SidePlate, an AISC Member based in Mission Viejo, Calif., recently announced that three full-scale seismic tests have been successfully carried out by the University of San Diego on the company’s Bolted connection, a field-bolted moment frame that debuted in 2013. With the success of these new tests, the connection meets the Special Moment Frame (SMF) requirements in the ANSI / AISC 341-10 specification, Seismic Provisions for Structural Steel Buildings. Two more tests are planned in the near future.
“Our 20+ years of high-seismic research has guided us through the development of the SidePlate Bolted connection, which now allows contractors to quickly erect structural steel on projects in any design criteria,” said Henry Gallart, SidePlate’s president.
The connection requires no field welding. It has already proven to be a success in low-seismic areas, where contractors and erectors have commented that they are saving time in the field because the connection can be quickly assembled. Using the positive results of these recent tests, project teams in high-seismic areas can now also use the connection and experience the same benefits.
All of SidePlate’s designs are implemented with the help of structural engineers who provide assistance and customer service at no charge to the design team. Visit www.SidePlate.com to learn more.
(Bottom photo: The SidePlate Bolted connection undergoing full-scale seismic testing.)