HSS To HSS 1511

HSS Hollow Structural Sections
Truss and Bracing Connections

with HSS Members
Presented by Kim Olson, PE
FORSE Consulting, LLC
Remember!
Due to the flexibility of their walls, local strength of an HSS at the
connection may control the capacity of the connection.
This is very different than designing for Wide Flange (WF) supports.
Understanding this while sizing members will mean efficient and
economical connections without the need for costly stiffeners or
reinforcing.
Truss Connections
History – where it all comes from
• CIDECT (International Committee for the Development and Study of
Tubular Construction)
• International Institute of Welding (IIW) Subcommission XV-E on
“Tubular Structures” reviewed and then published with slight
modifications in 1989
• Basis for
• CISC 1997 DG
• AISC 360-05 and 10, DG 24
• CIDECT DG
Trusses
• Trusses typically analyzed with all members “pinned”
• From AISC DG24:
• “Within the constraints of the limits of applicability…, the welded connections
within a truss will be semi-rigid (or partially rigid) and branch member stiffnesses
will be considerably less than the chord member stiffness. As a result, the actual
bending moments in branch members will be very low, and less than would be
reflected by a rigid frame analysis… If a rigid-frame analysis is carried out, it is
recommended that the bending moments generated in the web members be
ignored. It is worth noting that the member axial forces produced are
generally very similar."
Trusses
• Minimum weight of the truss ≠
least cost
• Fabrication costs factor heavily
into finished structure cost
Limit States Reminder
• Plastification (HSS wall distortion)
• Shear Yielding
(Punching)
Limit States Reminder
• Local Yielding of HSS wall • HSS Sidewall Failure
Truss Connections - Types
• Three types
• K (also includes N)
• Y (also includes T)
• Cross or X
• Based on method of force transfer in the connection – not on the
physical appearance of the connection
• K/N – punching load essentially equilibrated by other branch
members
• T/Y – punching load equilibrated
by beam shear in chord member
• X – punching load transferred
through chord member &
equilibrated on other side
Truss Connection - Types
• When branch members transmit part of their load as K-connections
and part of their load as T-, Y- or cross-connections, the adequacy of
the connections shall be determined by interpolation on the
proportion of the available strength of each in total.
• Looks N
• Analyzed as K and X
• If the gap size in a gapped K
connection becomes large and
exceeds the limit, the K-
connection should be treated as
two independent Y-
connections
• In X connections, “where the
branches are close together or
overlapping” the combined
“footprint” of the two branches
can be taken as the loaded area
on the chord member.
• What does “close together”
mean?
Truss Connections
• Method of connection
• Plate to HSS
• Additional limit state to consider
• Local Yielding of Plate
• Directly welded
• Gapped
• Overlapped
Truss Connections
• AISCM Tables K1.1, K1.2, K2.1, K2.2
• Don’t forget the limits of applicability at the bottom!!!
• Equations consider some eccentricity of members so you don’t
have to consider secondary moments if within these limits.
Truss Connections
• Tips to optimize HSS connections
• Select stocky chord members
• Round HSS 15≤D/t≤30
• Square HSS 15≤B/t≤30
• Select relatively thin branch members (keep tb/t low) but keep
width ratio (Bb/B) high
Truss Connections
• Tips to optimize HSS connections
• But when width of branch = width of
chord there is a problem making side
welds
• Profiling of transverse wall of
branch to contour chord member This weld is
• Using backing which cannot be difficult to make
removed
• Placing a weld bead on corner of
chord member to act as backing
Truss Connections – Weld Sizing
• Size to develop the yield strength of the branch member
• Conservative
• Upper limit of weld size
• Appropriate if plastic stress redistribution is required for
connection (moving loads)
• Size to resist applied forces
• Must account for effective weld lengths
• Proper joint design should allow you to specify an economical fillet
weld
Fillet Welds
• Effective weld length – For elements transverse to the HSS face
o Due to the variation of flexural stiffness of the HSS wall across
the section width, the force transmitted through the weld is
not uniform
o Reduced effective length
o Load is highest at ends closest to sidewalls and smallest in the
middle
Fillet Welds
• Effective weld size
Example Calc—Y Connection
• Chord: Pu,left = 1.2(55)+1.6(90) = 210k
• Chord: Pu,right = 1.2(40)+1.6(60) = 144k
• Branch: Pu = 1.2(20)+1.6(40) = 88k
Example Calc – Y Connection
• Check limits of applicability
• θ = 40 degrees > 30 degrees OK
• B/t = H/t = 6/0.312 = 19.2 < 35 OK
• Bb/tb = Hb/tb = 6/0.25 = 24 < 30.10 OK
• Limit = 1.25*(E/Fy)0.5 for compression branch
• Bb/B = Hb/B = 1.0 OK
• H/B = Hb/Bb = 1.0 OK
• Connection meets geometry requirements

• Chord wall plastification
• β = 1.0 > 0.85, therefore check not required
• Shear yielding/punching
• β > 1-1/γ = 0.9, therefore check not required
• Local yielding of chord sidewalls
• β = 1.0
• Pnsin θ = 2Fyt(5k+lb)
• k = 1.5t; lb = Hb/sin θ
• ΦPn = 568k > Pu OK
• Local crippling of chord sidewalls
• Pnsin θ = 1.6t2(1+3lb/(H-3t))*(EFy)0.5Qf
• Qf = 1.3-0.4*U/β ≤ 1.0
• U = Pu/Fc/Ag = 0.623; Qf = 1.05—use 1.0
• ΦPn = 1433k > Pu OK
• Local yielding of branches

• Pn = Fybtb(2Hb+2beoi-4tb)
• beoi = 10/(B/t)*Fyt/Fyb/tb*Bb ≤ Bb
• Connection is acceptable
Truss Connections
Gapped Overlapped
• Use for round branch members • Stronger joint
• Less expensive • Higher percentage of overlap,
the higher the joint strength
• Stiffer truss
Truss Connections
• Overlapped “Hidden Toe” Welding
• 100% overlap – very important to weld
• Partial overlap
• If components normal to chord don’t differ by more than 20% and the remaining
welds to the overlapped branch develop the full capacity of the branch member
walls, welding is not required
• If components differ by more than 20%, the more heavily loaded member should be
the through member and perimeter fully welded
Hidden toe
Truss Connections
• Detailing overlapped
connections
Example Calc—K Connection
• Chord: Pu = 1.2(40)+1.6(60) = 144k T
• Branch 1: Pu = 1.2(30)+1.6(50) = 116k C
• Branch 2: Pu = 1.2(30)+1.6(50) = 116k T
• Check limits of applicability:

• θ = 30 degrees ≥ 30 OK
• B/t = H/t = 21.3 < 35 OK
• Limits of applicability continued
• Bb/tb = Hb/tb = 19.2 < 35 tension branch, OK
• Bb/tb = Hb/tb = 19.2 < 26.5 comp branch, OK
• limit = 1.1*(E/Fy)0.5 for compression branch
• Bb/B = 0.75 > 0.1+γ/50 = 0.31 OK
• γ = B/2t = 10.67
• H/B = Hb/Bb = 1.0 OK
• βeff = 0.75 > 0.35 OK
• g/B = 0.233 > .5*(1-βeff) = 0.125 OK
• g = 1.86 > tb1+tb2 OK
• Chord wall plastification
• Pnsin θ = Fyt2(9.8βeff*γ0.5)Qf
• Qf = 1.0 for chord in tension
• All other gapped-K connection checks are not required for square members
• Connection is acceptable
Truss Connections - Reinforced
• Chord stiffening plates
• When chord plastification controls >
flange plate
• When chord shear controls > side plate
reinf
• Concrete Filling
Bracing Connections
Bracing Connections - Types
• Slotted HSS with gusset plate
• Field bolt or field weld
• Design must account for shear
lag – can only develop 50% of
tensile strength of HSS
• SCBF – effective net area >
brace gross area
AISC 341 F2. Special Concentrically Braced
Frames
• F2.5b(3). “Effective net area shall not be less than the brace gross
area.”
Ae ≥ Ag
Ae = AnU
An = net area of steel, U = shear lag factor
• Intend to limit fracture at the reduced net section prior to significant
ductility
AISC 341 F2.5b. Effective Netx Area
Slotted HSS Brace
Gusset Plate lw
HSS Brace
gap
Weld
An = Ag – 2[tp + 2(gap)]tdes
gap = gap between gusset plate and HSS in the slot
x = length of reduced section maximum = erection clearance
AISC 341 F2. Special Concentrically Braced
Frames
• F2.5b(3). Where reinforcement is used to meet the requirements
• (i) Fy of the reinforcement ≥ Fy of the brace
• (ii) Connection of reinforcement to the brace shall develop the expected
reinforcement strength on each side of the reduced section
• Expected strength of reinforcement = RyFyAg
F2.5b. Effective Net Area
l
- Slotted
x
HSS Brace
l dr dr
Gusset Plate lw
HSS Brace
Weld Reinforcement
AnU = (An_brace + An_reinf)U ≥ Ag_brace
Fy_reinf ≥ Fy_brace
U = shear lag factor of the reinforced section
x = length of reduced section maximum = erection clearance
ldr = length required to develop reinforcement expected strength
• End tee bolted
• Can use WT or built-up sections
• Shop weld to HSS, field bolt to
connecting plate
• 2 sided gusset plate connection
• Stronger, effect of shear lag is
reduced
• More difficult to erect
• Only works with members of
same width
• End plate connection
• No shear lag
• Can develop full yield strength
of HSS
• Complicated equations due to
prying action and flexure of end
plate
• Difficult to determine from AISC
Spec; design guidance provided
in AISC DG 24
Single Gusset Plate Example
• Check limitations
• θ = 45 > 30 OK
• B/t = 21.33 < 1.4*(E/Fy)0.5 = 33.7 OK
• HSS punching shear check

• tp = 3/8” < Fu/Fyp*t = 0.68”
• Therefore HSS punching shear will not control
• HSS Plastification
• Rnsinθ = Fyt2/(1-tp/B)*(2lb/B+4(1-tp/B)0.5*Qf)
• lb = 11.5” from geometry
• Qf = (1-U2)0.5 – Column in compression, longitudinal
plate
• U = Pu/(Fc*Ag) + Mu/(Fc*S)
• U = 0.217, Qf = 0.976
• Rnsinθ = 49.3 k
• Φ = 1.00
• ΦRn = 70 k
• Check gusset plate connection for shear lag under tension load
• Tension rupture: Pn = FuAe
• Ae = AnU
• U = 1-x̅/l, lmin = 4” (AISC table D3.1, case 6)
• x̅ = (B2+2BH)/(4(B+H)), B = H = 4” U = 0.625”
• Ae = 3.34*0.625 = 2.09 in2
• ΦPn = 0.75*65*2.09 = 102 k
• ΦPn > Pu OK
• Tension yield: Pn = FyAg
• ΦPn = 162 k
• 63% capacity due to shear lag
CastConnex
A1085 and Seismic
A1085 and Seismic
• Wind and gravity design are based on expected loads; seismic design
is based on expected capacity of members
• 1994 Northridge and 1995 Kobe earthquakes showed that steel can
be too strong—led to ASTM A992 for wide flanges
• A992 specifies a cap on yield strength and yield to tensile strength ratio
• Provides better predictability and keeps steel from being too strong
A1085 and Seismic
• A1085 is to HSS what A992 is to wide flanges
• A1085 specifies that HSS yield strength must be between 50 and70
ksi
• The only spec in the world that limits HSS yield strength
A1085 and Seismic
• What does this mean for me?
• Tighter thickness and mass tolerances result in increased capacity

and efficiency
• Yield strength cap could potentially reduce Ry and Rt factors for
seismic design
• These factors are based on material variability
• Would make HSS more economical for seismic design
HSS Connections For R > 3
• Seismic design is based on expected member capacity
• Increase Fy and Fu in design to ensure ductile failure
• From AISC 341 A3.2, expected material yield stress:
• Fy = Ry * Fy
• Fu = Rt * Fu
• Ry and Rt account for variability in material strengths

• For A992, Ry = 1.1 and Rt = 1.1
• Required strength for HSS is up to 45% greater than for wide flanges
conforming to A992
• New requirements of A1085 could reduce required strength for HSS
D2.6 Column Bases
C Pr_col
T = RyFyAg
Pr = Σ vertical
components
AISC 341-10 F2.3. SCBF Expected Strength
Analysis
Expected strength in compression:
Cexp = Min RyFyAg

1.14Fcre
Fcre = Fcr with RyFy
Expected strength in
tension:
Texp = RyFyAg
Expected Strength
Connection Design Resources & Presentation
References
• AISC Manual Chapter K
• AISC Design Guide 24
• CIDECT Design Guide 3
• Comite International pour le
Developpement et l’Etude de la
Construction Tubulaire
• Available on aisc.org > Channels > HSS
> CIDECT Design Guides
Connection Design Resources & Presentation
References
• Hollow Structural Section Connection
and Trusses
by J.A. Packer & J.E. Henderson
• STI’s Contact page
• steeltubeinstitute.org/hss > Contact Us
New Design Resources!!!
• Available on STI’s website to
members!
• Excel
• TEDDS
• SCIA DF
Truss and Bracing Connections

with HSS Members
Presented by Kim Olson, PE
FORSE Consulting, LLC

HSS To HSS 1511

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HSS Hollow Structural Sections

Truss and Bracing Connections

• Connection meets geometry requirements

• Local yielding of branches

• Check limits of applicability:

• HSS punching shear check

• Tighter thickness and mass tolerances result in increased capacity

• Ry and Rt account for variability in material strengths

Cexp = Min RyFyAg

Truss and Bracing Connections

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