Moment connections are a common lateral system in structural steel design, offering the advantage of unobstructed sight lines and clear passageways. However, they often come with significant cost and labor demands. Fully welded moment connections require extensive beam preparation, welding, and inspection, while common bolted solutions, such as flange-plated and end-plate moment connections, still involve welded components, leading to installation and fit-up challenges.
Author: Fayad Rahman
Fayad joined Simpson Strong-Tie in 2022 as an R&D engineer tasked with developing and testing the next generation of products. He earned his MSc from UC Berkeley's Structural Engineering Mechanics and Materials program in 2014. Prior to joining Simpson Strong-Tie, Fayad built a background innovating safer structures as a seismic base isolation engineer. In his free time, he enjoys playing instruments and making pottery.
Using the Edge-Tie™ System to Create Curved Façades in Steel Construction
Curved façades can help create architecturally appealing steel structures and may even reduce the effects of wind loading. However, careful coordination is needed between engineers, contractors and glaziers when locating façade attachments. Providing adequate tolerances and avoiding field fixes can prove to be more challenging for curved façades than for conventional rectangular ones.