NASCC: The Steel CONFERENCE seismic design

High Seismic Detailing and Fabricating

By Tom Ferrell, P.E., and Tony Hazel, P.E.

Projects designated as “high seismic” require special attention.

Here’s an introduction to some of the complexities of detailing
and fabricating high seismic projects.

T
The 2005 AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural • Welding requirements as specified in Appendix W, Section
Steel Buildings govern the design, fabrication, and erec- W2.1.
tion of structural steel members and connections in the seismic The detailer, fabricator, and erector must have a knowledge and
load resisting systems (SLRS) and splices in columns that are not understanding of the following terms from the seismic provisions when
part of the SLRS, in buildings and other structures—where other detailing and fabricating a project designated as “high seismic”:
structures are defined as those structures designed, fabricated, and Seismic design category is a classification assigned to a
erected in a manner similar to buildings—with building-like verti- building by the applicable building code based upon its seismic use
cal and lateral load-resisting-elements. group and the design spectral response acceleration coefficients.
The seismic provisions apply when the seismic response modi- Seismic response modification coefficient (R) is a factor
fication coefficient R, as specified in the applicable building code, that reduces seismic load effects to a strength level specified by the
is taken greater than 3, regardless of the seismic design category. applicable building code.
When R is taken as 3 or less, the structure is not required to satisfy Seismic load resisting system (SLRS) is an assembly of
the provisions unless specifically required by the applicable build- structural elements in the building that resist seismic loads, includ-
ing code. Members and connections of the SLRS must satisfy the ing struts, collectors, chords, dia-
requirements of the applicable building code, the AISC specifica- phragms, and trusses.
tion, and the seismic provisions. Special Moment Frames
The AISC seismic provisions give specific information to the (SMF)  are expected to withstand
structural engineer as to what to include on the structural design significant inelastic deformations
drawings and in the structural specifications. This information, when subjected to the forces result-
provided by the structural engineer, is essential for the detailer, ing from the motions of the design
fabricator, and erector to ensure proper understanding and execu- earthquake.
tion of the contract requirements. Although the structural engi- Intermediate Moment Frames
neer’s responsibilities are beyond the scope of this presentation, (IMF) are expected to withstand lim-
the following information is necessary as a background to what ited inelastic deformations in their
a detailer and fabricator should expect to find on the structural members and connections when sub-
Tom Ferrell is president of
design drawings and in the structural specification: jected to the forces resulting from the
Ferrell Engineering, Inc.,
• Designation of the SLRS. motions of the design earthquake.
Birmingham, Ala.
• Designation of the member and connections that are part of Ordinary Moment Frames
the SLRS. (OMF) are expected to withstand
• Configuration of the connections. minimal inelastic deformations in
• Connection material specifications and sizes. their members and connections
• Locations of demand-critical welds. when subjected to the forces result-
• Lowest anticipated service temperature of the steel structure, if ing from the motions of the design
the structure is not enclosed and maintained at a temperature earthquake.
of 50 °F or higher. Special Truss Moment
• Locations and dimensions of protected zones. Frames (STMF)  are expected
• Locations where gusset plates are to be detailed to accommo- to withstand significant inelas-
date inelastic rotation. tic deformation within a specially
Tony Hazel is senior design
engineer for Ferrell Engi-
This article has been excerpted from a paper to be presented at The Steel Conference, April 2-5 in Nashville, neering’s Columbia, S.C.
Tenn. Learn more about The Steel Conference at www.aisc.org/nascc. The complete paper will be available office.
with the archived version of this article at www.modernsteel.com/backissues.

 march 2008 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION

designed segment of the truss when sub- 4. Locations and dimensions of protected 4. QA welding inspectors shall be weld-
jected to the forces from the motions of the zones. ing inspectors (WI) or senior welding
design earthquake. 5. Gusset plates drawn to scale when they inspectors (SWI).
Special Concentrically Braced are detailed to accommodate inelastic 5. Nondestructive testing (NDT) techni-
Frames (SCBF) are expected to withstand rotation. cians shall meet special qualification
significant inelastic deformations when 6. Welding requirements as specified in requirements.
subjected to the forces resulting from the Appendix W, Section W2.2 Shop draw- 6. These requirements are in addition to
motions of the design earthquake. ings shall include, as a minimum, the normal AWS D1.1 qualifications.
Ordinary Concentrically Braced following information:
Structural Steel Material Require-
Frames (OCBF) are expected to withstand a. Access hole dimensions, surface pro-
ments
limited inelastic deformations in their file, and finish requirements.
1. Charpy V-Notch (CVN)
members and connections when subjected b. Locations where backing bars are to
2. Hot-rolled shapes with flanges ≤ 1½ in.
to the forces resulting from the motions of be removed.
thick
the design earthquake. c. Locations where weld tabs are to be
3. Plates 2 in. and thicker
Eccentrically Braced Frames (EBF) removed.
4. 20 ft-lb at 70 °F
are expected to withstand significant d. NDT to be performed by the fabri-
inelastic deformations in the links when cator, if any. Weld Requirements
subjected to the forces resulting from the 1. Welding Procedure Specifications
Erection Drawings: AISC Seismic Provi-
motions of the design earthquake. (WPS) shall meet AWS D1.1 and
sions Part 5.3 and Appendix W, Section
Buckling-Restrained Braced Frames requirements for demand-critical welds.
W2.3.
(BRBF)  are expected to withstand signifi- 2. WPS shall list electrode manufacturer
Erection drawings shall include items
cant inelastic deformations when subjected and trade names.
required by the AISC specification and the
to the forces resulting from the motions of 3. WPS shall list one or more combina-
following, as applicable:
the design earthquake. tions of welding variables that produce
1. Designation of the members and con-
Special Plate Shear Walls (SPSW) are heat inputs within acceptable estab-
nections that are part of the SLRS.
expected to withstand significant inelastic lished AWS ranges.
2. Field connection material specifications
deformations in the webs when subjected 4. Must use approved processes for
and sizes.
to the forces resulting from the motions of demand-critical welds (SMAW, GMAW,
3. Locations of demand-critical field
the design earthquake. FCAW, and SAW). Other processes are
welds.
Protected zones are areas of members allowed, provided certain criteria are
4. Locations and dimensions of protected
in which limitations apply to fabrication met.
zones.
and attachments. 5. Gas-shielded process is allowed when
5. Locations of pretensioned bolts.
Demand-critical welds are welds that air velocity does not exceed 3 mph.
6. Field welding requirements as specified
are part of the SLRS that are deemed to 6. Filler Metal Diffusible Hydrogen: max-
in Appendix W, Section W2.3 Erection
be critical, since they transfer important imum of 16 ml per 100 grams depos-
drawings shall include, as a minimum,
earthquake loads. ited weld metal. Certain variances and
the following information:
Prequalified connections are connec- exemptions may be applicable.
a. Locations where backing bars are to
tions that comply with the requirements of 7. Intermix of FCAW-S filler metal.
be removed.
Appendix P of the Provisions (ANSI/AISC 8. Weld tabs.
b. Locations where supplemental fillets
358) 9. Bottom flange welding sequence.
are required when backing is permit-
Continuity plates are column stiffen- 10. Notch-toughness characteristics.
ted to remain.
ers at the top and bottom of the panel zone; 11. Storage and exposure of FCAW elec-
c. Locations where weld tabs are to be
they are also known as transverse stiffeners. trodes.
removed.
The k-area is the region of the web that 12. Maximum interpass temperature.
d. Those joints or groups of joints
extends from the tangent point of the web
in which a specific assembly order, Fabrication
and the flange-web fillet (AISC’s k dimen-
welding sequence, or welding tech- 1. Demand-critical welds.
sion), a distance of 1½ in. (38 mm) into the
nique—or other special precau- 2. Forbidden items within the protected
web beyond the k dimension.
tions—are required. zone:
a. Tack welds, erection aids, arc-air
Detailing High Seismic
Fabricating High Seismic gouging, thermal cutting, etc. Repair
Shop Drawings: AISC Seismic Provisions when required.
Personnel Requirements
Part 5.2 and Appendix W, Section W2.2. b. Welded shear studs and penetrating
1. Welders shall pass the Supplemental
Shop drawings shall include items decking attachments. Decking arc
Welder Qualification for restricted
required by the AISC specification and the spot welds to secure the deck are
access welding; see AWS D1.8 Annex
following, as applicable: permitted.
C. Tack welders are not required to per-
1. Designation of the members and con- c. Welded, bolted, screwed, or shot-in
form the SWQRA.
nections that are part of the SLRS. attachments for perimeter edge angles,
2. Each welder shall be assigned an identi-
2. Connection material specifications. exterior facades, partitions, duct work,
fication symbol or mark.
3. Locations of demand-critical shop piping, or other construction.
3. QC welding inspectors shall be associ-
welds.
ate welding inspectors (AWI) or higher. Continuity Plates and Stiffeners

MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION march 2008

1. Inside corner clips (curved or straight).
2. CJP or heavy fillets.
3. Hold fillets back ¼ in. from edge.
4. Where specified backing bars are to be
removed, back gouged, and re-welded.
5. Where specified supplemental fillet
welds may be used where backing bars
are permitted to remain.
6. Joints or groups of joints may specify
a specific assembly order, welding
sequence, welding technique, or other
special precautions.
7. Access hole dimensions, surface profile,
and finish requirements.
Tack Welds
All bolted faying surfaces shall meet
requirements for Class A surfaces or
better.

References
AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel
Buildings, including Supplement No. 1,
2005; Appendices P, Q, and W.
AISC Seismic Design Manual, 2006.
AWS D1.8

MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION march 2008