Partially Restrained Connections

[kclark1007]

I am currently designing a large school and because it is large in area and 32 ft tall, I would like to use partially restrained connections to handle the lateral force. Any comments and input would be helpful.

Thanks
KC

 

[lippie]

Are you looking at how to design them or model them? We typically model them in STAAD using what they called partial moment releases. THis is basically a connection where you define a percentage of fixity rather than a spring constant. It works really well.

 

[kclark1007]

Can you do the same thing in RAM Steel? What percentages have you used in your models? I have tried to model it using fixed connections for the wind load only to determine the amount of moment imposed on each connection. The moments have been small enough to justify that the connection can handle it. Thanks for your reply!!