Steel Fabricator - UFM Brace Connections
Steel Fabricator - UFM Brace Connections
(OP)
Doing a review of some drawings and there is a note that requires that bracing connections be designed using the uniform force method. There are no details on the drawings showing how to configure the bracing connections, just the elevations showing the work points and forces on the members. If the drawings are using method 2 for connection design from the steel code of standard practice, doesn't there have to be at least some schematic level detail showing the connection so the detailer can "complete" it?
You can't expect a detailer to design the connection using the forces that is engineering. I have seen schematic details for braces where the configuration is shown and there is a table with additional information and requirements depending on the load, but just seeing the loads and a note saying use uniform force method seems a little insufficient, unless you are delegating the design to another engineer.
You can't expect a detailer to design the connection using the forces that is engineering. I have seen schematic details for braces where the configuration is shown and there is a table with additional information and requirements depending on the load, but just seeing the loads and a note saying use uniform force method seems a little insufficient, unless you are delegating the design to another engineer.






RE: Steel Fabricator - UFM Brace Connections
There's a regional aspect to this kind of thing but, in my region, that's exactly what we expect. So long as you know the forces and the details of what's going on around the connection, do you not actually prefer to have the autonomy to sort out the specifics yourself in a manner that best suits your fabrication environment? On many projects, I only specify suggested configurations in these situations:
1) It's exposed and aesthetic.
2) I'm specifically trying to preclude something that I don't want.
3) It's such an important connection that I don't really have the balls to delegate it.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.