by Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Tubular steel sections are commonly used as cantilevered structural members to support electricity distribution lines, cellular phone equipment, road and highway signs, lighting and luminaires, traffic signals, advertising boards, and in a host of similar monopole applications (Figure 1). The structural Read more…
Articles
Wide-Flange Beam to HSS Column Shear Connections and Applicable Limit States
Mustafa Mahamid, PhD, SE, PE, P.Eng, F.ASCE, F.SEI FORSE Consulting Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute Hollow Structural Sections (HSS) can be utilized as beam, column, brace and truss members within a structure. As with any steel member, the design of the connections is critical to the performance of the member and the entire Read more…
Effects of Slender Elements in HSS Compression Members
Mike Manor, PE, MLSE FORSE Consulting Technical Consultant to the Steel Tube Institute Introduction Hollow structural sections (HSS) are commonly used in buildings as columns to support compression forces from floor and roof loads. HSS members start as a hot-rolled steel plate which is then cold-formed into round, square or rectangular tube shapes with the Read more…
HSS Knee Connections
by Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada Single-story frames can be fabricated by welding round or square/rectangular HSS together, typically with a pitched roof, forming so-called Knee connections as illustrated in Figure 1. Such frames are used in light construction, such as with greenhouses, and as portal frames Read more…
Architecturally Exposed Hollow Structural Sections – Part Two – Connections, Finishes and Curved Members
Cathleen Jacinto, PE, SE FORSE Consulting, Technical Consultants to the Steel Tube Institute Last month’s article (AESS e-news) started a conversation on how to effectively use hollow structural sections (HSS) as architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS). This month we wanted to expand on a few topics we received questions on through our Contact Us page. Read more…
Architecturally Exposed Hollow Structural Sections
Cathleen Jacinto, PE, SE FORSE Consulting, Technical Consultants to the Steel Tube Institute Architecturally exposed structural steel (AESS) is steel used for its strength and load-resisting function in a structure and remains exposed to view. Since this steel can be highly visible, special requirements and treatment for this metalwork is needed to meet the intent Read more…
Stepped HSS T- and Cross-Connections under Branch In-Plane and Out-of-Plane Bending
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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…

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