Prequalified connections
Prequalified connections can be used in CYPE Connect and StruBIM Steel. To do this, within the "Operations" group of the "Model" tab in the editing window of each connection, the "Prequalified connections" operation is used, which allows a menu to be displayed with the different types available.
Definition and application
A prequalified connection is a structural connection whose geometry, construction detail and behaviour have been previously verified by testing and analysis, and which complies with the criteria set out in specific standards, especially in the field of earthquake-resistant construction.
Prequalified connections are applied and required in structures where the seismic-resisting system consists of moment frames (without bracing), particularly in the case of special frames (SMF) or intermediate frames (IMF), as defined in AISC 341.
Related regulations
In the program, the "Prequalified connections" operation only appears in projects that have one of the following steel codes selected:
- United States: AISC 360-22 (LRFD)
- Colombia: NSR-10
- Mexico: NTC-2023
Prequalified connection types available
The types of prequalified connections implemented are as follows:
- RBS (Reduced Beam Section)
- BEEP (Bolted Extended End Plate)
Includes types 4E (four-bolt unstiffened), 4ES (four-bolt stiffened) and 8ES (eight-bolt stiffened). - BFP (Bolted Flange Plate)
- WUF-W (Welded Unreinforced Flange-Welded Web)
The program can be used to define in detail the components of each prequalified connection in the operation's editing panel.
Checks on prequalified connections
In addition to the other checks carried out on the connection, the program carries out the specific checks defined in the AISC 341 and AISC 358 standards for prequalified connections.
These checks can be displayed on screen by selecting the "Prequalified connections" option, available in the corresponding drop-down in the "Analysis" tab of the connection editing window.
| Note: |
|---|
| Other operations can be defined at the same node where a prequalified connection has been inserted. This way, a different type of seismic-resisting system could be defined in each direction of the structure. In the direction where no pre-qualified connections are applied, the program will perform the usual checks after the finite element design. However, the prequalified connection check will not consider the effects of additional operations, displaying a warning in this case. |
Prequalified connection check reports
The documents provided by the program include summarised and detailed reports of the checks carried out on the defined prequalified connections.
To obtain this, the corresponding sections of the report must be activated.
