Assessment of Connection Capacity in support of PBWD

Assessment of Connection Capacity in support of PBWD

The primary goal of this project is to increase the competitiveness of steel structures within a PBWD framework through assessment of the capacity and performance of typical steel connections in structures subjected to wind loads, designed according to Chapters J and K of the AISC 360-22 Specification. The project plan involves developing a suite of archetype steel structures in collaboration with industry professionals using the OpenSees finite element modeling environment. These archetypes will undergo nonlinear dynamic analyses driven by building-specific wind tunnel data to determine system, member, and connection demands under various wind conditions. This process will identify key failure mechanisms and enable the derivation of appropriate loading protocols for experimental testing of wind-excited systems and connections. A comprehensive suite of experimental tests, using the derived wind loading protocols on fabricated archetype systems without special detailing, will provide essential insights into whether typical connections designed based on AISC 360-22 offer sufficient capacity given the member nonlinearity allowed by PBWD. The final analysis will recommend suitable ductility measures for wind-excited structures, based on the concept of R-factors, and explore potential additional requirements for connections comprising the MWFRS when PBWD is utilized. The specific objectives of the project are as follows:

• Establish PBWD-Compatible Loading Protocols for Steel System Evaluation: Loading protocol will be developed based on detailed nonlinear analyses that capture the expected demands placed on systems, members, and connections of the MWFRS at load levels consistent with PBWD. These protocols can be used to verify the performance of current and new connections in steel structures designed using PBWD.
• Evaluate the Adequacy of Current AISC Connection requirements for PBWD: Assess whether connection designs satisfying Chapters J and K of the AISC Specification (AISC 360-22) provide adequate capacity for situations where member nonlinearity is expected as is allowed in the current PBWD provisions.
• Determine Appropriate Measures of Ductility for Wind-Loaded Structures: Establish suitable  ductility measures based on the concept of R-factors for steel structures without special connection detailing for use in PBWD, with a focus on concentrically braced and megabraced frames.
• Investigate the Need for Special Detailing in PBWD: Examine whether special connection detailing, similar to seismic requirements (AISC 341-22, AISC 358-22) is necessary for steel connections in PBWD by quantifying the ductility and capacity provided by typical detailing.

• Grant Details

  Project

  Assessment of Connection Capacity in support of PBWD

  Grantee

  University of Michigan

  Category

  Performance-Based Design

  Subcategory

  Wind

  Grant #

  06-25

  Award Amount

  $300,000

  Grant Period

  15 September 2025 - 31 August 2027

  Grant Status

  Active

  Principal Investigators

  Dr. Seymour M.J. Spence

  Industry Champions

  Russell Larsen, MKA

  CPF Allies

  American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC), MKA Foundation, Martin & Martin, HKA, Severud, CPP Wind, LERA Consulting

• Resources / Downloads

  In Development