HSS Insider – Nov. 2022 – Bolted HSS Column Splices

November 2022 | Issue #14

Innovations in Bolted HSS Column Splices

Catch up on the latest technical articles, peer perspectives, webinars, resources and news about bolted HSS column splices.

HSS Articles

New Concepts for Bolted HSS Column Splices 
By Jeffrey A. Packer Bahen/Tanenbaum Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada

There are two innovative and exciting concepts for bolted HSS column splices. Learn how the Shuriken by Atlas Tube and the Cast Steel Insert by Bull Moose Tube both address the problem of holding nuts or equivalent in place on the inside of the HSS by novel methods.

Understanding the Sales and Engineering Sides of Bolted HSS Column Splices

We met with Brad Fletcher, senior sales engineer with Atlas Tube, to chat about his extensive experience in structural engineering and sales in the steel industry. He discusses code advancements and provides valuable HSS resources for engineers, and gives us a little behind the scenes into how the Shuriken device was created.

All About the New Cast Steel Insert From Bull Moose Tube

Mark Abernathy, manager of field operations at Bull Moose Tube, spoke to us about his company’s new cast steel insert, how it should be used and the advantages of using it with HSS.

Learning Opportunities

HSS & Sustainability: Removing the Myths
Free webinar

Engineers and architects face new decisions on how to lower the embodied carbon of the built environment. The type of material used in a project has an impact on these decisions, and there is a lot of misinformation out there about some materials. Join us November 30 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST as we explore how HSS can be a contributor to lowering embodied carbon for a project. Earn 1.0 PDH or 1.0 AIA LU and receive a certificate upon completion.

This live webinar has already been presented. You may access the recorded webinar for free and order the quiz by clicking the button below. Note, if you have already ordered the webinar or quiz you will need to log in to your account to access them.

Unique Considerations for HSS Design

Building expertise in HSS design broadens the options in your design toolkit. This webinar will highlight several of the unique aspects of HSS design, including yield-line application, fire rating, the Qf factor and HSS-specific connection checks. Join us December 7 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. CST to learn more. Earn 1.0 PDH or 1.0 AIA LU and receive a certificate upon completion.

This live webinar has already been presented. You may access the recorded webinar for free and order the quiz by clicking the button below. Note, if you have already ordered the webinar or quiz you will need to log in to your account to access them.

Related Resources

HSS Blind Structural Fasteners

Connections to HSS have been notoriously tricky to design and install. While welding can be costly and time intensive, blind structural fasteners offer an appealing alternative. Discover more about the design limit states necessary for their proper design and connection and learn more about currently available proprietary options.

Bolting to HSS

Check out this free recorded webinar called Bolting to HSS where you can learn bolting techniques, recommended details and design examples for bolted connections. We’ll also introduce you to innovative concepts using one-sided bolted connections.

Hidden Bolted HSS Splices

Learn about the techniques and tools, and understand the aesthetic benefits you can achieve when you use hidden bolted splice connections between HSS members.

In the News

Zekelman Industries Acquires EXLTUBE From SPS

Zekelman Industries announced it will acquire the assets of EXLTUBE, a manufacturer of HSS, from SPS Companies, Inc. The acquisition will add three co-located mills and 530,000+ square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space in the Kansas City region. (Zekelman Industries’ Atlas Tube, Wheatland Tube and Western Tube divisions are STI member producers.)

Despite Slow Billings Growth, Firm Backlogs Remain Robust

Growth has continued at most architecture firms for the 20th consecutive month despite September’s Architecture Billings Index seeing a decreased score of 51.7 for the month compared to the August 53.3 score. However, backlogs remained at 7.0 months, which is still near a record-high level.

AIA/Deltek Architecture Billings Index (ABI) requires a subscription to view historical ABI data. This link will take you to the AIA login.

AISI Releases GHG Emissions Guidelines for Steel

AISI released recommended steel industry greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions calculation guidelines to provide consistent and comprehensive data across the industry on GHG emissions from steel production, with a focus on product-level disclosures and corporate-level reporting.