Framing the Future: The Evolution of Moment Frames

Discover insights from Simpson Strong-Tie engineer Emily Morris Frazier, P.E., as she examines the evolution of moment frame construction over the past 150 years. She traces the transition from early rivet and angle connections to the prevalent use of welded moment frames in seismic zones. Emily addresses the challenges that emerged after significant earthquakes, which spurred the development of prequalified connections to boost safety and performance. She highlights the ongoing advancements in design strategies that aim to enhance the resilience of modern structures. 

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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.

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Innovation Redefined: The Future of Structural Testing with Our Million Pound Rig

The future of full-scale structures testing and product development is here – and it is BIG. Our Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory built a brand-new Million Pound Rig to help in the testing of our new Yield-Link® brace connection (YLBC), along with our many other products. Hear from Mike Wesson, Engineering Manager, Tyrell Gilb Research Laboratory, about this latest addition to the research lab. 

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Connecting Engineers, Innovation, and Fun: Simpson Strong-Tie’s Topgolf Event in Utah

The Simpson Strong-Tie structural steel team held an event earlier this year at Topgolf in Vineyard, Utah, to host 65 engineers. The view from the green range at this new Topgolf location was breathtaking with snowy peaks, and the view inside was not bad either, since you could see our Yield-Link® moment connection.

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Simpson Strong-Tie® Yield-Link® Moment Connection Case Study: Rose Avenue Elementary

Structural engineers for the Rose Avenue Elementary School project in Oxnard, California, a high seismic zone, chose to switch from special moment frames requiring welded connections to the Simpson Strong-Tie Yield-Link moment connection, which features bolted connections instead of onsite welding. This case study shares the experiences of structural engineers, fabricators and other project partners utilizing this innovative solution for structural steel construction.  

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Learn How to Strengthen Your Structural Steel Designs with the Yield-Link® Brace Connection Webinar Series

The Yield-Link brace connection (YLBC) from Simpson Strong-Tie is an innovative solution for isolating damage to ensure that braced frames within structural steel buildings remain intact during a seismic or wind event. With predesigned, bolted connections, the YLBC simplifies design work, eliminates the need for field welding, and is easy to incorporate into new builds or retrofits. Continue Reading

Questions Answered: Designing Cladding Connections with Greater Flexibility Using the Edge-Tie™ System

On November 9, 2022, we hosted the second in a two-part series on the latest solutions for creating cladding connection designs for structural steel buildings. The second webinar provided a technical overview of the Edge-Tie system. Simpson Strong-Tie R&D engineers Abhishek Kulkarni and Fayad Rahman discussed the performance evaluation testing and design parameters for a façade attachment method that uses adjustable bolted connections without any field welding.

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Learn New Design Methods to Enclose Buildings Faster Webinar Q&A

In this post, we follow up on our October webinar, New Design Methods to Enclose Buildings Faster, by answering some of the interesting questions raised by attendees.

During the webinar, we discussed new design methods and solutions for curtain-wall and cladding connections and how they can maximize efficiency and resiliency throughout the construction process. In case you could not join our discussion, you can watch the on-demand webinar and earn PDH and CEU credits here.Continue Reading

Inventing the Edge-Tie System

Last fall we hosted a two-part webinar series on the latest innovations in designing cladding connections for structural buildings. The  first webinar, covered some of the biggest challenges that fabricators, engineers, and contractors in the structural steel industry face when designing façade attachments to a building structure. We discussed new design methods and solutions, such as bolted connections that do not require any field-welding to help enclose buildings quickly and reduce overall project schedules and costs.

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Spotlighting Our Yield-Link® Moment Connection: Three Project Cases

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. 

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