TECHNICAL DIGEST 11

DESIGN OF LATERAL
LOAD RESISTING FRAMES
USING STEEL JOISTS
AND JOIST GIRDERS

1
NOVEMBER 2007
The information presented in this publication has been developed by James M.
Fisher, PhD, PE, Consulting Engineer for the Steel Joist Institute and Joseph J.
Pote, PE, Director of Engineering Research and Development, CMC Joist & Deck
in conjunction with the SJI’s Engineering Practice Committee and Perry S. Green,
PhD, Technical Director and is produced in accordance with recognized engineering
principles and is for general information only. The SJI and its committees have
made a concerted effort to present accurate, reliable, and useful information on
the design of lateral load resisting frames using steel joists and Joist Girders.
The information contained in this digest should not be used or relied upon for
any specific project without competent professional assessment of its accuracy,
suitability and applicability by a licensed professional engineer or architect. The
publication of the material contained in this Technical Digest is not intended as
a representation or warranty on the part of the Steel Joist Institute. Any person
making use of this information does so at one’s own risk and assumes all liability
arising from such use.

Federal Regulations Governing Erection of Joist Products

Steel joists and Joist Girders must be erected in accordance with the Occupational
Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), U.S. Department of Labor 29 CFR Part
1926 Safety Standards for Steel Erection. The erection of Open Web Steel Joists
is governed by Section 1926.757 of this Federal Regulation.

Copyright © 2007

by

Steel Joist Institute

All rights reserved. This Technical Digest or any part thereof must not be reproduced
in any form without the written permission of the Steel Joist Institute.

Printed in the United States of America

Second Edition
Second Printing - November 2013
 TECHNICAL DIGEST 11
DESIGN OF LATERAL LOAD
RESISTING FRAMES USING STEEL
JOISTS AND JOIST GIRDERS

STEEL JOIST INSTITUTE

234 W. CHEVES STREET
FLORENCE, SC 29501
PHONE: (843) 407-4091
WWW.STEELJOIST.ORG
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors would like to thank the members of the Engineering Practice
Committee and the Research Committee of the Steel Joist Institute for their
review and contributions to the writing of the second edition of this digest.
Special thanks are also given to John A. Rolfes, S.E., P.E. Vice President of
Computerized Structural Design for his assistance in the preparation of the digest
and to James O. Malley, Senior Principal, S.E., Degenkolb Engineers for his
insightful review of the digest.

FOREWORD
This second edition is an extensive update of the previously issued Technical
Digest No. 11 on joist and Joist Girder moment frames. The Technical Digest is
another addition to the series of Steel Joist Institute publications designed to give
the reader information regarding the application and usage of steel joists and
Joist Girders.

Technical Digest No. 11 illustrates procedures for the structural engineer to

properly analyze, design and specify joist and Joist Girder moment frames to
resist wind and seismic lateral loads. The reader is assumed to be familiar with
the design and analysis procedures of the ANSI/AISC 360-05 Specification for
Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005b), ANSI/AISC 341-05 and ANSI/AISC
341s1-05 Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings Including Supplement
No. 1 (AISC 2005c) and also familiar with the requirements of ASCE/SEI 7-05
Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures (ASCE 2005). The
design methodology provided is limited to single story structures subjected to
wind and seismic loads; however, the design procedures are applicable to
multistory moment frames subjected to wind loads.

This and other SJI Technical Digests serve to highlight specific areas of design
and/or application for the benefit of architects, building inspectors, building
officials, designers, engineers, erectors, students and others.

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT .................................................................................................... i

FOREWORD ..................................................................................................................... i

TABLE OF CONTENTS .................................................................................................... ii

BACKGROUND AND INTRODUCTION............................................................................iii

GLOSSARY ..................................................................................................................... iv

Chapter 1 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SPECIFYING PROFESSIONAL

AND THE JOIST MANUFACTURER ........................................................1

Chapter 2 ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS ...................................................................4

Chapter 3 DESIGN METHODOLOGY AND CONNECTIONS FOR

LATERAL WIND LOADS .........................................................................10

Chapter 4 DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR SEISMIC LOADS ...............................19

Chapter 5 CONNECTION DESIGN AND DETAILS .................................................26

Chapter 6 SPECIFICATION OF LOADS AND OTHER DESIGN

REQUIREMENTS TO THE JOIST MANUFACTURER ........................... 36

Chapter 7 LATERAL BRACING ............................................................................... 45

Chapter 8 EXAMPLES .............................................................................................49

REFERENCES ...............................................................................................................90

Appendix A SAMPLE DESIGN OF A JOIST GIRDER ...............................................92

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 BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Designing joist and Joist Girder structures as rigid frames is no more difficult than
designing rigid frames with wide flange beams and columns. To obtain a cost
effective design the engineer must be aware of the inter-relationships between
framing elements, i.e. joists, Joist Girders, columns, bracing members and
connections. In general, the most economical design is one which minimizes
manufacturing and erection costs and one which reduces the special
requirements (seat stiffeners, chord reinforcing, etc.) for the joists, Joist Girders
and columns.

The first consideration relative to the design of the structure is to determine if

rigid frame action is required. For single story structures the optimum framing
system generally consists of braced frames in both directions, and the use of a
roof diaphragm system to transfer wind and seismic loads to the vertical bracing
elements. This system should always be evaluated by the Engineer of Record
(EOR) as a first option. Only if the building footprint or other bracing restrictions
prevents the use of this system, should moment frames be considered. As a
“rule of thumb,” when the length to width ratio of the building exceeds 4 to 1, roof
diaphragm forces become large so that the use of roof diaphragms to transfer
lateral loads to perimeter bracing may not be practicable. In addition, strut forces
become potentially excessively large as well as the vertical bracing and
foundation uplift forces.

The purpose of this digest is to present information to the EOR and the joist
manufacturer for the design of single story moment resisting joist and Joist Girder
frames. Design considerations for both wind and seismic lateral loads are
presented.

The digest has been limited to single story frames, not because of wind
requirements, but because of current requirements for seismic design; in
particular, the use of strong beam weak column systems which are typically
necessary when using truss construction in lieu of beams and girders. This is
because the flexural strength and stiffness of the trusses is usually significantly
larger than most reasonable column sections. More importantly, joists exhibit
poor hysteresis behavior under inelastic cyclic loading.

Both open web steel joists and Joist Girders will be referred to as joists in this
digest.

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 GLOSSARY
NOTES:

Terms in Bold and their definitions come from the AISC AND AISI STANDARD,
“Standard Definitions for Use in the Design of Steel Structures,” 2004 Edition,
First Printing - April 2005.

* These terms are usually qualified by the type of load effect, e.g., nominal tensile
strength, available compressive strength, design flexural strength.

ASD (Allowable Strength Design). Method of proportioning structural

components such that the allowable strength equals or exceeds the required
strength of the component under the action of the ASD load combinations.

Allowable Strength*. Nominal strength divided by the safety factor, Rn/Ω.

Available Strength*. Design strength or allowable strength as appropriate.

Applicable Building Code (ABC). Building code under which the structure is
designed.

Amplified Seismic Load. Horizontal component of earthquake load E multiplied

by Ωo, where E and the horizontal component of E are specified in the applicable
building code.

Bearing. The distance that the bearing shoe or seat of a joist or Joist Girder
extends over its masonry, concrete or steel support.

Bridging. In general, a member connected to a joist to brace it from lateral

movement.

Buckling. Limit state of sudden change in the geometry of a structure or any of

its elements under a critical loading condition.

Buckling Strength. Nominal strength for buckling or instability limit states.

Camber. An upward curvature of the chords of a joist or Joist Girder induced

during shop fabrication. Note, this is in addition to the pitch of the top chord.

Chords. The top and bottom members of a joist or Joist Girder. When a chord is
comprised of two angles there is usually a gap between the members.

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Clear Span. The actual clear distance or opening between supports for a joist
that is the distance between walls or the distance between the edges of flanges
of beams.

Connection. Combination of structural elements and joints used to transmit

forces between two or more members. See also splice.

Continuity plates. Column stiffeners at the top and bottom of the panel zone;
also known as transverse stiffeners.

Deck. A floor or roof covering made out of galvanized, painted or unpainted

gage metal attached by welding or mechanical means to joists, beams, purlins,
or other structural members and can be galvanized, painted, or unpainted.

Demand Critical Weld. Weld so designated by the AISC Seismic Provisions.

Design Earthquake. The earthquake represented by the design response

spectrum as specified in the applicable building code.

Design Story Drift. Amplified story drift (drift under the design earthquake,
including the effects of inelastic action), determined as specified in the applicable
building code.

Design Load. Applied load determined in accordance with either LRFD load
combinations or ASD load combinations, whichever is applicable.

Design Strength*. Resistance factor multiplied by the nominal strength, φRn.

Diaphragm. Roof, floor or other membrane or bracing system that transfers in-
plane forces to the lateral force resisting system.

Ductile Limit State. Ductile limit states include member and connection yielding,
bearing deformation at bolt holes, as well as buckling of members that conform to
the width-thickness limitations of Table I-8-1. Fracture of a member or of a
connection, or buckling of a connection element, are not ductile limit states.

End Diagonal or Web. The first web member on either end of a joist or Joist
Girder which begins at the top chord at the seat and ends at the first bottom
chord panel point. For an underslung joist the end diagonal begins at the seat.

End Welds. Welds at the ends of an existing member or the reinforcing member.

Expected Yield Strength. Yield strength in tension of a member, equal to the

expected yield stress multiplied by Ag.

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Expected Tensile Strength. Tensile strength of a member, equal to the specified
minimum tensile strength, Fu, multiplied by Rt.

Expected Yield Stress. Yield stress of the material, equal to the specified
minimum yield stress, Fy, multiplied by Ry.

Filler. A short piece of round bar, plate or angle welded between a two angle
chord member or a two angle web member to tie them together, usually located
at the midpoint of the member between joints.

Instability. Limit state reached in the loading of a structural component, frame or

structure in which a slight disturbance in the loads or geometry produces large
displacements.

Joint. Area where two or more ends, surfaces or edges are attached.
Categorized by type of fastener or weld used and the method of force transfer.

Joist. A structural load-carrying member with an open web system which

supports floors and roofs utilizing hot-rolled or cold-formed steel and is designed
as a simple span member. Currently, the SJI has the following joist designations:
K-Series including KCS, LH-Series and DLH-Series, and CJ-Series.

Joist Girder. A primary structural load-carrying member with an open web

system designed as a simple span usually supporting equally spaced
concentrated loads of a floor or roof system acting at the panel points of the
member and utilizing hot-rolled or cold-formed steel.

Lateral Bracing Member. Member that is designed to inhibit lateral buckling or

lateral-torsional buckling of primary framing members.

Load. Force or other action that results from the weight of building materials,
occupants and their possessions, environmental effects, differential movement,
or restrained dimensional changes.

LRFD (Load and Resistance Factor Design). Method of proportioning

structural components such that the design strength equals or exceeds the
required strength of the component under the action of the LRFD load
combinations.

LRFD Load Combination. Load combination in the applicable building code

intended for strength design (load and resistance factor design).

Material. Joists, Joist Girders and accessories as provided by the seller.

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Nominal Strength*. Strength of a structure or component (without the
resistance factor or safety factor applied) to resist the load effects, as determined
in accordance with the Standard Specifications.

Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF). Moment frame system that meets the
requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions, Section 11.

Overstrength Factor, Ωo. Factor specified by the applicable building code in

order to determine the amplified seismic load, where required by the AISC
Seismic Provisions.

Prequalified Connection. Connection that complies with the requirements of

ANSI/AISC 358, Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel
Moment frames for Seismic Applications, Appendix P.

Protected Zone. Area of members in which limitations apply to fabrication and

attachments. See AISC Seismic Provisions Section 7.4.

Provisions. Refers to the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings
(ANSI/AISC 341).

Required Strength*. Forces, stresses, and deformations produced in a

structural component, determined by either structural analysis, for the LRFD or
ASD load combinations, as appropriate, or as specified by the Standard
Specifications.

Resistance Factor, φ. Factor that accounts for deviations of the actual strength
from the nominal strength, deviations of the actual load from the nominal load,
uncertainties in the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect and for the
manner and consequences of failure.

Safety Factor, Ω. Factor that accounts for deviations of the actual strength from
the nominal strength, deviations of the actual load from the nominal load,
uncertainties in the analysis that transforms the load into a load effect and for the
manner and consequences of failure.

Seismic Design Category. Classification assigned to a building by the applicable

building code based upon its seismic use group and the design spectral
response acceleration coefficients.

Seismic Load Resisting System (SLRS). Assembly of structural elements in the

building that resists seismic loads, including struts, collectors, chords,
diaphragms and trusses.

Seismic Response Modification Coefficient, R. Factor that reduces seismic load

effects to strength level as specified by the applicable building code.

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Seismic Use Group. Classification assigned to a structure based on its use as
specified by the applicable building code.

Serviceability Limit State. Limiting condition affecting the ability of a structure to

preserve its appearance, maintainability, durability, or the comfort of its
occupants or function of machinery, under normal usage.

Slenderness Ratio. The ratio of the effective length of a column to the radius of
gyration of the column about the same axis of bending.

Span. The centerline-to-centerline distance between structural steel supports

such as a beam, column or Joist Girder or the clear span distance plus four
inches onto a masonry or concrete wall.

Special Moment Frame (SMF). Moment frame system that meets the
requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions, Section 9.

Special Truss Moment Frame (STMF). Truss moment frame system that meets
the requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions, Section 12.

Specified Minimum Yield Stress. Lower limit of yield stress specified for a
material as defined by ASTM.

Specifying Professional. The licensed professional who is responsible for sealing

the building Contract Documents, which indicates that he or she has performed
or supervised the analysis, design and document preparation for the structure
and has knowledge of the load-carrying structural system.

Splice. Connection between two structural members joined at their ends by

either bolting or welding to form a single, longer member.

Stability. Condition reached in the loading of a structural component, frame or

structure in which a slight disturbance in the loads or geometry does not produce
large displacements.

Standard Specifications. Documents developed and maintained by the Steel

Joist Institute for the design and manufacture of open web steel joists and Joist
Girders. The term “SJI Standard Specifications” encompasses by reference the
following:
ANSI/SJI-K1.1 Standard Specifications for Open Web Steel Joists, K-Series;
ANSI/SJI-LH/DLH-1.1 Standard Specifications for Longspan Steel Joists,
LH-Series and Deep Longspan Steel Joists, DLH-Series;
ANSI/SJI-JG-1.1 Standard Specifications for Joist Girders; and
ANSI/SJI-CJ1.0 Standard Specifications for Composite Steel Joists,
CJ-Series.

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Structural Analysis. Determination of load effects on members and
connections based on principles of structural mechanics.

Tagged End. The end of a joist or Joist Girder where an identification or piece
mark is shown by a metal tag. The member must be erected with this tagged
end in the same position as the tagged end noted on the placement plan.

Webs. The vertical or diagonal members joined at the top and bottom chords of
a joist or Joist Girder to form triangular patterns.

Yield Point. First stress in a material at which an increase in strain occurs

without an increase in stress as defined by ASTM.

Yield Strength. Stress at which a material exhibits a specified limiting deviation

from the proportionality of stress to strain as defined by ASTM.

Yield Stress. Generic term to denote either yield point or yield strength, as
appropriate for the material.

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1
CHAPTER
CHAPTER 1 1
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE SPECIFYING
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
PROFESSIONAL THEJOIST
AND THE SPECIFYING
PROFESSIONAL
MANUFACTURERAND THE JOIST
MANUFACTURER
To obtain a successful design using Joist Girder moment frames the Specifying
Professional and the joist manufacturer must communicate design data and
information to each other. The Specifying Professional must specify the
necessary loading and stiffness data to the joist manufacturer. In addition the
Specifying Professional must indicate the type of joist to column connections that
he or she is designing so that the joist manufacturer can provide the joists with
the geometry that suits the design intent. If it is not possible for the joist
manufacturer to provide the intended geometry then a dialog must occur
between all involved parties prior to final pricing and design.

The joist manufacturer, in turn, must design the joists in conformance with the
SJI specifications and other contract requirements specified by the Specifying
Professional. It is recommended that the Specifying Professional contact a joist
manufacturer to obtain design information and recommendations to effectively
utilize their product since joists and Joist Girders used in this type of application
are not considered “standard”. Joist manufacturers can run preliminary designs
to determine member sizes so that welds and end connections can be correctly
sized and specified.

An open dialog with the Specifying Professional is helpful for many reasons, but
is most efficient to get the correct information on the contract drawings prior to
the project being bid. When this happens, the approval process is much faster,
since the joist manufacturer may not need to submit alternate details or request
additional information for something that may not work or will be costly to
manufacture.

The following is taken from a portion of the SJI Code of Standard Practice for
Steel Joists and Joist Girders (SJI 2005).

“6.1 PLANS FURNISHED BY BUYER

The Buyer shall furnish the Seller plans and specifications as
prepared by the specifying professional showing all Material
requirements and steel joist and/or steel Joist Girder
designations, the layout of walls, columns, beams, girders and
other supports, as well as floor and roof openings and
partitions correctly dimensioned. The live loads to be used,
the wind uplift if any, the weights of partitions and the location

11
and amount of any special loads, such as monorails, fans,
blowers, tanks, etc., shall be indicated. The elevation of
finished floors, roofs, and bearings shall be shown with due
consideration taken for the effects of dead load deflections.

(a) Loads -
The Steel Joist Institute does not presume to establish the
loading requirements for which structures are designed.

The Steel Joist Institute Load Tables are based on uniform

loading conditions and are valid for use in selecting joist
sizes for gravity loads that can be expressed in terms of
“pounds per linear foot” (kiloNewtons per Meter) of joist.
The Steel Joist Institute Joist Girder Weight Tables are
based on uniformly spaced panel point loading conditions
and are valid for use in selecting Joist Girder sizes for
gravity conditions that can be expressed in kips
(kiloNewtons) per panel point on the Joist Girder.

The specifying professional shall provide the nominal

loads and load combinations as stipulated by the
applicable code under which the structure is designed and
shall provide the design basis (ASD or LRFD).

The specifying professional shall calculate and provide

the magnitude and location of ALL JOIST and JOIST
GIRDER LOADS. This includes all special loads (drift
loads, mechanical units, net uplift, axial loads, moments,
structural bracing loads, or other applied loads) which are
to be incorporated into the joist or Joist Girder design. For
Joist Girders, reactions from supported members shall be
clearly denoted as point loads on the Joist Girder. When
necessary to clearly convey the information, a Load
Diagram or Load Schedule shall be provided.

The specifying professional shall give due consideration

to the following loads and load effects:
1. Ponded rain water.
2. Accumulation of snow in the vicinity of obstructions such
as penthouses, signs, parapets, adjacent buildings, etc.
3. Wind.
4. Type and magnitude of end moments and/or axial forces
at the joist and Joist Girder end supports shall be shown
on the structural drawings. For moment resisting joists
or Joist Girders framing near the end of a column, due
consideration shall be given to extend the column length
to allow a plate type connection between the top of the
joist or Joist Girder top chord and the column.

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 Avoid resolving joist or Joist Girder end moments and axial
forces through the bearing seat connection.
A note shall be provided on the structural drawings stating
that all moment resisting joists shall have all dead loads
applied to the joist before the bottom chord struts are
welded to the supporting connection whenever the
moments provided do not include dead load.
The top and bottom chord moment connection details shall
be designed by the specifying professional. The joist
designer shall furnish the specifying professional with
the joist detail information if requested.
The nominal loads, as determined by the specifying
professional, shall not be less than that specified in the
applicable building codes.
Where concentrated loads occur, the magnitude and
location of these concentrated loads shall be shown on the
structural drawings when, in the opinion of the
specifying professional, they may require consideration
by the joist manufacturer.”

Note: Although the SJI Code of Standard of Practice for Steel Joists and
Joist Girders (SJI 2005) does not list seismic loads for design
consideration, it is the Specifying Professional’s responsibility to specify
such loads when design consideration is needed.

In addition to the above, details shall clearly illustrate the intended load path for
transferring forces between the joist/Joist Girder and supporting structure.

It sometimes can be difficult to determine if the joist used should be specified as

a K- or LH-Series joist. When gravity loads and geometry allow for a K-Series
joist to be used, it has been found that the axial loads from wind or seismic will
increase some of the joist component sizes to those more commonly used in LH-
Series joists. If there is a question with regard to which series to select, contact a
joist manufacturer for advice or specify a LH-Series joist. In many cases, the LH-
Series joist that has a standard 5 in. bearing depth will be less expensive than a
K-Series joist which must be significantly modified.

The standard seat depth for a K-Series joist is 2 1/2 inches so the chord angles
need to be coped to get the proper bearing depth if axial loads require the top
chord angles to be larger than 2 1/2 inches. This is costly. Also, if the end
moments cause the end webs to be double angle members that may cause a
problem with the bearing seat depth. In general, unless the Specifying
Professional can be confident in the chord sizes, it is better to call out an LH-
Series joist that has a standard 5 in. bearing depth.

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2
CHAPTER 2
CHAPTER 2
ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS
ANALYSIS REQUIREMENTS
Forces and moments in single story joist rigid frames are determined in a manner
similar to other Ordinary Moment Frames (OMF) comprised of steel columns and
beams. As used in this digest OMF signifies moment frames comprised of steel
columns and joists, or Joist Girders. As with all indeterminate frames, the first
step in the design process is to perform a preliminary analysis. In general, it is
suggested that the OMF be considered as a pinned base frame in order to
eliminate moment resisting foundations; however, for drift control, partially
restrained or fixed bases can be considered. The Specifying Professional is
encouraged to consider serviceability criteria and drift control at the preliminary
design phase of the project. After selecting trial member sizes for the columns
and joists, a computer analysis is performed to determine forces, moments, and
deflections (both first-order and second-order) for the load combinations
prescribed by the applicable building code. The current AISC Specification for
Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005a) requires a second order analysis.
Because second order analysis is a non-linear problem, the analysis must be
performed for each required load combination. Individual load cases cannot be
analyzed and their results summed to obtain a correct result. The 2nd order
analysis must be performed using the cumulative, factored loads associated with
each load combination.

It is suggested to use a simplified model for the joist frame by modeling the joist
as an equivalent beam section with an approximate moment of inertia. The node
at the interface of the column and joist should be located at the mid-height of the
joist to more closely approximate the relative stiffness of these two elements and
to more accurately predict lateral drift in the frame. This model is referred to as
Model 1 (see Figure 2.1).

Figure 2.1 Model 1

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For preliminary design the column sizes can be determined by calculating
column moments based on assumed shears in the columns from the lateral
loads. The maximum moment for a pinned-base column is the moment located
at the bottom chord level of the joist. Therefore, the moment can be calculated
as the column shear multiplied by the height of the column from the base to the
bottom of the joist. In the computer model the moment can be obtained by
placing a node at the location of the bottom chord.

Trial joist stiffness can be obtained from the SJI equations for the approximate
moment of inertia of a joist or Joist Girder that can be found in the Steel Joist
Institute 42nd Edition Catalog (SJI 2005). The SJI equation for the approximate
moment of inertia of a joist in inches4 is 26.767(WLL)(L3)(10-6) for both LRFD and
ASD,

where, wLL = RED figure in the K-, LH-, and DLH-Series Load Tables
L = (Span - 0.33) in feet for K-Series joists.
L = (Clear span + 0.67) in feet for LH- and DLH-Series joists.

The SJI equation for the approximate moment of inertia of a Joist Girder in
inches4 is 0.018NPLd (LRFD) and 0.027NPLd (ASD),

where, N = number of panel points

P = panel point load (kips) at factored load level for LRFD, and at
nominal load level for ASD
L = girder length (ft.)
d = nominal girder depth (in.)

The moment of inertia determined above should be reduced by 15% to properly

account for the additional shear deflection that can occur in a joist product.

Based on the results of the preliminary analysis, the story drift should be checked
first to determine if it meets serviceability criteria. If it does not, then the girder
stiffnesses and column stiffnesses need to be increased.

If the end moments on the joists are greater than the centerline moment of the
joist, the size of the joists must be increased and the model must be re-run with
new joist stiffnesses to obtain the correct forces and moments. Table 2-1 has
been provided to facilitate the check for joist size, since the 13th Edition AISC
Steel Construction Manual (AISC 2005b) does not contain compressive strengths
for double angles with Fy of 50 ksi. Alternately, one can divide the LRFD chord
force by 1.5 and use the Allowable Concentric Loads on Columns Table for
Equal Leg Double Angles that can be found in the 9th Edition AISC Manual of
Steel Construction (AISC 1989).

To use Table 2-1, first calculate the chord forces in the joists. The chord force
can be approximately calculated by dividing the end moment by the nominal joist

55
depth. Compare the calculated chord force with the tabulated chord forces in the
table. Based on this comparison the approximate size of the joist chord and
chord area can be obtained. Using the required area recalculate the moment of
inertia for the joist to be used in the model.

Using the selected chord size, the approximate moment of inertia of the joist, IJ
equals
2
⎛d ⎞
2 (A chord )⎜ − y ⎟
IJ = ⎝2 ⎠ in.4 Eq. 2-1
1.15
where,
d = nominal joist depth, in.
y = the distance from the angle leg to the angle centroid, in.

Note: The 1.15 factor in the denominator accounts for the loss in stiffness
due to axial deformations in the web members of the joist.

Repeat the procedure described above until a proper joist is determined.

In addition to the vertical loads on the frames, the 2nd order analysis must
account for the loads on any “lean-on” columns as well as the weight of any walls
supported by the OMF. In lieu of a three dimensional model, these effects can
be modeled by treating the “lean-on” members as pinned-pinned adjacent
columns, connected to the frame at the eave with an axial load in the column
equal to the required loads on the “lean-on” elements. This approach is
illustrated in Figure 2.2. The effects of the diaphragm deflection on P-Δ can be
accounted for by modeling the top of the pseudo columns displaced laterally an
amount equal to the horizontal diaphragm deflection that would occur between
the moment frame and the “lean-on” columns.

Figure 2.2 Model with “Lean-on” Columns

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 Table 2-1 Double Angle Chord Available Strength (LRFD) for Various
Unbraced Lengths, kips (Fy = 50 ksi, φ = 0.90)
Unbraced Length Area
Angle Size
L = 4 ft. L = 5 ft. L = 6 ft. L = 7 ft. in.2
2L 6 x 6 x 1 939 911 879 842 22.0
2L 6 x 6 x 7/8 825 809 781 749 19.5
2L 6 x 6 x 3/4 702 694 679 651 16.9
2L 6 x 6 x 5/8 570 564 556 547 14.3
2L 6 x 6 x 9/16 499 494 487 480 12.9
2L 6 x 6 x 1/2 375 374 373 370 11.5
2L 6 x 6 x 7/16 293 292 292 290 10.2
2L 6 x 6 x 3/8 214 214 213 213 8.80
2L 6 x 6 x 5/16 142 142 142 142 7.30
2L 5 x 5 x 7/8 665 639 606 570 16.0
2L 5 x 5 x 3/4 579 555 538 496 14.0
2L 5 x 5 x 5/8 483 470 447 422 11.8
2L 5 x 5 x 1/2 373 368 361 342 9.60
2L 5 x 5 x 7/16 281 280 280 277 8.44
2L 5 x 5 x 3/8 214 213 212 211 7.30
2L 5 x 5 x 5/16 148 148 147 146 6.13
2L 4 x 4 x 3/4 434 406 373 338 10.9
2L 4 x 4 x 5/8 368 345 318 289 9.21
2L 4 x 4 x 1/2 300 281 260 236 7.49
2L 4 x 4 x 7/16 262 249 230 210 6.61
2L 4 x 4 x 3/8 216 211 200 182 5.71
2L 4 x 4 x 5/16 144 143 143 141 4.80
2L 4 x 4 x 1/4 92 92 92 91 3.87
2L 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1/2 252 231 208 184 6.53
2L 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 7/16 223 205 185 164 5.77
2L 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 3/8 194 178 161 143 5.50
2L 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 5/16 140 139 135 120 4.21
2L 3-1/2 x 3-1/2 x 1/4 92 92 91 90 3.41
2L 3 x 3 x 1/2 200 178 154 129 5.50
2L 3 x 3 x 7/16 177 158 137 116 4.86
2L 3 x 3 x 3/8 154 138 120 101 4.22
2L 3 x 3 x 5/16 131 116 101 86 3.55
2L 3 x 3 x 1/4 88 87 81 70 2.87
2L 3 x 3 x 3/16 49 49 49 48 2.18
2L 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1/2 148 124 100 77 4.50
2L 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 3/8 115 97 79 62 3.47
2L 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 5/16 98 83 67 53 2.93
2L 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 1/4 80 68 56 44 2.37
2L 2-1/2 x 2-1/2 x 3/16 49 48 41 34 1.80

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The Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, ANSI/AISC 341-05 (AISC
2005c), which apply when the seismic response modification coefficient, R, (as
specified in the applicable building code) is taken greater than 3, require that the
Joist Girder to column moment connections in an OMF be designed for a
moment equal to 1.1RyMp of the girder, or the maximum moment that can be
developed by the system (see ANSI/AISC 341-05, Section 11.2a). The limit
associated with the maximum moment level in the girder assumes that the
columns have more flexural capacity than the girders (i.e. strong column – weak
beam). In this system, where the joists typically have more flexural strength than
the columns, the fuse in the system would be the column, and the maximum
force that can be developed by the system is that force which generates the
maximum expected moment (Mpe) in the column. This moment is equal to
1.1RyMp of the column. This requirement is only required in Seismic Design
Categories D, E, and F. The AISC Seismic Provisions require that the girder
(joist in this system) to column connection have the capacity to resist forces
generated in the connection when the column develops this moment. The
premise of the OMF frame design for this type of system (strong beam – weak
column) is that all columns participating in the lateral load resisting frame have
hinged (or developed Mpe) just below the bottom chord of the joists.

The SJI has taken the position that the entire joist, not just the connection, will be
designed by the joist manufacturer at this elevated force level because of the
importance of ensuring the joist components remain elastic and do not buckle.
This procedure ensures that the Joist Girder and its members will remain elastic
and that buckling will not occur in any of the girder components.

The moment in the joist to column connection is derived by extrapolating the

maximum expected moment in the column (Mpe) to the mid-depth of the Joist
Girder. For ease of reference, this moment will be referred to as Mge. At an
interior column, where moment connected joists are on both sides of the column,
the Mge associated with this column will be apportioned to each girder based on
Model 2 (see Figure 2.3).

Figure 2.3 Model 2

The joists can then be analyzed as pinned supported, continuous members, with
concentrated moments equal to Mge at each support. The loads on the joists are

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derived for loadings consistent with the seismic load combinations required by
the applicable building code. Using this model, the appropriate end moments
and vertical reactions are determined for the joists.

To summarize, two models are suggested:

Model 1 is an elastic model of the entire frame used to evaluate member forces
(including joist end moments and shears), reactions and story drifts. This model
is used for column design and used to determine the joist end moments and
shears for non-seismic load combinations and for seismic load combinations for
structures in Seismic Design Categories A, B, and C. Second-order effects need
to be accounted for in these analyses.

Model 2 is used to determine the joist end moments and connection forces
consistent with the seismic design philosophy for an OMF system in Seismic
Design Categories D, E, and F. In this model, the columns are assumed to have
formed plastic hinges, and therefore, the model consists of a continuous, pinned
supported girder with the appropriate Mge moments applied at each support. This
model is only evaluated for vertical loads consistent with the seismic load
combinations prescribed by the applicable building code for structures in Seismic
Design Categories D, E, and F.

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3
CHAPTER 3
CHAPTER 3
DESIGN METHODOLOGY AND CONNECTIONS
DESIGNFOR
METHODOLOGY AND
LATERAL WIND CONNECTIONS
LOADS
FOR LATERAL WIND LOADS
The design methodology for wind loads is based on performing a structural
analysis in accordance with the 2005 AISC Specification. The authors of this
digest assume that the reader is knowledgeable on the analysis and design
procedures contained in the current AISC Specification, and thus will not discuss
these provisions.

The first consideration relative to the design of joist rigid frames is to determine if
rigid frame action is required in both framing directions. When rigid frames are
required in only one direction, the Joist Girders should be selected to resist the
lateral loads. If rigid frame action is required in both directions, the framing
scheme that creates the smallest end moments in the joists should be used. If
moment frames are required in both directions it is recommended that the joists
be supported on seats. Details follow illustrating suggested details.

Continuity Considerations
Before proceeding with a discussion of joist moment frames, a point needs to be
made relative to inadvertently creating continuity by welding the joist bottom
chords to the column. If the top and bottom chords of the joist are welded to the
supports, the joist will behave as a continuous member, that is, continuity
moments will be developed at the member ends. Welding the bottom chords in
place after dead loads have been applied will eliminate the continuity moments
from dead loads; however, continuity moments from live loads will still occur.
Continuity moments will cause additional chord forces and consequently
additional stresses in the joist and its connections. These forces must not be
ignored in the design. If not accounted for in the design, a variety of problems
can occur. These include:

1. For standard top chord end seat connections, axial forces in these
connections generate continuity moments in the top chords. This is due to
the eccentricity between the connection to the column and the centroid of
the double angle top chords. These bending moments in the top chords
may cause overstresses and possible chord bending failures.

2. Compressive forces may be generated in the bottom chords of the joists

which are not accounted for in the normal design of these members.
These compressive forces may cause buckling failures of the joists.

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 3. Connections between individual elements of the joist and at the ends of
the joists may be overstressed by added forces.

The Basic Connection

The Basic Connection for columns framed with joists and Joist Girders is shown
in Figure 3.1. This connection is the least expensive and most common detail
that can be used to transmit gravity loads to the column.

Figure 3.1 The Basic Connection

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The Specifying Professional is responsible for the design of the Basic Connection
if it is subjected to any loads other than simple span gravity loadings. The Basic
Connection has only limited use to resist continuity or wind moments and should
not be used in seismic moment frames where large moments will be created and
may cause severe overstresses in the top chord. Chord moments caused by
eccentric axial loads can cause premature failure of joist top chords. Considering
the Joist Girder seat connection at the column top to be a pin, a secondary
moment, M = ± Pe, is developed in the top chord. Since the double angles which
comprise the top chord possess a limited moment capacity, the joist chord will fail
at a relatively low load due to the secondary moment and the axial load. This
condition is illustrated in Figure 3.2.

Figure 3.2 Chord Eccentric Loading

As an aid to the Specifying Professional several typical moment details are

summarized and discussed below. After determining the moments that exist at
the connections in the frame, the designer can evaluate which of these
connections will provide the best solution. The capacities of the connections are
discussed in terms of top chord forces in the joist. This is due to the fact that the
top chord force generally limits the capacity of the connection. To determine the
chord forces the Specifying Professional can divide the required moment by the
appropriate force couple lever arm.

In all of the details presented, the column web must be checked by the
Specifying Professional to determine if web stiffening is required. The design of
the welds connecting the joist to the columns is the responsibility of the
Specifying Professional.

It is highly recommended that the Specifying Professional contact the joist

manufacturer for more information on specific details that may be different from
those shown here. Coordination of these details with the joist manufacturer can
avoid structural steel detailing and joist detailing delays and can help reduce
erection costs of the connections.

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Detail A – (Figure 3.3)
In this connection, bending moments generated by connection eccentricities are
assumed to be resisted by the joist top chord. Joist top chords can be reinforced
during manufacturing by inserting a one inch thick bar between the top chord
angles or by extending the seat angles along the top chord of the joist. Both
types of reinforcement are shown in Figure 3.3.

Even with reinforcing, the moment induced in the top chord imposes strength
limitations which restrict practical use to transferring relatively small axial loads in
the range of under 15 kips in joists and under 45 kips in Joist Girders. Top chord
strengths to support the eccentric axial loads vary with chord size, seat depth,
and practical reinforcing limits. It is recommended that you solicit input from a
joist manufacturer before using this type of connection for transferring large axial
loads.

Figure 3.3 Detail A

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Detail B – (Figure 3.4)
The special seat condition shown in Figure 3.4 is best suited for attachment to
sidewall columns. To be effective, the bolts in the seat must be separated by
more than 6 inches, and the Joist Girder seat angles must be manufactured from
1/2 inch thick angles. A practical chord force limitation for this detail is also 45
kips. Major eccentricities in the connection are eliminated because the seat is
designed as a rigid extension of the column.

Figure 3.4 Detail B (Sidewall Column)

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Detail C – (Figures 3.5 and 3.6)
This detail has the advantage of providing a more direct and less eccentric load
path for continuity forces into the top chord of the joist. Therefore, Detail C is
capable of developing larger joist chord forces than either Detail A or B. It also
has the advantage of giving the Specifying Professional more control over the
design, thus less coordination with the joist manufacturer is required. A
disadvantage is that a seat must be attached to the column in order for the
moment plate to be welded to the column. The strength of Detail C is limited by
the top chord axial load capacity. The continuity plates in Figure 3.6 can be
stopped short of the joist bearing seat, or the cap plate can be extended away
from the column web to provide a seat for the joists. By doing this a consistent
bearing seat depth (height) can be maintained.

Figure 3.5 Detail C (Sidewall Column)

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Figure 3.6 Detail C (Interior Column)

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Detail D – (Figure 3.7)
This detail also has the advantage of providing a more direct and less eccentric
load path for continuity forces into the top chord of the joist. Therefore, Detail D
is capable of developing larger joist chord forces than Details A and B. It also
has the advantage of giving the Specifying Professional more control over the
design, thus less coordination with the joist manufacturer is required. The
Specifying Professional must check to see if stiffeners are required in the column
web in order to properly transfer the forces from the knife plate to the column
web. It is often cost effective to select a column with a web thickness large
enough so that stiffeners are not required. The tie plate for the joists is used if
axial loads must be transferred between the joists.

Figure 3.7 Detail D

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Detail E – (Figure 3.8)
Figure 3.8 provides a connection detail that could be used when both the joist
and the Joist Girder must be designed in moment frames at the same column. In
this detail, the joist structural bearing seat also serves as the continuity plate for
the Joist Girder moment frame. The bolts at the joist connections are required by
the OSHA Safety Standards for Steel Erection 1926.757 Open Web Steel Joists.

Figure 3.8 Detail E

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4
CHAPTER 4
CHAPTER 4
DESIGN METHODOLOGY FOR
DESIGNSEISMIC LOADS
METHODOLOGY FOR SEISMIC LOADS
The design methodology for seismic loads is based on the NEHRP
Recommended Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other
Structures (FEMA 450), 2003 Edition (FEMA 2004) and on the requirements
found in ASCE/SEI 7-05, Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and other
Structures (ASCE 2005). Discussion on seismic design requirements as
presented in these documents should start with the purpose of these provisions.
Specifically, as stated in FEMA 450, the purpose of the provisions is:

1. “To protect the health, safety and welfare of the general public
by minimizing the earthquake-related risk to life.”
2. “To improve the capability of essential facilities and structures
containing substantial quantities of hazardous materials to
function during and after design earthquakes.”

For most steel structures, inelastic behavior is expected if the building is subject
to a design-level earthquake. The ability of the structure to withstand this
inelastic behavior without collapse is the premise for the majority of the design
criteria presented in these references. Essential facilities are designed for higher
forces and may have more stringent design requirements. Therefore, the
expected level of damage due to a design-level earthquake for these facilities
should be less and allow for the continued operation of that facility. It is very
possible that even after a design-level earthquake, it may not be economically
feasible to repair a building.

Understanding the premise that inelastic behavior is expected in a structure

designed to the provisions described in FEMA 450 or ASCE/SEI 7-05 is
paramount to understanding the intent of the design requirements. This behavior
is acknowledged in the design equations used within the above-noted documents
to determine the seismic forces on the building structure. Specifically, the design
forces estimated based upon expected ground accelerations during a design-
level earthquake are divided by a Response Modification Factor, R, that is
specific to a given type of construction and framing system. This factor
represents an adjustment factor used with a linear analysis model to approximate
nonlinear dynamic response in the building structure.

The Response Modification Factor, R, incorporates two effects, an overstrength

factor and a ductility (or ductility reduction) factor. The overstrength factor
accounts for the difference in the force level required to collapse a frame and the
seismic design force level for that frame. This overstrength can be attributed to
the following:

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19
 1. Design efficiency – in general, members are designed with capacities that
are equal to or in excess of their design loads.
2. Drift limits, imposed by seismic design criteria and/or serviceability limit
states for the building result in larger member sizes than required for
strength limit states.
3. The nominal member strengths are larger than design strengths, due to
safety factors (Ω) or resistance factors (φ) and the fact that actual steel
yield strengths are typically higher than published for a given grade of
steel.
4. The building design may be governed by other (non-seismic) load
combinations.
5. Elastic design methodologies define the strength of a frame by the
development of the strength of the weakest element (as compared to the
design force) in the frame. After the failure (flexural hinging, yielding,
buckling, etc.) of this element, most frames have reserve capacity and will
continue to resist load until enough members have failed that the structure
becomes unstable and collapses. The excess strength is expressed as
the difference between this collapse load and the load generating the first
failure in an individual element (hinging, yielding, or buckling).

The second effect included in the R factor is a ductility or ductility reduction

factor. This effect is associated with the following:
1. As the structure begins to yield and deform inelastically, the natural period
of the building will increase. This increase in period will result in
decreased seismic demand for most buildings and will prevent or reduce a
resonant response in the building structure.
2. Inelastic action in members dissipates energy. This is often referred to as
hysteretic damping in the structure (whereas damping in the elastic model
would be considered viscous damping).

The combination of these two effects was considered in developing the R values
that are used today in the United States. The R values currently used are based
predominantly on engineering judgment and the performance of various
materials and systems in past earthquakes. As would be expected, appropriate
detailing of the building structure is required to ensure that the R value used is
justified. The nature of this “appropriate detailing” is the design criteria included
in ASCE/SEI 7-05 (ASCE 2005) and FEMA 450 (FEMA 2004).

For steel buildings, the International Building Code (ICC 2006) requires that all
buildings in Seismic Design Category D, E, or F adhere to the requirements of
ANSI/AISC 341-05, Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC
2005c). For steel buildings in Seismic Design Category A, B, or C, the engineer
is provided the choice of using an R value of 3 and designing in accordance with

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ANSI/AISC 360-05, Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005b) or
designing with the higher R values provided in Chapter 16, Section 1613
Earthquake Loads (ICC 2006) and adhering to the requirements of ANSI/AISC
341-05. The American Institute of Steel Construction has typically advised the
use of the former procedure, since seismic loads (even using an R value of 3) will
often times be smaller than lateral wind loads on the building structures in
moderate or low seismic areas defined by these seismic design categories. In
addition, the increased complexity of design, fabrication and erection associated
with the seismic provisions will often times offset any material savings obtained
by the use of the higher R values.

In using this design approach, there are two additional related variables that
need to be discussed: The Overstrength Factor (Ω 0), and the Drift Amplification
Factor (Cd). The Overstrength Factor (Ω 0) represents the ratio of the estimated
maximum potential seismic load to the design seismic load. This factor is
typically used to calculate amplified seismic loads for elements of the seismic
force resisting system that are sensitive to overstress or where overstress could
lead to failure of the structure. The Drift Amplification Factor (Cd) represents the
ratio of expected lateral drift in the structure to the drift calculated for the design-
level earthquake forces calculated using the Response Modification Factor (R).
As previously noted, inelastic behavior is truly expected in the structure when
subject to a design-level earthquake. Since an elastic model, with reduced
forces (reduced by R) are used, the calculated lateral displacements from this
model are amplified by the factor (Cd) to account for this inelastic behavior. As
with the Response Modification Factor, both of these factors vary with the type of
construction and framing system.

Structural System Selection

ASCE/SEI 7-05 Table 12.2.1 “Design Coefficients and Factors for Seismic Force-
Resisting Systems” (ASCE 2005) lists various types of Seismic Force-Resisting
Systems, the associated factors (R, Ω 0, and Cd) that are to be used with these
systems and the limitations on the use of these systems. For steel moment
frame systems, three categories of systems are noted. These are: Special
Moment Frames, Intermediate Moment Frames and Ordinary Moment Frames.
Special Moment Frames and Intermediate Moment Frames require the use of a
moment connection between the beam and column that has been demonstrated
by virtue of testing to allow for varying degrees of inelastic rotation without
significant degradation in the flexural strength of the two members. This type of
testing has not been performed on joist-column moment connections at this time.
Tests have been conducted only on standard connections. There is potential for
developing a connection that would achieve inelastic rotation, but as of yet no
standardized connection has been developed for this purpose. Therefore, a joist
moment frame must be categorized as an Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF).
Ordinary Moment Frames are expected to withstand minimal inelastic
deformations in their members and connections when subjected to a design-level
earthquake. Fully restrained, FR, moment connections in Ordinary Moment

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Frames are to be designed for a required flexural strength equal to the maximum
expected flexural strength of the beam (i.e. 1.1RyMp(beam)) or the maximum
moment that can be delivered by the system. For a joist moment frame, where
the joist has a flexural strength that exceeds the column flexural strength, the
maximum moment that can be delivered by the system is the maximum expected
flexural strength of the column (i.e. 1.1RyMp(column)). The use of this type of
system is limited to a one-story building where the hinging of the column will not
immediately create a stability problem. The use of this type of system is also
limited to the height and other constraints noted in Table 12.2.1.

Analytical research conducted at the University of Minnesota on the design of

trussed frames subjected to seismic loading (Beckman 1996) concluded that
these types of frames would be feasible for low-rise, multi-bay structures
especially in lower seismic zones. The study also concluded that the cost
effective nature of Joist Girders would provide a significant advantage to using
rigid trussed frames. Since this study was strictly analytical, one of its
recommendations was that experimental testing be carried out to demonstrate
the viability of using Joist Girders in frames that would be capable of withstanding
earthquake forces. Subsequently, the SJI sponsored a full-scale experimental
research program followed by extensive analytical studies at the Georgia Institute
of Technology from 2000 to 2004 (Kim 2003, Kim et. al 2007). This research
has substantiated the use of a Joist Girder frame system, as part of an Ordinary
Moment Frame, for use in any Seismic Design Category for structures within the
limits for OMF’s, and has validated the design approach recommended in this
technical digest.

Welding Requirements
The joist manufacturer must be aware of special weld requirements as imposed
by ANSI/AISC 341-05, Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC
2005c). It is the opinion of the authors that the welding requirements cited below
are required for moment frames (OMF) when the structure is located in Seismic
Design Category D, E, or F, or in Seismic Design Category A, B, or C, if R values
greater than 3 are used.

1. Section 7 of the AISC Seismic Provisions are to be followed for chord splices
in the SLRS, and for the connections between the joists in the SLRS and the
columns.

2. For the fillet welded connections between the joist chords and web members
in the SLRS, Section 7.3 Welded Joints shall be followed with the exception
that the welding is performed per SJI requirements. In addition, Section 7.3a
General Requirements shall be followed in its entirety.

Citations from the AISC Seismic Provisions:

From Section 7. “Connections, Joists, and Fasteners”

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7.3. Welded Joints
Welding shall be performed in accordance with Appendix W. Welding shall
be performed in accordance with a welding procedure specification (WPS) as
required in AWS D1.1 and approved by the engineer of record. The WPS
variables shall be within the parameters established by the filler metal
manufacturer.

From Appendix W2. “Structural Design Drawings and Specifications,

Shop Drawings and Erection Drawings”

W2.1. Structural Design Drawings and Specifications

Structural design drawings and specifications shall include, as a minimum,
the following information:
(1) locations where backup bars are required to be removed
(2) locations where supplemental fillet welds are required when
backing is permitted to remain
(3) locations where fillet welds are used to reinforce groove welds or to
improve connection geometry
(4) locations where weld tabs are required to be removed
(5) splice locations where tapered transitions are required

W5.4. Maximum Interpass Temperatures

Maximum interpass temperatures shall not exceed 550°F (290°C), measured
at a distance not exceeding 3 in. (75 mm) from the start of the weld pass.
The maximum interpass temperature may be increased by qualification
testing that includes weld metal and base metal CVN testing using AWS D1.1
Annex III. The steel used for the qualification testing shall be of the same
type and grade as will be used in production.

The maximum heat input to be used in production shall be used in the

qualification testing. The qualified maximum interpass temperature shall be
the lowest interpass temperature used for any pass during qualification
testing. Both weld metal and HAZ shall be tested. The weld metal shall meet
all the mechanical properties required by Section 7.3a, or those for demand
critical welds of Section 7.3b, as applicable. The heat affected zone CVN
toughness shall meet a minimum requirement of 20 ft-lbf (27 J) at 70°F (21°C)
with specimens taken at both 1 and 5 mm from the fusion line.

7.3a. General Requirements

All welds used in members and connections in the SLRS shall be made with a
filler metal that can produce welds that have a minimum Charpy V-Notch
toughness of 20 ft-lbs (27 J) at 0°F (minus 18°C), as determined by the
appropriate AWS A5 classification test method or manufacturer certification.

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 This requirement for notch toughness shall also apply in other cases as
required in these Provisions.

Moment Connections
Figures 4.1 and 4.2 show recommended joist column connections for seismic
Ordinary Moment Frames. The same details are recommended for wind moment
frames when the wind end moments produce chord axial forces greater than 45
kips. The timing of the bottom chord to column stabilizer plate weld must be
specified to ensure that it matches the load combination moments in Table 6-1 or
6-2.

Figure 4.1 Moment Connection to Sidewall Column

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Figure 4.2 Moment Connection to an Interior Column

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5
CHAPTER 5
CHAPTER 5
CONNECTION DESIGN AND
DETAILS DESIGN AND DETAILS
CONNECTION
This chapter will focus on the design of the various components of the
connections used for seismic Ordinary Moment Frames, and those used for the
heavily loaded wind moment frames (see Figures 3.5 and 3.6).

Specifically the following items are addressed:

• Unstiffened Seats
• Stiffened Seats
• Fully Restrained (FR) Chord to Column Connections (top and bottom
chord connections)
• Column Continuity Plates

Unstiffened Seats
An examination of Table 10-6, “All-Welded Unstiffened Seated Connections”
from the AISC Steel Construction Manual (AISC 2005a) shows that the table is
not applicable to Joist Girders, since a minimum bearing length of 4 inches is
required by the SJI Standard Specifications for Joist Girders (SJI 2005) Section
1004. Tables 5-1 and 5-2 indicate the requirements for Unstiffened Seats for 4
in. bearing lengths. These tables were derived based on the calculation
procedure for unstiffened seats that can be found in Steel Structures, Design
and Behavior (Salmon and Johnson 1996). The design values for LRFD are
given in the tables whereas the ASD values can be determined by dividing the
LRFD values by 1.5.

Table 5-1 All-Welded Unstiffened Seated Connection

with 5 x 5 Bearing Seat Angles, Fy = 36 ksi (LRFD)
Design Strength, kips
Angle
3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 1
Thickness, in.
L = 6 in. 3.91 8.10 15.19 27.34 49.61 ---
L = 8 in. 5.21 10.80 20.25 36.45 66.15

Weld Size, in. Weld (70 ksi) Available Strength, kips

3/16 16.28 16.96 17.70 18.49 19.35 ---
1/4 21.70 22.61 23.60 24.65 25.80 ---
5/16 27.13 28.27 29.49 30.82 32.25 ---
3/8 32.56 33.92 35.39 36.98 38.70 ---
7/16 37.98 39.57 41.29 43.15 45.15 ---

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 Table 5-2 All-Welded Unstiffened Seated Connection
with 6 x 6 Bearing Seat Angles, Fy = 36 ksi (LRFD)
Design Strength, kips
Angle
3/8 1/2 5/8 3/4 7/8 1
Thickness, in.
L = 6 in. 2.49 4.86 8.44 13.67 21.26 32.40
L = 8 in. 3.31 6.48 11.25 18.23 28.35 43.20

Weld Size, in. Weld (70 ksi) Available Strength, kips

3/16 17.30 17.84 18.41 19.02 19.67 20.35
1/4 23.07 23.79 24.55 25.36 26.22 27.14
5/16 28.83 29.73 30.69 31.70 32.78 33.92
3/8 34.60 35.68 36.83 38.04 39.33 40.71
7/16 40.36 41.63 42.96 44.38 45.89 47.49

Example Verification Calculation for Table 5-2

Select an angle length = 8 in., an angle thickness = 1/2 in., and a vertical leg of 5
in. with a 5/16 in. weld.

Joist Girder bearing length, N = 4.0 in.

1. Determine the seat width (5 in.)

2. Determine the moment arms (or eccentricity) ef, and e as shown in
Figure 5.1A
3. Determine the bearing seat angle length and thickness (see Figures
5.1A and 5.1B)
4. Determine the supporting angle leg dimension, and weld size; or the
number and placement of bolts

The seat width (see Figure 5.1A) is determined from the required bearing length
plus an assumed erection clearance of 1/2 in. The column cap plate is usually
designed to be flush with the column flanges, being fillet welded along the
flanges and the web only on the inside of the “I”. The seat length (see Figure
5.1B) is usually 6 in. or 8 in. depending upon the usual gage of the joist seat
attachment to the bearing seat angle. The thickness of the bearing seat angle
will be determined by the flexural and shear stress occurring at the critical section
as indicated in Figure 5.1A while the bearing seat angle vertical leg length
depends on the strength requirements for the bolts or welds attaching it to the
column.

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27
 Figure 5.1A Profile View of Unstiffened Seat

Figure 5.1B Section View of Joist or Joist Girder on Unstiffened Seat

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The moment arm for bending, e, is the eccentricity between the joist end
reaction, P, and the critical section of the bearing seat angle and ef is the
eccentricity between the joist end reaction, P, and the vertical weld of the bearing
seat angle to the column:
N
e = seat width − − t bsa − k bsa Eq. 5-1
2
e f = e + k bsa Eq. 5-2

The bending moment at the critical section of the angle is:

Mu = Pue (LRFD) Eq. 5-3

M = Pe (ASD) Eq. 5-4

The design bending strength (LRFD) of the angle at the critical section is:
φbMn = φbMp = φbFy Z Eq. 5-5
2
L t bsa
Z= Eq. 5-6
4
or,
2
Lt bsa
φbPue = φbFy Eq. 5-7
4
2
Lt
φbPu = φbFy bsa Eq. 5-8
4e
where,
φb = resistance factor for bending, 0.9
Fy = steel yield strength, 36 ksi
L = bearing seat angle length, in.
tbsa = bearing seat angle thickness, in.

4 1
e =5− − − 1 = 1.5 in.
2 2
e f = 1.5 + 1 = 2.5 in.

8 (0.5)
2

φbPu = 0.9 (36) = 10.80 kips

4 (1.5)

The shear strength at the critical section of the angle is:

φv Vn = φv 0.6 Fy t bsa L Eq. 5-9
Where,
φv = resistance factor for shear, 1.00

φ v Vn = 1.0 (0.6 )(36 )(0.5 )(8 ) = 86.4 kips

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29
Therefore, bending strength controls.

Determine the weld size for the vertical leg attachment to the column from the
following equation (Salmon and Johnson 1996):
1.392 DL v
φwR n = (2) Eq. 5-10
20.25 e 2f
1+
L2v
where,
φw = resistance factor for welding, 0.75
D = number of sixteenths-of-an-inch in the weld size.
Lv = bearing seat angle vertical leg dimension, in.

1.392 (5)( 5)
φwR n = (2) = 28.27 kips
20.25 (2.5)
2
1+
(5) 2
Stiffened Seats
As reactions get larger than desirable for unstiffened seats, T-shaped stiffened
seats are often used. This is often the case for Joist Girder reactions. There are
a few differences for the design of stiffened seats for Joist Girders as compared
to stiffened seats for wide flange beams.

Salmon and Johnson (1996) indicates four steps for the design of stiffened seats
for beam reactions. These are:
1. Determine the seat width
2. Determine the eccentricity es of load
3. Determine the stiffener thickness ts
4. Determine the angle sizes and arrangement of bolts; or the weld size
and length

The seat width for beam reactions is based on the required bearing for the beam
to prevent local web yielding and web crippling. For Joist Girders the seat width
can be determined from the minimum bearing length of 4 in. that can be found in
the SJI Standard Specifications for Joist Girders Section 1004.4 (b) Steel (SJI
2005). The reaction is located N/2 from the interior edge of the seat. Salmon
and Johnson indicates several limit states and other criteria that must be satisfied
for proper design.

1. The stiffener thickness, ts, should be equal to or greater than the thickness, tw,
of the supported beam web. Since Joist Girder seats are composed of two
angles with a 1 in. gap between the angles this requirement does not exist. In
lieu of this requirement a minimum stiffener thickness of 1/2 in. is suggested.

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30
2. Local buckling of the stiffener must be prevented. Local buckling is prevented
provided the stiffener thickness is greater than or equal to w/15 as defined in
the 2005 AISC Specification Chapter J Section J10.8(2)(AISC 2005b) where
w = width of stiffener.

3. The design bearing strength, φRn, on the contact area of stiffener must satisfy
the following equation from the 2005 AISC Specification Chapter J Section
J7(a).

R n = 1.8 Fy A pb AISC J7-1

where,
φ = 0.75 (LRFD) Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
Apb = projected bearing area, in.2 (mm2)
Fy = specified minimum yield stress, ksi (MPa)

For structural tees using a 0.5 in. set back:

Pu
ts ≥ Eq. 5-11
φ (1.8 Fy )(w − 0.5 )

4. Eccentric loading on the stiffener

Pu (6 e s − 2 w )
ts ≥ Eq. 5-12
φ (1.8 Fy ) w 2
where, es = erection clearance + N/2 or w – N/2.

5. Plate thickness must be adequate to develop the fillet welds.

t s ≥ 1.71a (for Fy = 36 ksi) Eq. 5-13

t s ≥ 1.52 a (for Fy = 50 ksi) Eq. 5-14

where, a = the fillet weld size.

6. Once the stiffener dimensions are established, the connection must be

designed to transmit the reaction at the moment arm es.

Pu
φ R nw = 16 e s2 + L2 force/unit length Eq. 5-15
2.4 L2

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Table 10-8, “Bolted/Welded Stiffened Seated Connections” in the AISC Steel
Construction Manual (AISC 2005a) can be used to determine stiffened seated
connections for Joist Girders. However, the following additional checks must be
made:
A. Determine the seat plate thickness, tp, based on plate shear.

Pu
tp = Eq. 5-16
φ (2)(N)(0.6 Fy )

where, φ = 1.0 and N = 4 in.

For an uplift condition, use N based on an effective width of plate determined

by using a 45 degree projection from the bolt line to the face of the plate. See
Example 2: Rigid Frame Design that can be found in Chapter 8.

B. Check the stiffener for eccentric loading using Equation 5-12.

C. Check the stiffener for shear yielding.

Pu
ts = Eq. 5-17
φ (0.6 Fy )(L )

Performing these checks for an A36 plate (Fy = 36 ksi) with N = 4 in.,
w = 4 in. + 0.5 in. (setback) = 4.5 in.
es = 4.5 – 4/2 = 2.5 in.

First check the seat plate thickness (φ = 1.0),

Pu
tp = = 0.0058 Pu
1.0 (2)(4 )(0.6)(36)

Then, check the stiffener for eccentric loading (φ = 0.75),

Pu (6 (2.5 ) − 2 (4.5 ))
ts ≥ = 0.0061 Pu
0.75 (1.8 )(36)(4.5 )
2

Finally, check the stiffener for shear yielding (φ = 1.0),

Pu
ts ≥ = 0.0058 Pu
1.0 (0.6 )(36)(8 )

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Fully Restrained (FR) Chord to Column Connections
The AISC Seismic Provisions Section 11.2a (AISC 2005c) requires that,

“FR moment connections that are part of the seismic load resisting
system (SLRS) shall be designed for a required flexural strength
that is equal to 1.1RyMp (LRFD) or (1.1/1.5)RyMp (ASD), as
appropriate, of the beam or girder, or the maximum moment that
can be developed by the system, whichever is less.”

The OMF using steel joists is to be designed such that the joist has a stronger
moment capacity than the column so as to ensure elastic behavior within the
joist. Thus, the maximum moment that can be developed within the system is
1.1RyMpc, where Mpc is the column plastic moment.

Top Plate Connection

The size of the top plate is determined from the axial force in the top chord of
the joist, Pu = 1.1RyMpc/d. Where, d is taken as the distance from the top of
the Joist Girder to the centroid of the bottom chord. The required top plate
area = Pu/φFy. The length of the plate can be determined based on the
required length of fillet welds used to attach the plate to the column cap plate
and the top chord. Shear lag must be checked per the 2005 AISC
Specification Table D3.1 “Shear Lag Factors for Connections to Tension
Members” (AISC 2005b). Case 2 in the table applies to the weld attachment
to the top chord angles.

The weld of the cap plate to the column must also be checked since the top
plate force must be transferred into the column web.

If the joist is specified to be designed for a column moment based on

1.1RyMpc, a check must be made to ensure that fracture of the chord angles
does not control. The design tensile strength, φtPn, shall be less than the
value obtained according to the limit state of tensile rupture in the net section,
Pn = Fu A e AISC D2-2
where,
φt = 0.75
Ae = effective net area, in.2 (mm2) = UAg
Ag = gross area of member, in.2 (mm2)
U = shear lag factor from AISC Specification Table D3.1

Bottom Chord Connection

The bottom chord of the joist must be attached to the stabilizer plate to resist
the same force as the top plate. In addition the stabilizer plate must transfer
this same force to the column. Stabilizer plates are normally sized based on
a 3/4 in. thickness of plate. Using a 3/4 in. plate allows the plate to fit

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33
 between the bottom chord angles allowing fillet welds to be made to the heels
and toes of the chord angles. For economy the stabilizer plates can usually
be connected to the column flange using only fillet welds.

Column Continuity Plates (Stiffeners):

(Stiffeners)
Section J10 of the AISC Specification (AISC 2005b) contains the requirements
for stiffener plates in the beam/column profile opposite concentrated forces.
Section J10.1, “Flange Local Bending” is not applicable for stabilizer plates as
they do not bend the flange of the column. The requirements of Section 11.5
“Continuity Plates” of the AISC Seismic Provisions (AISC 2005c) are not
applicable to stabilizer plates since the stabilizer plates are positioned directly
opposite the web of the column. For seismic load requirements, the design load
for this combination is based upon Mpe = 1.1RyMpc of the column. Since the limit
state in question relates to the column, the design checks need not include Ry
(i.e. the seismic design load may be reduced by the factor Ry). The concentrated
load required for these checks can be reduced by the factor Ry (= 1.1) used to
calculate Mpe since the material overstrength also applies to the yield strength in
Checks must be made for:
the equations contained in these sections.

J10.2.
ChecksWeb Local
must Yielding
be made for:
J10.2. Web Local Yielding

R n = (5 k + N)Fyw t w AISC J10-2

where, φφ = 1.0 (LRFD) Ω = 1.50 (ASD)

J10.3. Web Crippling

⎡ ⎛ N ⎞⎛ t w ⎞
1.5
⎤ E Fyw t f
2
R n = 0.80 t ⎢1 + 3 ⎜ ⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
w ⎥ AISC J10-4
⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠⎝ t f ⎠ ⎥⎦ tw

where, φφ = 0.75 (LRFD) Ω = 2.00 (ASD)

J10.5. Web Compression Buckling

Web compression buckling is applicable to when a pair of single-concentrated

forces is applied at both flanges of a member. This condition does not exist at
the exterior columns. It does exist for continuity moments created by gravity
loads at interior columns where joists are fixed into each side of the column.

24 t 3w E Fyw
Rn = AISC J10-8
h
where, φ = 0.90 (LRFD) Ω = 1.67 (ASD)

34
With beam to column connections, if the34 above requirements are not satisfied, a
stiffener is normally used in the column web. With joist to column connections, the
stabilizer plate can often be made larger to satisfy the criteria thus eliminating the need
 where, φ = 0.90 (LRFD) Ω = 1.67 (ASD)

With beam to column connections, if the above requirements are not satisfied, a
stiffener is normally used in the column web. With joist to column connections,
the stabilizer plate can often be made larger to satisfy the criteria thus eliminating
the need for a stiffener.

J10.6. Web Panel Zone Shear

For moment connections with joists, the panel zone in the column extends from
the top chord to the bottom chord connections. If the analysis conducted does
not include the effect of panel zone deformation on the frame stability, AISC
Specification Equations J10-9 and J10-10 are applicable. The AISC Seismic
Provisions do not require that the panel zone be designed for 1.1RyMpc.

For Pr ≤ 0.4Pc
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w AISC J10-9

For Pr > 0.4Pc

⎛ P ⎞
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w ⎜⎜ 1.4 − r ⎟⎟ AISC J10-10
⎝ Pc ⎠
where,
φ = 0.90 (LRFD) Ω = 1.67 (ASD)
Pr = the required strength and Pc equals Py

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6
CHAPTER 6
CHAPTER 6
SPECIFICATION OF LOADS AND OTHER
DESIGN REQUIREMENTS
SPECIFICATION OF LOADS ANDTO THE JOIST
OTHER DESIGN
REQUIREMENTS TO THE JOIST MANUFACTURER
MANUFACTURER

As indicated in Chapter 1, the Specifying Professional must provide design

information to the joist manufacturer so that the joists can be designed to meet
the project requirements. As indicated earlier, second order analysis is a non-
linear problem so the analysis must be performed for each required load
combination. Individual load cases cannot be used and then linearly summed to
obtain a correct result. Thus, the results of the analysis must be specified for
each of the required load combinations. In addition, stiffness requirements must
be specified to the joist manufacturer, since the analysis is dependent on the
stiffness of the columns and joists in the moment frames.

Specifying Design Loads and Load Combinations

For clear definition of loads for joists used as part of the lateral load resisting
system, the following guidelines should be followed:
1. All externally applied loads should be defined by Load Category (Live,
Dead, Snow, Wind, Earthquake, Collateral, etc.).
a. Avoid use of pre-combined load callouts such as ‘Total Load’,
‘Factored Load’, or ‘Net Uplift Load’, as these cannot be readily
separated into their various load components, for correct assembly
of load combinations with appropriate multipliers.
b. For Dead Loads, if Net Uplift is a design consideration, be sure to
include both a maximum dead load for inclusion with gravity loads,
and a minimum dead load for inclusion with upward acting loads.
One convenient method of managing this is to specify the minimum
dead as Dead Load (D) and specify the difference between
minimum dead and maximum dead as Collateral Load (C).
2. System internal forces which behave linearly, and may be algebraically
summed, such as strut forces from a deck diaphragm, braced frame,
shear wall, etc. should also be defined by Load Category, just the same as
the externally applied loads.
3. All potentially controlling design load combinations must be specified to
the joist manufacturer, for investigation during the design of the joists and
girders. Along with the required joist design load combinations, the
Specifying Professional must also indicate whether the design procedure
is to be ASD or LRFD. Either method may be specified, but it is important
for the load combinations and design methodology to be properly aligned.

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36
4. In determining which load combinations may be potentially controlling, it is
important to consider the individual components which make up the joist,
and the load combinations which may result in a maximum tensile force,
compressive force, or flexural moment for each individual component.
Note for example that for the Joist Girder design presented in Appendix A,
the column plastic moment conditions control the design of the top and
bottom chords as well as all primary (diagonal) webs. However, the
largest gravity load combination controls the design of the secondary
(vertical) webs.
5. In determining which load combinations may be potentially controlling for a
given joist component, it is also important to remember that Wind and
Seismic Loads are included in completely separate load combinations with
completely different vertical loads. Thus, although one type of lateral load
may be significantly larger than the other, both may need to be considered
in the design of the joist. Also, for joists which are considered to be a
seismic collector element, both E and Em values must be specified for
inclusion in different load combinations, unless one is eliminated by the
Specifying Professional as not being a potentially controlling design load
combination.
6. Due consideration must be given to multiple lateral load directions for
each potentially controlling code-specified load combination. In order to
adequately specify all potentially controlling design load combinations, the
Specifying Professional may find it necessary to list the same basic load
combination multiple times for consideration of lateral loads acting in
different directions. Also, if wind uplift forces are different for different
wind directions, then both wind uplift values should be listed for
consideration in appropriate load combinations.
7. System internal forces which behave non-linearly, such as joist end
moments and axial loads determined via a second-order frame analysis
(as required by the 2005 AISC Specification) must be specified for each
individual load combination. These second-order analysis system internal
forces do not behave linearly, and therefore cannot be algebraically
summed by the joist manufacturer.
8. For joists used as part of a moment resisting frame, consideration and
appropriate specification must also be provided for joist end moments and
axial loads resulting from load combinations which include only gravity
load categories, with no lateral loads. As it is difficult to design a
connection which will be moment resisting for lateral load combinations
and pinned for gravity load combinations, most moment resisting frames
must also consider effects of joist end fixity under gravity loads.
9. Due consideration must also be given to managing end fixity and
associated joist end moments, resulting from applied dead loads.
Although there is historical precedence for specifying that connections
between joist bottom chords and columns not be welded until after all

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 dead loads have been applied, from a practical standpoint, this is often not
feasible. By the time roofing membranes and interior partitions are
installed, the steel erector is usually long gone from the jobsite, and by the
time interior soffits and suspended ceilings are hung, the joists and Joist
Girders are inaccessible. It is usually more practical to simply include all
dead loads, except joist self-weight, in the determination of joist end
moments, and require the connections to be fully welded as soon as all
columns are plumbed, and before adding any further loads to the
structure. The instructions given to the joist manufacturer for designing
the joists need to match the instructions given to the steel erector for what
stage the joist connections are to be welded.

In addition, stiffness requirements must be specified to the joist manufacturer,

since the analysis is dependent on the stiffness of the columns and joists in the
moment frames. The assumed joist moment of inertia (Ixx) should be specified to
the joist manufacturer, along with a tolerance range (+/- 10% is usually
considered sufficient). The joist manufacturer will then include the target joist
moment of inertia in the selection of chord materials. If, for some reason, the
target cannot be achieved within the specified range, then the joist manufacturer
must communicate the discrepancy to the Specifying Professional, for further
design coordination.

Shown below are the Basic LRFD Load Combinations from ASCE/SEI 7-05
Section 2.3.2 (ASCE 2005). Similar combinations can also be found in
ASCE/SEI 7-05 Section 2.4.1 for ASD.

1. 1.4(D + F)
2. 1.2(D + F + T) + 1.6(L + H) + 0.5(Lr or S or R)
3. 1.2D + 1.6(Lr or S or R) + (L or 0.8W)
4. 1.2D + 1.6W + L + 0.5(Lr or S or R)
5. 1.2D + 1.0E + L + 0.2S
6. 0.9D + 1.6W + 1.6H
7. 0.9D + 1.0E + 1.6H
where, D = dead load E = earthquake load
F = load due to fluids H = load due to lateral earth pressure
L = live load Lr = roof live load
R = rain load S = snow load
T = self-straining force W = wind load

In addition to these combinations, Chapter 12, “Seismic Design Requirements for

Building Structures” in ASCE/SEI 7-05 (ASCE 2005) contains the information
needed to design for the seismic load effects, E, and where specifically required,
how these effects are to be modified to account for system overstrength. The

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seismic load effect, E, shall be taken as: E = Eh + Ev in the Basic LRFD Load
Combination 5. while E = Eh – Ev in the Basic LRFD Load Combination 7., where
Eh and Ev are the effects of horizontal seismic forces and vertical seismic forces,
respectively.

Eh = ρQE
Ev = 0.2SDSD

and Load Combinations 5. and 7. become,

5. (1.2 + 0.2SDS)D + ρQE + L + 0.2S
7. (0.9 – 0.2SDS)D + ρQE + 1.6H
where,
D = effect of dead load
QE = effects of horizontal seismic forces from V or Fp
SDS = design spectral response acceleration parameter at short
periods
ρ = redundancy factor

Where conditions require that the overstrength factor be applied, the seismic load
effect, E, shall be taken equal to Em and Em = Emh + Ev in the Basic LRFD Load
Combination 5. while Em = Emh – Ev in the Basic LRFD Load Combination 7.,
where Emh and Ev are the effects of horizontal seismic forces including
overstrength and vertical seismic forces, respectively.

Emh = Ω oQE

and Load Combinations 5. and 7. become,

5. (1.2 + 0.2SDS)D + Ω oQE + L + 0.2S
7. (0.9 – 0.2SDS)D + Ω o QE + 1.6H
where,
Ωo = overstrength factor

For single story moment resisting frames several of the load combinations can be
simplified or eliminated by the designer based on his or her experience that they
will not control the design.

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Tables 6-1 and 6-2 shown below are example LRFD and ASD schedules that
often control. Please note that although multiple load category considerations
are shown in a single tabulated line such as (Lr or S) or (W or 0.70E), this is
simply to show potentially controlling conditions. In specifying joist loads for a
real project, the Specifying Professional must either determine which of these is
controlling, and display only one, or else must display both as separate
potentially controlling load combinations to be investigated by the joist
manufacturer. For load combinations which include wind or seismic, it may be
necessary to break these down further into separate load combinations
considering different directions of lateral loading. End moments are affected by
the amount of the dead load to be resisted in the moment frame. Consequently,
timing of the bottom chord to column stabilizer plate weld can affect the
magnitude of the moments in the SLRS. If the end moments in Tables 6-1 and
6-2 are calculated with less than 100% of the dead load applied, a note stating
when this weld is to be made is required.

Table 6-1 LRFD Load Combination Schedule for Joist Girder

Girder Designation: +
Mark: G1
48G8NSP + +

Panel Left End Right End TC BC

LRFD
Load Moment Moment Force Force Remarks
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft.) (kip-ft.) (kips) (kips)
1.4D + 1.4C
1.2D + 1.2C + 1.6(Lr or S)
1.2D + 1.2C + 1.6W + 0.5(Lr
or S)
1.2D + 1.2C + 1.0E + 0.2S
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE
+ 0.2S
0.9D + 1.6W

Table 6-2 ASD Load Combination Schedule for Joist Girder

Girder Designation: +
Mark: G1
48G8NSP + +

Panel Left End Right End TC BC

ASD
Load Moment Moment Force Force Remarks
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft.) (kip-ft.) (kips) (kips)
D+C
D + C + (Lr or S)
D + C + 0.75(W + (Lr or S))
D + C + (W or 0.7E)
D + C + 0.75(W or 0.7E) +
0.75(Lr or S)
0.6D + W

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40
Presentation of Loads
Although useful for comparison and verification purposes, the Panel Load field,
shown in Tables 6-1 and 6-2 for each load combination, is only applicable to very
simple loading conditions with equal loads equally spaced. In general, externally
applied loads for lateral load resisting joists are more clearly communicated by
specifying design loads by category and allowing the joist manufacturer to
appropriately sum the loads per the specified load combinations.

There are many instances where the Joist Girder loads are not uniformly spaced,
or where the loads along the length of the Joist Girder are not equal. The
Specifying Professional can indicate these loads in various ways. One method is
to use a load diagram and load schedule as shown in Table 6-3. This method
has the advantage of presenting loads very clearly and concisely for each girder
and works very well for projects with design loads that are well defined early in
the project and unlikely to change. The primary disadvantage of this method is
the difficulty of revising load diagrams for changes to design loads late in the
project, or managing loads for which final magnitudes and locations may not be
determined until late in the project (such as roof mechanical equipment or
sprinkler mains). These types of late load revisions can become quite
cumbersome on projects with complex loading, requiring numerous different Joist
Girders with different design load criteria.

Table 6-3 Joist Girder Load Schedule

Girder Designation:
Mark: G1
48G8NSP

Load P1 P2 P3 P4 P5 P6 P7 P8 P9
Category: (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips) (kips)
Dead Load
(D)
Collateral Load
(C)
Roof Live Load
(Lr)
Snow Load
(S)
Wind Load (W)
(Windward)
Wind Load (W)
(Leeward)

For projects with more complex loading, it may be easier to simply specify the
base loads for each load category in psf, then show additional loads either on the
roof/floor framing plan, on key plans (such as wind pressure plan diagrams and
snow drift plan diagrams), or include in notes and diagrams keyed to the
roof/floor framing plan.

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41
Table 6-4 shows an example of a Joist and Girder Area Base Load Table.
Please note that the joist and girder base loads are usually different magnitudes
and must be tracked separately. These differences are largely the result of
different tributary areas in the base load calculations. They are also strongly
influenced by the difference between wind pressure calculations for joists as
Components and Cladding versus wind pressure calculations for Joist Girders as
part of the Main Wind Force Resisting System. Because of these differences, as
well as potential for miscommunication, presentation of girder loads should never
assume that the joist manufacturer will solve for the Joist Girder loads by finding
reactions from the joists bearing on the girder.

Table 6-4 Joist and Girder Area Base Loads

Joist Base Loads Girder Base Loads
Load Category
(psf) (psf)
Dead Load (D)
Collateral Load (C)
Roof Live Load (Lr)
Roof Snow Load (S)
Roof Wind Load (W) (Windward)
Roof Wind Load (W) (Leeward)

Table 6-5 shows an example format for a Main Wind Force Resisting Pressure
Table. This is a very simple format for displaying the different design wind
pressures for different roof zones. The vertical pressures listed in the table
would be applicable to the roof Joist Girders. Roof joists would normally be
considered Components and Cladding and would require a separate table and/or
key plan wind pressure diagram.

Table 6-5 Main Wind Force Resisting Pressure Table

DESCRIPTION DESIGN PRESSURE (psf)
MAXIMUM COMBINED WINDWARD AND LEEWARD
WALL PRESSURE
- INTERIOR ZONE 14.5
HORIZONTAL

- END ZONE (20 ft WIDE) 21.8

MAXIMUM WINDWARD WALL PRESSURE
- INTERIOR ZONE 12.3
- END ZONE (20 ft WIDE) 16.7
MAXIMUM LEEWARD WALL PRESSURE
- INTERIOR ZONE -9.9
- END ZONE (20 ft WIDE) -12.8
MAXIMUM WINDWARD ROOF PRESSURE
VERTICAL

- INTERIOR ZONE -18.2

- END ZONE (20 ft WIDE) -26.2
MAXIMUM LEEWARD ROOF PRESSURE
- INTERIOR ZONE -11.6
- END ZONE (20 ft WIDE) -15.0

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Special Design Criteria related to Seismic Detailing
In order for the joist manufacturer to properly design the joists for the seismic
requirements, in addition to the force and stiffness requirements, the
manufacturer must also know certain facts about the SLRS as designed by the
Specifying Professional. The Specifying Professional is required to designate on
the Structural Design Drawings, and/or in the Project Specifications, the items
listed in Section 5.1 of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings
(AISC 2005c), if the Seismic Design Category is other than A, B, or C, or if an R
value greater than 3.0 is used for the design. No special requirements are
imposed for Seismic Design Category A, B, or C, if an R value of 3 or less is
used for the design.

From the following list of items taken from Section 5.1 of the AISC Seismic
Provisions, several are important to the joist manufacturer:

(1) Designation of the seismic load resisting system (SLRS)

(2) Designation of the members and connections that are a part of the
SLRS
(3) Configuration of the connections
(4) Connection material specifications and sizes
(5) Locations of demand critical welds
(6) Locations and dimensions of protected zones
(7) Welding requirements as specified in Appendix W, Section W2.1

It should be noted that for an OMF there are no protected zones. If the
Specifying Professional imposes Q/C welding requirements then the joist supplier
must be notified as these requirements can have a major impact on
manufacturing costs.

If the applicable building code requires the use of the AISC Seismic Provisions
for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005c) and the joist is a part of the SLRS,
the requirements as stated in Chapter 4 Subsection “Welding Requirements” of
this Technical Digest must be followed.

Section 7.1 of the Provisions requires a ductile limit state to govern design. For
bolted splices, fracture limit states cannot govern, and bolt shear cannot govern.
It is also implied that weld strengths should not govern. Therefore, the controlling
limit state must be either yield of the member or bearing of bolts on connected
elements.

For bolted joints from Section 7.2, “All bolts shall be pretensioned high strength
bolts and shall meet the requirements for slip-critical faying surfaces in
accordance with the Specification Section J3.8 with Class A surface. Bolts shall
be installed in standard size holes or in short-slotted holes perpendicular to the
applied load.” The Specification being referred to is the AISC Specification for

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Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005b). It should be noted that the faying
surface requirement is not required for end plate connections.

Also stated in Section 7.2, “The available shear strength of bolted joints using
standard holes shall be calculated as for bearing-type joints in accordance with
Specification Sections J3.7 and J3.10, except that the nominal bearing strength
at bolt holes shall not be taken greater than 2.4dtFu.”

For welds, the requirements of Section 7.3 of the Provisions must be followed.
Specifically, this requires welding to be performed in accordance with the
American Welding Society, AWS D1.8 Structural Welding Code – Seismic
Supplement (AWS 2005), and electrodes must meet certain minimum Charpy V-
Notch (CVN) toughness requirements. Joists incorporated into SMF systems
would be required to meet this criteria. However, it is the opinion of the SJI and
the authors that joists incorporated into horizontal diaphragms as collectors or
chords, need only to adhere to these requirements for end connections and any
splices in the chords if the seismic forces do not go through the web members.
Welded connections of web members to the top chord and any bottom chord
welds would therefore not need to meet these criteria.

It is usually cost effective for the joist manufacturer to use full length chord
material to avoid splice requirements.

One type of frame that would require compactness is the Special Truss Moment
Frame (STMF). Since a detailed discussion of this type of moment frame is
beyond the scope of this Technical Digest, the reader should follow the
requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC
2005c) Section 12 should you get involved with this type of framing system.

If the joists are a part of an Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF) the requirements of
Section 11 of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC
2005c) must be followed. For the fully restrained (FR) moment connections the
requirements of Section 11.2a must be followed.

The joist manufacturer must list on the Erection Drawings the following items
from Section 5.3 of the AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings
(AISC 2005c):
(1) Designation of the members and connections that are part of the SLRS
(2) Field connection material specifications and sizes, if applicable
(3) Locations of pretensioned bolts, if applicable
(4) Field welding requirements as specified in Appendix W, Section W2.3, if
applicable

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7
CHAPTER 7
CHAPTER 7
LATERAL BRACING
LATERAL BRACING

It is very important that the joists that are a part of the SLRS be properly laterally
braced. The requirements provided here are based on the 2005 AISC
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 2005b) Appendix 6 Stability
Bracing for Columns and Beams. The calculations and details for the lateral
bracing of the joists are generally provided by the joist manufacturer.

Joists generally require braces adjacent to each column in the SLRS in order to
prevent buckling of the bottom chord where the bottom chord is in compression.
The columns require a brace at the location of the joist stabilizer plate to prevent
lateral buckling of the column at the assumed plastic hinge location. It is
suggested that the bottom chord bracing strength and stiffness be based on the
nodal bracing requirements of the Specification.

The required brace strength is

Pbr = 0.01Pr AISC A-6-3

The required brace stiffness is

1 ⎛ 8 Pr ⎞ ⎛ 8P ⎞
βbr = ⎜ ⎟⎟ (LRFD) β br = Ω ⎜⎜ r ⎟⎟ ( ASD) AISC A-6-4
φ ⎜⎝ L b ⎠ ⎝ Lb ⎠
where,
Pr = axial compressive strength in the chord
φ = 0.75 (LRFD), Ω = 2.00 (ASD)
Lb = distance between braces (the unbraced length)

It should noted from the Specification that when Lb is less than Lq, where Lq is the
maximum unbraced length for the required column or chord force with K = 1.0,
then Lb is permitted to be taken equal to Lq. This provision can be very beneficial
in reducing the bracing stiffness required.

For moment frames using Joist Girders, the lateral bracing for the column, and
for the Joist Girder bottom chord generally consists of single angles extending
from the brace point on the column or bottom chord up to the bottom chord of a
supported joist. The stiffness of the bracing system is thus dependent upon the
stiffness of the angle bracing member, its attachments, and the stiffness of the
joist to which the brace is attached. The stiffness of the single angle comes from

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its axial stiffness and can typically be neglected when compared to the stiffness
of the joist in bending.

Assuming that the joist is attached to a roof diaphragm the stiffness of the joist
can be determined from the deflection of the joist due to a 1 kip load applied
vertically to the joist at the location where the brace is attached to the joist.

The following simply-supported beam equation from the AISC Manual of Steel
Construction (AISC 2005), Table 3-23 for the case of a simple beam –
concentrated load at any point, can be used to determine the deflection that
would occur for a concentrated load acting at any point on a joist.

Pa 2b 2
Δ= Eq. 7-1
3 EIL
where,
a = the distance from the end of the joist to where the brace is
attached to the joist
b = L – a.

The approximate joist moment of inertia can be determined using Equation 7-2
that can be found in the introduction to the Standard [ASD or LRFD] Load Tables
for K-Series, LH-Series or DLH-Series joists (SJI 2005),
( )(
I j = 26.767 (WLL ) L3 10 −6 ) Eq. 7-2
where,
WLL = RED figure in the Load Table, plf
L = (Span – 0.33), ft.

Thus the joist stiffness equals

P 3 EIL
β= = Eq. 7-3
Δ a 2b 2

when the load P is equal to 1 kip.

Figure 7.1 shows a typical bracing detail for the Joist Girder bottom chord and
Figure 7.2 shows a typical bracing detail for the column at the expected location
where the plastic hinge would form. The bracing member for the Joist Girder
(see Figure 7.1) should be placed at or near a bottom chord panel point.

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Figure 7.1 Joist Girder Brace

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Figure 7.2 Column Brace

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8
CHAPTER 8
CHAPTER 8
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLES
EXAMPLE 1: RIGID FRAME DESIGN
Design the Joist Girder rigid frames for the structure shown in Figure 8.1. As
shown in the figure, the building’s primary framing system is comprised of steel
columns and Joist Girders. Steel joists span between primary frames and the
perimeter walls are constructed of non-load bearing precast concrete wall panels.
The building is located in Charleston, South Carolina. The building code to be
used is 2006 International Building Code (IBC 2006).

Based on the footprint of the structure and the information provided above, the
least cost lateral load resisting system for this building structure would initially
appear to be the use of the precast concrete perimeter walls as shear walls with
the roof diaphragm designed to distribute the lateral loads to these walls.
However, the large magnitude of the lateral seismic loads in the east-west
direction are problematic for the roof diaphragm (illustrated in subsequent
calculations) and, therefore, the interior frames in the east-west direction are
designed as rigid frames (FR connections at all columns).

The precast concrete shear walls at the north and south ends of the building are
non-load bearing shear walls, and are used to resist the forces between the first
interior rigid frame and the end wall. Due to the aspect ratio of the building, the
roof diaphragm loads are considerably lower due to lateral loads in the north-
south direction and, therefore, the perimeter precast concrete walls in this
direction are used as shear walls with the roof diaphragm designed to distribute
lateral loads in this direction to these walls. LRFD procedures are used in the
example.

Loading requirements are specified as:

Roof Loads:
Dead Load:
1 psf Membrane
2 psf Deck
2 psf Insulation
3 psf Joists and Bridging
2 psf Girder
10 psf Total

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 N

Figure 8.1 Framing Plan

Collateral Load:
3 psf Sprinkler
2 psf Mechanical & Lighting
5 psf Total

Live Load:
20 psf Reducible per Code
(12 psf on Joist Girders)

Ground Snow Load = 5 psf

Roof Snow Load = 5 psf (ASCE 7, Section 7.3, low slope roof criteria)

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 Wind Load = 120 MPH – Exposure C, specific loads determined in
following calculations

Seismic Load: See following calculations

Serviceability Requirement: Maximum drift = H/100 (10 year wind)

Determine Wind Loads (120 mph, Exposure “C”)

For comparison purposes wind forces are calculated below using ASCE Methods
I and II from ASCE/SEI 7-05 Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and other
Structures (ASCE 2005) Chapter 6.

6.4 Method 1 – Simplified Procedure

The structure satisfies the requirements of Section 6.4.1.1

Main Wind–Force Resisting System (MWFRS), Section 6.4.2.1

Ps = λKztIps30 ASCE 7,Eq. 6-1

Wall pressure, ps30, for Area C (Interior zone) = 15.1 psf ASCE 7, Fig. 6.2

Wall pressure, ps30, for Area A (End zone) = 22.8 psf ASCE 7, Fig. 6.2

Interpolating for mean roof height (h) = 33 ft.

λ 33 = 1.43

Kzt = 1.0

I = 1.0 ASCE 7, Table 6-1

Interior frames: Ps = (1.43)(1.0)(1.0)(15.1) = 21.60 psf

End zones: Ps = (1.43(1.0)(1.0)(22.8) = 32.6 psf

a = min. of 0.1 (least width of building) or 0.4h

= min. of 0.1 (120 ft.) = 12.0 ft. or 0.4 (33 ft.) = 13.2 ft.

a = 12.0 ft.

2a = width of end zone = 24.0 ft. (Ignore the 4 ft. tributary length to first
interior frame)

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 Roof uplift on windward side of building:
Roof uplift, ps30 for Area G, interior roof = -19.1 psf
Roof uplift (Ps) = (1.43)(1.0)(1.0)(19.1) = 27.3 psf

Roof uplift on leeward side of building:

Roof uplift, ps30 for Area H, interior roof = -12.1 psf
Roof uplift (Ps) = (1.43)(1.0)(1.0)(12.1) = 17.3 psf

⎛ 33 ⎞
Horizontal Wind Force at Eave = (21.6 )⎜ ⎟(40) = 14.3 kips / frame
⎝ 2 ⎠

End Zone End Zone

24 ft. wide 24 ft. wide

Wind Areas

Figure 8.2 Wind Zones on Roof Areas

6.5 Method 2 – Analytical Procedure, Section 6.5.12.2.2, Low-Rise Building

(MWFRS)
P =qh[(GCpf) – (GCpi)] ASCE 7, Eq. 6-18

qh = velocity pressure evaluated at mean roof height, h, using exposure

defined in ASCE 7, Section 6.5.6.3

(GCpf) = external pressure coefficient ASCE 7, Fig. 6-10

(GCpi) = internal pressure coefficient ASCE 7, Fig. 6-5

Exposure “C” per problem description above.

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qz = velocity pressure ASCE 7, Section 6.5.10

qz = 0.00256KzKztKdV2I (psf) ASCE 7, Eq. 6-15

where,
Kd = wind directionality factor
Kd = 0.85
Kzt = topographic factor
Kzt = 1.0
Kz = velocity pressure exposure coefficient
Interpolating, Kz(33) = 1.0
I = Importance factor
I = 1.0 Category II, V > 100 mph
2
qz = 0.00256 (1.0)(1.0)(0.85)(120)
ASCE 7, Section 6.5.4.4
ASCE 7, Table 6-4
ASCE 7, Section 6.5.7.2
ASCE 7, Fig. 6-4
ASCE 7, Table 6-3
ASCE 7, Section 6.5.5
ASCE 7, Table 6-1
(1.0) = 31.3 psf

Conservatively use 31.3 psf for the full height, qh.

(GCpf) – Typical Interior Frame ASCE 7, Figure 6-10

Building surface 1 (windward wall) GCpf = 0.40
Building surface 2 (windward roof) GCpf = -0.69
Building surface 3 (leeward roof) GCpf = -0.37
Building surface 4 (leeward wall) GCpf = -0.29

Windward wall pressure, P(1) = qh [GCpf] = 31.3 [0.40]= 12.5 psf

Windward roof suction, P(2) = qh [GCpf] = 31.3 [-0.69]= 21.6 psf
Leeward roof suction, P(3) = qh [GCpf] = 31.3 [-0.37]= 11.6 psf
Leeward wall suction, P(4) = qh [GCpf] =31.3 [0.29] = 9.1 psf

(GCpi) (Enclosed Bldg.) = ± 0.18 ASCE 7, Figure 6-5

Internal Pressure = qh [GCpi] = 31.3 [0.18] = ± 5.6 psf

a = 12 ft. per previous calculations

2a = width of end zone = 24.0 ft. (Ignore the 4 ft. tributary length to first
interior frame)

Total Lateral Load = P(1) + P(4) = 21.6 psf

(Note: Internal pressure effects cancel out)

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 33
Horizontal Wind Force at Eave = (21.6) (40) = 14.3 kips / frame
2

Conclusion: The Simplified Method and the Analytical Procedure generated the
same MWFRS lateral load on the frames for this example.
MWFRS roof uplifts predicted by both methods are also the same.

Determine Seismic Loads

The 2006 IBC references ASCE/SEI 7-05 for seismic design requirements.
Spectral accelerations (Ss and S1) are provided in maps contained in this
standard. However, these values can also be obtained from the US Geological
Survey (USGS) website (http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/design).
The current spectral acceleration maps were updated in 2002. Using the USGS
website, specific spectral accelerations (Ss and S1) can be determined from the
latitude and longitude coordinates of the building site. Several websites are
available to assist with determining these coordinates. One such site is
http://world.maporama.com.

Following this procedure and the design criteria provided in ASCE/SEI 7-05, the
seismic loadings are developed as shown below:
1. From the website noted above, the latitude and longitude coordinates for
the building site are determined to be:
Latitude = 32.78 (32°46′) N; Longitude = 79.95 (79°56′) W

2. Determine Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE)

Using these coordinates, the ground motion parameters (Ss and S1) are
determined from the USGS website, recognizing that the MCE earthquake
represents the values associated with a 2% probability in 50 years.

Ss = 1.3946g (0.2 second spectral response acceleration)

S1 = 0.344g (1.0 second spectral response acceleration)

3. Determine Soil Profile Site Class

Soil properties are not known, therefore,
Default to site Class D ASCE 7, Section 11.4.2

4. Determine adjusted spectral accelerations for site class:

SMS = FaSs ASCE 7, Section 11.4.3

SM1 = FvS1 ASCE 7, Section 11.4.3

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 Determine values for Site Class D

Site Coefficients:
Fa = 1.0 Ss ≥ 1.25 ASCE 7, Table 11.4-1

Interpolating for Fv with S1 = 0.344g ASCE 7, Table 11.4-2

Fv = 1.7

Therefore:
SMS = FaSs = (1.0)(1.3946) = 1.3946g

SM1 = FvS1 = (1.7)(0.344) = 0.585g

5. Determine Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters at short

period, SDS and at 1 s period, SD1 ASCE 7, Section 11.4.4

2 ⎛ 2⎞
SDS = SMS = ⎜ ⎟(1.3946g) = 0.9297g
3 ⎝3⎠
2 ⎛ 2⎞
SD1 = SM1 = ⎜ ⎟(0.585g) = 0.390 g
3 ⎝3⎠

6. Determine Occupancy Importance Factor ASCE 7, Section 11.5.1

Importance Factor, I, for Occupancy Category II ASCE7, Table 11.5-1

I = 1.0

7. Determine Seismic Design Category (SDC) ASCE 7, Section 11.6

Seismic Design Category Based on Short Period Response Acceleration

Parameter ASCE 7, Table 11.6-1
SDC = D

Seismic Design Category Based on 1-s Period Response Acceleration

Parameter ASCE 7, Table 11.6-2
SDC = D

ASCE 7 requires that we use the more severe SDC determined from
these two tables. In this case, the SDC is the same, therefore SDC = D.

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8. Determine Base Shear, V = CsW, ASCE Section 12.8

V = CsW ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-1

SDS
Cs = ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-2
⎛R⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎝I⎠
The value of Cs computed above need not exceed the following:
SD1
Cs = for T ≤ TL ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-3
⎛R⎞
T⎜ ⎟
⎝I⎠
The value of Cs shall not be less than:
Cs = 0.01 ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-5

Approximate Fundamental Period, Ta

Ta = C t hnx ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-7

hn = 33 ft.

For a steel moment resisting frame,

Ct = 0.028 and x = 0.8 ASCE 7, Table 12.8-2

Ta = (0.028)(33)0.8 = 0.46

Note: Within specified limits, ASCE 7 allows the use of calculated

fundamental building period (T) in lieu of approximate period (Ta). For
a one-story building of regular configuration, a very good
approximation for T is provided below:
m
T = 2π seconds
k
where,
m = building mass (equal to seismic dead load, W/g)
k = building stiffness

The designer must be careful to maintain consistent units when

performing this calculation.

For one story building designs with moment frames, use of the calculated
building period is often beneficial, resulting in smaller seismic design
forces. For this example, only Ta is used.

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 Note: TL = 8 seconds ASCE 7, Figure 22-15

Therefore, Ta < TL and ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-3 shown above is appropriate.

Calculate the Effective Seismic Weight, W ASCE 7, Section 12.7.2

Roof dead load = 10 psf

Roof collateral load = 5 psf
Precast concrete wall weight = 100 psf

Roof weight per rigid frame = (15)(120)(40) / 1000 = 72 kips

⎛ 33 ⎞
Wall weight per rigid frame = (100)⎜ ⎟(40)(2) / 1000 = 132 kips
⎝ 2 ⎠
Total W = 204 kips/frame

The Design Coefficients and Factors for Seismic Force-Resisting Systems

can be found in ASCE 7, Table 12.2-1.

For an Ordinary Steel Moment Frame,

Response Modification Coefficient, R = 3.5;
System Overstrength Factor, Ωo = 3.0; and
Deflection Amplification Factor, Cd = 3.0

Per footnote “h” to this table, the limitations on the use of this system are
provided in ASCE 7, Section 12.2.5.6. These limitations are as follows:
h ≤ 65 ft.
roof dead load ≤ 20 psf
exterior wall weight above 35 ft. < 20 psf

Cs =
(0.9297) = 0.27 ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-2
⎛ 3.5 ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎝ 1.0 ⎠

Cs =
(0.39) = 0.24 Controls ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-3
(0.46)⎛⎜ 3.5 ⎞⎟
⎝ 1.0 ⎠

V = (0.24)(204) = 49.0 kips/frame

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Seismic Load Effect, E, shall be determined in accordance with ASCE 7,
Section 12.4.

E = Eh + Ev ASCE 7, Eq. 12.4-1

Eh = ρQE = ρV ASCE 7, Eq. 12.4-3

ρ = 1.0 ASCE 7, Table 12.3-3

Note: Loss of moment resistance at both ends of one beam (i.e. Joist
Girder) would not result in less than a 33% reduction in shear strength for
the entire one story building in the direction of the rigid frames).

Eh = 49.0 kips > (1.6)(14.3) = 22.9 kips (equal to factored wind load).

Therefore, the seismic lateral loads are likely to control over wind.

E v = 0.2 SDSD ASCE 7, Eq. 12.4-4

E v = (0.2)(0.9297)D = ± 0.19 D

The two basic Load Combinations for seismic loads per ASCE 7, Section
2.3.2 and 12.4.2.3 are:
Load Combination 5: (1.2 + 0.2SDS) D + ρQE + 0.2S

Load Combination 7: (0.9 - 0.2SDS) D + ρQE

Note: As previously discussed, if the design of this building used ordinary

precast concrete shear walls at the north and south ends of the building to
resist all lateral loads in this direction, the roof diaphragm would have
been required to transfer the full lateral seismic force to these walls. For
this type of system, ASCE 7 prescribes an “R” value of 4.0. The resulting
seismic lateral load to the shear walls would then be approximately:
Eh = 49.0 kips (3) = 147 kips

The resulting maximum shear in the roof diaphragm (Fp) would then be
calculated as:
Fp = 147,000 / 120 ft. = 1225 plf

At service load level, this equates to 1225 (0.7) = 858 plf.

With 1.5B roof deck and 5 ft. joist spacing, it is possible to obtain this capacity
using 18 gage deck but the number of support fasteners and sidelap
fasteners required is not practical. Therefore, the option chosen was to use
steel moment frames in this direction.

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Design the Joist Girder Frames (OMF)

Preliminary Joist Girder size:

Determine gravity loads per foot.

wD = (1.2)(15)(40)/1000 = 0.72 kips/ft.

wL = (1.6)(12)(40)/1000 = 0.77 kips/ft.

Based on a 5 ft. joist or panel spacing

PT = PD + PL

PD = (5)(0.72) = 3.6 kips

PL = (5)(0.77) = 3.9 kips

Try 48G8N 7.5F Joist Girder

Preliminary frame design

Try pinned base columns, FR connections at all columns.

Maximum seismic load per frame = 49.0 kips.

Assuming shear is resisted equally by all four columns in the frame,

49.0 kips
Lateral shear/column = = 12.25 kips / column
4
The maximum column moment occurs at the bottom of the Joist Girder

Maximum column moment due to lateral loads,

M = (12.25)(33 - 4) = 355 kip-ft.

It is obvious that Load Combination 5 from ASCE 7 generates the worst case
loading for the building columns.

For Load Combination 5 (1.2D + 1.0E + 0.2S)

Axial load at exterior columns (ignoring axial loads due to overturning):

P = [(1.2+0.19)15 + 0.2 (5)](40)(20)/1000 = 17.5 kips

Axial load at interior columns (ignoring axial loads due to overturning):

P = [(1.2+0.19)15 + 0.2(5)](40)(40)/1000 = 35.0 kips

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Using Cb = 1.0 for preliminary design, try using W18x86 exterior columns and
W18x97 interior columns, see Table 3-10 of AISC 13th Edition Manual.

Perform computer analysis to determine forces, moments, and deflections

(both first-order and second-order) for the load combinations prescribed by
the Applicable Building Code. See Figure 8.3.

Figure 8.3 Computer Analysis Results from Model 1

(Frame Analysis Model)

In this instance, the tributary wall weight to be used in this leaner column is
calculated as:
⎛ 33 ⎞
Wall weight = (1.2)(100)⎜ ⎟ = 1.98 kips / side / ft.
⎝ 2 ⎠
Wall load = (1.98)(40) = 79.2 kips per leaner column

For this example, the previously derived girder designation was 48G8N7.5F

Using the SJI formula for approximate moment of inertia, IJG =

(0.018)(8)(7.5)(40)(48) = 2074 in.4

However, the Mge end moments from Model 2 (see Chapter 2) that are
applied to the girders are potentially large and may govern the design of the
Joist Girder chords, thereby increasing the approximate moment of inertia of
the Joist Girder. For this example, the Mge moments based on preliminary
column sizes are calculated as follows:
For the W18x86 Exterior Columns:
Ry = 1.1, Mp = Fy(Zx-x) = 50 (186) =9300 kip-in.
Mpe = (1.1)(1.1)(9300) = 11253 in-kips = 938 kip-ft.

The elevation of the bottom chord of the Joist Girder is 29 ft. (33 ft. minus the
4 ft. depth). The mid-height elevation of the Joist Girder equals 31 ft., thus

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 Mge = (938)/(31/29) = 1003 kip-ft.

For the W18x97 Interior Columns:

Ry = 1.1, Mp = Fy(Zx-x) = 50 (211) =10550 kip-in.
Mpe = (1.1)(1.1)(10550) = 12766 in-kips = 1064 kip-ft.

The elevation of the bottom chord of the Joist Girder is 28.17 ft. (32.17 ft.
minus the 4 ft. depth). The mid-height elevation of the Joist Girder equals
30.17 ft., thus

Mge = (1064)(30.17/28.17) = 1140 kip-ft.

The maximum Joist Girder end moment for the outside girders in the frame is
the end moment introduced from the exterior columns (Mge) = 1003 ft.-kips.
The resulting chord force in the Joist Girder is this moment divided by the
depth of the girder, measured between the centroids of the chords. For a 48
inch deep Joist Girder, assuming that the centroid of the chords is
approximately 1 inch from the top and bottom of the girder, the maximum
chord force is equal to:
Pchord = 1003(12)/46 = 262 kips

For an unbraced chord length of 5 ft., select from Table 2-1 an angle chord of
2L’s 4 x 4 x 1/2, with an area of 7.49 in.2

From Table 2-1 and using this chord size, the approximate moment of inertia
of the Joist Girder is equal to:
(2)(Achord)(d/2-y)2/1.15 = (2)(7.49)(24-1.18)2/1.15 = 6790 in.4

Use IJG = 6790 in.4 and AJG = (2)(7.49) = 15.00 in.2 for Model 1. Performing
similar calculations for the center girder in the frame, where the maximum end
moment is 572 ft.-kips (Model 2, see Figure 8.4), the presumed chord size for
this girder is a 2L 3 ½ x 3 ½ x 3/8, AJG = 9.94 in.2 and approximate IJG = 4570
in.4 These are values used in computer Model 1 for the rigid frame.

Figure 8.4 Computer Analysis Results from Model 2

(Distribution of Column Moments Model)

61
61
Based upon a first order analysis, the resulting lateral deflection (at eave) due
to wind loads (unfactored) equals 1.50 in. The code prescribed wind loads
are based upon a 50 year mean recurrence interval (MRI). The wind load
drift criteria previously noted is H/100 due to a 10 year wind load. Per ASCE
7, Table C6-7, the ratio of design wind speed for a 10 year MRI vs. a 50 yr.
MRI is 0.74 (V50 > 100 mph). Since wind pressures are a function of V2, the
ratio of wind loads for a 10 year vs. 50 yr. MRI, = (0.74)2 = 0.55. The drift due
to wind load is then calculated as:

δ10 yr. = 1.50(0.55) = 0.82 in. = h/450 ∴ OK

From the computer model, the elastic lateral drift due to seismic loads = δe =
4.50 in. Again, this value is based upon a first order analysis. The seismic
design drift, Δ, is then calculated as:

Δ = (Cd)(δe)/I = (3.0)(4.50)/1.0 = 13.5 in. = h/28

Per ASCE 7, Section 12.8.7, the stability coefficient, θ , is calculated as:

Px Δ
θ= ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-16
Vx hsx C d
where,
Px = Summation of vertical loads on the frame
= [1.19(15)+0.2(5)](120)(40)/1000 + 79.2(2) = 249 kips

Vx = Eh = 49.0 kips

Then,

θ =249(13.5)/[49.0(31)(12)(3.0)] = 0.061

The maximum allowable stability coefficient, θmax, is calculated as

0.5
θmax = ≤ 0.25 ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-17
βC d

Conservatively, assuming β = 1.0, θmax = 0.5/3 = 0.167

θ < θmax ∴ OK

Per ASCE 7, Section 12.12, Table 12.12-1, the maximum allowable story drift
(Δa) = 0.025h = h/40 and the calculated drift exceeds this value. However,
footnote (c) from Table 12.12.1 indicates that “There shall be no drift limit for
single-story structures with interior walls, partitions, ceilings, and exterior wall

62
62
systems that have been designed to accommodate the story drifts.” This
condition is assumed for this example.

Using Model 1 with a second order analysis, the corresponding elastic drift
due to seismic loads is determined to be 4.85 inches. The ratio of 2nd order
drift to 1st order drift is then equal to 4.85/4.5 = 1.08. Using the Direct
Analysis Method described in Appendix 7 of the AISC Specification,
Computer Model 1 is adjusted to include a horizontal notional load equal to
0.002Yi,
where Yi = gravity loads on the frame for each specific load combination

Since the ratio of 2nd order drift to 1st order drift is less than 1.5, notional loads
need not be added to the wind or seismic load combinations.

Also, per the AISC Specification Appendix 7, the modulus of elasticity (E) for
the columns and girders are reduced to 0.8E to account for the effect of
reduced stiffness in these members at ultimate load level.

Note: τb = 1.0 from AISC Eq. A-7-2, since αPr/Py < 0.5 for all members in
the frame.

From the second order analysis (Model 1) the required moments for the
columns are:
Interior columns - Mx = 424 kip-ft.
Exterior columns - Mx = 357 kip-ft.

Also, from the analysis the required column axial loads are 30.3 kips and 29.8
kips, respectively.

For the W18x86 exterior column

Lx = 31 ft., Ly = Lb = 29 ft., Cb = 1.67

Pc = φPn = 326 kips

Note: In evaluating φPn, Kx = 1.0 since the Direct Analysis method has
been used.

Mcx= φMn = 698 kip-ft.

Pr/Pc = 29.8/326 = 0.091 < 0.2 Therefore, AISC Specification Eq. H1-1b
is used.

Pr/2Pc +Mr/Mcx = 0.56 < 1.0 ∴ OK

63
63
 For the W18x97 interior column

Lx = 30.17 ft., Ly = Lb = 28.17 ft., Cb = 1.67

Pc = φPn = 396 kips

Note: In evaluating φPn, Kx = 1.0 since the Direct Analysis method has
been used.

Mcx = φMn = 754 kip-ft.

Pr/Pc = 30.3/396 = 0.08 < 0.2 Therefore, AISC Specification Eq. H1-1b
is used.

Pr/2Pc +Mr/Mcx = 0.60 < 1.0 ∴ OK

Based upon these checks, it appears that the columns could be changed to
smaller sections. Further checking indicated that the exterior columns cannot
be reduced in size unless intermediate lateral bracing is provided between the
wall system and the column. In addition, the next smaller 18 in. columns do
not have compact webs. The interior columns could be reduced to W18x86.
However, the design example will be completed using these sizes.

Connection Design

The detail shown in Figure 8.5 will be used for the exterior columns.
Illustrated in Figure 8.6 is the detail for the interior columns. The next step is
to determine the Joist Girder reaction on the seats.

Based on the results obtained from Model 2, the maximum girder reaction on
the exterior columns is 56.8 kips and the maximum reaction on the interior
column seats is 63.7 kips.

It can be seen from Tables 5-1 and 5-2 that a stiffened seat is required.

64
64
Figure 8.5 Detail C (Sidewall Column)

65
65
Figure 8.6 Detail C (Interior Column)

66
66
 Design
Design
a stiffened
a stiffened
seat
seat
for for
thethe
63.763.7
kip kip
reaction.
reaction.

From Fromthe the

AISCAISC
Manual
ManualTable
Table
10-8,
10-8,
withwith
W =W5=in.,
5 in.,
useuse
L =L9=in.9 and
in. and
a 5/16
a 5/16
filletfillet
weld.weld.
TheThe
available
available
strength
strength
is 73.7
is 73.7
kipskips
> 63.7
> 63.7
kips.
kips.

Seat
Seat
thickness
thickness
based
based
on shear:
on shear:
Pu Pu 63.763.7
t p =t p = = = = 0.=370.in
37. in.
)(N(2))((0N.6)(F0y.6) Fy ()1.0()(12.0)()(42)()(04.6)()(036
φ (2φ .6 )()36)
∴ Use
∴ Use
1/2 1/2
in. plate.
in. plate.

Determine
Determine
the the
stiffener
stiffener
thickness.
thickness.

ts ≥ t0.0061P
s ≥ 0.0061P
u =u(0.0061)(63.7)
= (0.0061)(63.7)
= 0.39
= 0.39
in. in.

ts = t1/2
s = 1/2
in. in.

Shear
Shear
yield
yield
of the
of the
stiffener
stiffener

P P 63.763.7
t s ≥t s ≥ u u = = = 0.=330.in
33. in.
φ (0.φ6(F
0y.6)LFy )L(1.0()(
10.0.6)()(
036.6 )()(36
10)()10)
∴ Use
∴ Use
1/2 1/2
in. thick
in. thick
stiffener.
stiffener.

Fully
Fully
Restrained
Restrained
(FR)(FR)
Chord
Chord
to Column
to Column
Connections:
Connections:
From
FromModel
Model2, the
2, the
required
required
moment
moment for for
the the
exterior
exterior
girder
girder
is 1003
is 1003
kip-ft.
kip-ft.
Based
Basedon onthe the
48 48in. in.
deepdeep
girder
girder
the the
required
required
axial
axial
force,
force,
Pu P =u M
=p/d
Mp=/d =
(12)(1003)/(48
(12)(1003)/(48 - 1.18)
- 1.18)
= 257
= 257kips,
kips,
where
whered has
d has
been
beentaken
taken
as the
as the
distance
distance
from
from
the the
top top
of the
of the
girder
girder
to the
to the
centroid
centroid
of the
of the
bottom
bottom
chord.
chord.

Required
Required
top top
plate
plate
areaarea
= P=u/φPFuy/φ=Fy257/(0.9)(50)
= 257/(0.9)(50) = 5.71 in.2 in.
= 5.71 2
using
using
Fy =Fy50
= ksi
50 ksi
for for
the the
plate.
plate.
Based
Basedon on
the the
4.0 4.0in. chord
in. chord
angles
anglesthe the
width
width
of the
of the
top top
chord
chord
would
would
be be
9 in.
9 in.
Try Try
a plate,
a plate,6 in. 6 in.
x 1xin. 1 in.
TheThe length
length
of the
of the
plate
plate
cancanbe be
determined
determinedbased
based
on onthe the
required
required length
length
of fillet
of fillet
welds
welds
used used
to attach
to attach
the the
plate
plate
to the
to the
column
columncapcap
plate
plate
andand the the
top top
chord.
chord.

Try Try
5/165/16
in. fillet
in. fillet
welds.
welds.TheTheavailable
available
force
force
per per
inchinch
of weld
of weld
= R=n R= nφ=(0.6
φ(0.6
FEXXF)(0.707)(5/16).
EXX)(0.707)(5/16). Using
Using
FEXXFEXX
= 70= ksi
70 ksi
andand
φ = φ0.75,
= 0.75,
Rn =Rn6.96
= 6.96
kips/in.
kips/in.
Thus,
Thus,
a weld
a weld
of 257/6.96
of 257/6.96 = 37= 37
in. is
in.required.
is required.Since
Since
the the
length
length
of weld
of weld
is greater
is greater
thanthan
twotwo
times
timesthe the
plate
plate
width,
width,
U =U1.0
= 1.0
fromfrom
AISC AISC Specification
Specification
TableTable
D3.1,
D3.1,
CaseCase
4. 4.
TheThecapcapplate
plate
on the
on the
W18 W18
section
section
will will
be ofbesufficient
of sufficient
length.
length.AISC AISC
Specification
Specification
Table Table
D3.1,
D3.1,
CaseCase2 applies
2 appliesto the
to the
weld weld
attachment
attachment
to the
to the
top top
chord
chord
angles.
angles.

67 67
67
 x 0.954
U = 1− = 1− = 0.95
l 20

If the Joist Girder is designed for a moment based on 1.1RyMp, check to see if
fracture of the chord will control. Use the previously assumed chord area of
15.0 in.2

φPn = φFuAe, where Ae = UAg

φPn = (0.75)(65)(0.95)(15.0) = 695 kips > 257 kips.
Fracture will not control.

To transfer the 257 kip force into the column top, the cap plate must be
welded sufficiently to the column web. If weld is placed in the “T” distance of
the column web (approximately 15 in. for the W18 columns), the required
force per inch is 257/(2)(15) = 8.6 kips/in. This requires a 7/16 in. fillet weld
on both sides of the column cap to the column web.

Bottom chord:
Use 4 - 5/16 in. fillet welds 10 in. long. The Specifying Professional must
request that the joist bottom chords be a minimum of 3/8 in. thickness to
accommodate the required weld size.

The Joist Girder stabilizer plates must also have an area equal to 5.71 in.2

Use a stabilizer 3/4 in. x 8 in. x 12 in.

The stabilizer plate must be welded to the column web to resist a tensile or
compressive force of 257 kips. The weld force per inch equals 257/16 = 16.1
kips/in. Use 1/2 in. fillet welds on each side of the stabilizer plate (Based on
AISC Specification Eq. J2-5).

Continuity plates:
The concentrated load required for these checks can be reduced by 1.1 since
the material overstrength also applies to the yield strength in the equations
contained in these sections. Thus, the required strength equals 257/1.1 =
234 kips for these design checks.

J10.2. Web Local Yielding

R n = (5 k + N)Fyw t w AISC Eq. J10-2

For the W18x86 column,
k = 1.17 in., tw = 0.48 in., and N = 8 in., the stabilizer plate height

68
68
R n = [(5 )(1.17) + 8](50)(0.48) = 332 kips
φ = 1.0, thus φRn = 332 kips > 234 kips, stiffener not required.

J10.3. Web Crippling

⎡ ⎛ N ⎞⎛ t w ⎞
1.5
⎤ E Fyw t f
2
R n = 0.80 t ⎢1 + 3 ⎜ ⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
w ⎥ AISC J10-4
⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠⎝ t f ⎠ ⎥⎦ tw

For the W18x86 column,

d= 18.4 in., and tf = 0.770 in.

⎡ ⎛ 8 ⎞⎛ 0.48 ⎞ ⎤ (29000)(50)(0.77)
1.5

R n = 0.80 (0.48) ⎢1 + 3 ⎜
2
⎟⎜ ⎟ ⎥ = 462 kips
⎣⎢ ⎝ 18.4 ⎠⎝ 0.77 ⎠ ⎦⎥ 0.48
φ = 0.75, therefore φRn = 347 kips > 234 kips, stiffener not required.

J10.5. Web Compression Buckling

Web compression buckling is applicable when a pair of single-concentrated

forces is applied at both flanges of a member. This condition does not exist
at the exterior columns. It does exist for continuity moments created by the
gravity load case for the interior columns. From the structural analysis for the
load case of 1.2D + 1.6L the continuity moment at the W18x97 equals 235
kip-ft. (see Figure 8.3). This moment translates to axial forces of
approximately 61 kips respectively.

The available strength for the limit state of web local buckling equals

24 t 3w E Fyw
Rn = AISC J10-8
h
where, h = clear distance between flanges less the corner radius.

24 (0.535) (29000)(50)
3

Rn = = 293 kips
15.125

φ = 0.90, thus, φRn = 264 kips > 61 kips.

J10.6. Web Panel Zone Shear

The analysis conducted did not include the effect of panel-zone deformation
on the frame stability, thus AISC Specification Equations J10-9 and J10-10
are applicable.

69
69
 For Pr ≤ 0.4Pc
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w AISC J10-9

For Pr > 0.4Pc

Pr
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w 1.4 − AISC J10-10
Pc
where, Pr = the required strength and Pc equal Py

For the W18x86, Pr = 36.6, and Pc = FyA = (50)(25.3) = 1265 kips

Rn = 0.60Fydctw = (0.60)(50)(18.4)(0.48) = 265 kips

φ = 0.90

φRn = 239 kips > 234 kips say OK

By observation the W18x97 column is OK.

Specification of Required Forces and Moments

Summary of Joist Girder requirements:

Based on a review of the ASCE load combinations the following combinations
are critical for the design of the Joist Girders for the structure in this example.
The panel point loads are calculated for each combination and are shown
below. A second-order analysis as required by the 2006 IBC was conducted
to determine the Joist Girder end moments. The Direct Analysis Method per
the 2005 AISC Specification was used.

1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr = 3.60 + 3.84 = 7.44F

1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (windward) = 3.60 + 3.84 - 4.36 = 3.08F
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (leeward) = 3.60 + 3.84 - 4.36 = 4.67F
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (windward) + 0.5Lr = 3.60 - 8.72 + 1.2 = - 3.92F
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (leeward) + 0. 5Lr = 3.60 - 8.72 + 1.2 = - 0.74F
0.9D + 1.6W (windward) = 2.0 - 8.72 = - 6.92F
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S = 4.16 + 0 + 0.20 = 5.36F
(0.9 – 0.2SDS)D + ρQE = 1.43 + 0 = 1.43F

70
70
 In addition to the ASCE load combinations, the load cases for the 2005
AISC OMF criteria are provided as the last two combinations. The axial
loads shown are obtained from the computer analysis and are distributed
equally to the joist chords. The axial loads for the AISC OMF criteria are
determined by dividing Mge by 31 ft. and distributing them equally to each
chord.

Shown below are the loading requirements as specified to the Joist Girder
manufacturer.

1. Load Combinations are based on IBC-2006 LRFD Design Methodology.

2. Nominal Joist Girder Area Base Loads:

Girder Base Loads
Load Category
(psf)
Dead Load (D) 10
Collateral Load (C) 5
Roof Live Load (Lr) 12 (20 psf reducible)
Roof Snow Load (S) 5
Roof Wind Load (W)
-27.25
- Windward
Roof Wind Load (W)
-17.3
- Leeward

3. Seismic Criteria:
a. R = 3.5 for OMF
b. SDS = 0.9297g
c. SD1 = 0.39g
d. ρ = 1.0
e. QE = 49 kips

4. Imin = 6790 in.4 (+/-10%) for the exterior girders and 4570 in.4 (+/-10%)
for the interior girder (analysis requirements).

5. Minimum width of top chord = 7.0 in. (weld requirements).

6. Minimum thickness of bottom chord = 3/8 in. (weld requirements).

7. All top chord axial loads and end moments are transmitted directly into
the columns via the tie plates. No horizontal forces are transferred
through the girder seats.

71
71
 8. Chord splices: Section 7 of the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions is to be
followed for chord splices in the SLRS.

9. Connections between the joist chords and web members: Section 7.3
Welded Joints shall be followed with the exception that the welding is
performed per SJI requirements. In addition, Section 7.3a General
Requirements shall be followed in its entirety.

10. Controlling IBC Load Combinations are given in Tables 8-1 and 8-2 for
Joist Girder Mark Numbers G1 and G2, respectively:

Table 8-1 Controlling Load Combinations for Joist Girder G1

Mark: G1 Girder Designation: +

(Note: Left end @ sidewall) 48G8NSP + +

Panel Left End Right End TC BC

LRFD
Load Moment Moment Force Force Remarks
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft.) (kip-ft.) (kips) (kips)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (L - R)* 7.44F +37.1 -235.1 1.3 1.3
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (R - L)* 7.44F +37.1 -235.1 1.3 1.3
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (L - R) 3.08F - 61.3 -164.6 2.35 2.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (R - L) 4.67F 103.9 -76.9 2.35 2.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (L - R) + 0.5Lr -3.92F -170.9 -9.3 3.35 3.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (R - L) + 0.5Lr -0.74F 144.0 153.7 3.35 3.35
0.9D + 1.6W (L - R) -6.92F -180.0 90.3 3.05 3.05
0.9D + 1.6W (R - L) -3.74F -141.6 240.9 3.05 3.05
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (L - R) 4.36F -308.9 -390.7 1.65 1.65
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (R - L) 4.36F 348.9 156.4 1.65 1.65
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (L - R) 1.43F -303.3 -295.8 1.50 1.50
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (R - L) 1.43F 315.3 219.6 1.50 1.50
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - 1003 568.1 16.2 16.2
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - -1003 -846.3 16.2 16.2

* The first two load combinations look identical; however, they are different in
that the notional loads, per the Direct Analysis Method in the 2005 AISC
Specification, must be applied in opposite directions. For this example the
results are the same.

72
72
 Table 8-2 Controlling Load Combinations for Joist Girder G2

Girder Designation: +
Mark: G2
48G8NSP + +

Panel Left End Right End TC BC

LRFD
Load Moment Moment Force Force Remarks
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft) (kip-ft) (kips) (kips)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (L - R) 7.44F 215.4 -219.2 0.6 0.6
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (R - L) 7.44F 215.4 -219.2 0.6 0.6
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (L - R) 3.08F 59.6 -166.8 0.5 0.5
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (R - L) 4.67F 166.8 -59.6 0.5 0.5
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W + 0.5Lr (L - R) -3.92F -172.1 -36.0 0.35 0.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W + 0.5Lr (R - L) -0.74F 36.0 172.1 0.35 0.35
0.9D + 1.6W (L - R) -6.92F -256.4 54.9 0.25 0.25
0.9D + 1.6W (R - L) -3.74F -54.9 256.4 0.25 0.25
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (L - R) 4.36F -41.6 -262.3 0.20 0.20
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (R - L) 4.36F 262.3 41.6 0.20 0.20
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (L - R) 1.43F -107.2 -179.6 0.10 0.10
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (R - L) 1.43F 179.6 107.2 0.10 0.10
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - -571.9 293.6 9.86 9.86
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - -293.6 571.9 9.86 9.86

Lateral Bracing of the Joist Girders and Columns (see Chapter 7)

(These calculations are carried out by the joist manufacturer)

The Joist Girders require braces 5 ft. on each side of the column in order to
develop the required chord forces. The columns require a brace at the
location of the Joist Girder stabilizer plate to prevent lateral buckling of the
column at the assumed plastic hinge location. Brace stiffness and strength
must satisfy the requirements of the AISC Specification Appendix 6. Based
on nodal bracing requirements, the required brace strength is

Pbr = 0.01Pr AISC A-6-3

and the required brace stiffness is

1 8 Pr
βbr = (LRFD) AISC A-6-4
φ Lb

73
73
 where, Pr = the required brace strength, φ = 0.75, Lb = the distance
between braces (the laterally unbraced length).

Based on an unbraced length of 5 ft., Pbr = (0.01)(257) = 2.6 kips, and

1 ⎛ 8 (257) ⎞
β br = ⎜ ⎟ = 45.7 kips / in.
0.75 ⎝ 60 ⎠
Using braces on each side of the Joist Girder, tension bracing can be used.

For the brace angle

Areq’d = Pr/φFy = 2.6/(0.9)(50) = 0.06 in.2

Use a brace 2x2x1/4, A = 0.938 in.2 The stiffness requirement is dependent

on the stiffness of the joist and the location on the joist where the brace is
attached.

For this example assume 24K7 joists are used. The approximate joist
moment of inertia can be determined using Equation 7-2 that can be found in
the introduction to the Standard [ASD or LRFD] Load Tables for K-Series,
LH-Series or DLH-Series joists (SJI 2005),
( )(
I j = 26.767 (WLL ) L3 10 −6 ) Eq. 7-2

where, WLL = RED figure in the Load Table, plf, and L = (Span – 0.33), ft.

Ij = 26.767(148)(39.673)(10-6) = 247 in.4

The stiffness of the joist can be determined from the deflection of the joist due
to a 1 kip load applied at the location where the brace is attached to the joist.
Using a beam equation for deflection, the deflection of the joist is

Pa 2b 2
Δ= Eq. 7-1
3 EIL
where, a = the distance from the end of the joist to where the brace is
attached to the joist and b = L – a.

Assume the brace intersects the joist 3 ft. from its end.

Δ=
(1 )(36)2 (444)2 = 0.028 in.
(3)(29000)(247)(480) / 1.15
Thus the joist stiffness equals

P 3 EIL
β= = Eq. 7-3
Δ a 2b 2

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Therefore, β = 35.1 kips/in.

This calculation assumes that the connection to the joist and to the Joist
Girder is rigid, and that the axial flexibility of the angle can be neglected.

The stiffness requirement is not satisfied using only one brace in tension.
The AISC Specification indicates that when Lb is less than Lq, where Lq is the
maximum unbraced length for the required column force with K =1.0, then Lq
in the stiffness equation is permitted to be taken as Lq.

Determine Lq and determine if the stiffness requirement is satisfied. Assume

that for the final design of the Joist Girder that the bottom chords were 2L
4x4x1/2 in. Determine ry of the bottom chord based on a 1 in. gap between
the chord angles.

Iy = (2)(5.52) + (2)(0.5 + 1.18)2(3.75) = 22.17 in.4

Iy 22.17
ry = = = 1.72 in.
A 7.5

Use a trial and error method to determine Lq from AISC Specification

Equations E3-1, E3-2, and E3-3.

Lq = 118 in.

Therefore,

1 ⎛ 8 Pr ⎞ 1 ⎛ 8 (257) ⎞
β br = ⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜ ⎟ = 23.2 kips / in.
φ ⎜⎝ L b ⎠ 0.75 ⎝ 118 ⎠
23.2 kips/in. < 35.1 kips/in., Therefore, bracing is adequate.

See Figures 7.1 and 7.2 in Chapter 7 for suggested bracing details.

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EXAMPLE 2 RIGID FRAME DESIGN
Design the lateral load systems for the structure shown in Figure 8.1 from
Example 1. The building is located in Jackson, MS. Use the 2006 IBC for the
frame design. The primary purpose of this example is to demonstrate the use of
Joist Girders as rigid frames, and to examine the differences between this
example and the previous example.

The exterior walls are non-load bearing precast and are to be used in conjunction
with the roof diaphragm as shear walls in the north-south direction. In the east-
west direction the precast concrete walls are also non-load bearing, and are used
as end wall shear walls to resist the forces between the first interior rigid frame
and the end wall.

Use LRFD procedures.

Loading requirements are specified as:

Roof Loads:
Dead Load:
1 psf Membrane
2 psf Deck
2 psf Insulation
3 psf Joists and Bridging
2 psf Girder
10 psf Total

Collateral Load:
3 psf Sprinkler
2 psf Mechanical & Lighting
5 psf Total

Live Load:
20 psf Reducible per Code
(12 psf on Joist Girders)

Ground Snow Load = 5 psf

Roof Snow Load = 5 psf (ASCE 7-05, Section 7.3, low slope roof criteria)

Wind Load = 120 MPH – Exposure C (Owner Specified), specific loads

determined in following calculations

Seismic Load: See following calculations

Serviceability Requirement: Maximum drift = H/100 (10 year wind)

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Wind Loads:
The wind loads are identical to those determined in Example 1.

Summary of wind loads:

Interior frames: Ps = 21.60 psf
End zones (width of end zone = 24 ft.): Ps = 32.6 psf
Roof uplift (Ps) on windward side of roof = 27.3 psf
Roof uplift (Ps) on leeward side of roof = 17.3 psf

For the wall system:

Design pressure = 30.9 psf
Design suction = 35.8 psf (interior zones), and 40.8 psf at end zones

Determine Seismic Loads:

1. Determine latitude and longitude coordinates for Jackson, MS
From http://world.maporama.com

Latitude = 32.34; Longitude = -90.2

2. Determine Maximum Considered Earthquake (MCE)

Site Ground motion values from USGS:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/design

Spectral Accelerations:
Ss = 0.195 g 0.2 sec 2%

S1 = 0.086 g

Note: These are for Site Class “B”

3. Determine Soil Profile Site Class

Soil properties are not known, site Class D.

4. Maximum Considered Spectral Response Acceleration

SMS = FaSs ASCE Section 11.4.3

SM1 = FvS1 ASCE Section 11.4.3

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 Determine values for Site Class D

Site Coefficients:
Fa = 1.6, Ss < 0.25 ASCE Table 11.4-1

Fv =2.4, S1 < 0.1 ASCE Table 11.4-2

Therefore:
SMS = FaSs = (1.6)(0.195) = 0.312g

SM1 = FvS1 = (2.4)(0.086) = 0.206g

5. Determine Design Spectral Response Acceleration Parameters,

ASCE Section 11.4.4
2 ⎛ 2⎞
SDS = SMS = ⎜ ⎟(0.312g) = 0.208g
3 ⎝3⎠
2 ⎛ 2⎞
SD1 = SM1 = ⎜ ⎟(0.206g) = 0.137 g
3 ⎝3⎠

6. Determine Occupancy Importance Factor ASCE Section 11.5.1

Building Category II Importance Factor = 1.0

7. Seismic Design Category Based on Short Period Response

ASCE Table 11.6-1
Acceleration Parameter SDC = B

8. Determine Base Shear, V = CsW, ASCE Section 12.8

V = CsW ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-1

SDS
Cs = ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-2
⎛R⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎝I⎠
SD1
C s max = for T ≤ TL ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-3
⎛R⎞
T⎜ ⎟
⎝I⎠
Cs min = 0.01 ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-5

Approximate Fundamental Period, Ta

Ta = C t hnx ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-7

hn = 33 ft.

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 For a steel moment resisting frame,
Ct = 0.028 and x = 0.8 ASCE 7, Table 12.8-2

Ta = (0.028)(33)0.8 = 0.46

Note: TL = 8 seconds from ASCE 7, Figure 22-15. Therefore, Ta < TL

and ASCE 7, Eqn. 12.8-3 shown above is appropriate.

Calculate the Effective Seismic Weight, W ASCE 7, Section 12.7.2

Roof dead load = 10 psf

Roof collateral load = 5 psf
Precast concrete wall weight = 100 psf

Roof weight per rigid frame = (15 )(120 )(40 ) / 1000 = 72 kips

⎛ 33 ⎞
Wall weight per rigid frame = (100)⎜ ⎟(40)(2) / 1000 = 132 kips
⎝ 2 ⎠
Total W = 204 kips/frame

The 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions are not required for Seismic Design
Category A, B, or C (see Section 1), if R is taken as 3 or less. Therefore, use
R = 3 to avoid the requirements of the AISC Seismic Provisions. From ASCE
7 Table 12.2-1 Design Coefficients and Factors for Seismic Force-Resisting
Systems, H. Steel Systems Not Specifically Detailed For Seismic Resistance,
Excluding Cantilever Column Systems:
Response Modification Coefficient, R = 3.0;
System Overstrength Factor, Ωo = 3.0; and
Deflection Amplification Factor, Cd = 3.0

Cs =
(0.208) = 0.07 ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-2
⎛ 3.0 ⎞
⎜ ⎟
⎝ 1.0 ⎠

C s max =
(0.137) = 0.10 for T ≤ T ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-3
L
(0.46)⎛⎜ 3.0 ⎞⎟
⎝ 1.0 ⎠

V = (0.07)(204) = 14.3 kips/frame

Seismic Load Effect, E, shall be determined in accordance with ASCE 7,

Section 12.4.

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 E = Eh + Ev ASCE 7, Eq. 12.4-1

Eh = ρQE = ρV ASCE 7, Eq. 12.4-3

ρ = 1.0 ASCE 7, Table 12.3-3

Note: Loss of moment resistance at both ends of one beam (i.e. Joist
Girder) would not result in less than a 33% reduction in shear strength for
the entire one story building in the direction of the rigid frames).

Eh = 14.3 kips < (1.6)(14.3) = 22.9 kips (equal to factored wind load).

Therefore, the wind lateral loads are likely to control over seismic loads.

Design the Joist Girder Frames (R = 3 Design)

Preliminary Joist Girder size:

Determine gravity loads per foot.

wD = (1.2)(15)(40)/1000 = 0.72 kips/ft.

wL = (1.6)(12)(40)/1000 = 0.77 kips/ft.

Based on a 5 ft. joist or panel spacing

PT = PD + PL

PD = (5)(0.72) = 3.6 kips

PL = (5)(0.77) = 3.9 kips

Try 48G8N 7.5F Joist Girder

Preliminary frame design:

Critical Basic Load Combinations from ASCE 7 Section 2.3.2

Combination 1: 1.2D + 1.6L

Combination 2: 1.2D + 0.5Lr
Combination 3: 1.2D + 1.6Lr + 0.8W
Combination 4: 1.2D + 1.6W + 0.5Lr
Combination 5: 1.2D + 1.0E + 0.2S
Combination 7: 0.9D + 1.0E

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 Try pinned base columns, FR connections only at the side walls (minimizes
expensive connections).

Use load Combination 4 for preliminary design.

Maximum wind lateral load/frame = (1.6)(14.3) = 22.9 kips.

22.9 kips
Lateral shear/column = = 11.5 kips / column
2
The maximum column moment is taken as the base shear times the height to
the center of the Joist Girder (Model 1).

Maximum column moment, M, due to lateral loads

M = (11.5)(33 - 2) = 357 kip-ft.

It is obvious that Load Combination 4 from ASCE 7 generates the worst case
loading for the building columns.

Axial load at exterior columns (from wind case), use the minimum roof uplift
(17.3 psf):
1.2D + 1.6W + 0.5Lr = 1.2(15) + 1.6(-17.3) + 0.5(12) = -3.7 psf

Ru = -3.7(40)(20)/1000 = -3.0 kips (tension)

Using a Cb = 1.0 for preliminary design, try a W18x86, see Table 3-10 of
AISC 13th Edition Manual.

Perform computer analysis to determine forces, moments, and deflection

(both first-order and second-order).

Vertical loads per foot = -(3.7)(40)/1000 = -0.15 kips/ft. (upward)

In addition to the vertical loads indicated above, a load reflecting the concrete
walls must be added as the walls are in effect “lean-on” columns and will
increase the P-Δ effects. Use 1/2 the wall weight since the walls are
foundation supported.
⎛ 33 ⎞
Wall weight = (1.2)(100)⎜ ⎟ = 1.98 kips / side / ft.
⎝ 2 ⎠
Wall load = (1.98)(40) = 79.2 kips/exterior column

The Joist Girder properties can be estimated based on the column moments.
Thus, the exterior Joist Girders must have a moment capacity of 357 kip-ft.

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The chord force in the girder is approximately the moment divided by the
girder depth, (357)(12)/48 = 90 kips. For an unbraced bottom chord length of
5 ft., select from Table 2-1 (see Example 1) an angle chord of 2L’s 3 x 3 x 1/4,
with an area of 2.87 in.2

The approximate moment of inertia is (2.87)(24)2(2)/1.15 = 2875 in.4 The

1.15 accounts for stiffness loss due to web elongation.

Use IJG = 2875 in.4 and AJG = (2)(2.87) = 5.74 in.2 in the computer model for
the two exterior Joist Girders. The interior Joist Girder has no end moments,
thus the moment of inertia can be estimated using the SJI equation for
approximate moment of inertia (LRFD),
IJG = 0.018N PLd = (0.018)(8)(7.5)(40)(48) = 2074 in.4

The area can be assumed to be approximately 5.0 in.2

Based upon a first order analysis, the resulting lateral deflection (at eave) due
to wind loads (unfactored) equals 7.43 in. The code prescribed wind loads
are based upon a 50 year mean recurrence interval (MRI). The wind load
drift criteria previously noted is H/100 due to a 10 year wind load. Per ASCE
7, Table C6-7, the ratio of design wind speed for a 10 year MRI vs. a 50 yr.
MRI is 0.74 (V50 > 100 mph). Since wind pressures are a function of V2, the
ratio of wind loads for a 10 year vs. 50 yr. MRI, = (0.74)2 = 0.55. The drift due
to wind load is then calculated as:
δ10 yr. = (7.43)(0.55) = 4.09 in. = h/97 say OK

Check seismic drift criteria.

Even though the seismic loads are less than the wind loads the seismic
requirements must be satisfied. For the seismic load cases, ASCE Section
12.8.7 must be satisfied.

From the computer model, the elastic lateral drift due to seismic loads, δe =
6.62 in. Again, this value is based upon a first order analysis. The seismic
design drift, Δ, is then calculated as:
Δ = (Cd)(δe)= (3.0)(6.62) = 19.9 in. = h/20

Per ASCE 7, Section 12.12, Table 12.12-1, the maximum allowable story drift
(Δa) = 0.025h = h/40 and the calculated drift exceeds this value. However,
footnote (c) from Table 12.12.1 indicates that “There shall be no drift limit for
single-story structures with interior walls, partitions, ceilings, and exterior wall
systems that have been designed to accommodate the story drifts.” This
condition is assumed for this example.

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Per ASCE 7, Section 12.8.7, the stability coefficient, θ , is calculated as:

Px Δ
θ= ASCE 7, Eq. 12.8-16
Vx hsx C d
where,
Px = Summation of vertical loads on the frame
= [1.19(15)+0.2(5)](120)(40)/1000 + 79.2(2) = 249 kips

Vx = Eh = 20.4 kips

Then,

θ = 249(19.9)/[20.4(31)(12)(3.0)] = 0.218

The maximum allowable stability coefficient, θmax, is calculated as

0.5
θmax = ≤ 0.25
βCd

Conservatively, assuming β = 1.0, θmax = 0.5/3 = 0.167

θ > θmax ∴ NG

The structure must be made stiffer to satisfy seismic criteria.

Try using W21x111 exterior columns (I = 2670 in.4, A = 32.7 in.2).

From the computer model, the elastic lateral drift due to seismic loads, δe =
4.97 in. Again, this value is based upon a first order analysis. The seismic
design drift, Δ, is then calculated as:
Δ = (Cd)(δe)= (3.0)(4.97) = 14.9 in. = h/27

θ = 249(14.9)/[20.4(31)(12)(3.0)] = 0.163 < 0.167 ∴ OK

From the second order analysis the required moments for the exterior
columns = 409.0 kip-ft. The required column axial load associated with this
moment is approximately 34.2 kips.

Based on the 2005 AISC Specification, the W21x111 is satisfactory.

The interior columns could be either HSS or W shapes.

Based on gravity loads Pu = 1.2D + 1.6L

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 Pu = [(1.2)(15) + (1.6)(12)](40)(40) = 60 kips.
With L = 33 ft. (taken to top of column), use a HSS 8x8x3/16 or a W8x40.

Connection Design

The detail shown in Figure 8.7 will be used for the exterior columns. Final
design requirements are shown in the figure.

Figure 8.7 Detail C (Sidewall Column)

Determine the Joist Girder reaction on the seats.

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 From the analysis the maximum Joist Girder reaction equals 33.9 kips. Since
an R = 3 design was used, the connections need only be designed for the
ASCE 7 load combinations and not the 1.1RyMp generated forces.

It can be seen from Tables 5-1 and 5-2 that a stiffened seat is required.

Design a stiffened seat for the 33.9 kip reaction.

From AISC Manual Table 10-8, with W = 5 in., use L = 6 in. and a 5/16 fillet
weld. The available strength is 35.2 kips > 33.9 kips.

Seat thickness based on shear:

Pu 33.9
tp = = = 0.20 in.
φ (2)(N)(0.6 Fy ) (1.0)(2)(4 )(0.6)(36)
∴ Use 1/2 in. plate.

Determine the stiffener thickness.

ts ≥ 0.0061Pu = (0.0061)(33.9) = 0.21 in.

ts = 1/2 in.

Shear yield of the stiffener

Pu 33.9
ts ≥ = = 0.26 in.
φ (0.6 Fy )L (1.0 )(0.6 )(36)(6 )
∴ Use 1/2 in. thick stiffener.

Fully Restrained (FR) Chord to Column Connections:

Since an R = 3 design was used (Seismic Design Category is B), the
connection can be designed using the 2005 AISC Specification.

Mu = 409 kip-ft., Pu = (409)(12)/(48 - 1.18) = 105 kips

Required top plate area = Pu/φFy = 105/(0.9)(50) = 2.33 in.2 using Fy = 50 ksi
for the plate. Based on the 3.5 in. chord angles the width of the top chord
would be 8 in. Try a plate, 4 in. x 3/4 in. The length of the plate can be
determined based on the required length of fillet welds used to attach the
plate to the column cap plate and the top chord.

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Try 5/16 in. fillet welds. The available force per inch of weld = Rn = φ(0.6
FEXX)(0.707)(5/16). Using FEXX = 70 ksi and φ = 0.75, φRn = 6.96 kips/in.
Thus, a weld of 105/6.96 = 15.1 in. is required. Use 8 in. each side of the
plate. Since the length of weld equals two times the plate width, U = 1.0, from
AISC Specification Table D3.1, Case 4. The cap plate on the W21 section
will be of sufficient length. AISC Specification Table D3.1, Case 2 applies to
the weld attachment to the top chord angles.

x 0.954
U = 1− = 1− = 0.88
l 8

By inspection fracture will not control on the chord of the Joist Girder.

To transfer the 105 kip force into the column top, the cap plate must be
welded sufficiently to the column web. If weld is placed in the “T” distance of
the column web (approximately 18 in. for the W21 columns), the required
force per inch is 105/(2)(18) = 2.92 kips/in. Use a 1/4 in. fillet weld on both
sides of the column cap to the column web.

Bottom chord:
Use 4 - 1/4 in. fillet welds 5.0 in. long. The Specifying Professional must
request that the bottom chords of the Joist Girder be a minimum of 5/16 in.
thickness to accommodate the required weld size.

The stabilizer plate for the Joist Girders must also have an area of 3.0 in.2

Use a stabilizer 3/4 in. x 8 in. x 6 in. long.

The stabilizer plate must be welded to the column web to resist a tensile or
compressive force of 105 kips. The weld force per inch equals 105/16 = 6.56
kips/in. Use 5/16 in. fillet welds on each side of the stabilizer plate.

Continuity plates:
J10.2. Web Local Yielding
R n = (5 k + N)Fyw t w AISC Eq. J10-2
For the W21x111 column,
k = 1.75 in., tw = 0.55 in., and N = 8 in., the stabilizer plate height

R n = [(5 )(1.75) + 8] (50 )(0.55 ) = 461 kips

φ = 1.0, thus φRn = 461 kips > 105 kips, stiffener not required.

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 J10.3. Web Crippling
⎡ ⎛ N ⎞⎛ t w ⎞
1.5
⎤ E Fyw t f
2
R n = 0.80 t ⎢1 + 3 ⎜ ⎟⎜⎜ ⎟⎟
w ⎥ AISC J10-4
⎢⎣ ⎝ d ⎠⎝ t f ⎠ ⎥⎦ tw

For the W21x111 column,

d= 21.5 in., and tf = 0.875 in.
⎡ ⎛ 8 ⎞⎛ 0.55 ⎞ ⎤ (29000)(50)(0.875)
1.5

R n = 0.80 (0.55) ⎢1 + 3 ⎜
2
⎟⎜ ⎟ ⎥ = 572 kips
⎢⎣ ⎝ 21.5 ⎠⎝ 0.875 ⎠ ⎥⎦ 0.55
φ = 0.75, therefore φRn = 429 kips > 105 kips, stiffener not required.

J10.6. Web Panel Zone Shear

The analysis conducted did not include the effect of panel-zone deformation
on the frame stability, thus AISC Specification Equations J10-9 and J10-10
are applicable.

For Pr ≤ 0.4Pc
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w AISC J10-9

For Pr > 0.4Pc

⎛ P ⎞
R n = 0.60 Fy dc t w ⎜⎜ 1.4 − r ⎟⎟ AISC J10-10
⎝ Pc ⎠
where, Pr = the required strength and Pc equal Py

For the W21x111, Pr = 0, and Pc = FyA = (50)(32.7) = 1635 kips

Rn = 0.60Fydctw = (0.60)(50)(21.5)(0.55) = 355 kips

φ = 0.90

φRn = 319 kips > 105 kips say OK

By observation the W21x111 column is OK.

Specification of Required Forces and Moments

Based on a review of the ASCE 7 Load Combinations the following combinations

are critical for the design of the Joist Girders for the structure in this example.
The panel point loads are calculated for each load combination and are shown
below. A second-order analysis as required by the 2006 IBC was used to

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determine the Joist Girder end moments. The Direct Analysis Method per the
2005 AISC Specification was used.

1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr = 3.60 + 3.84 = 7.44F

1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (Windward)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (Leeward)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (Windward) + 0.5Lr
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (Leeward) + 0. 5Lr
0.9D + 1.6W (Windward)
= 3.60 + 3.84 - 4.36 = 3.08F
= 3.60 + 3.84 - 4.36 = 4.67F
= 3.60 - 8.72 + 1.2 = -3.92F
= 3.60 - 8.72 + 1.2 = -0.74F
= 2.0 - 8.72 = -6.92F

Shown below are the loading requirements as specified to the Joist

Girder manufacturer.

1. Load Combinations are based on IBC-2006 LRFD Design

Methodology.

2. Nominal Joist Girder Area Base Loads:

Girder Base Loads

Load Category
(psf)
Dead Load (D) 10
Collateral Load (C) 5
Roof Live Load (Lr) 12 (20 psf reducible)
Roof Snow Load (S) 5
Roof Wind Load (W)
-27.25
- Windward
Roof Wind Load (W)
-17.3
- Leeward

3. Imin = 2875 in.4 (+/-10%)(exterior girders).

4. Minimum width of top chord = 5.0 in. (weld requirements).

5. Minimum thickness of bottom chord = 5/16 in. (weld requirements).

6. Controlling IBC Load Combinations are given in Table 8-3 for Joist
Girder Mark Number G1.

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 Table 8-3 Controlling Load Combinations for Joist Girder G1

Mark:G1 Girder Designation: +

(Note: Left end @ sidewall) 48G8NSP + +

Panel Left End Right End TC BC

LRFD
Load Moment Moment Force Force Remarks
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft.) (kip-ft.) (kips) (kips)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (L - R) 7.44F 0 153.4 3.05 3.05
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (R - L) 7.44F 0 170.6 2.70 2.70
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (L - R) 3.08F 0 -100.8 1.90 1.90
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (R - L) 4.67F 0 269.2 1.90 1.90
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W + 0.5Lr (L - R) -3.92F 0 -383.2 0.65 0.65
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W + 0.5Lr (R - L) -0.74F 0 281.0 0.65 0.65
0.9D + 1.6W (L - R) -6.92F 0 -415.0 1.70 1.70
0.9D + 1.6W (R - L) -3.74F 0 182.4 1.70 1.70

Lateral bracing of the Joist Girders and Columns

These calculations are carried out by the Joist Girder Manufacturer. See
Example 1 for sample calculations.

Summary

This design example has demonstrated the use of a strength reduction factor R =
3.0 for a building located in Seismic Design Category B. An R = 3.5 is permitted
with Ordinary Moment Frame design in a SDC of A, B, or C, and the design
example could have used an R = 3.5, with some potentially reduced seismic
design loads to the overall frame. However, if this had been done, then all of the
special seismic detailing requirements would have also been required. Not only
would this have resulted in more stringent detailing, welding, weld ductility, and
inspection requirements, but it also would have resulted in a need to ensure the
joist strength exceeds the column plastic moment capacity (1.1RyMpc), as
demonstrated in Design Example 1. Therefore, as a general rule, it is usually
more economical and easier to use R = 3.0 in the design of a Moment Resisting
Frame with joists or Joist Girders in Seismic Design Category A, B, or C.

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 REFERENCES
REFERENCES
American Institute of Steel Construction (2005a), Steel Construction Manual,
Thirteenth Edition, AISC, Chicago, IL.
American Institute of Steel Construction (2005b), ANSI/AISC 360-05,
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, March 9, 2005, AISC, Chicago,
IL.
American Institute of Steel Construction (2005c), ANSI/AISC 341-05, Seismic
Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings, March 9, 2005, Including
Supplement No. 1, November 16, 2005, AISC, Chicago, IL.
American Institute of Steel Construction (2005d), ANSI/AISC 358-05,
Prequalified Connections for Special and Intermediate Steel Moment
Frames for Seismic Applications, December 13, 2005, Including
Supplement No. 1, November 16, 2005, AISC, Chicago, IL.
American Society of Civil Engineers (2005), ASCE/SEI 7-05, Minimum Design
Loads for Buildings and other Structures, Including Supplement No. 1,
ASCE, Reston, VA.
American Welding Society (2005), ANSI/AWS D1.8/D1.8M Structural Welding
Code – Seismic Supplement, AWS, Miami, FL.
American Welding Society (2006), ANSI/AWS D1.1/D1.1M Structural Welding
Code – Steel, AWS, Miami, FL.
Beckman, M. W. (1996), “Seismic Analysis and Design of Multi-bay Rigid
Trussed Frames,” MS Thesis, Department of Civil Engineering, University of
Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (2001), NEHRP Recommended
Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures
(FEMA 369), 2000 Edition, Part 2: Commentary, Building Seismic Safety
Council, National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington, D.C.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (2004), NEHRP Recommended
Provisions for Seismic Regulations for New Buildings and Other Structures
(FEMA 450), 2003 Edition, Part 1: Provisions, Building Seismic Safety
Council, National Institute of Building Sciences, Washington, D.C.
International Code Council (2006), International Building Code, ICC, Falls
Church, VA.
Kim, U. S. (2003), “Seismic Behavior of Steel Joist Girder Structures,” PhD
Dissertation, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia
Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
Kim, U. S., Leon, R. T., and Galambos, T. V. (2007), “Seismic Design of Steel
Joist Girder Structures”, AISC Engineering Journal, Third Quarter.

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Maporama, The World My Way website, http://world.maporama.com.
Salmon, Charles G. and Johnson, John E., (1996) Steel Structures, Design
and Behavior, Fourth Edition, HarperCollins College Publishers, New York,
NY.
SJI (2005), 42nd Edition Catalog containing Standard Specifications, Load
Tables and Weight Tables for Steel Joists and Joist Girders: K-Series, LH-
Series, DLH-Series, Joist Girders, Steel Joist Institute, Myrtle Beach, SC.
US Geological Survey (USGS) website,
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/research/hazmaps/design

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A
APPENDIX
APPENDIX A A
SAMPLE DESIGN
SAMPLE DESIGN OF
OF A
A
JOIST GIRDER
JOIST GIRDER
The following design example is for the end Joist Girder (G1) from the first
Ordinary Moment Frame (OMF) design example in Chapter 8, located in
Charleston, South Carolina. It is presented as a typical example of the design of
a Joist Girder used in a lateral load resisting frame.

This particular example has a Seismic Design Category (SDC) of D. Therefore,

the girder design must consider the column plastic moment load cases, which
turn out to control for many of the girder components. A similar girder in a lower
Seismic Design Category would have completely different controlling load
combinations for material selection, and would often have the design of different
components controlled by different load combinations.

Please note that this Joist Girder design example is intended to demonstrate how
the Joist Manufacturer’s Design Engineer uses the design criteria presented by
the Specifying Professional to design the Joist Girder to meet the project
requirements. The design of the Joist Girder is the responsibility of the Open
Web Steel Joist Manufacturer’s Design Engineer.

Girder Design Criteria Given in Chapter 8:

1. Load Combinations are based on 2006 IBC LRFD Design Methodology.
2. Nominal Joist Girder Area Base Loads:

Girder Base Loads

Load Category
(psf)
Dead Load (D) 10
Collateral Load (C) 5
Roof Live Load (Lr) 12 (20 psf reducible)
Roof Snow Load (S) 5
Roof Wind Load (W)
-27.25
- Windward
Roof Wind Load (W)
-17.3
- Leeward

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 3. Seismic Criteria:
a. R = 3.5 for OMF
b. SDS = 0.9297g
c. SD1 = 0.39g
d. ρ = 1.0
e. QE = 49 kips
4. Joist Ixx = 6790 in.4 (+/- 10%) (analysis requirements).
5. Minimum width of top chord = 7.0 in. (weld requirements).
6. Minimum thickness of bottom chord = 3/8 in. (weld requirements).
7. All top chord axial loads and end moments are transmitted directly into
the columns via the tie plates. No horizontal forces are transferred thru
the Joist Girder seats.
8. Chord splices: Section 7 of the 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions is to be
followed for chord splices in the SLRS.
9. Connections between the joist chords and web members: Section 7.3
Welded Joints shall be followed with the exception that the welding is
performed per SJI requirements. In addition, Section 7.3a General
Requirements shall be followed in its entirety.
10. Controlling IBC Load Combinations:
Mark: G1 Girder Designation: +
(Note: Left end @ sidewall) 48G8NSP + +
Panel Left End Right End TC BC Remarks
LRFD
Load Moment Moment Force Force
Load Combination:
(kips) (kip-ft.) (kip-ft.) (kips) (kips)
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (L - R)* 7.44F +37.1 -235.1 1.3 1.3
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr (R - L)* 7.44F +37.1 -235.1 1.3 1.3
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (L - R) 3.08F -61.3 -164.6 2.35 2.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6Lr + 0.8W (R - L) 4.67F 103.9 -76.9 2.35 2.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (L - R) + 0.5Lr -3.92F -170.9 -9.3 3.35 3.35
1.2(D + C) + 1.6W (R - L) + 0.5Lr -0.74F 144.0 153.7 3.35 3.35
0.9D + 1.6W (L - R) -6.92F -180.0 90.3 3.05 3.05
0.9D + 1.6W (R - L) -3.74F -141.6 240.9 3.05 3.05
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (L - R) 4.36F -308.9 -390.7 1.65 1.65
(1.2 + 0.2SDS) (D + C) + ρQE + 0.2S (R - L) 4.36F 348.9 156.4 1.65 1.65
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (L - R) 1.43F -303.3 -295.8 1.50 1.50
(0.9 - 0.2SDS)D + ρQE (R - L) 1.43F 315.3 219.6 1.50 1.50
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - 1003 568.1 16.2 16.2
Column Mp, (AISC OMF Criteria) - -1003 -846.3 16.2 16.2

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*The first two load combinations look identical; however, they are different in that
the notional loads, per the Direct Analysis Method in the 2005 AISC
Specification, must be applied in opposite directions. For this example the
results are the same.

Girder Design Procedure:

To properly design the Joist Girder, for the specified special loading condition,
the Joist Manufacturer’s Design Engineer must follow these steps:
1. Review all design information provided by the Specifying Professional.
Make sure all information is understood. Request clarification or
additional information as required. Pay particular attention to loading
requirements, load combinations, stiffness requirements (Joist Girder Ixx
and deflection criteria), and connection requirements. Verify loading
requirements, if any, for loads without Joist Girder end moments, for
stages of construction prior to final connection of chords for end
restraint. Also note any special fabrication criteria, weld criteria, or chord
splice criteria in relation to the seismic performance of the lateral load
resisting frame, particularly for buildings with a Seismic Design Category
of D, E, or F.
2. Determine Joist Girder geometric requirements (length, depth, chord cut-
backs, slope, etc.).
3. Select an appropriate panel layout. In many instances there are multiple
options for panel layouts, and the Joist Manufacturer’s Design Engineer
must select a best choice based on member fit-up, joint eccentricity
criteria, weld availability, bolt clearance for joist bearing seats, and
economy.
4. Determine all system externally applied loads (vertical loads at each joist
location) for each load category and load combination. For the example
shown, these are equal magnitude loads, equally spaced, and provided
for each load combination. More frequently, these will be supplied by
load category, and must be summed, by the joist manufacturer, for each
load combination. Therefore, this method is shown in the Joist Girder
design example. For loads supplied as area loads in pounds per square
foot, the load at each joist location along the girder must be determined
by multiplying by the joist tributary width and by the girder tributary width.
If loading includes strip uplifts or drift loads presented as area loads in
pounds per square foot, then these must be managed in a similar
fashion, taking into account the width of the loading area and load
support paths.
5. Review all framing system internal forces that must be applied to the
Joist Girder as end moments and chord axial loads, paying particular
attention to sign convention and load direction. For steel frames
designed in accordance with the 2005 AISC Specification, these framing

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 system internal forces are determined from a second-order analysis and,
therefore, are not linear and cannot be algebraically summed from the
respective load category forces. The Joist Manufacturer’s Design
Engineer should expect these Joist Girder end moments and chord axial
loads to be specified per load combination.
6. Select an initial assumed Joist Girder effective depth. This may be
based on a preliminary chord material selection or simply a typical
percentage of nominal depth.
7. Divide all Joist Girder end moments by the girder effective depth to
calculate the couple force to be applied to the ends of the top and
bottom chord. These chord couple forces are included in the truss
analysis, and are subsequently adjusted along with the other chord
forces as the effective depth changes with iterative chord material
selections. When the final force analysis and stress check is performed,
the chord couple forces must be updated to match the final Joist Girder
effective depth.
8. Analyze the truss structure to obtain axial forces in each component,
under each load combination. This analysis may be performed using
any of several truss or frame analysis methods.
9. If all loading is via point loads at panel points, then chord bending
moments may be neglected, and the structure may be treated as an
idealized truss. However, if any loads are not at panel points, or if any
eccentric horizontal loads transfer through the seats into the top chord,
then chord bending must be accounted for in the chord with the eccentric
loading. The chord bending moments may be determined via a
continuous beam model of the chord with supports at each panel point,
or by direct solution from a plane frame analysis with chords modeled as
continuous members across panel points.
10. Select Top and Bottom Chord Materials:
a. Select initial materials for the joist top and bottom chords to support
the maximum calculated member tension and compression forces
from all load combinations. When making material selections be sure
to keep in mind any specified minimum material sizes, material
thicknesses or chord widths, as well as the SJI specified maximum
slenderness ratios. For both top and bottom chord out-of-plane
bracing, assume brace points at each joist location, for initial material
selection. Final number of bottom chord braces may be reduced and
locations determined after the final chord material selections are
made.
b. Subtract the top and bottom chord material elastic neutral axis
locations from the Joist Girder overall depth to determine the girder
effective depth.

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c. Ratio the calculated chord axial forces times the ratio of
Assumed_Effective_Depth / Effective_Depth, to determine the
adjusted chord forces. If large chord axial loads are specified, then
an optimum material selection may be arrived at in fewer iterations if
the chord axial force is kept separate and not adjusted with the chord
forces resulting from other applied loads as these are not a function
of effective depth.
d. Check chord material selections with the adjusted chord axial forces:
i. If chord bending moments are a required part of the analysis,
then check chord bending and interactions with axial forces.
ii. Check shear and axial stresses for chord nodes. If gusset
plates are needed to join the webs to the chord, then the area
of the gusset plate may be included as shear area in the chord
node shear check. However, gusset plates should not be
used as part of the chord tension area unless extended far
enough past the panel point to develop its portion of the chord
axial force.
iii. Check top chord horizontal leg bending at concentrated load
locations.
iv. Determine filler (spacer) requirements for each chord panel.
For all panels in which fillers are used, space fillers such that
the (l/r)z for each angle or component does not exceed (l/r)x for
the total section.
e. Calculate Joist Girder Moment of Inertia, Ixx. Compare Joist Girder Ixx
to specified target value.
f. Check Joist Girder maximum deflection under any load cases for
which a deflection limit is specified. The deflection analysis may be
calculated using equivalent beam analysis with the Joist Girder Ixx
value reduced by 15% (i.e. Ieff = Ixx/1.15) to account for web axial
deflection, or it may be derived directly from a truss or frame
analysis.
g. If any overstresses are found, or any stiffness deficiencies are found,
then select another trial top and bottom chord size, and repeat.
h. Locate Joist Girder bottom chord braces based on bottom chord
allowable unbraced lengths, under the calculated design
compressive forces, as well as the SJI specified maximum
slenderness criteria. Size bottom chord braces and brace
connections in accordance with Chapter 7 of this digest. It is
generally good practice to locate a Joist Girder bottom chord brace at
the joist nearest the column at each end of the girder, when
designing for end moments and/or bottom chord axial loads, so as to
reduce the out-of-plane unbraced length of the bottom chord for the
high compression area.

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 11. Select Web Materials:
a. Determine maximum tension and maximum compression values for
each web out of all load cases, including adjustments for SJI shear
and bracing rules:
i. Minimum shear (web vertical force component) of 25% of end
reaction.
ii. Minimum web compression of 25% of maximum web tension.
iii. All secondary (vertical) webs must have additional chord
bracing load added of 2% of the braced chord compressive
force.
b. Select an appropriate material size for each web to support the
maximum design tension and maximum design compression forces.
c. Determine batten (spacer) requirements for each double angle web.
For all compression webs in which battens are used, space battens
such that the (l/r)z for each angle or component does not exceed (l/r)x
for the total section.
d. Size web to chord welds. Compare weld requirements against
available area to weld. Make adjustments to the web material size or
the joint design as necessary.
e. Check joint eccentricities. Consider changing web configuration, web
material selections, or use of gusset plates in order to meet joint
eccentricity criteria, if required.
12. Perform final force analysis with selected materials, and check material
stresses, Joist Girder deflections, and Joist Girder Ixx value. Remember
to update the chord couple forces from the girder specified end moments
to match the Joist Girder effective depth with final chord material
selection. If the final force analysis reveals any deficiencies, then repeat
appropriate material selections.
13. If any specified criteria are found to be impossible or unfeasible to meet,
contact the Specifying Professional to coordinate necessary changes.
One example of such a condition would be if the chord material sizes
required to support the design loads exceeded the target maximum Joist
Girder Ixx value. This could necessitate a re-evaluation of the overall
frame analysis and subsequent calculated Joist Girder end moments.
14. Coordinate any special weld criteria or other special fabrication criteria
with the Joist Manufacturer’s Production Department, via the Joist Girder
shop order documents.

The following pages show the final material selections and analysis results of the
Joist Girder after all material selections have been completed. Although the SJI

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specifies standard criteria by which joists and Joist Girders are designed, the
various joist manufacturers use different design software and different structural
modeling approaches. The design approach and format shown in this
example may, or may not, be representative of calculation submittals by
any given SJI member company. Items to note about this specific example
include the following:
1. The structural model is based on a continuous top and bottom chord with
trussed web members, and is solved via stiffness matrix analysis. Girder
Chord Bending Moments are then neglected (zeroed out), as allowed by
SJI when all loads are applied as concentrated loads at girder panel
point locations. Resulting chord and primary web axial forces may be
slightly different than if an idealized truss model were used, assuming
frictionless hinges at each panel point node. Secondary (vertical) web
calculated force differences may be more substantial as compared to an
idealized truss model, and have been managed so as to yield
conservative results by accounting for chord bracing forces as potentially
acting in either tension or compression, and either additive to calculated
secondary web forces or independent of them.
2. Deflection checks are based on node displacements solved for directly in
the stiffness matrix analysis.
3. The structural model includes the specified 1/4 in. per foot slope of the
girder. Wind Loads are assumed acting perpendicular to the girder top
chord. Gravity loads are assumed acting vertically.
4. Joist Girder applied end moments are divided into a couple across the
vertical section through the end of the girder, and the resulting couple
forces are applied horizontally. Vertical supports on horizontal rollers
are modeled at the ends of the bottom chord and at the right top chord
end. The bottom chord roller supports serve to force the end moment
couples to act as a resultant force along the bottom chord member axis.
The top left support is modeled as pinned, for stability along the X-axis.
5. System externally applied base loads have been input as area loads
(psf), by Load Category, and distributed as point loads along the girder
top chord, at each joist location. Load categories are then summed by
load combination with appropriate multipliers. System internal forces,
specified by the Specifying Professional as girder end moments and
chord axial loads, are based on a nonlinear second-order analysis,
therefore may not be algebraically summed, and thus have been input
into individual Load Combinations as Factored Loads.
6. To account for two different magnitude applied wind loads for two
different wind directions, the base area wind load has been input as the
windward value of -27.25 psf. For load combinations that include the
leeward value of -17.3 psf, a wind load multiplier is included of -17.3 / -
27.25 = 0.635.

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NOTES

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