Our Yield-Link connection is precision-made to meet the tough demands and increased loads of structural steel construction. From building owners to engineers, to contractors and fabricators, the Yield-Link’s state-of-the-art design saves everyone time and money — while providing a connection that keeps structural steel buildings strong and safe.
The Simpson Strong-Tie® Yield-Link moment connection is a field-bolted connection that uses patented Yield-Link structural fuse technology to mitigate damage to beams and columns from seismic events. Whereas all other AISC prequalified moment frame connections are specifically designed to damage the beams when dissipating seismic energy, the unique Yield-Link moment connection moves that damage into bolt-on, bolt-off replaceable structural fuse elements, keeping the response of the beam elastic in the process. This in turn allows for a beam design that doesn’t call for lateral-torsional buckling bracing.
Discover more about the Yield-Link moment connection and its application in these three varied case project spotlights.
Case Spotlight: Patterson High School — Performing Arts Theater
Patterson High School, located in the town of Patterson in Stanislaus County, California, has made some major expansions with the addition of a new science building and brand-new theater on campus. The Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link moment connection was specified for this project by Nichols, Melburg & Rossetto Architects + Engineers — a comprehensive architecture, structural engineering and interior design firm. The build utilized Simpson Strong-Tie Strong Frame® special moment frames (SMF) and Yield-Link connections, which provided the ideal solution to give the building entrance an open layout design. Read more about this case spotlight here.
Case Spotlight: Happy Valley Crossroads East
With its optimistic name, Happy Valley is a suburb of Portland, Oregon. With this project, four large retail buildings with footprints ranging from 9,500 square feet to 4,600 square feet were built to provide additional retail space to the area. This project specified Strong Frame special moment frames and utilized Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link moment connections to create an open feel to this retail space. Our products supported a hybrid of wood walls, open web trusses, glulam beams and sloped roof beams. Learn more about this project here.
Case Spotlight: Amazon Industrial Warehouse Buildings
In the greater Sacramento area, Amazon continues to expand its reach, adding two 110,000-square-foot industrial buildings to the company’s fold. These industrial spaces were built with tilt-up walls, open web trusses and a panelized roof system. Simpson Strong-Tie Strong Frame special moment frames (SMF) proved to be the right solution for this project based on the client’s need to have an open design in lieu of braced frames. Additionally, Yield-Link moment connections helped provide a sloped roof for the buildings. Get more information on this build here.
Watch our overview video to understand the history and creation of the Yield-Link connection. Moment connections now have a smarter solution in their corner.
For more resources about our Yield-Link® moment connections for steel construction, visit our website at https://www.strongtie.com/solutions/steel-construction/yield-link.