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Hidden Bolted HSS Splices

by Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Standard, bolted, splice connections between HSS members are commonly achieved using: (i) a flange plate welded to the end of the member, with the bolts located beyond and around the perimeter of the HSS; or (ii) a plate welded into a Read more…

Round HSS Availability

by Kimberley Olson, PE Structural Engineer, FORSE Consulting Technical Consultant, Steel Tube Institute It has been a busy fall! I’ve been fortunate to be able to speak with many of you in person. Thanks for stopping by our booths and/or presentations. We love to hear your feedback and any issues you may be having. There Read more…

Modeling HSS Trusses

By Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada In AISC 360-16 Specification Tables K3.1 and K3.2, HSS K-connection available strength limit state formulas pertain only to the case of branches subject to axial loading. The Commentary to Section K3 explains that this is a result of the recommended truss Read more…

Considerations for Use of HSS in Seismic Frame Systems

By Jason McCormick Associate Professor, Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA Hollow structural sections (HSS) have many favorable properties such as good compression, bending, and torsional resistance; a high strength-to-weight ratio; and smooth lines that work well for architecturally exposed steel. As a result, HSS have been employed in a Read more…

HSS Limit State: Plastification

By Mike Manor, PE, MLSE FORSE Consulting Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute Intro: At first glance, some of the limit states required for the design of HSS connections can be a bit confusing if you are unfamiliar with HSS connection design. Some confusion stems from the terminology, which isn’t always defined specifically within Read more…

Multi-planar Welded Connections

By Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada AISC 360-16 Specification Section K1 starts by noting its scope: “For the purposes of this chapter, the centerlines of branch members shall lie in a common plane” (AISC, 2016). In practice, however, a great number of hollow section structures have not Read more…

AISC 360-16, Chapter K

By Kim Olson, PE Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute As you are probably aware, there have been many changes to Chapter K of AISC 360-16. In 2010, the chapter was titled “Design of HSS and Box Member Connections,” and it contained the majority of the information necessary to design connections with HSS. In Read more…

HSS Bending of Hollow Structural Sections

By Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada 1. Introduction Curved steel hollow sections are widely used in the construction industry. The possible curvature of these members, however, is limited by the magnitude of distortion of the cross‐section during the bending process. This is particularly a concern for cold Read more…

HSS Damage Due to Water Infiltration and Freezing

By Kim Olson, PE FORSE Consulting, Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute Much of the United States has experienced freezing temperatures this winter–even areas where that isn’t the norm. With that, the Steel Tube Institute (STI) has received a few calls pertaining to water-filled HSS sections that have frozen and been damaged from the Read more…

HSS Column Splices

By Mike Manor Forse Consulting Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) columns are prevalent in many types of construction, especially in common cases such as low-rise retail buildings. In reality, HSS columns can be a great option for taller buildings as well with its aesthetically pleasing shape, simple framing connections Read more…