SDS2 7.2-Connection Guide

Software Version 7.
A Survey of SDS/2
Connections ... pg 1
work point
to angles
work point
to 1st hole
clip
angle
length
e
ang e
e fl
c
wid al bra
tic
ver
columns web
row
spacing
Revise & Review

Fields ... pg 43
rows
of bolts
horizontal
to 1st
hole web
Member Coordinates
Y (+)
X (+)
Z (-)
O
0,0,0
Z (+)
near
side
Parametric Point
Maps ... pg 100
Y (-)
SDS/2 Steel Detailing System Version 7.2 is a product of Design Data Corporation.
Design Data grants permission to licensed users of SDS/2 to make reproductions of this
manual for educational purposes. Otherwise no part of this manual may be reproduced
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2010 Design Data Corporation. All Rights Reserved.
Revision: 4/16/10
SDS/2 Connection Guide
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
A Survey of SDS/2 Connections
Connections Applied on Beams: Bent Plates
Bent plates welded to the supported ................................................................................... 2
Bent plates bolted to the supported..................................................................................... 2
Bent plates shop bolted to the supporting ........................................................................... 3
Bent plates welded to the supporting .................................................................................. 3
Bent plate on one side of beam web ................................................................................... 3
Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Clip angles for beam-to-beam offset framing ..................................................................... 4
Clip angles on a sloping beam to a beam flange ................................................................ 5
Clip angles on a sloping beam to a column ........................................................................ 5
Clip angles bolted to both members ................................................................................... 5
Bolted clip angles with staggered bolts .............................................................................. 6
Clip angles with beam web doublers .................................................................................. 6
Heavy gage clip angles as beam splices ............................................................................. 6
Clip angle on one side of beam web ................................................................................... 7
Clip angles welded to the supporting member ................................................................... 7
Clip angles bolted (or welded) to the supported beam ....................................................... 7
Safety clip angles ................................................................................................................ 8
Bottom flange cut for safety clip angle ............................................................................... 8
Clip angle with expanded vertical bolt spacing .................................................................. 8
Clip angle with extended welded tee .................................................................................. 9
Clip angle with full depth welded tee ................................................................................. 9
Clip angle extended past flange .......................................................................................... 9
Clip angle extended past flange of sloping beam ............................................................. 10
Clip angle with safety erection seat .................................................................................. 10
Clip angle moment connection ......................................................................................... 10
Connections Applied on Beams: End Plates

Non-moment end plate ..................................................................................................... 11
Moment end plate ............................................................................................................. 11
Safety end plate ................................................................................................................. 12
Non-moment end plate extended to flanges ..................................................................... 12
Non-moment end plate with expanded bolt spacing ........................................................ 12
End plate extended to brace gusset ................................................................................... 13
End plate with safety erection seat ................................................................................... 13
End plate beam splice (moment splice shown) ................................................................ 13
i
Table of Contents
Connections Applied on Beams: Shear

Shear plate extended to brace gusset ................................................................................ 14
Bolted shear tee connection .............................................................................................. 14
Welded shear tee connection ............................................................................................ 15
Shear plate thru connection .............................................................................................. 15
Shear plate thru connection (shared) ................................................................................ 15
Extended shear plate to column web ................................................................................ 15
Single-plate shear connection to column .......................................................................... 16
Shear plate with two columns of bolts.............................................................................. 16
Skewed shear plate connection ......................................................................................... 16
Shear plate with stiffener opposite ................................................................................... 16
Coped shear plate connection ........................................................................................... 17
Bottom flange cut for shear plate...................................................................................... 17
Shear plates on a tube beam ............................................................................................. 17
Shear plate moment connection ........................................................................................ 17
Connections Applied on Beams: Seats

Plate beam seat ................................................................................................................. 18
Sloping plate beam seat .................................................................................................... 18
Bolted angle beam seat ..................................................................................................... 19
Welded angle beam seats (unstiffened & stiffened) ......................................................... 19
Tee beam seat .................................................................................................................... 19
Beam seat with restraining angle ...................................................................................... 19
Connections Applied on Beams: Splices

Non-moment beam splice plates....................................................................................... 20
Moment beam splice plates .............................................................................................. 20
Splice plates for beams at different slopes ....................................................................... 20
Clip angles as beam splices .............................................................................................. 21
Non-moment end plate beam splice ................................................................................. 21
Moment end plate beam splice (AISC type shown) ......................................................... 21
Applied on Beams: Moment Connections

Clip angle moment connection with flange angles ........................................................... 22
Clip angle moment connection with flange plates ............................................................ 22
Bolted moment shear plate to a column flange ................................................................ 23
Bolted moment to a column web ...................................................................................... 23
Bolted moment connection to a tube (or pipe) column ................................................... 23
Welded moment connection to a column web .................................................................. 24
Welded moment connection to a column flange............................................................... 24
Sloping bolted moment connection .................................................................................. 24
Sloping welded moment to a tube column or W column flange ...................................... 25
Sloping welded moment connection to a column web ..................................................... 25
Beam-to-beam moment connection .................................................................................. 25
Beam to column moment end plates (AISC & MBMA type) .......................................... 26
Moment end plate beam splice (AISC type shown) ......................................................... 26
ii
Table of Contents
Connections Applied on Columns

Auto base plate and cap plate ........................................................................................... 27
Transverse beam stiffeners designed with a base/cap plate .............................................. 27
Extended auto cap plate welded to vertical brace gusset .................................................. 28
Splice for columns with same section sizes ..................................................................... 28
Splice for columns of different sizes ................................................................................ 28
Field welded column splices for tube columns ................................................................ 28
Field welded splice with bolted channel web connection (2 examples) ........................... 29
Auto cap plate supporting a joist ...................................................................................... 29
Column with user base plate ............................................................................................. 29
Connections Applied on Horizontal Braces

Wide flange horizontal brace ............................................................................................ 30
Horizontal brace with gusset clips to beam web .............................................................. 30
Horizontal brace with gusset shop welded to beam web .................................................. 31
Horizontal brace to beam flange ....................................................................................... 31
Double angle horizontal brace on both sides of gusset .................................................... 31
Double angle horizontal brace on far side of gusset ......................................................... 32
Angle horizontal brace to beam flanges ........................................................................... 32
Tee horizontal brace to webs of beams ............................................................................. 32
Tube horizontal brace to webs of beams .......................................................................... 33
Horizontal brace to beam-column-beam .......................................................................... 33
Horizontal brace intersection plate ................................................................................... 33
Horizontal brace perpendicular to beam ........................................................................... 34
Horizontal braces with a shared gusset............................................................................. 34
Three horizontal braces with shared gusset ...................................................................... 34
Connections Applied on Vertical Braces

Double angle vertical brace to column ............................................................................. 35
Single angle vertical brace to beam .................................................................................. 35
Tube (or pipe) vertical brace welded to gusset ................................................................. 36
Tube (or pipe) vertical brace bolted to gusset................................................................... 36
Tube (or pipe) vertical brace with paddle plate ................................................................ 36
W vertical brace with paddle plates .................................................................................. 36
Vertical brace to beam & column ..................................................................................... 37
End plate extended to vertical brace gusset ...................................................................... 37
Double angle vertical brace to beam & column ............................................................... 37
Vertical braces with a shared gusset ................................................................................. 38
Vertical brace intersection plate ........................................................................................ 38
Vertical brace to column & base plate .............................................................................. 38
Web vertical wide flange brace to column........................................................................ 38
Web horizontal wide flange brace to column ................................................................... 39
Web horizontal wide flange brace with claw angles......................................................... 39
Vertical brace to column & extended auto cap plate ........................................................ 39
Three vertical braces with a shared gusset ....................................................................... 39
iii
Table of Contents
Connections Applied on Joists

Field bolts for a joist top chord to a beam flange ............................................................. 40
Plate seat for the top chord of a joist ................................................................................ 40
Plate seat for the top chord of a sloping joist .................................................................. 41
Angle seat for the top chord of a joist .............................................................................. 41
Stiffened angle seat for a joist top chord .......................................................................... 41
W tee seat for a joist top chord ......................................................................................... 42
Angle seat for a joist's bottom chord extension ................................................................ 42
Stabilizer plate for a joist's bottom chord extension ......................................................... 42
Revise & Review Fields for

User/User Defined Connections
Buttons on the Column Edit Window
Base/Cap Plate (no framing situation) .............................................................................. 44
Base/Cap Plate (column frames to beam) ......................................................................... 45
Beam Stiffeners Above or Below a Column .................................................................... 46
Column Splice Plates ........................................................................................................ 47
Buttons on the Beam Edit Window

Beam Splice Plates ........................................................................................................... 48
Beam Splice Moment Flange Plates ................................................................................. 49
Beam Seat (angle) ............................................................................................................. 50
Beam Seat (plate) .............................................................................................................. 51
Beam Seat (W tee) ............................................................................................................ 52
Beam Seat Stability Angle Bolted to Flange .................................................................... 53
Bent Plate Connection ...................................................................................................... 54
Beam Web Doublers ......................................................................................................... 55
Bolted Flange Angle for Moment Connection ................................................................. 56
Bolted Flange Plate for Moment Connection ................................................................... 57
Clip Angles (NS shown) ................................................................................................... 58
Column Web Doublers ..................................................................................................... 59
Column Flange Stiffeners ................................................................................................. 60
End Plate (moment) .......................................................................................................... 61
End Plate (non-moment) ................................................................................................... 62
End Plate Stiffeners .......................................................................................................... 63
Shear Tab (plate) ............................................................................................................... 64
Shear Tab (W tee) ............................................................................................................. 65
Shear Thru Plate ............................................................................................................... 66
Stability Plate for Extend Past Column Flange Shear Plate ............................................. 67
iv
Table of Contents
Buttons on the Horizontal Brace Edit Window

Horizontal Brace Shared Gusset ....................................................................................... 68
Horizontal Brace Intersection Plate .................................................................................. 69
Horizontal Brace to Beam Flange ..................................................................................... 70
Horizontal Brace to Beam Web ........................................................................................ 71
Horizontal Brace Perpendicular to Beam ......................................................................... 72
Horizontal Brace to Beam Corner: Flange Connections .................................................. 73
Horizontal Brace to Beam Corner: Clip Connections ...................................................... 74
Horizontal Brace to Beam-Column-Beam........................................................................ 75
Horizontal Brace to Bm-Col-Bm: Flange Connections .................................................... 76
Horizontal Brace to Bm-Col-Bm: Web Connections ....................................................... 77
Buttons on the Vertical Brace Edit Window

Vertical Brace to Beam ..................................................................................................... 78
Vertical Brace to Column ................................................................................................. 79
Vertical Brace Intersection Plate ....................................................................................... 80
Vertical Brace to Column & Beam ................................................................................... 81
Vertical Brace Gusset Clips .............................................................................................. 82
Vertical Brace Shared Gusset Plate................................................................................... 83
Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate ............................................................................ 84
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Gusset ................................................................................... 85
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Web Connection ................................................................... 86
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Flange Angles ....................................................................... 87
W Vertical Brace to Column: Gusset ................................................................................ 88
W Vertical Brace to Column: Web Connection ................................................................ 89
W Vertical Brace to Column: Flange Angles ................................................................... 90
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Gusset ................................................................. 91
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Gusset Clip ......................................................... 92
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Web Connection ................................................. 93
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Flange Angles ..................................................... 94
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset ....................................................................................... 95
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset: Web Connection .......................................................... 96
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset: Flange Angles ............................................................. 97
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate: Gusset .......................................................... 98
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate: Web Connection .......................................... 99
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate: Flange Angles ............................................ 100
Parametric Point Maps

Introduction .................................................................................................................... 101
Left end views of a wide flange beam ............................................................................ 102
Right end views of a wide flange beam .......................................................................... 103
Top end (right end) views of a wide flange column ....................................................... 104
Left end views of a channel beam, toe in ....................................................................... 105
Left end views of a channel beam, toe out ..................................................................... 106
v

This is a survey of some of the many connections that SDS/2 can design.
The pictures were selected to give you a feeling for the range of connections
that are available to you when you use SDS/2. All of the information in this
survey can also be found in the SDS/2 context-sensitive help manual
that comes with the program.
Connections Applied on Beams: Bend Plates

---- SDS/2 is able to design bent plates on the end of a wide flange or S shape or
welded plate wide flange or channel beams under beam-to-beam or beam-tocolumn framing conditions.
---- The supported beam can be skewed or sloped or framed perpendicular to a wide
flange or S shape or welded plate wide flange or tube column, but not a pipe
column.
---- Bent plates may optionally be detailed with (shop attached to) the supporting or
supported member.
---- If framing to a tube column, the bent plate must be shop welded to the column.
---- Bent plates are often applied in skewed framing situations. SDS/2 can design
bent plates from 56 to 90 degrees for two-sided connections and from 18 to 90
degrees for one-sided connections.
Bent plates welded to the supported

This example shows skewed beam-to-beam framing from
beneath the top flanges of the beams. Web doublers are
designed on the supported beam to prevent web buckling.
*
**
* or 'Auto standard'
** or 'Narrow' gage
Bent plates bolted to the supported

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
A channel beam frames skewed to the web of another

channel beam of the same size. The
supported beam is coped so that it fits.
2
Bent plates shop bolted to the supporting

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
The bent plates shop bolt to the column. The beam (not shown) is field
bolted to the bent plates at the construction site.
Bent plates welded to the supporting

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
The bent plates shop weld to the column. The

beam (not shown) field bolts to the bent plates at
the construction site.
Bent plate on one side of beam web

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
A bent plate can be designed on the near side or far side

(or both sides) of the supported beam's web.
3
Connection Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

---- SDS/2 can design clip angles on the end of a W or S or welded plate W or C or
tube beam in beam-to-beam or beam-to-column framing situations.
---- The supported beam can be sloped or perpendicular to a wide flange or S shape or
tube or welded wide flange or welded plate box column, but not to a pipe column.
---- If an SDS/2 user specifies a clip angle that welds/bolts to a pipe column or bolts to
a tube or welded plate box column, SDS/2 will change the clip angle to a singleplate shear connection.
---- If the beam frames to a tube or welded plate box column, the clip angle must be
shop welded to the supporting column.
---- Clip angle connections are applied on the end of the supported beam. They may
optionally be detailed on (shop attached to) the supporting member (column or
beam).
---- Moment options can be applied to a W or S beam with a clip angle connection that
frames to a W or S or welded plate W column web or flange or to a tube column.
---- During Process and Create Solids, connection design looks to relevant setup
options, the framing situation and clip angle connection settings to design an initial
minimum setup connection. To then design a connection that stands up to the
"Shear load" on the supported beam, connection design may increase bolt
diameters, weld size, number of rows of bolts, or create web doublers.
Clip angles for beam-to-beam

offset framing
*
**
***
* or 'Auto Standard'
** or 'Narrow' gage
*** or 'Supporting'
For offset beams framing to opposite sides of a supporting beam web, SDS/2 automatically
selects an angle that will carry the standard gage from the "Angles" list in Standard
Fabricator Connections. If no angle is found, the connection may be changed to a shear
plate connection.
Clip angles on a sloping beam to a beam flange

*
**
***
** or 'Narrow' gage
*** or 'Supporting'
SDS/2 can design clip angles on the end of a beam that slopes perpendicular (not skewed) to a
beam flange. This can be done for wide flange, S shape, welded plate W or channel beams.
Clip angles on a sloping beam to a column

*
**
* or 'Auto Standard' ** or 'Narrow' gage
SDS/2 can design clip angles on the end of a beam that

slopes to a supporting column flange (as shown) or to
a column web.
Clip angles bolted to both members

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
Bolted clip angles with staggered bolts

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
Clip angles with beam web doublers

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
Depending on the shear load on the beam, SDS/2 designs a

single web doubler that is 3/16 inch thick on one side of the
supported beam's web, or two web doublers (one on each side
of the web). If web doublers are not needed to prevent web
buckling, then no web doublers are designed. For welded-tosupported clip angles, SDS/2 welds the web doublers.
Heavy gage clip angles as beam splices

*
Heavy gage clip angles have two columns of bolts. You can also
get beam splices using 'Narrow' or 'Wide' gage clip angles on
wide flange, welded plate wide flange, S shape or channel or
tube beams.
6
Clip angle on one side of beam web
*
**
***
** or 'Narrow' gage
*** or 'Welded'
Clip angles welded to the supporting member
*
**
beam in
stick form
Since these clip angles are shop welded, they are detailed with the column. Bolts to the
beam are not shown since they are field bolts and the beam is in stick form.
Clip angles bolted (or welded) to the supported beam

*
**
***
** or 'Narrow' gage
*** or 'Welded'
column in
stick form
This pair of clip angles appears on the beam detail (rather

than the column detail) because they are shop attached to
the beam.
7
column in
stick form
Safety clip angles

*
**
Safety clip angles can be designed when two

beams with clip angles frame on opposite sides of
a supporting beam or column web.
Bottom flange cut for safety clip angle

*
**
For SDS/2 to design this connection, the box must be

checked for "Extend connection and cut flange flush" in
Clip Angle Setup.
Clip angle with expanded vertical bolt spacing
If "Tension" or "Compression" is applied to a supported

beam and 'Yes' is selected for "Expand bolt
spacing," SDS/2 expands the spacing either 1.5 or 2 times
the "Normal hole spacing" in Fabricator Options.
8
Clip angle with extended welded tee
SDS/2 can design the built-up tee to be the length of the clip
angle only if the top & bottom flanges of the supported beam
are entirely below or entirely above (as shown) the half-depth
of the supporting beam.
Clip angle with full depth welded tee
This applies to a wide flange or welded plate W or S shape

or channel beam to a W or S or welded plate beam. SDS/2
designs the built-up tee to be the full depth of the supporting
beam if the depth of the supported beam is greater than 1/2
the depth of the supporting beam.
Clip angle extended past flange

extended clip angle
*
flange cut
flush to web
SDS/2 extends the clip angle past the flange when the
"Shear load" is sufficiently large only when
'If required' is selected for "Extend past flange."
weld
extension
plate
Clip angle extended past flange of sloping beam
If 'If required' had not been selected for "Extend past

flange" in this situation, SDS/2 would have failed this
connection, resulting in a 'Plain end' on the beam.
Clip angle with safety erection seat
Safety erection seats may be applied to wide flange beams with

'Non-moment' clip angle connections. You have the option to have the seat
designed on the top or bottom flange of the beam.
Clip angle moment connection
"Moment Specifications" can be added to clip angles

on beams framing to a column flange or web. See
page 22 for more on moment connections.
10

---- You can apply non-moment end plates on the end of a W or S or welded plate W or C
or tube beam under beam-to-beam or beam-to-column or beam splice framing
conditions. A non-moment end plate can frame to a wide flange or S shape or welded
plate wide flange or tube column or beam, but not to a pipe member.
---- AISC type moment end plates can only be applied on W or S beams. For SDS/2 to
design an end plate beam splice (non moment), the beams must be colinear W or S
sections with top flanges that are no more than one inch apart in end elevation.
---- For moment end plate splices, the beams must be colinear W or S sections of the same
size whose top flanges are at the same elevation. End plates are detailed with (shop
welded to) the beam they are applied on.
---- Non-moment end plates may be applied under skewed framing conditions. 45 degrees
is the general limit, but the actual limit depends on the beam size and framing
situation.
---- Moment options only apply to non-skewed or non-sloping end plate connections.
---- During Process and Create Solids, SDS/2 checks the "Flats" list of available bar stock
material. If appropriate flat bar material is found, SDS/2 uses the flat bar and takes into
account the rolled edge when setting the horizontal edge distance. If no appropriate flat
bar material is found, SDS/2 uses plate material.
Non-moment end plate

*
**
** or 'Narrow' gage
Non-moment end plates may be applied on a

beam framing perpendicular, sloped or skewed
to a beam or column.
Moment end plate
See page 26 for more information on end plate moment

connections and other types of moment connections.
11
Safety end plate
*
* or 'Narrow' gage
column in
stick form
Safety end plates can be designed when two beams

with non-moment end plates frame to opposite sides
of a supporting column web.
Non-moment end plate extended to flanges
* or 'Narrow' gage
This type of end plate may be designed in the same

framing situations as other non-moment end plates.
Non-moment end plate with

expanded bolt spacing
* or 'Narrow' gage
If "Tension" or "Compression" is applied to the supported beam

and 'Yes' is selected for "Expand bolt spacing," SDS/2
expands the spacing either 1.5 or 2 times the "Normal hole
spacing" in Connection Detailing and Fabrication Options.
12
End plate extended to brace gusset
* or 'Narrow' gage
This type of connection can be designed when a

vertical brace frames to a beam and column. The
"Input connection type" entered on the Vertical
Brace Edit window is 'Vbrc plate.'
End plate with safety erection seat
*
* or 'Narrow' gage
** 'Top' is the other option
**
Safety erection seats may be applied to wide flange or S shape

or welded plate wide flange beams with 'Non-moment' end plate
connections framing perpendicular to the supporting member.
End plate beam splice (moment splice shown)
The beams must be colinear W or S sections. For

moment splices (like that shown), the sections
must be the same size and the top flanges at the
same elevation.
13
Connections Applied on Beams: Shear Connections
Connections Applied on Beams: Shear

---- Shear connections may be applied on the end of a W or welded plate W or C or tube
beam under beam-to-beam or beam-to-column framing situations. They are detailed on
(welded in the shop to) the supporting column or beam.
---- Shear thru connections may frame to tube or pipe columns.
---- Single-plate shear connections may frame to wide flange, tube, pipe, welded wide
flange or welded plate box columns.
---- Shear tee connections may frame to wide flange or tube columns, but must be shop
welded if framing to a tube column.
---- Shear connections may be used in skewed framing situations. SDS/2 can generate a
shear plate from 20 to 90 degrees. Moment flange plates can be applied to beams with
skewed or perpendicular shear plates and slopes up to 30 degrees from horizontal.
---- During Process and Create Solids, connection design looks to relevant setup options
and shear connection specifications to design an initial setup connection. To then
design a connection that stands up to the "Shear load" on the supported beam,
connection design first increases rows of bolts, then bolt diameter and last plate
thickness.
Shear plate extended to brace gusset
This type of connection can be designed when a vertical

brace frames to a beam and column.
Bolted shear tee connection

*
This view is from below the beam's top flange. A suitable tee
must be in the 'Tees' list in Standard Fabricator Connections,
or a shear plate connection will be designed instead.
14
Welded shear tee connection

*
This view is from below the beam's top flange. A suitable tee must be in the 'Tees' list in
Standard Fabricator Connections, or a shear plate connection will be designed instead.
Shear plate thru connection

*
This view is from below the beam's top flange. SDS/2 can design thru plates on
wide flange or channel beams through pipe or tube columns.
Shear plate thru connection (shared)

*
*
*
* same for all three beams
This view is from below the top flanges of the beams. Two
of these beams share a single thru plate.
Extended shear plate to column web

*
For an extended shear plate to a wide flange column web, SDS/2

designs stability plates that weld to the column and the shear plate.
15
Single-plate shear connection to column

*
Single-plate shear connections (shear tabs) can be applied to

wide flange, channel (shown) or tube beams.
Shear plate with two columns of bolts
SDS/2 can design this on single-plate shear connections to columns (shown) or to beams.
Skewed shear plate connection

*
SDS/2 can design single plate shear connections in

skewed framing situations from 20 to 90 degrees.
Shear plate with stiffener opposite

*
SDS/2 can design a stiffener opposite for wide flange beam-to-beam framing conditions.
16
Coped shear plate connection

*
The option "Cope on connections that extend past flange"

must be checked in Shear Plate Setup for a connection like
this one to be designed.
Bottom flange cut for shear plate

*
The option "Extend connection and cut flange flush"

must be checked in Shear Plate Setup for a connection
like this one to be designed.
Shear plates on a tube beam

*
SDS/2 can design shear plates on both sides of a

tube beam to a tube beam or perpendicular to a
tube column (as shown) or to a W column.
Shear plate moment connection

See page 22 for
more on moment
connections.
17

---- Beam seats are applied in SDS/2 on the ends of beams, but are detailed on (shop
welded or bolted to) columns. A bolted stability angle may be designed with the beam
seat and optionally detailed on the beam or on the column. Welded stability angles are
not designed and do not appear on details, but are assumed to be shipped loose.
---- SDS/2 can automatically design a seat for a W or S or welded plate W or C or tube
beam framing to the flange or web of a W or S or welded plate W or tube column, but
not to a pipe column. WT, L or plate may be used as the seat material. Sloping plate
seats can be designed for beams that slope up to 30 degrees from horizontal.
---- During Process and Create Solids, SDS/2 looks to relevant Job/Fabricator Options,
beam seat input settings (on the Beam Edit window or in Auto Standard Connections)
and the "Shear load" on the supported beam to design the beam seat.
Plate beam seat

*
SDS/2 can automatically design a seat for a W or C or tube

(HSS rectangular) beam framing perpendicular to a wide flange
or tube column.
Sloping plate beam seat

*
SDS/2 can design plate seats on beams that

slope up to 30 degrees from horizontal.
Bolted angle beam seat
SDS/2 can bolt an angle seat (stiffened or

unstiffened) to the supporting member.
18
Welded angle beam seat

*
An appropriate angle must be in the "Angles" list in Standard

Fabricator Connections. If SDS/2 cannot find an appropriate
angle in the setup list, the program designs a seat made of
plate material instead of failing the connection.
Stiffened angle beam seat

*
An appropriate angle must be in the "Angles" list in Standard Fabricator

Connections for SDS/2 to design this connection.
Tee beam seat

*
Tee sections must be in the "Tees" list in Standard Fabricator

Connections. If SDS/2 cannot find an appropriate tee in the setup
list, the program designs a seat made of plate material instead of
failing the connection.
Beam seat with restraining angle
Stability angles can be shop bolted to the web

(shown) or flange (not shown).
19

---- Some splice connections (for example, splice plates) cannot be applied as auto
standard. This is because auto standard connections provide no way to determine
which member is the supported member, and therefore there is no simple way to define
for SDS/2 on which beam to shop attach the splice plates.
---- SDS/2 can design non-moment splice plates on wide flange, S shape, welded plate
wide flange or channel beams. Both beams must have the same "Web rotation." The
beams can slope at different angles, but cannot be skewed with respect to one another.
---- For moment splices, both beams must use W or S "Section sizes" with depths that are
less than 1 1/4 inches in difference, and the work lines of the beams must be colinear.
Non-moment beam splice plates
*
* or 'Other member'
The beams must be W or S or welded plate W or C

sections with the same "Web rotation." SDS/2 designs
splice plates on both sides of the beam web.
Moment beam splice plates
* or 'Other member'
The beams must be colinear and use W or S "Section sizes"

with depths that are less than 1 1/4 inches in difference.
Splice plates for beams at different slopes
* or 'Other member'
If there is a slight difference between the slopes of the two beams,

you have a setup option (in Member Detailing/Fabrication
Options) to "Square cut" the beams.
20
Clip angles as beam splices

*
This example shows heavy gage clip angles (which have two
columns of bolts). You can also get beam splices using
'Narrow' or 'Wide' gage clip angles on wide flange or channel
beams. The clip angles must field bolt to one another.
Non-moment end plate beam splice
*
* or 'Narrow' gage
The beams must be colinear W or S sections

with top flanges no more than one inch
difference in end elevation.
Moment end plate beam splice (AISC type shown)
The beams must be colinear W or S sections. For moment

splices (like that shown), the sections must be the same size
and the top flanges at the same elevation. 'MBMA' type moment
end plates can also be designed.
21

---- Moment connections can be applied on wide flange or S shape beams framing to other
W or S beams or to wide flange, welded plate wide flange, tube or pipe columns.
MBMA end plate connections can also be applied to welded plate wide flange beams.
---- To set up moment connections: In Job Options, see Moment Plate Design Criteria and
Moment Connection Flange Plate Gaps, Weld Design Criteria and Seismic Weld
Access Holes Configurations.
---- Moment connections can be designed when the "Input connection type" is 'Clip angle'
or 'Shear' or 'End plate' or 'Splice plate.'
Clip angle moment connection with flange angles
This connection requires the framing situation of a W or S beam perpendicular to a W or S or

welded plate W column flange or to a tube column. A suitable angle must be in the "Angles" list
in Standard Fabricator Connections. If a suitable angle is not found, SDS/2 will design a
moment connection with flange plates instead of failing the connection.
Clip angle moment connection with flange plates
Connections similar to this can be designed when a W or S beam frames

perpendicular or sloping to a W or S or welded plate W column flange or to a tube column.
You can change the "Input connection type" to 'Shear' and still get a moment connection.
22
Bolted moment shear plate to a column flange
Connections similar to this can be designed when a W or S

beam frames to a W or S or welded plate W column flange,
and when 'Clip angle' is the "Input connection type."
Bolted moment to a column web
This connection can be designed on a W or S beam framing to a

column web. The flange plates weld to both the web and
flanges of the column.
Bolted moment connection to tube column
Connections like this one can be designed on W or S beams,

and when 'Clip angle' is the "Input connection type."
Bolted moment connection to pipe column
Notice that the bolted moment flange

plates are combined in this example.
23
Welded moment connection to a

column flange
*
* or 'FEMA'
SDS/2 can design a welded moment connection on

a W or S beam framing to a W or S or welded plate
W column flange. Weld prep can also be done on a
beam to a tube column.
Welded moment connection to a column web
A connection like this one can be designed when a W

or S beam frames to a column web. Moment flange
plates shop weld to the column web and field weld to
the beam flanges.
Sloping bolted moment connection
SDS/2 can design a sloping bolted moment connection on a W or S beam

sloping up to 30 degrees to a column flange.
24
Sloping welded moment to tube or W column flange
A connection like this one can be designed

on a W or S beam sloping up to 30 degrees
to a column flange.
Sloping welded moment connection to a column web
SDS/2 can design a connection like this on a W beam sloping up to 30 degrees to

a column web. Welded moment flange plates shop weld to the column web and
field weld to the beam flanges.
Beam-to-beam moment connection
*
* or 'Opposite member'
The top flanges of the opposing beams must be at the same elevation, and each beam's "Moment
load" must be of equal magnitude with opposite signs. If the depth of the center beam is greater
than an opposing beam's (as shown), SDS/2 welds the lower flange plates to the center beam.
This also applies when the "Input connection type" is 'Clip angle' instead of 'Shear' (as shown).
25
Beam to column moment end plates (AISC & MBMA type)
Moment end plate beam splice (AISC type shown)
The beams must be colinear W or S sections. For moment

splices (like that shown), the sections must be the same size
and the top flanges at the same elevation. 'MBMA' type moment
end plates can also be designed.
26

---- The types of connections that can be applied to columns are 'Auto base/cap plates,'
'User base/cap plates,' and 'Splice plate' connections. These connections can be
applied as 'Auto standard' as well as entered directly as the "Input connection type" on
the Column Edit window.
---- An 'Auto base/cap plate' and 'User base cap plate' can be designed on a W, S, welded
plate W, pipe or tube or welded plate box column. An 'Auto base/cap plate' requires
that the column frame to a beam or joist unless it is a 'User defined' or 'Forced'
connection. No such framing condition is required for a 'User base/cap plate.'
---- Selecting 'Splice plate' as the "Input connection type" permits you to specify three
different types of splice connections: 1) Bolted splice plates, which can only be applied
to W, S or welded plate W columns. 2) Welded splices, which can, in addition, be
applied to pipe, tube and welded plate box columns. 3) Welded splices with channel
web connections, which can only be applied to S, W or welded plate W columns.
Auto base plate and cap plate

*
Auto base/cap plates are generally designed to frame to a

beam or support a joist. They can be applied to wide flange, S
shape, welded plate W, welded plate box, tube or pipe
columns. To get an auto base/cap plate on a column that does
not frame to anything, you need to 'Force' the connection, or
it must be a 'User defined' connection.
Transverse beam stiffeners designed

with a base/cap plate
*
* or 'Auto Standard' or 'User base/cap plate'
SDS/2 will design a full-depth stiffener plate on a beam

(placed under or over a column with a base/cap plate) if the
"Load" entered for the column is sufficiently large. Two
stiffeners may be designed for a heavy "Load." Design
Criteria (in Job Options) has an option to "Always provide
transverse beam stiffeners."
27
Extended auto cap plate welded to vertical brace gusset

*
When a vertical brace frames to a column with a cap plate or

base plate, SDS/2 welds the gusset to the column and the plate.
The cap plate is extended automatically. In this example, a
web-horizontal wide flange vertical brace is shown.
Splice for columns with same section sizes

*
Splice plates are shop bolted to (detailed with) the lower column.
The columns must be W or S or welded plate W material.
Splice for columns of different sizes

*
A butt plate and fill plates are designed if the

upper column's nominal depth is at least 2 inches
less than the lower column.
Field welded column splices for tube columns

*
Wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange, welded plate box or
pipe columns can also be field welded. The butt plate in this example
is shop welded to the lower column. If there were no butt plate, the
two columns would be field welded, which means there would be no
automatic 3D representation of the weld in SDS/2.
28
Field welded splice with bolted channel web connection

*
or 'Near side' or 'Far side'
**
The Column Splice Setup window sets the channel section to apply
for W or S or welded plate W sections of different nominal depths.
Field welded splice with bolted channel web connection

*
or 'Far side' or 'Both sides'
**
The shop welds applied to the lower column are automatically

modeled in 3D; field welds are not shown.
Auto cap plate supporting a joist

*
An auto base/cap plate can frame to a beam or support a joist.

The space between the joist member line and the cap plate in
this illustration is the "Bearing depth" of the joist.
Column with user base plate

*
The Plate Definition Schedule in Job Options defines this

connection. A 'User base/cap plate' can be placed on a column
that does not frame to anything.
29

---- To have SDS/2 design a gusset plate on a horizontal brace, select 'Hbrc plate' (or 'User
Defined') as the "Input connection type" on the Horizontal Brace Edit window.
Settings that control the design of the connection include the "Section size" of the
brace, its framing situation, and the "Compression" or "Tension" load on the brace.
---- SDS/2 can design gussets on horizontal braces that frame to one beam or to a beam-tobeam corner or to a beam-to-beam corner with an interposed column. Connection
design takes into account whether the brace frames to the web or flange of the beam. A
shared gusset plate can be designed when two or three horizontal braces frame close
together onto a beam. An intersection plate can be designed for two short braces
intersecting with a longer brace.
---- SDS/2 can automatically generate connections on horizontal braces with L, W, S, WT,
ST, pipe or tube sizes entered as the "Section size" on the Horizontal Brace Edit
window. Angle horizontal braces may be double material in various configurations
(two are shown on pages 31 & 32).
---- Horizontal braces may be input so they are perfectly horizontal or so that they slope up
to 30 degrees from horizontal. The brace must be in the same plane as the beams it
frames to. To get to a view that is in the same plane, Snap to Surface on the top flange
of one of the beams, then enter a negative Relative Depth to get below the flange.
Wide flange horizontal brace
SDS/2 designs two gussets that shop weld to the beam web and field
bolt to the horizontal brace's top and bottom flanges. The program
can do this for most framing situations.
Horizontal brace with gusset clips to beam web
The brace field bolts to the beam. The gusset and clip
angles are drawn on the horizontal brace detail.
30
Horizontal brace with gusset shop welded to beam web
The gusset plate shop welds to the beam web and

field bolts to the brace. This example has only one
column of bolts due the angle size used.
Horizontal brace to beam flange
The gusset plate shop welds to the beam flange and field bolts to the
brace. A bolted clip angle cannot be used as a connector to the
gusset in this situation. This example has two column of bolts due
the size of angle used.
Double angle horizontal brace on both sides of gusset
Double material is an option for angle bracing. SDS/2

automatically designs a bolted or welded stitch plate for
this type of brace, depending on the "Type of spacer"
selected in Member Detailing and Fabrication Options.
31
Double angle horizontal brace on far side of gusset
The 'Far side' of the gusset is the bottom of the

gusset. You also have the option to bolt the brace
to the 'Near side' of the gusset.
Angle horizontal brace to beam flanges
The gusset shop bolts to the brace and field bolts to the
beam flanges. If the brace framed to the web, clip angles
would be designed (see the example below).
Tee horizontal brace to webs of beams
The gusset shop bolts to the brace and field bolts to

the beam web with clip angles. If the brace were
higher (as in the example of an angle brace above),
the gusset would field bolt directly to the beam
flanges, and the clip angles would not be needed.
32
Tube horizontal brace to webs of beams
SDS/2 designs built-up tee fittings for tube (or pipe) braces
that bolt to beams. You can tell by the shape of the gusset
and position of the clip angles that this brace frames to the
webs of two beams.
Horizontal brace to
beam-column-beam
Clip angles would be designed if this brace were lowered so that it

fastened to the beams' webs. SDS/2 will design a similar gusset plate for
angle, tee, and pipe or tube horizontal braces in this framing situation.
Horizontal brace intersection plate
SDS/2 can design an intersection plate for angle, tee, and pipe or
tube horizontal braces in framing situations similar to that shown.
33
Horizontal brace perpendicular to beam
The gusset shop welds to the beam flange (shown) or can optionally be field bolted with clip
angles to the web when the brace is lower. A similarly shaped gusset will be designed for WT or
pipe or tube horizontal braces in similar framing situations.
Horizontal braces with a shared gusset

*
*
*
* same for both braces
SDS/2 designs shared gussets for braces whose end work points are closer
together than the distance entered to the "Design for shared gusset" field in
Plate Design Criteria. Shared gussets can be designed for L, WT, pipe and
tube horizontal braces.
Three horizontal braces with shared gusset

*
*
*
*
* same for all three braces
This kind of connection can be designed for L braces (double

are shown) or for WT or tube or pipe braces. The center brace
must be perpendicular to the supporting beam.
34

---- To have SDS/2 design a gusset plate on a vertical brace, select 'Vbrc plate' (or 'User
defined') as the "Input connection type" on the Vertical Brace Edit window.
Settings that control the design of the connection include the "Section size" of the
brace, its framing situation, and the "Compression" or "Tension" load on the brace.
---- SDS/2 can design gussets on vertical braces that frame to a beam or column or to a
column and base or cap plate. A shared gusset plate can be designed when two or three
vertical braces frame close together to a beam or to a column. An intersection plate can
be designed when one end of each of two short braces share the same work point on
the interior of a longer brace.
---- SDS/2 can generate connections on vertical braces with L, C, WT, ST, W, S, pipe or
tube sizes entered as the "Section size" on the Vertical Brace Edit window. You can
also enter welded plate wide flange material if its flanges are equal. Angle vertical
braces may be double material in 'Star' or 'Back-to-back' configurations.
Double angle vertical brace to column
SDS/2 designs a gusset plate that welds to the column web

(shown) or flange (not shown) and bolts between the two
angles. It can also design connections on single angles or
double angles in a 'Star' configuration.
Single angle vertical brace to beam
For single angle braces where the leg to gusset is

5 inches (127 mm) or longer, you have the option
to set a staggered bolt pattern. This is also true for
"Double" angle braces that are 'Back-to-back.'
35
Tube (or pipe) vertical brace welded to gusset
SDS/2 notches the brace so that it fits around the gusset for
field welding. The bolt is a temporary erection bolt.
Tube (or pipe) vertical brace bolted to gusset
SDS/2 welds a built-up tee fitting on the end of the HSS

section so that it can be field bolted to the gusset plate.
Tube (or pipe) vert brace with paddle plate
On pipe or tube vertical braces with this type of end fitting, the
brace is notched and shop welds to the paddle plate. The paddle
plate field bolts to the gusset.
W vertical brace with paddle plates
The notched paddle plates shop weld to the gusset and field
bolt to the flanges of the wide flange vertical brace.
36
Vertical brace to beam & column
For a vertical brace framing to a beam and a column, SDS/2

designs the gusset to shop weld to the beam and field bolt to
the column using a clip angle (shown) or an end plate (if the
beam connection is an end plate) or a shear plate (if the beam
connection is a shear plate).
End plate extended to vertical brace gusset
SDS/2 can combine the beam and vertical brace

connections when a vertical brace frames to a beam
and column. This can be done for end plates
(shown) or for shear plates if the option for
"Combine beam/vbr connections" is checked on the
Beam Edit window. The gusset welds to the beam
and end plate.
Double angle vertical brace to beam & column
The gusset shop welds to the beam and field bolts to the column
using a clip angle. SDS/2 designs "stitch plates" for bolting the
two angles together into a star configuration.
37
Vertical braces with a shared gusset

*
*
*
*
* same for both braces
SDS/2 designs shared gussets for braces whose end work points are closer together than the
distance entered to "Design for shared gusset" in Plate Design Criteria.
Vertical brace intersection plate
SDS/2 can design an intersection plate for angle

vertical braces (double angle braces are shown) or for
pipe or tube or channel or tee braces.
Vertical brace to column & base plate
Regardless of the brace material (tube, pipe, angle, etc.), the gusset plate shop
welds to both the column and base plate.
Web vertical wide flange brace to column
The gusset plate shop welds to the column. Connection plates

and clip angles field bolt the brace to the gusset.
38
Web horizontal wide flange brace to column
The two gussets shop weld to the column or (as is shown),

connect with welded clip angles. The flanges of the wide flange
vertical brace field bolt to the gussets.
Web horizontal wide flange brace with claw angles
The wide flange brace field bolts to the gusset with claw angles. The claw angles are
stored in the "Angles" list in Standard Fabricator Connections.
Vertical brace to column & extended auto cap plate
A connection like this can be designed for vertical braces with wide flange (shown),
or tube or a pipe or angle or channel or tee material.
Three vertical braces with a shared gusset

*
*
*
*
* same for all three braces
Three point vertical braces can be designed for vertical braces with angle (double shown),
or tube or a pipe or wide flange or channel or tee section sizes. The center brace of the
three vertical braces must be perpendicular to the supporting member.
39

---- You cannot display joists in a solid form. In stick form, a joist is represented by a
dashed line. The reason for this is that joists vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, and it would be extremely difficult for SDS/2 to accurately model in 3D all of
the manufacturing variations.
---- The specifications for joist section sizes are maintained in the local material file
used by your job. These specifications are extremely important, since they set the
placement of a joist's connections with respect to its work line.
---- SDS/2 can automatically design top chord seats for joists framing to columns, or
generate holes, field bolts and a dummy plate on a beam flange for bolting the joist.
The program can also design stabilizer plates or angle seats for extended bottom
chords.
---- The Joist Setup window in Standard Fabricator Connections lets you set, among
other items, the "Member edge distance for top chord seats" and the angle used for
extended bottom chord seats.
Field bolts for a joist top chord to a

beam flange
For SDS/2 to add holes and bolts and a dummy plate in the
framing situation that is shown, the "End elevation" of the joist
must be the beam's top flange plus the "Bearing depth" of the
joist, which is set in the local material file. The bolt "Gage" is
also set in the local material file.
Plate seat for the top chord of a joist
This type of seat is a built-up tee made of welded plates.

The seat is the "Bearing depth" distance (entered in the
local material file) below the work line of the joist.
40
Plate seat for the top chord

of a sloping joist
The supporting surface of a plate seat for a sloping joist does not slope. This is quite different
from a plate seat for a sloping beam, which will be designed with a supporting surface that is
equal to the slope of the beam.
Angle seat for the

top chord of a joist
Angles must be listed in the "Angles" list in

Standard Fabricator Connections. If they are not,
SDS/2 will instead design a seat made of plate
material.
Stiffened angle seat

for a joist top chord
Angles must be listed in the "Angles" list in Standard Fabricator

Connections, or SDS/2 will instead design a seat made of plate material.
41
W tee seat for a joist top chord
Tee sections must be listed in the "Tees" setup list in Standard

Fabricator Connections. If SDS/2 cannot find an appropriate
tee in the setup list, the program will instead design a seat made
of plate material.
Angle seat for a joist's bottom chord extension
SDS/2 uses the standard "Bottom chord extension seat angle" specified on the
Joist Setup window in Standard Fabricator Connections.
Stabilizer plate for a joist's bottom chord extension
SDS/2 uses the standard "Bottom chord extension seat plate" specified on the Joist
Setup window in Standard Fabricator Connections.
42
Revise & Review Fields
Revise & Review Fields for

User/User Defined Connections
This is a survey of some of the many User/User Defined Connections
whose settings you can adjust. More connections, along with more detailed
information about individual revise & review fields, can be found in the
SDS/2 context-sensitive help manual.
To make entries to revise and review fields:
User defined Connections: If the box 'AUTO' is checked for a particular
revise & review field, SDS/2 will define that setting for you by applying Job
Options or Fabricator Options during the design of the connection. To enter a
setting of your own, click the check box next to 'AUTO' so that it is not
checked, then make the appropriate type of entry.
User Connections: If the "Connection" on a member edit window (Beam
Edit, Column Edit, etc.) is set to 'System,' then the revise & review fields are
disabled (grayed out). To change a setting, reset the "Connection" to 'User,'
then make the appropriate type of entry. Note that when you click in a revise
& review field, other revise & review fields that may potentially be updated
when you make a change to your current field will be highlighted in pink.
How illustrations in this guide were created:
Typically these illustrations were created by generating member details in
SDS/2, then modifying those details in SDS/2 to show the framing member.
The details were then exported to another CAD program using SDS/2's
Drawing Conversion program. Annotations were added, and then the drawings were saved in the .eps (Encapsulated Postscript) format. GIF versions of
all of these drawings, plus some more drawings, can be found in the SDS/2
context-sensitive help manual.
43
Auto Base/Cap Plate (no framing situation)

horizontal hole horizontal to horizontal hole
spacing
hole
spacing
left left right right
rows left
rows right
vertical
hole left
spacing
vertical
right hole
spacing
vertical
gage
right
vertical
gage
left
vertical
hole left
spacing
plate
width
vertical
right hole
spacing
columns left
plate length
left
plate length
right
columns right
column
half depth
Revise & review button:
or
Comments:
This applies to an auto base/cap plate on a column that does not frame to a
beam or joist. To get an auto base/cap plate when there is no framing
situation, the connection must be 'User defined' or 'Forced.' For a user base/
cap plate, the hole pattern is set in the Plate Definition Schedule, and this
illustration does not apply. Note that the auto base/cap plate in this example is
symmetrical around the column half depth line.
Revise & review fields not shown on this diagram:
"Plate thickness," "Hole type," "Bolt diameter," "Weld size flange," "Weld size
web."
44
Auto Base/Cap Plate (to a beam or under a joist)

horizontal hole horizontal to horizontal hole
spacing
hole
spacing
left
left right right
rows left
rows right
vertical
hole left
spacing
plate width
vert gage left
beam
or joist
column
work point
vert gage right
vertical
right hole
spacing
vertical
hole left
spacing
vertical
right hole
spacing
columns
left
plate length
left
plate length
right
columns right

or
Comments:
This applies to auto base/cap plates only. For a user base/cap plate, the hole pattern is
set in the Plate Definition Schedule. Note that the length of the base/cap plate is
parallel with the work line of the beam and its left edge is toward the left end of the
beam. The plate aligns with the beam, not with the column. Since the plate is
symmetrical around the work line of the beam, the "Columns left" or "Columns right"
for the near side of the beam are duplicated on the beam's far side. Different values
may be entered for "Plate length left" and "Plate length right."
"Plate thickness," "Hole type," "Bolt diameter," "Weld size flange," "Weld size web."
Also see:
Pages 27 and 28 show various base/cap plates on columns framing to beams.
45
Beam Stiffeners Above or Below a Column

stiffener
thickness
stiffener
width
web weld
web weld
flange weld
flange weld
top of
stiffener
stiffener
depth
stiffener
clip
dimension
center to center
beam stiffeners
Comments:
The "Bm Stiff" revise & review button applies when a user or auto base/cap
plate has been designed on a column framing to a beam. Null values (for
example, distances of zero) are entered to all fields for this button if no actual
stiffeners have been designed. Please note that beam stiffeners are designed in
pairs (one on the near side of the beam web, the other on the far side). The
above illustration shows two pairs of beam stiffeners.
Also see:
Page 27 shows an example of a beam stiffener above a column. A "Base Pl"
or "Cap Pl" revise & review button (discussed on page 45) appears together
with the "Bm Stiff" button discussed on this page.
46
Column Splice Plates

plate width
horizontal gage horizontal
spacing upper spacing
fill plate
columns
rows above
plate
upper
fill
length
rows
upper
vertical
spacing
upper
plate
length
upper
vert to
holes upper
fill gap
column
top/bottom
elevation
vert to
holes lower
plate
length
lower
vertical
spacing
lower
rows
lower
columns
horizontal lower horizontal
spacing gage spacing
splice plate
Comments:
SDS/2 designs column splice plates on both flanges of adjoining wide flange
or S shape or welded plate wide flange columns. It shop bolts the plates to the
lower column and field bolts the plates to the upper column. A butt plate (not
shown) and two fill plates (one is shown) are designed if the upper column's
nominal depth is at least 2 inches less than the lower column's nominal depth.
Also see:
Pages 28 and 29 show examples of some of the splice plates and other types of
splices that SDS/2 can design.
47
Beam Splice Plates

horizontal
center-to-center to 1st center-to-center
horizontal holes holes horizontal holes
number of columns
top of plate
vertical
to 1st hole
vertical
hole spacing
plate
depth
number
of rows
plate width
Comments:
SDS/2 designs beam splice plates on both sides of the web of adjoining beams
and bolts the webs and the splice plates together. The program can design
splice plates for wide flange or S shape or welded plate wide flange or channel
beams. Two fill plates are designed along with the two splice plates if fill
plates are required to compensate for differences in the web thicknesses of the
two beams. When you change revise & review specifications for one splice
plate (or fill plate), you change both splice plates (or both fill plates).
"Plate thickness," "Bolt diameter," "Hole type," "Fill plate thickness," "Fill
plate width."
Also see:
If the beam splice is a moment connection, then "Top Mom" and "Btm Mom"
revise & review buttons (page 49) will appear along with the "Splice" button
discussed on this page.
48
Beam Splice Moment Flange Plates

plate length FS plate length NS
columns NS
(one side of beam
work line)
vertical
spacing NS
plate
width
gage NS
rows NS
horizontal to
holes NS
horizontal
spacing FS
FS bolts to beam opposite

to the beam you are editing
plate thickness
vertical
spacing NS
NS bolts to the beam you are editing

&
Comments:
The web splice plates are not shown in this drawing. Horizontal is parallel
with the beam work line. Vertical is perpendicular to the beam. The terms
"NS" (near side) and "FS" (far side) are relative to the beam you are editing.
"Hole type," "Bolt diameter."
49
Beam Seat (angle)
seat length
horizontal to
holes
stiffener weld
stiffener weld
bolt rows
gage
stiffener
clip
vert to
holes
vert hole
spacing
OSL
stiffener
plate
depth
3 sides
seat
weld
stiffener
plate width
stiffener
thicknss
bolt
rows
OSL
gage OSL
Comments:
This diagram applies to beam seats with 'Stiffened L' (shown) or 'Unstiffened
L' (not shown) selected as the "Seat material." A wide flange beam and a wide
flange column is shown, but this diagram also applies to beams and columns
made of other materials.
"Hole type" ('Standard round' or etc.), "Material" (any angle section), "Bolt
diameter."
Also see:
Examples of stiffened and unstiffened angle beam seats are shown on page
19. The diagram above also applies to angle joist seats (page 41). A "Stab L"
revise & review button (page 53) may appear along with the "Seat" button.
50
Beam Seat (plate)

seat length
seat plate width
gage
horizontal
to holes
bolt rows
seat plate
thickness
stiff weld
stiff weld
seat weld
seat weld
stiffener
depth
taper
width
stiffener plate
thickness
Comments:
This diagram applies to beam seats with 'Plate' selected as the "Seat
material." A wide flange beam and a wide flange column is shown, but this
diagram also applies to beams and columns made of other materials.
"Material" (any W tee section), "Hole type" ('Standard round' or etc.), "Bolt
diameter," "Seat corner clip."
Also see:
An example of a plate beam seat is shown on page 19. The diagram shown
above also applies to plate joist seats (page 41). A "Stab L" revise & review
button (page 53) may appear along with the "Seat" button.
51
Beam Seat (W tee)
tee length
horizontal
to holes
gage
bolt rows
Comments:
This diagram applies to beam seats with 'Tee' selected as the "Seat material."
A wide flange beam and a wide flange column is shown, but this diagram also
applies to beams and columns made of other materials.
"Material" (any W tee section), "Hole type" ('Standard round' or etc.), "Bolt
diameter."
Also see:
An example of a beam seat made of tee material is shown on page 19. The
diagram shown above also applies to tee joist seats (page 42). A "Stab L"
revise & review button (page 53) may appear along with the "Seat" button.
52
Beam Seat Stability Angle Bolted to Flange

length
column
column
horz to
hole row
supported spacing
bolt columns
supporting
bolt columns
supporting
bolt rows
supported
row
spacing
vert to hole
supporting
bolt columns
supported
column
spacing
bolt columns
supported
column
spacing
gage
supported
bolt rows
supporting
Comments:
This diagram applies to beam seats when 'Bolted' is selected as the "Stability
angle" and 'On flange' is selected as the "Location." A "Stab L" revise and
review button will not appear when "Welded' has been selected as the
"Stability angle."
"Hole type supported", "Hole type supporting," "Material" (an angle section),
"Bolt diameter."
Also see:
The "Stab L" revise & review button appears with the "Seat" revise & review
button (pages 50-52). See page 58 for documentation of the "Stab L" button
when the stability angle bolts to the web.
53
Bent Plate Connection

top of
length bent plate
horizontal to 1st horizontal hole

hole web spacing web
vertical to
1st hole OSL
vertical hole
spacing OSL
bolt cols web

vertical to
1st hole web
vertical hole
spacing web
bolt rows
OSL
width OSL
* horizontal to
1st hole
horizontal hole
spacing OSL
bolt rows web

width web leg
work line
of beam
bolt columns OSL

thickness
*NOTE: On a channel beam, Horizontal to 1st hole OSL
is from the back of the channel.
Revise & review buttons:

&
Comments:
SDS/2 lets you specify bent plates on either side or both sides of the supported
beam web. The above illustration, which shows the near side bent plate, also
applies to a bent plate that attaches to the far side of the beam web.
"Hole type web," "Hole type OSL," "Bolt diameter," "Weld size" (lets you
weld the bent plate to the web, instead of bolting as shown).
Also see:
Examples of some bent plates are shown on pages 2 and 3.
54
Beam Web Doublers

work
point
horizontal
to
plate
plate width
plate depth
top of
plate
connection
center line
Comments:
A "Bm Web Dblr" revise & review button will appear (on the Beam Edit
window) when a clip angle or bent plate has been designed on the beam web.
The illustration above shows a beam web doubler on the near side of a beam
web, but it does not show the clip angle or bent plate connection. The above
illustration also applies to beam web doublers on the far side or both sides of
the beam web. To remove a doubler plate, you can set the "Plate location" to
'Neither side.'
"Plate location" (may be set to 'Near side' or 'Far side' or 'Both sides' or
'Neither side'), "Weld size" (lets you shop weld the plate to the web).
Also see:
A clip angle with beam web doublers is shown on page 6. A bent plate with
web doublers is shown on page 2.
55
Bolted Flange Angle for Moment Connection

length
column
column
horz to
hole row
supported spacing
bolt columns
supporting
bolt columns
supporting
bolt rows
supported
row
spacing
vert to hole
supporting
bolt columns
supported
column
spacing
bolt columns
supported
column
spacing
gage
supported
bolt rows
supporting

&
Comments:
Flange angles may be used for clip angle or shear plate bolted moment
connections. In the example above, the clip angle or shear plate is not shown.
This documentation applies to both the top angle (dimensioned) and bottom
angle (not dimensioned).
"Hole type supported," "Hole type supporting," "Long leg to" ('Supported' or
'Supporting), "Bolt diameter."
Also see:
A clip angle moment connection with flange angles is shown on page 22.
56
Bolted Flange Plate for Moment Connection

horizontal to
1st holes
hole
spacing
rows of bolts
columns
of bolts
vertical hole
spacing
taper
width
gage
plate
width
work line
of beam
vertical hole
spacing
columns
of bolts
corner clip
weld
weld
taper length
plate length

&
Comments:
This drawing applies to a top/bottom moment flange plate on a beam to a
column flange (not shown) as well as to a beam to a column web (shown). In
either case, "horizontal" is parallel with the beam, "vertical" is perpendicular
to the work line of the beam. "Columns of bolts" run parallel with the work
line of the beam. For a welded moment that welds to the beam flange (see
page 24), there are no revise & review fields for hole placement.
"Hole type," "Bolt diameter," "Plate thickness."
57
Clip Angles (NS shown)

horizontal to 1st horizontal hole
hole web spacing web
top of
angle
bolt columns web

vertical to
1st hole web
length
vertical to
1st hole OSL
vertical hole
spacing OSL
vertical hole
spacing web
bolt rows
OSL
bolt rows web

work line
of beam
* horizontal to
1st hole
horizontal hole
spacing OSL
bolt columns OSL

*NOTE: On a channel beam, "Horizontal to 1st hole OSL"
is from the back of the channel.

&
Comments:
SDS/2 lets you specify clip angles on either side or both sides of the supported
beam web. The above illustration, which shows the near side clip angle, also
applies to a clip angle that bolts (or welds) to the far side of the beam web.
"Hole type web," "Hole type OSL," "Bolt diameter," "Weld size" (lets you
weld the clip angle to the web, instead of bolting as shown).
58
Column Web Doublers

width
top of plate
length
plug
columns
plug rows
Comments:
The "Dblr" revise & review button applies when a moment connection has been
designed on a wide flange beam framing to the flange of a wide flange column.
'Neither side' will be selected for the "Side" field if no actual doublers have been
designed. If 'Both sides' is selected for the "Side" field, changes you make to the near
side of the column (shown in the diagram) also apply to the web doubler on the far
side of the column. The plug weld holes that are shown in this illustration are not
designed by default, but may be added by making appropriate entries to the
appropriate revise & review fields.
"Side," "Thickness," "Weld," "Plug diameter."
Also see:
Various examples of bolted or welded moment connections to a wide flange column
flange are shown on pages 23-25. The "Dblr" revise & review button appears with the
"Stiff" revise and review button (page 60).
59
Column Flange Stiffeners
top of upper
stiffener
stiffener
thickness
length
top
length
bottom
bottom
of lower
stiffener
stiffener
length
stiffener
width
stiffner
width
stiffener
clip
Comments:
The "Stiff" revise & review button applies when a moment connection has
been designed on a wide flange beam framing to the flange of a wide flange
column. Null values (for example, distances of zero) are entered to all fields
for this button if no actual stiffeners have been designed. Please note that
column flange stiffeners are designed in pairs (one on the near side of the
column web, the other on the far side). The above illustration shows two pairs
of column flange stiffeners.
60
End Plate (moment)

gage hole
gage hole
rows above
moment
top flange hole spacing columns
rows below
top
flange
columns
top of
plate
vert
to holes
vertical
web hole
spacing
plate
depth
vertical
to
holes
rows in web
rows above bttm flg
moment
hole
spacing
rows below thickness
bottom flange
plate width
Comments:
Moment end plates are symmetrical around the center line of the supported
beam's web (as shown in cross section). The number of "Columns" of holes and
the "Gage hole spacing" entered for the one side are duplicated on the other side
of the plate. SDS/2 can design moment end plates on the end of a wide flange or S
shape beam for beam-to-column or beam splice framing situations.
"Bolt diameter."
Also see:
Various end plate moment connections are shown on page 26.
61
End Plate (non-moment)

gage FS
horizontal
hole spacing
gage NS
horizontal
hole spacing
columns
of bolts
columns
of bolts
rows of bolts
top of
plate
vertical to
1st hole
hole
spacing
plate
depth
weld size
weld size
plate width FS plate width NS
beam web
center line
Comments:
Non-moment end plates are symmetrical around the center line of the
supported beam's web (as shown in cross section). The number of "Columns"
of holes and the "Horizontal hole spacing" entered for the one side is
duplicated on the other side of the plate. SDS/2 can design a non-moment end
plate on the end of a W or C or tube beam for beam-to-column or beam splice
framing situations.
"Bolt diameter."
62
End Plate Stiffeners

plate width
top
stiffener
plate thickness
plate
depth
bottom
stiffener
plate
depth
plate thickness
plate width
&
Comments:
The illustration above shows an 'AISC' type bolted moment end plate with an
'8-bolt' "Bolt pattern' on both the 'Top & bottom.' These revise & review
buttons may also appear for other types of end plates.
"Bolt diameter."
Also see:
A number of end plate moment connections are shown on page 26.
63
Shear Tab (plate)

horizontal to 1st hole
hole spacing
columns of bolts
top of plate
top cope depth

vertical
to
1st hole
hole
spacing
tab
depth
plate
depth
rows
of bolts
cope
width
weld size
weld size
plate width
Comments:
The diagram shown above applies when 'Plate' is selected as the "Material
type" for a shear connection. Shear plates can be designed for beam-to-column
framing situations (shown) or beam-to-beam framing situations (not shown).
"Plate width" is measured parallel with the supported beam's work line. "Plate
depth" is measured parallel with the depth of the supported beam. If you
change "Horizontal to 1st hole" or "Horizontal hole spacing" or the number of
"Columns of bolts" then Process and Create Solids, SDS/2's design routines
will automatically adjust the "Plate width" accordingly.
"Hole type web," "Bolt diameter," "Width of stiffener opposite" (applies to
beam-to-beam shear plate connections).
64
Shear Tab (W tee)

horizontal to 1st hole web
horizontal hole spacing web
bolt columns web
top of
W tee
vertical to
1st hole
web
vertical hole
spacing web
tee
length
bolt rows web

horizontal hole
spacing
bolt columns OSL
vertical
to 1st hole
OSL
vertical
hole spacing
horz to horizontal hole

1st hole spacing
FS NS
bolt columns
OSL
bolt rows
OSL
material
Comments:
The connection shown is a W tee shear connection 'Bolted' to the supporting
member. The "OSL" hole spacing fields that are shown do not appear as revise
& review options for a W tee shear connection that is 'Welded' to the
supporting member.
"Hole type web," "Hole type OSL," "Weld size" (to weld the tee to the web),
"Bolt diameter," "Material" (a W tee section size).
65
Shear Thru Plate

horizontal hole horz to 1st horz to 1st horizontal hole
spacing NS hole NS
hole FS spacing FS
bolt columns FS
rows of
bolts NS
plate width NS
rows of
bolts FS
Plate depth FS
1s
o
t S
rt e F
e
v ol
h
vertical hole
spacing FS
vert to 1st
hole NS
weld size
weld size
weld size
weld size
hole
spacing
NS
top of
plate depth NS plate
columns of bolts NS
plate width FS
NS fastens to the beam you are editing.
FS fastens to the beam opposite to

the beam you are editing.
TIP: Settings on both beams must be
consistent for both NS & FS
Comments:
In this situation, the terms NS and FS are relative. NS refers to the beam you
are editing. FS applies to the beam opposite to the beam you are editing. Shear
thru plates are shop welded to the supporting pipe or tube column and field
bolted to the supported beam(s).
"Plate thickness," "Bolt diameter NS," "Bolt diameter FS."
Also see:
Two examples of shear thru plates are shown on page 15.
66
top plate
top of bottom pl
bottom of top pl
kp
Stability Plate for Extend Past Flange Shear Plate
tab to plate welds

tab to plate welds
thickness
B
plate to flange weld
bottom
plate
plate width

length
column CL
to plate
corner
clip
Comments:
SDS/2 designs welded stability plates above and below a shear plate when the box
for "Extend past flange" has been checked on a beam that frames to the web of a
wide flange or S shape or welded plate wide flange column.
Also see:
See page 15 for an example of an extended shear plate with a stability plate.
67
Horizontal Brace Shared Gusset

plate length
X-reference
w
ro cing
a
sp
t
oin
p
rk row
wo 1st
to
weld
Y-ref
plate
width
bolt rows
bolt columns
column spacing
&
&
or
&
Comments:
Although only two braces are shown in this example, SDS/2 can design a
gusset plate for three horizontal braces if the middle brace is perpendicular to
the beam. The revise and review buttons you get for two braces sharing a
gusset are: "This Half" and "Other Half." For three braces you get: "This
Brace" and "Other [#]" ("#" is the member number of the brace). "This Half"
(or "This Brace") refers to the horizontal brace you are editing. The "Other
Half" (or "Other [#]") is another brace that shares the same gusset. If you
change revise & review settings or other settings for one horizontal brace, it
may be necessary to reset equivalent settings for the other horizontal braces.
68
Horizontal Brace Intersection Plate
bolt rows
r
spa ow
cin
g
pla
te l
wo
eng
r
k
th
to 1 poi
st r nt
ow
Y-reference
X-r
efe
column
spacing
pla
wid te
th
bolt
columns
ren
ce
Comments:
The above example shows angle horizontal braces. Similar intersection plates
can be designed for tee, double angle, pipe and tube horizontal braces. "Bolt
rows" on a horizontal brace intersection plate run perpendicular to the work
lines of the two shorter horizontal braces. "Bolt columns" and the "Plate
length" run parallel with the work lines of the two shorter horizontal braces.
"Hole type," "Bolt diameter," "Plate thickness," "Slope."
Also see:
Page 33 shows an angle horizontal brace intersection plate.
69
Horizontal Brace to Beam Flange

plate length
end
distance
weld
X-ref
Y-ref
cut
depth
plate
width
int
o
p w
rk t ro
o
s
w 1
to
cut
length
column
spacing
bolt
columns
bolt
rows
row spacing
Comments:
This example shows an angle horizontal brace, but also approximates the
connection SDS/2 would generate for a W tee brace or double angle brace in
the same situation. SDS/2 can automatically generate a connection on a
horizontal brace framing to a wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange,
channel, or tube beam.
Also see:
A horizontal brace to a beam flange can be found on page 31.
70
Horizontal Brace to Beam Web

plate length
end distance
X-ref
beam work line
plate
width
weld
weld
flat
length
column
spacing
bolt
columns
bolt
rows
t
kp
r
wo to w
o
tr
s
1
row spacing
Comments:
the same situation. SDS/2 can automatically generate a connection on a
horizontal brace framing to a wide flange, S shape, or welded plate wide
flange, channel, or tube beam. Also, you can optionally apply a clip angle
instead of welding the gusset to the web.
Also see:
Pictures of various types of horizontal braces framing to a beam web can be
found on pages 30-31. Note that the shape of the gusset is similar in all of
these examples.
71
Horizontal Brace Perpendicular to Beam

plate length
X-reference
weld
Y-ref
cut depth
wkpt to
first row
plate
width
row
spacing
bolt rows
cut length
bolt columns
column spacing
Comments:
the same situation. The gusset shape would be approximately the same even
for a pipe or tube horizontal brace framing perpendicular to a beam. SDS/2
can automatically generate a connection on a horizontal brace framing to a
wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange, channel, or tube beam.
Also see:
Page 34 shows a tube beam framing perpendicular to a beam flange.
72
Horizontal Brace to Beam Corner: Flange Connections

distance to column
distance
to row
spacing
ce
ra
lb
ta ne
on k li
or
riz
ho
bolt
rows

&
Comments:
SDS/2 generates a connection like that shown for an angle brace, W tee brace
or double angle brace or pipe or tube brace framing to the top flanges of two
beams. SDS/2 can automatically generate a connection on a horizontal brace
framing to a wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange, channel, or tube
beam.
Also see:
An angle horizontal brace bolted to the flanges of two beams at a beam-tobeam corner is shown on page 32.
73
Horizontal Brace to Beam Corner: Clip Connections

distance to column
length
Y location
NS angle
(HBr Conn 2)
leg size
distance
to row
spacing
ce
ra
lb
ta ne
on k li
or
riz
NS angle
(HBr Conn 1)
ho
bolt
rows

&
Comments:
SDS/2 generates a connection like that shown when an angle brace, W tee
brace or double angle brace or pipe or tube brace frames to a beam-beam
corner. SDS/2 automatically connects the brace to the beam's webs with clip
angles. Depending on setup choices and the available room, SDS/2 may
design clip angles on the near side or far side or both sides of the gusset.
Also see:
Examples of horizontal braces that connect with field-bolted clip angles to the
webs of two beams at a beam-to-beam corner can be found on pages 32-33.
74
Horizontal Brace to Beam-Column-Beam
cut
depth
w g
ro acin
p
t s
in e
po ol
k h
or st
w o1
t
cut
length
plate
width
beam 2
bolt rows
beam 1
plate length
column
spacing
bolt
columns
Comments:
This example shows an angle horizontal brace with a staggered bolt pattern,
but also approximates the connection and gusset shape that SDS/2 would
generate for a W tee brace or double angle brace or pipe or tube brace in the
same situation. SDS/2 can automatically generate connections for horizontal
braces framing to wide flange, S shape, welded plate wide flange, channel, or
tube beams.
Also see:
An horizontal brace that bolts to the flanges of beams at a beam-column-beam
intersection is shown on page 33. Related buttons are diagrammed on page 76.
75
Horizontal Brace to Bm-Col-Bm: Flange Connections

distance
to column
distance
to row
spacing
bolt
rows
ce
ra
lb
ta ne
on k li
or
riz
ho

&
Comments:
"HBr Conn1" (dimensioned) fastens the width of the gusset plate to the flange;
"HBr Conn2" (not dimensioned) fastens the length of the gusset plate. This
example applies when the horizontal brace is an angle, W tee or double angle
or pipe or tube framing to the top flanges of beams with an interposed column.
As the illustration shows, the work point of the horizontal brace is to the
column.
"Bolt diameter," "NS angle" (an angle section size), "FS angle" (an angle
section size), "Weld to pl" (for welded clip angles instead of the bolted clip
angles that are shown).
Also see:
A horizontal brace that bolts to the flanges of beams at a beam-column-beam
intersection is shown on page 33. A related button is diagrammed on page 75.
76
Horizontal Brace to Bm-Col-Bm: Web Connections

distance
to
column
Y location
distance
to row
NS angle
(HBr Conn 2)
spacing
bolt
rows
ce
ra
lb
ta ne
on k li
or
riz
ho
NS angle
(HBr Conn 1)

&
Comments:
"HBr Conn 1" fastens the width of the gusset plate to the web of one beam;
"HBr Conn 2" fastens to the length of the gusset plate to the web of the other
beam. "HBr Conn 1" and "HBr Conn 2" may consist of clip angles on the near
side or far side or both sides of the gusset -- it all depends on setup choices
and the available room.
"Bolt diameter," "NS angle" (an angle section size), "FS angle" (an angle
section size), "Weld to plate" (for welded clip angles instead of the bolted clip
angles that are shown).
77
Vertical Brace to Beam

plate length
end distance
X-reference
Y-ref
plate
width
weld
weld
ws
o
lt r
t
oin
p
w
rk
ro
wo 1st
to
bo
flat
length
bolt
column columns
spacing
ing
c
pa
Comments:
This example shows an angle vertical brace with a staggered hole pattern, but
also approximates the connection SDS/2 would generate for a W tee brace or
double angle or channel brace in the same situation. Note that the "Bolt rows"
on a vertical brace gusset plate run perpendicular to the work line of the
vertical brace and the "Plate length" runs parallel with the work line of the
beam. The "Plate width" is measured parallel with the depth of the beam, and
"Bolt columns" run parallel with the work line of the brace.
Also see:
Pages 35-36 show various types of vertical braces framing to various types of
beams.
78
Vertical Brace to Column

column spacing
plate
width
weld
weld
bolt columns
X-ref
plate length
s
ow
lt r
bo
int
po w
rk ro
wo 1st
to
w
ro g
cin
a
p
end distance
flat
length
Y-reference
Comments:
This example shows an angle vertical brace with a staggered hole pattern, but
also approximates the connection SDS/2 would generate for a W tee brace or
double angle or channel brace in the same situation. Note that the "Bolt rows"
on a vertical brace gusset plate run perpendicular to the work line of the vertical
brace and the "Plate length" runs parallel with the work line of the column. The
"Plate width" is measured horizontally (parallel with the depth of the column),
and "Bolt columns" run parallel with the work line of the brace.
79
Vertical Brace Intersection Plate
bolt rows
r
spa ow
cin
g
pla
te l
wo
eng
r
k
th
to 1 poi
n
st r
ow t
Y-reference
X-r
efe
column
spacing
pla
wid te
th
bolt
columns
ren
ce
Comments:
The example above shows angle vertical braces with staggered bolt patterns.
Similar intersection plates can be designed for double angle, channel, pipe,
tube and tee vertical braces. "Bolt rows" on a vertical brace intersection plate
run perpendicular to the work lines of the two shorter vertical braces. "Bolt
columns" and the "Plate length" run parallel with the work lines of the two
shorter vertical braces.
Also see:
Page 38 shows a double angle vertical brace intersection plate. Note how
similar it is to the intersection plate for single angle braces illustrated above.
80
Vertical Brace to Column & Beam
plate width Y-reference
X-reference
weld
weld
bolt
columns
bol
wor
kp
t ro
oin
t to
1st
ws
column
spacing
row
row
spa
cin
plate length
Comments:
This example shows an angle vertical brace with a staggered hole pattern. A
similar gusset plate, without a staggered hole pattern, would be generated for a
W tee brace or double angle or channel or pipe or tube brace in the same
situation.
81
Vertical Brace Gusset Clips
work point
to angles
work point
to 1st hole
row
spacing
length
bolt
rows
columns web
horizontal to 1st hole web
Comments:
When a vertical brace frames to a beam and column, SDS/2 designs a clip angle
connection for field bolting the gusset to the column if the connection on the beam is a
clip angle.
If the connection on the beam is an end plate, SDS/2 designs an end plate connection
for the gusset-to-column interface. If the connection on the beam is a shear plate,
SDS/2 designs a shear plate.
This example shows an angle vertical brace with a staggered hole pattern, but a similar
gusset plate would also be generated for a W tee brace or double angle or channel or
pipe or tube vertical brace in the same situation.
"Hole type," "Material" (the angle section to be used), "Long leg to" ('Supported' or
'Supporting' are the options), "C/C gage," "Hole type OSL," "Hole type web," "Weld
size" (for clip angles welded to the gusset -- not shown).
82
Vertical Brace Shared Gusset Plate

plate length
X-reference
w
ro ing
ac
sp
t
oin
p
rk row
wo 1st
to
Y-ref
bolt rows
column spacing
plate
width
weld
weld
bolt columns
&
&
or
&
Comments:
gusset plate for three vertical braces if the middle brace is perpendicular to the
beam. The revise and review buttons you get for two braces sharing a gusset
are: "This Half" and "Other Half." For three braces you get: "This Brace" and
"Other [#]" ("#" is the member number of the brace). "This Half" (or "This
Brace") refers to the vertical brace you are editing. The "Other Half" (or
"Other [#]") is another brace that shares the same gusset. If you change revise
& review settings or other settings for one vertical brace, it may be necessary
to reset equivalent settings for the other vertical braces.
83
Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate
ing
n
lum
c
pa
plate width
weld
weld
co
bolt
columns
ro
plate
length
ing
ac
sp
s
ow
lt r
bo
int
po w
rk ro
wo 1st
to
X-ref
Comments:
SDS/2 shop welds the gusset to the column and base plate in this situation.
The example shows an angle vertical brace with a staggered hole pattern, but a
similar gusset plate would be designed for a W tee brace or double angle or
channel or pipe or tube brace in the same situation. Note that "Bolt rows" on a
vertical brace gusset plate run perpendicular to the work line of the vertical
brace and the "Plate length" runs parallel with the work line of the column.
The "Plate width" is measured perpendicular to the work line of the column,
and "Bolt columns" run parallel with the work line of the brace.
"Hole type," "Bolt diameter," "Plate thickness," "Slope," "End distance."
84
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Gusset

2
p
ou
o
tt
gr
p
ou
or
i
po
o
tt
gr
in
or
po
weld
weld
Y-ref
n
m
lu ing
co ac
sp
plate
width
cut
depth
X-ref
bolt columns
bolt rows
w g
ro cin
a
sp
cut length
plate length
Comments:
The gusset for a vertical brace framing to a beam is uniquely shaped to accommodate the unique geometry of the framing situation. The "Plate length" is
measured parallel with the beam work line. The "Plate width" is measured
parallel with the beam's depth.
85
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Web Connection
ce
n
tio e
ec nc
nn ere
co -ref
Y
n
re
fe
fil
nn
nc
th
id
ll
fil
co
th
g
en
re
X-
fill
Y-ref
e
er
re
X-
n
co
l
fil dth
i
w
nn h
co ngt
le
Comments:
SDS/2 designs web connection plates on both sides of the brace web for
connecting the web vertical wide flange vertical brace to the gusset. The
program also designs fill plates on both sides of the web to compensate for the
difference between the web thickness and the gusset thickness. The revise &
review settings apply to both web connection plates and to both fill plates.
"Connection thickness," "Fill thickness," "Fill Z-reference" (half the thickness
of the W brace web).
86
W Vertical Brace to Beam: Flange Angles

p
ou
o
tt
gr
in
rk
po
p
ou
o
tt
gr
in
wo
rk
po
wo
lt
bo ing
ac
p
s
SL
O age
g
re
Y-
rows
ce
n
re
fe
le
re
X-
g
an
e
gl th
n
a ng
le
e
gl
an SL
O
Comments:
SDS/2 designs four flange angles on web vertical wide flange braces. The
revise and review fields set the specifications for all four of the angles.
"Angle leg gage," "Angle leg" (length of leg that bolts to flange), "Angle OSL"
(length of leg that bolts to gusset) "Material" (angle section size).
87
W Vertical Brace to Column: Gusset
plate length
n
m g
lu in
co pac
s
2
p w cing
u
o ro pa
gr
s
1
to
t
p
in
ou
r
po
g
k
to bolt
or
t
w
in
rows
po
k
or
w
cut length
cut depth
weld
weld
Y-ref
X-reference
bolt
columns
plate width
Comments:
The gusset for a vertical brace framing to a column is uniquely shaped to
accommodate the unique geometry of the framing situation. The gusset's
"Plate length" is measured vertically, parallel with the column work line. Its
"Plate width" is measured horizontally.
88
W Vertical Brace to Column: Web Connection
l f
fil -re
Y
l th
fil ng
le
l
fil
w
th
id
ce
n
re
fe
fil
re
X-
nn f
co -re
Y
nn h
co idt
w
n
tio
c
e th
nn ng
o
e
c l
f
re
X-
io
t
ec
nn
co
Comments:
difference between the web thickness and the gusset thickness. The revise and
89
W Vertical Brace to Column: Flange Angles
e
gl
an OSL
th
l
ng
g
en
angle
OSL gage
rows
e
gl
an -ref
Y
nc
e
er
-re
l
ng
t
nt
rk
po
o
tt
in
u
ro
or
gr
p
ou
bolt
spacing
po

Comments:
revise and review settings operate on all four of the angles at the same time
(not independently).
(length of leg that bolts to gusset), "Material" (angle section size).
90
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Gusset

X-ref
plate length
weld
cut length
weld
n
lum g
co acin
sp
plate
width
Y-ref
cut
depth
bolt
columns
p1
u
gro
t to
p2
u
o
gr
t to
in
po
bolt rows
row spacing
rk
wo
in
po
k
r
wo
Comments:
The gusset for a vertical brace framing to a beam and column is uniquely
shaped due to the unique geometry of the framing situation.
91
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Gusset Clip
work point
to angles
e
ang e
l
f
e
c
wid al bra
tic
ver
clip
angle
length
columns web
work point
to 1st hole
row
spacing
rows
of bolts
horizontal
to 1st
hole web
Comments:
On a vertical brace to a beam and column, SDS/2 shop welds the gusset to the
beam and designs a clip angle (shown) or shear plate (not shown) or end plate
(not shown) for bolting the gusset to the column. In this case, a clip angle is
designed because the beam fastens to the column with a clip angle.
"Bolt diameter," "Material" (angle section size), "Long leg to" ('Supported' or
'Supporting'), "C/C gage," "Columns OSL," "Hole type OSL," "Hole type
web," "Weld size" (to weld the angle to the gusset).
92
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Web Connection
ce
en
fer
fill
e
X-r
fill
gth
len
n
tio
ec
nn th
co wid
nn
co ref
Y-
fill Y-reference
-re
X
ion
ec
n
on
ce
en
fer
fill th
d
wi
nn
co gth
len
Comments:
"Connection thickness," "Fill thickness."
93
W Vertical Brace to Beam & Column: Flange Angles

p2
lt
bo g
n
ci
pa
rk
wo
t
oin
to
rk
wo
u
gro
p1
t to
in
po
gle
u
gro
nc
re
efe
X-r
an
rows
gle
an -ref
Y
OSL
gage
gle
an L
OS
gle
an gth
len
Comments:
"Flange" button's revise & review settings operate on all four of the angles at
the same time (not independently).
"Material" (any angle section), "Angle leg gage" (gage on angle leg to flange).
94
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset

X-reference
w
ro ng
ci
a
p
t
in
o
w
p
k t ro
r
o
w 1s
to
Y-ref
cut depth
n
m g
lu cin
co pa
s
plate width
weld
weld
bolt rows
bolt
columns
cut
length
plate length
&
&
or
&
Comments:
gusset plate for three wide flange vertical braces if the middle brace is
perpendicular to the beam. The revise & review buttons you get for two braces
sharing a gusset are: "This Half" and "Other Half." For three braces you get:
"This Brace" and "Other [#]" ("#" is the member number of the brace). "This
Half" (or "This Brace") refers to the vertical brace you are editing. The "Other
Half" (or "Other [#]") is another brace that shares the same gusset. If you
change revise & review settings or other settings for one wide flange vertical
brace, it may be necessary to change equivalent settings for the other vertical
braces.
95
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset: Web Connection

e
c
en
er
lX
fil
ll
fil
nn h
co idt
w
th
g
en
nn f
co -re
Y
f
-re
l f
fil -re
Y
n
to ce
c
n
ne ere
n
f
co -re
X
l
fil th
id
w
nn th
o
c ng
le
Comments:
review settings apply to both web connection plates and to both fill plates at
"Connection thickness," "Fill thickness."
96
W Vertical Brace Shared Gusset: Flange Angles

p
ou
t
nt
or
lt
bo ng
i
ac
p
s
po
or
gr
nt
to
1
p
ou
gr
i
po
e
gl f
an -re
Y
rows
OSL
gage
re
le
X-
g
an
e
gl
an SL
O
e
gl th
n
a ng
le
Comments:
revise & review settings apply to all four of the angles at the same time (not
independently).
"Material" (any angle section) "Angle leg gage" (gage on angle leg to flange).
97
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Plate: Gusset

plate width
Y-ref
w ng
ro aci
sp
cut depth
X-reference
cut length
bolt
columns
n
lum g
co acin
sp
plate length
bolt rows
cut width
p1
rk
wo
t to
u
gro
rk
t to
up
o
gr
in
po
wo
Comments:
The gusset for a vertical brace framing to a column is uniquely shaped to
accommodate the unique geometry of the framing situation. The gusset's
"Plate length" is measured vertically, parallel with the column work line. Its
"Plate width" is measured horizontally.
98
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Pl: Web Connection
fill ngth
le
fill
Y-reference
ce
en
fer
X-r
fill th
wid
fill
conn
Y-ref
nn
co dth
wi
on
cti
e
nn th
co leng
on
cti nce
e
nn re
co refe
X-
Comments:
difference between the web thickness and the gusset thickness. The revise and
review settings apply to both web connection plates and to both fill plates at
99
W Vertical Brace to Column & Base Pl: Flange Angles
nc
gle
an
re
efe
gle
an SL
O
gle
an th
g
len
X-
gle
an ref
Y-
OSL
gage
rows
bolt
spacing
p1
rk
wo
to
pt
rk
wo
u
gro
t to
p2
u
gro
in
po
Comments:
revise and review settings apply to all four of the angles at the same time (not
independently).
(length of leg that bolts to gusset) "Material" (angle section size).
100
Parametric point maps
Parametric Point Maps

When you Record a Material Add operation in Parametric Modeling, an expression similar to the
following will automatically be entered to the "Point 1" and "Point 2" fields on the parametric
material window:
mem.LeftEnd.Location + mem.TranslateToGlobal(X,Y,Z)
In the above expression, "mem.LeftEnd.Location" is the left end work point of the member. The
operation "+ mem.TranslateToGlobal(X,Y,Z)" defines individual X, Y and Z member coordinate
distances and adds those distances to the member's left end work point in order to define a new
point in global coordinates.
During Record, SDS/2's Parametric Modeling routines automatically calculate particular
distances (in real numbers) for X, Y and Z in this expression. But to create an effective
script that adapts to many different situations, you may find it useful to define X, Y and Z using
formulas instead of numbers.
The parametric point maps on the following pages show you various formulas that you can
substitute for X, Y or Z in the above expression in order to define points on the left or right end
of a member's main material.
Following is an example of a very simple Python script that uses formulas from the parametric
point map on the next page to define a point (var) at which a pair of construction lines intersects.
When a user Runs or Tests this parametric, the program will automatically place a pair of
cyan-colored construction lines that intersect at the left end top flange near side gage line of the
particular member that the user clicks on.
# Adds construction lines on left end, near side, top flange gage line of member that is selected
... # insert startup code
mem = MemberLocate("Select a member")
var = mem.LeftEnd.Location + mem.TranslateToGlobal(mem.left.minus_dim, 0, mem.gage*.5)
# construction line begin
cl1 = ConsLine()
cl1.Point1 = var
cl1.Rotation = 90
cl1.PenNumber = "Cyan"
cl1.Add()
# construction line end
# construction line begin
cl2 = ConsLine()
cl2.Point1 = var
cl2.Rotation = 0
cl2.PenNumber = "Cyan"
cl2.Add()
# construction line end
Note: In this example, left is a valid alias for LeftEnd, minus_dim is a valid alias for
MinusDimension, gage is a valid alias for FlangeGage. The shorter aliases were used here and
on the following pages to save space.
101
Left End Views of a Wide Flange Beam

Member Coordinates
X (+)
Y (+)
Points
x
x
x x
Z (-)
0,0,0
L xxx M
Z (+)
Q
k
d = mem.depth
bf = mem.bf
tf = mem.tf
tw = mem.tw
k = mem.k
g = mem.gage
near
side
x
Y (-)
tf
F D
A E
G
x x
x x
H
Parametric Formulas
tw
Nx
x
x
x
g
bf
P
C
Q
Note: mem = a member object (a beam)
previously identified in the parametric code.
mem.LeftEnd.Location + mem.TranslateToGlobal(X, Y, Z)
point
position on left end

X
top flange, center line
mem.left.minus_dim
center line, half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
bottom flange, center line
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
top flange far side, gage

line
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.gage * .5
top flange near side,

gage line
mem.left.minus_dim
mem.gage * .5
top flange far side,

outside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.bf * .5

outside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
mem.bf * .5
top flange far side, inside

corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5

inside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.tf
mem.bf * .5
web far side, toe of

upper fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.k
- mem.tw * .5
web near side, toe of

upper fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.k
mem.tw * .5
web far side, half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
- mem.tw * .5
web near side, half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
mem.tw * .5
bottom flange far side,

inside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth +
mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5
bottom flange near side,

inside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth +
mem.tf
mem.bf * .5

outside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
- mem.bf *.5

outside corner
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
mem.bf *.5
102
Right End Views of a Wide Flange Beam

Member Coordinates
Y (+)
Z (+)
Points
x
x
near
side
x x
k
d = mem.depth
bf = mem.bf
tf = mem.tf
tw = mem.tw
k = mem.k
g = mem.gage
B
L xxx M
right
end
Y (-)
tf
F D
A E
G
x x
x x
Z (-)
0,0,0
Parametric Formulas
d
tw
X(+
Nx
x
x
x
g
bf
P
Q
C
mem.RightEnd.Location + mem.TranslateTo Global(X, Y, Z)

point
position on right end

X
top flange, center line
- mem.right.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
bottom flange, center line
- mem.depth
top flange near side, gage

line
mem.gage * .5
top flange far side, gage

line
- mem.gage * .5

outside corner
mem.bf * .5
top flange far side,

outside corner
- mem.bf * .5

inside corner
- mem.tf
mem.bf * .5
top flange far side, inside

corner
- mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5
web near side, toe of

upper fillet
- mem.k
mem.tw * .5
web far side, toe of upper

fillet
- mem.k
- mem.tw * .5
web near side, half depth
- mem.depth * .5
mem.tw * .5
web far side, half depth
- mem.depth * .5
- mem.tw * .5

inside corner
- mem.depth +
mem.tf
mem.bf * .5

inside corner
- mem.depth +
mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5

outside corner
- mem.depth
mem.bf *.5

outside corner
- mem.depth
- mem.bf *.5
103
Top End (Right End) Views of a Wide Flange Column

Member Coordinates
Points
k
Z(
K B M
J
near
side
face A
xxx
O Q
x
x
x
x
x x
X (+)
d = mem.depth
k = mem.k
tw
g bf
-)
x
x
x
x
tf = mem.tf
tw = mem.tw
N P
-)
tf
Y(
g
= mem.gage
)
+
Y(
Z(
Note: mem = member object (a column) bf = mem.bf
+)
0,0,0
previously defined in the parametric.
F
mem.RightEnd.Location + mem.TranslateToGlobal(X, Y, Z)
point
positon on top end

X
face A, center line
mem.depth * .5
face C, center line
- mem.depth * .5
face A,
near side gage line
mem.depth * .5
mem.gage * .5
face A,
far side gage line
mem.depth * .5
- mem.gage * .5
near side flange corner on

face A
mem.depth * .5
mem.bf * .5
far side flange corner on

face A
mem.depth * .5
- mem.bf * .5
near side flange corner

inside face A
mem.depth * .5
- mem.tf
mem.bf * .5
far side flange corner

inside face A
mem.depth * .5
- mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5
near side web toe of fillet
mem.depth * .5
- mem.k
mem.tw * .5
far side web toe of fillet
mem.depth * .5
- mem.k
- mem.tw * .5
near side web, half depth
mem.tw * .5
far side web, half depth
- mem.tw * .5
near side flange corner

inside face C
- mem.depth * .5
+ mem.tf
mem.bf * .5
far side flange corner

inside face C
- mem.depth * .5
+ mem.tf
- mem.bf * .5
near side flange corner on

face C
- mem.depth * .5
mem.bf *.5
Note: X = 0 when there is no cap plate on the column. X = - mem.right.setback when there is a cap plate.
104
Left End Views of a Channel Beam, Toe In

Member Coordinates
X (+)
Points
E
Ax D
x
x
Parametric Formulas
k
Y (+)
Z (-)
near
side
O
0,0,0
B x xG
xJ
d
tw
Z (+)
Y (-)
xH
x
C
I
point
description
(left end, toe in)
tf
d = mem.depth
bf = mem.bf
tf = mem.tf
tw = mem.tw
k = mem.k
g = mem.gage
g
bf
X
left end, top corner of

heel
mem.left.minus_dim
left end, heel,

half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
left end, bottom corner of

heel
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
left end, top flange gage

line
mem.left.minus_dim
mem.gage
left end, top flange,

corner of toe
mem.left.minus_dim
mem.bf
left end, web toe of upper

fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.k
mem.tw
left end, web half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
mem.tw
left end, web toe of lower

fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth +
mem.k
mem.tw
left end, bottom flange,

corner of toe
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
mem.bf
left end, half depth,

aligned w/ channel toes
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
mem.bf
left end work point
(right end, toe in)
right end work point
right end, top corner of

heel
-mem.right.minus_dim
right end, top flange gage

line
mem.gage
right end, web half depth
- mem.depth * .5
mem.tw
105
Left End Views of a Channel Beam, Toe Out

Member Coordinates
X (+)
Y (+)
Points
Ex D
A
x
x
Z (-)
near
side
O
0,0,0
Jx
Gx xB
Parametric Formulas
k
d
tw
Z (+)
C
Y (-)
Hx
I
tf
C

point
description
(left end, toe out)
d = mem.depth
bf = mem.bf
tf = mem.tf
tw = mem.tw
k = mem.k
g = mem.gage
bf
X
left end, top corner of

heel
mem.left.minus_dim
left end, heel,

half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
left end, bottom corner of

heel
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
left end, top flange gage

line
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.gage
left end, top flange,

corner of toe
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.bf
left end, web toe of upper

fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.k
- mem.tw
left end, web half depth
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
- mem.tw
left end, web toe of lower

fillet
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth +
mem.k
- mem.tw
left end, bottom flange,

corner of toe
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth
- mem.bf
left end, half depth,

aligned w/ channel toes
mem.left.minus_dim
- mem.depth * .5
- mem.bf
left end work point
(right end, toe out)
106
right end work point
right end, top corner of

heel
right end, top flange gage

line
- mem.gage
right end, web half depth
- mem.depth * .5
- mem.tw

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Software Version 7.

Revise & Review

SDS/2 Connection Guide

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Connections Applied on Beams: End Plates

SDS/2 Connection Guide

Connections Applied on Beams: Shear

Connections Applied on Beams: Seats

Connections Applied on Beams: Splices

Applied on Beams: Moment Connections

SDS/2 Connection Guide

Connections Applied on Columns

Connections Applied on Horizontal Braces

Connections Applied on Vertical Braces

SDS/2 Connection Guide

Connections Applied on Joists

Revise & Review Fields for

Buttons on the Beam Edit Window

SDS/2 Connection Guide

Buttons on the Horizontal Brace Edit Window

Buttons on the Vertical Brace Edit Window

Parametric Point Maps

SDS/2 Connection Guide

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Bend Plates

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Bent Plates

Bent plates welded to the supported

Bent plates bolted to the supported

A channel beam frames skewed to the web of another

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Bent Plates

Bent plates shop bolted to the supporting

Bent plates welded to the supporting

The bent plates shop weld to the column. The

Bent plate on one side of beam web

A bent plate can be designed on the near side or far side

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connection Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Clip angles for beam-to-beam

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Clip angles on a sloping beam to a beam flange

Clip angles on a sloping beam to a column

* or 'Auto Standard' ** or 'Narrow' gage

SDS/2 can design clip angles on the end of a beam that

Clip angles bolted to both members

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Bolted clip angles with staggered bolts

Clip angles with beam web doublers

Depending on the shear load on the beam, SDS/2 designs a

Heavy gage clip angles as beam splices

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles

Clip angle on one side of beam web

Clip angles welded to the supporting member

* or 'Auto Standard' ** or 'Narrow' gage

Clip angles bolted (or welded) to the supported beam

This pair of clip angles appears on the beam detail (rather

A Survey of SDS/2 Connections

Connections Applied on Beams: Clip Angles