Updates to HSS Connections (Chapter K) according to AISC 15th Edition…

The most recent release of AISC 360-16 (15th Edition) includes changes to connection design for rectangular HSS shapes with applied concentrated forces. These changes are now included in RISAConnection v10.

Prior to the release of the AISC 360-16 (15th Edition) the design of rectangular HSS shapes with concentrated forces was governed by Specification Section K2.3 as well as Table K1.2. Table K1.2 outlines various limit states that were specifically required for these types of connections.

In RISAConnection, these checks are included for the following connections that are designed with AISC 360-10 and AISC 360-05:

• One-Sided Clip Angle Shear Connection

• End Plate Shear Connection

• Shear Tab Shear Connection

• Shear Tab Through Plate Shear Connection

• HSS T Connection

• Vertical Diagonal Brace Clip Angle Connection

• Vertical Diagonal Brace Direct Welds Connection

• Chevron Clip Angle Connection

• Chevron Direct Weld Connection

• Knee Brace Clip Angle Connection

• Knee Brace Direct Weld Connection

In AISC 360-16 (15th Edition), Specification Section K2.3 now states the following, “the available strength of connections to rectangular HSS with concentrated loads shall be determined based on the applicable limits states from Chapter J.” Additionally, RISAConnection utilizes various limit states found in Chapter 9 (Design of Connecting Elements) and Chapter 10 (Design of Simple Shear Connections) including HSS Column Transverse Plastification (Eq. 9-30), HSS Column Flexural Plastification (Eq. 9-34) and HSS Punching Shear (Eq. 10-7).