Capacity design analysis. Structural design of welded and bolted steel connections.
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Steel connection capacity design (EN)

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IDEA StatiCa step-by-step tutorial on designing and performing seismic code-check of a steel joint using Capacity design analysis. Structural design of welded and bolted steel connections.
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Steel connection capacity design (AISC)

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Joint design resistance helps to estimate reserve in the steel connection resistance. Structural design of welded and bolted connections.
  • Steel
  • Connection
  • AISC (USA)
  • AS (Australia)
  • CSA (Canada)
  • EN (Eurocode)
  • IS (India)
  • GB (China)
  • HKG (Hong Kong)
  • CBFEM
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Knowledge base

Joint design resistance

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