User Defined Connections ( Job Settings )

• Instead of setting up a user defined connection from Job Settings , you can set up the connection on a member edit window and save it from there. A " Save As User Defined Connection " button ( ) can be found embedded in the " Left end settings " and " Right end settings " banners of the Beam , Column , Horizontal Brace , Vertical Brace and Joist windows. A similar button is also found on the Connection Component Edit window.
• " End preparations " are saved with a user defined connection that is saved from those windows, but " End preparations " are not saved when you create a user defined connection on this window.

The title bar of this window shows the file name of the user defined connection (in parentheses). Making changes then pressing " OK " saves your changes under that file name.

• Introduction ( )
• Step-by-step instructions ( )
  • Step 1: Invoke the appropriate setup command
  • Step 2: Select a previously defined user defined connection, or create a new one .
  • Step 3: Fill out the " Condition " settings
  • Step 4: Fill out the " Connection specification " settings
  • Step 5: If applicable, fill out the " Moment " settings .
  • Step 6: Set connection design locks .
  • Step 7: OK or Save As or etc.
  • Note : Step 1 and step 2 open this window.
• Applying a user defined connection (for example, on the Beam Edit window)

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Introduction :

VIDEO Connection design locks are used to adjust a shear plate so that it matches a definition in Standard Shear Plates . A user defined connection is then saved from the Connection Component Edit window for that shear plate and applied to a different beam, with a different framing condition. The same user defined connection is then employed as an auto standard connection . All beams are processed , and the user defined connection is automatically applied to all beams under the ' WFlg Beam to WFlg Column (Flg perp) ' framing condition. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2015.)

A user defined connection lets a user employ connection design locks to specify, for example, the plate thickness or number of rows of bolts to be used by connection design when it creates the connection.

A user defined connection is defined and given a name by the user (from this window or from a member edit window or from the Connection Component Edit window), and may then be applied by users to particular members by typing in that name to the appropriate field on the supported member's edit window. See applying a user defined connection .

When you specify a user defined connection, you set the connection design locks that you want connection design to design the connection around. When apply the user defined connection to a member, connection design will design the connection using the settings you locked while calculating the values for each setting that was left unlocked. The user defined connection will undergo the same capacity checks, bolt validations and other failure checks that it would undergo if it had been specified on a member edit window.

Like other designed connections, a user defined connection adapts to different framing conditions such as the section sizes and orientation of connecting members.

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Step-by-step instructions :

These instructions explain how to create or edit a user defined connection at Home . As noted at the top of this page, creating such a connection is Modeling is an alternative.

1 . To begin adding or editing a user defined connection, use any one of the following methods:

can be placed using Ribbon Editor .

Method 1 : Home > Project Settings > Job > Connections > User Defined Connections .

Methods 2, 3 & 4 : In Modeling or the Drawing Editor (classic), choose Settings > Job Settings > User Defined Connections , or use a keyboard shortcut or click the icon.

2 . The Select One User Defined Connection window opens. On it is listed all of the user defined connections that reside in your current Job. Do one (1) of the following:

bm_udc_1  bm_udc_2  col_udc_1  hb_udc_1  vb_udc_1  joist_udc_1

You can use this window to edit/review an existing user defined connection (alternative 1), or to create an entirely new connection (alternative 2).

Alternative 1 : To edit/review an existing user defined connection, double-click the name of the user defined connection that you want. The file name of the user defined connection that you double-click will be printed (in parentheses) in the title bar of the User Defined Connection Edit window, which opens in step 3.

Alternative 2 : To create an entirely new connection, press the " New... " button to open a dialog for assigning the new user defined connection a name.

New user defined connection: bm_udc_1

To " New user defined connection, " type a file name (up to 61 characters), then press " OK ." That file name will be shown (in parentheses) in the title bar of the User Defined Connection Edit window, which opens in step 3.

3 . The User Defined Connection Edit window opens. You may want to use the " form button " for " Load " for " Paste " described in step 6 to automatically populate this window with previously defined choices. Regardless of whether or not you use these form buttons, you should then proceed to specify the " Condition " settings that you want. Specify them in the order in which they appear (top to bottom).

Condition         Member type        Material type         Connection type         Web rotation         Moment         VBrace plate type         Wide flange VBrce plate type         Filler plates         HBrace plate type         Brace rotation         Seismic brace gusset         Double material         Side of gusset         Frames to concrete wall         Embed schedule entry

When you apply a user defined connection to a member , that member should have characteristics which generally match the " Condition " settings that you specify here. This is not a strict rule, however. You may find conditions where a user defined connection can be applied when an " Input connection type " cannot.

The selections that you make to a higher option may affect the options that are available for a lower option. In other words, enter the " Member type " first, then the " Material type " second, then the " Connection type ," and so on ....

4 . The " Connection specifications " that are available for you to specify in this step depend on the " Connection type " you selected in step 3. They let you further define you connection.

Connection specifications       Clip angle       Bent plate       End plate       Shear       Seated       Beam splice       Column splice       Auto base/cap plate       User base/cap plate       Plain end       Seated joist       Flush framed shear       VBrace plate       HBrace plate

" Connection specifications " are available for most system connections . A system connection is a connection that undergoes connection design . The Connection Design Calculations and Expanded Connection Design Calculations reports provide the strength calculations used to design system connections.

5 (if applicable) : Skip this step if it does not apply. If this step is applicable, then fill out the " Moment " information.

Moment (see step 5 )       Design for doublers       Design for stiffeners       Column web doubler side       Connection material       Connection type         Use inner flange plates       End plates       Location       Bolt pattern       Bolt type       Bolt diameter       Re-entrant cut       Groove angle

This step is applicable when the " Member type " is ' Beam ' and the " Connection type " is ' Clip angle ' or ' End plate ' or ' Shear ' or ' Splice plate ' and " Moment type " is set to ' Bolted ' or ' Welded '.

6 . Set the connection design locks that you want connection design to build the connection around. The connection design routines will not change locked values, but will, if possible, build a connection around those values. If connection design is unable to build a connection around those values, it will fail the connection when you attempt to apply the user defined connection .

Connection design locks       beam connections       column connections       horizontal brace to one beam       horizontal brace shared gussets or intersection plates       horizontal brace to beam-beam corner       horizontal brace to beam-column-beam corner       vertical brace, except wide flange       vertical brace, wide flange       joist connections

Connection design locks that are available in this step are stored under leaves which have various names. Those names depend on the choices you made in steps 3 and 4 and, if applicable, step 5.

For detailed documentation , click whichever link above applies to the framing situation of the user defined connection that you are defining or redefining. That link will take you to a table which lists the names of leaves that connection design locks are stored under. Clicking the name of the appropriate leave will take you to more detailed documentation.

" Show images " (when checked) is a quick way to get documentation on connection locks. Checking the box lets you see drawings that depict the dimensions that are controlled by connection design locks.

7 . Press one or more of the following buttons:

     

Form buttons (" Copy " " Paste " " Save " " Load ") behave in User Defined Connections just like they behave on other windows. Click here for more information about them.

"Save As" opens the " Select One User Defined Connection " dialog, giving you the ability to overwrite a selected file with your current settings (alternative 1) or to write your current settings to a new file (alternative 2).

Alternative 1: Double-click one of the user defined connections that are listed on the dialog. After you press " Yes " on the next dialog that opens, the User Defined Connection Edit window will reopen, and the name of the current connection printed in the title bar of the window will now be the name that you double-clicked on the dialog.

Alternative 2: Press the " New " button. Type in the name that you want to give the new user defined connection, then press " OK ." The User Defined Connection Edit window will reopen, and the name of the current connection which is printed in the title bar of the window will now be the new name that you entered.

"OK" saves the changes you have made to the connection you have created or redefined. The changes are saved to the file name that is printed at the top of the User Defined Connection Edit window, which then closes. The dialog that appeared in step 2 opens. On it, you will notice that the fine name you just saved by pressing " OK " is now listed. Press " Cancel " on that dialog if you are done defining or redefining user defined connections.

"Cancel" closes the User Defined Connections window without saving any changes that you may have made to it. The dialog that appeared in step 2 opens. either follow the instructions in step 2 to define or redefine another user defined connection, or press " Cancel " on that dialog if you are done defining or redefining user defined connections.

"Reset" undoes any changes that were made since you first opened the User Defined Connection Edit window. The window remains open.

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The User Defined Connection s window :

User Defined Connection Edit    Condition (see step 3 )         Member type        Material type         Connection type         Web rotation         Moment         VBrace plate type         Wide flange VBrce plate type         Filler plates         HBrace plate type         Brace rotation         Seismic brace gusset         Double material         Side of gusset         Frames to concrete wall         Embed schedule entry    Connection specifications    Moment    Connection design locks (various names)      Show images

" Condition " settings that you specify here should generally match the condition of the member to which you plan to apply the user defined connection . This, however, is not a strict rule. You may find conditions where a user defined connection can be applied when an " Input connection type " cannot. See step 3 .

Member type: Beam or Column or Vertical brace or Horizontal brace or Joist .

Select the member type that this connection will be designed to support. This is also the member on which you will apply the connection. User defined connections are typically applied on the supported member, even though they may be detailed on (and therefore attached to) supporting members.

Material type: Wide Flange ( W ) or Channel ( C ) or Angle ( L ) Tee ( WT ) or Pipe ( HSS round ) or HSS/TS ( HSS rectangular ) or Welded Plate Wide Flange ( WPS ) or Welded Plate Box ( BOX ) or S Shape ( S ) or S Tee ( ST ).

This is the type of main material you want for the " Member type " selected. The " Material types " that are selectable for each " Member type " are those material types for which connection design can generate user defined connections.

Also see: " Section size " on the Beam Edit window; " Section size " on the Column Edit window; " Section size " on the Vertical Brace Edit window; " Section size " on the Horizontal Brace Edit window.

Connection type: Plain end or Clip angle (beam) or Clip angle (column) or Bent plate or End plate or Shear (beam) or Shear (column) or Bearing or Seated or Beam splice or Bearing (beam) or Splice plate [column] or Auto base/cap or User base/cap plate or Bearing (joist) or Seated joist or Flush framed shear or VBrace plate or Welded or HBrace plate or etc.

This is the type of connection to be applied to the selected " Member type ." Different types of connections are available for different types of members. Different connection specification options appear on this window depending on the selection you make here. ' Plain end ' does not give you any connection specification options.

Web rotation: Automatic or Web vertical or Hip and valley or Web normal . This applies when the " Member type " is ' Beam '. For beam-to-column framing conditions, select ' Web Vertical ' or ' Automatic '. For perpendicular beam-to-horizontal beam framing conditions, selecting any one of the four choices will give you the same results. For skewed beam-to-sloping beam framing conditions, see below:

' Automatic ' lets connection design determine the web rotation for you.

' Web vertical ' makes the web of the beam vertical to the world.

' Hip and valley ' instructs connection design to rotate the web of the beam to keep the flange of the beam being input in the same plane as the flange of the sloping beam it is framing into.

' Web normal ' instructs connection design to rotate the web of the beam being input as needed to keep the CONNECTION in the beam perpendicular to the flange of the sloping beam it is framing into.

Moment type: Non-moment or Bolted or Welded . These options apply when the " Member type " is ' Beam ' and ' Clip angle ' or ' Bent plate ' or ' End plate ' or ' Shear ' or ' Splice plate ' has been selected as the " Connection type ."

wide flange beam to the flange of a wide flange column	wide flange beam to a HSS column	wide flange beam to the web of a wide flange column	wide flange beam to the flange of a wide flange column

Select ' Non-moment ' if the user defined connection is to be a non-moment connection.

Select ' Bolted ' to designate a moment connection that is to be bolted in the shop. If ' End plate ' has been selected as the " Connection type ," then ' Bolted ' is the only option. See Moment Connection Information for additional bolted moment connection options.

Choosing ' Welded ' designates a moment connection that is to be welded in the shop. See Moment Connection Information for additional welded moment connection options.

VBrace plate type: Beam only or Column only or Brace intersection plate or Shared 'K' connection or Beam and column or Column and base/cap plate or Three point connection . Select the option that describes the framing condition for this brace.

Select ' Beam only ' if the vertical brace connects to a gusset on a beam.

Select ' Brace intersection plate ' if the connection is a plate where two vertical braces intersect.

Select ' Shared K connection ' if the vertical brace connects to a gusset on a column or beam that also supports another brace.

Select ' Beam and column ' if the vertical brace connects to a gusset shared by a beam and column,

Select ' Column and base/cap plate ' if the vertical brace connects to the end of a column and base/cap plate.

Select ' Three point connection ' if you are defining this connection for three vertical braces with a shared gusset.

Wide flange VBrace plate type: Beam only or Column only or Shared 'K' connection or Beam and column or Brace intersection plate or Column and base/cap plate or Three point connection . This field applies when ' Wide flange ' or ' Welded plate wide flange ' or ' S shape ' material has been entered for the " Material type " and ' VBrc plate ' has been entered as the " Connection type ." Be aware that you may not be able to get a system connection unless the section size is between W6 and W30.

Select ' Beam only ' if the wide flange vertical brace connects to a gusset on a beam.

Select ' Column only ' if the wide flange vertical brace connects to a gusset on a column.

Select ' Shared K connection ' if the wide flange vertical brace connects to a gusset on a column or beam that also supports the end of another brace.

Select ' Beam and column ' if the wide flange vertical brace connects to a gusset shared by a beam and column.

Select ' Column and base/cap plate ' if the wide flange vertical brace connects to the end of a column and base/cap plate.

Select ' Three point connection ' if you are defining this connection for three vertical braces with a shared gusset.

Filler plates: Upper or Lower or Neither . This field applies to column splice plates for wide flange columns. A filler plate may be needed when the columns being spliced are different section sizes. This option lets you choose which column needs the filler plate.

HBrace plate type: Beam web or Brace intersection plate or Shared gusset or Beam to beam corner or Beam flange or perpendicular to beam or Beam to beam - column . This only applies to horizontal braces. Choose the option that describes the framing situation for this brace.

Select ' Beam web ' if the horizontal brace connects to a beam web.

Select ' Brace intersection plate ' if the connection is a plate where two horizontal braces intersect.

Select ' Shared gusset ' if the horizontal brace connects to a gusset shared by another horizontal brace.

Select ' Beam to beam corner ' if the horizontal brace connects to a gusset on a beam-to-beam corner.

Select ' Beam flange ' if the horizontal brace frames to a beam flange.

Select ' perpendicular to beam ' if the horizontal brace frames perpendicular to a beam.

Brace rotation: Web vertical or Web horizontal . This applies to vertical braces when ' Wide Flange ' or ' S Shape ' or ' Welded Plate Wide Flange ' is selected.

' Web vertical '

' Web horizontal '

' Vertical ' makes the web of the brace vertical to the world.

' Horizontal ' makes the web of the brace horizontal to the world.

Seismic brace gusset connection: Yes or No . This applies when ' Vertical brace ' is the member type and ' VBrace plate ' is the connection type. To a beam & column, this vertical brace can be angle or WT or wide flange or pipe or tube . To a beam only, this brace can be angle or channel or WT or pipe or tube or wide flange. To a column only, this brace can be angle or channel or WT or pipe or tube or wide flange. To a column base/cap plate, this brace can be WT (stem vertical) or pipe or tube or wide flange.

' Yes '	' No '
In the left example , one construction line is drawn along the end of the brace. The other passes through the corner of the gusset. The same construction lines are in the right example.

' Yes ' instructs connection design to create a seismic connection on this end of the pipe or tube or angle brace. Connection design uses the " Multiplication factor... " in Plate Design Settings to set the distance parallel with the brace workline from the end of the brace (or paddle plate or built-up tee) to the nearest corner of the gusset. For angle seismic braces, the program also clips the end of the gusset plate (regardless of whether or not the box is checked for " Clip end operation on angle brace gusset plate ").

' No ' instructs connection design to create a non-seismic connection. The gusset will likely be smaller, and the end of the brace will likely be closer to the supporting member.

Double material: or . This applies when the " Member type " is a ' Vertical brace ' or ' Horizontal brace ' and the " Material type " is ' Angle '.

If this box is checked ( ), the brace main material is double material.

If the box is not checked ( ), the brace is a single angle.

Side of gusset: Near side or Far Side or Both sides . This applies when the " Member type " is a ' Vertical brace ' or ' Horizontal brace ' and the " Material type " is ' Angle '.

' Near side ' fastens the horizontal brace to the near side face (the top face) of the gusset plate. The near side face is the face that you look down on in a plan view.

' Near side ' bolts the vertical brace to the near side of the gusset plate. The outstanding leg of an angle points toward you when you are facing the near side of the gusset plate

' Far side ' fastens the horizontal brace to the far side of the gusset plate (the bottom face of the gusset plate).

' Far side ' bolts the vertical brace to the far side of the gusset plate. The outstanding leg of an angle point away from you when you are facing the near side of the gusset plate

' Both sides ' can be selected if the box for " Double material " is checked. Connection design uses the " Type of spacer " that is specified in Member Detailing and Fabricator Options .

Configuration: Back to back or Star or Near side or Far side . This applies when the " Member type " is a ' Vertical brace ' and the " Material type " is ' Angle ' and the box for " Double material " is checked.

VIDEO The " Configuration " of three double-angle vertical braces that cross at an intersection plate is set to ' Near side '. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2016.)

' Back to back '

' Star '

' Near side '

' Far side '

If ' Back to back ' is selected, the two angles are laid out back-to-back with a spacer (stitch plate) in between. This example shows a bolted ring or bolted plate spacer.

If ' Star ' is selected, the two angles are laid out in a star configuration using vertical spacers (stitch plates). A bolted spacer is used in this example.

' Near side ' places the angles back-to-back on the near side of the gusset plate. No stitch plate is required. The gusset plate, not a stitch plate, is shown in the above example.

' Far side ' places the angles back-to-back on the far side of the gusset plate. No stitch plate is required. The gusset plate, not a stitch plate, is shown in the above example.

Stitch plates are required for ' Back to back ' and ' Star ' configurations. The " Type of spacer " is specified at Home > Project Settings > Fabricator > Member Detailing and Fabricator Options > the " Stitch Plates " tab.

Frames to concrete wall : or . This applies when the " Member type " is a ' Beam ' ' and the " Connection type " is ' Shear ' or ' Clip angle ' or ' Seated ' or ' Bearing ' or ' Plain end '. It also applies when the " Member type " is ' Joist ' and the " Connection type " is ' Bearing ' or ' Seated '.

If this box is checked ( ), connection design is instructed to interpret this auto standard connection as being for the framing situation of a beam (or joist) to a concrete wall . For a beam, you are then permitted to make an " Embed schedule entry ." The box must be checked when the " Connection type " is ' Bearing '.

If the box is not checked ( ), the clip angle or shear plate will be designed without an embed plate so long as the framing situation and loading conditions applied to the auto standard connection are suitable.

The following connections can be created as user defined:

• Beam to concrete bearing connections . • Shear connection to an embed in a concrete wall . • Clip angle to an embed in a concrete wall . • Beam seat to an embed in a concrete wall . • Joist top chord to concrete with pocket & bearing embed . • Top chord joist seat to an embed . • Extended joist bottom chord stabilizer to an embed .

Embed schedule entry : A standard piecemark name from the " Piecemark " column in the Embed Schedule . This applies when the box is checked for " Frames to concrete wall ." The " Member type " can be ' Beam ' or ' Joist '. The beam " Connection type " can be ' Clip angle ' or ' Shear ' or ' Bearing ' or ' Seated ' or ' Plain end '. The joist " Connection type " of either ' Bearing ' or ' Seated ' results in the " Schedule entry " for the top chord embed being made to automatically match the choice made here (to " Embed schedule entry .")

An embed plate that was originally defined in the Embed Schedule . The " Embed plate schedule entry " was applied here, in User Defined Connections , along with a " Connection type " of ' Shear '. On the Beam Edit window, the " Input connection type " was set to ' User defined ' and the user defined connection shown here was entered to " User defined connection ."

Embed window, Modeling : Embed schedule entry
Auto Standard Connections: Embed schedule entry
Beam Edit: Embed schedule entry

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User Defined Connection Edit    Condition    Connection specifications (see step 4 )       Clip angle       Bent plate       End plate       Shear       Seated       Beam splice       Column splice       Auto base/cap plate       User base/cap plate       Bearing       Seated joist       Flush framed shear       VBrace plate       HBrace plate    Moment    Connection design locks (various names)      Show images

" Connection specifications " are available for most system connections . A system connection is a connection that undergoes connection design . The Connection Design Calculations and Expanded Connection Design Calculations reports provide the strength calculations used to design system connections. See step 4 .

------ Connection specifications ------
(Options depend on " Connection type " selected in step 4 )

Clip angle as the " Connection type " (for a beam) gives you the following " Connection specifications ":

Gage	Use expanded vertical bolt spacing
Attachment to supported	Welded extended tee
Attachment to supporting	Full depth extended tee
Side	Flange splice plates on
Attached to	Replace doubler with larger clip
Use erection bolts	Use paddle plate
Safety connection	Skew holes in angle
Extend past flange	Combine beam/vbrc clip angles
Create web doublers	Check supporting member for axial load
Stagger on	Embed plate location

Clip angle as the " Connection type " (for a column) gives you the following " Connection specifications ":

Gage	Stagger on
Attachment	Use expanded vertical bolt spacing
Side	Use paddle plate
Attached to	Skew holes in angle

Please note: When you apply the connection to a column, it fails with the " Hangar connections not supported " message. " Force " can get you a solids model.

Bent plate as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Gage	Stagger on
Attachment to supported	Welded extended tee
Attachment to supporting	Full depth extended tee
Side	Bent plate grade
Attached to	Use paddle plate

End plate as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Gage	Combine beam/vbr end plates
Safety connection	Welded extended tee
Expanded vertical bolt spacing	Full depth extended tee
Extend PL to beam flanges	Check supporting for axial load
Extension dimension	End plate grade

Shear as the " Connection type " (for a beam) gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Material type ( )	Use expanded vertical bolt spacing
Attachment	Combine beam/vbr shear plates
Attached to	Try two bolt column shear tabs
Shear plate/tee side	Use paddle plate ( )
Flange splice plates	Skew holes in plate
Support condition	Use back-up bar
Thru shear plate ( )	HSS column reinforcement ( )
Weld split plate to thru plate	Use alternate eccentricity
Extend past flange	Check supporting for axial load
Extend stabilizer plates ( )	Shear plate grade
Stiffener opposite	Embed plate location
Extend size to	Bevel shear plate as required ( )

Shear as the " Connection type " (for a column) gives you these " Connection specifications " .

Attached to	Skew holes in plate
Shear plate side	Use back-up bar
Use expanded vertical bolt spacing	Shear plate grade
Use paddle plate

Please note: When you apply the connection to a column, it fails with the " Hangar connections not supported " message. ' Force ' can get you a solids model.

Seated as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Seat material	Seat to supporting member
Stability angle	Seated plate grade
Location

Beam splice as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Web plates on	Splice plate grade
Plate side	Flange plates on

Column splice as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Column attachment	Channel lower connection
Butt plate	Channel connection side
Web plates	Splice plate grade
Channel web connection	Inner flange plate

Auto base/cap plate as the " Connection type " gives you the following " Connection specifications ":

Weld pattern	Use extended stiffeners
Use transverse beam stiffener	Base/cap plate grade
Align stiffeners with

User base/cap plate as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Weld all around	Use transverse beam stiffener
Flange welds	Align stiffeners with
Web welds	Use extended stiffeners
Seal welds

Bearing as the " Connection type " when ' Joist ' is the " Member type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Chord to support	Top chord embed
Allow washers on shoe slots	Schedule entry
Extend bottom chord	Bottom chord embed
Stabilizing material	Schedule entry
Use erection hole	Location
Vertical stabilizer angle

Note: The above links go to the Joist Edit window. To enable embed options here, in User Defined Connections , check the box for " Frames to concrete wall ."

Seated joist as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Top chord seated material	Top chord embed
Seat to supporting member	Schedule entry
Allow washers on shoe slots	Location
Extend bottom chord	Bottom chord embed
Stabilizing material	Schedule entry
Stabilizing material	Location
Vertical stabilizer angle

Note: The above links go to the Joist Edit window. To enable embed options here, in User Defined Connections , check the box for " Frames to concrete wall ."

Flush framed shear as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Shear plate side	Use back-up bar
Extend past flange	Use alternate eccentricity
Extend stabilizer plates	Shear plate grade
Extend size to	Bevel shear plate as required
Stiffener opposite	Extend bottom chord
Try two bolt column shear tabs	Stabilizing material
Skew holes in plate	Use erection hole
	Vertical stabilizer angle

Flush framed clip as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Gage	Welded extended tee
Attachment to supported	Full depth extended tee
Attachment to supporting	Skew holes in angle
Side	Extend bottom chord
Use erection bolts	Stabilizing material
Safety connection	Use erection hole
Stagger on	Vertical stabilizer angle

Note: The above links related to bottom chord extension and stabilization go to the Joist Edit window.

VBrace plate as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Gusset plate grade	Clip angle size
Use OS gusset holes	Attach long leg to
Connection arrangement	Hole type supported
Web connection type	Hole type supporting
Flange connection type	Bolt type
Pipe/tube end-fitting ( )	Bolt diameter
Notch length clearance	Stagger bolts
Erection bolts	Gage on supporting
Clip end operation	UFM special case ( )
Angle end fitting	Case 2 transfer percent
Include end welds	Check supporting member for:
Balanced welds	Web stress
HSS column reinforcement ( )	Web crippling
Gusset to supporting member	Web shear
Gusset to beam clips	Flange bending
Gusset to clip connection	AISC seismic 1st ed. 2pt gussets

Welded as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Weld all around angle branch

HBrace plate as the " Connection type " gives you these " Connection specifications ":

Gusset plate grade	Gusset to clip connection
Gusset cut	Gusset clips on
Use OS gusset holes	Clip angle size
Pipe/tube end fitting	Attach long leg to
Notch length clearance	Hole type supported
Erection bolts	Hole type supporting
Angle end fitting	Bolt type
Include end welds	Bolt diameter
Balanced welds	Stagger bolts
Clip end operation ( )	Supporting mem web stress
Gusset to beam connection

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User Defined Connection Edit    Condition    Connection specifications    Moment (see step 5 )       Design for doublers       Design for stiffeners       Column web doubler side       Connection material       Connection type       End plates       Location       Bolt pattern       Bolt type       Bolt diameter       Re-entrant cut       Groove angle    Connection design locks (various names)      Show images

" Moment " options are applicable when the " Member type " is ' Beam ' and the " Connection type " is ' Clip angle ' or ' End plate ' or ' Shear ' or ' Splice plate ' and " Moment type " is set to ' Bolted ' or ' Welded '. You do not get these " Moment " options otherwise. See step 5 .

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User Defined Connection Edit    Condition    Connection specifications    Moment    Connection design locks (see step 6 )       beam connections       column connections       horizontal brace to one beam       horizontal brace shared gussets or intersection plates       horizontal brace to beam-beam corner       horizontal brace to beam-column-beam corner       vertical brace, except wide flange       vertical brace, wide flange       joist connections      Show images

Connection design locks are stored under leaves which have various names. To see those names for beam connections, click the "beam connections" link shown here. For quick documentation on how connection design locks control specific dimensions, click the box for "      Show images ."

" Member type " = 'Beam'
" Connection type "	Connection Design Locks
Clip Angle	NS Clip , FS Clip , Beam Web Doubler Web Extension Plate , Welded Tee , Safety Seat Top Moment Plate , Bottom Moment Plate , Moment Cap Plate Top Moment Angle , Bottom Moment Angle Column Web Doubler & Column Flange Stiffener (moment)
Bent Plate	Bent Plate ,  Welded Tee , Beam Web Doubler , Safety Seat Top Moment Plate , Bottom Moment Plate , Moment Cap Plate Top Moment Angle , Bottom Moment Angle Column Web Doubler & Column Flange Stiffener (moment)
End Plate	End Plate (nonmoment) Welded Tee , Safety Seat   Moment End Plate (8-bolt moment) Moment Stiffeners (8-bolt moment) Column Web Doublers Column Flange Stiffeners (moment)
Shear	Shear Tee (W tee),   Shear Tab (plate), Tab Clips and Copes , Paddle Plate for HSS Beam , Column Reinf Plate , Safety Seat Stability Plate (extended. to column web) Shear Thru Plate On [ ] Top Moment Plate (bolted), Bottom Moment Plate Top / Bottom Moment Plate (welded, to web), Moment Cap Plate Top Moment Angle , Bottom Moment Angle Column Web Doubler & Column Flange Stiffener Stability Plate (beam to column web)
Seated Beam	Seated Tee , Seated Plate , Seated Angle Web Stability Angle Top Flange Stability Angle
Splice Plate	Web Plate , Web Fill Plate , Moment Flange Plate , Inner Flange Filler Plates
Bearing	Beam End Pocket

" Member type " = 'Column'
Connection Type	Connection Design Locks
Auto Base/ Cap	Column Plate (not to beam or joist - forced) Column Plate (to a beam or joist), Stiffener Plate (to a beam), Column Plate Welds ( ) , Top / Bottom Extension Plate (to a beam)
User Base/Cap	Column Plate (not to beam or joist) Column Plate (to a beam or joist) Stiffener Plate (to a beam), Column Plate Welds , Additional Holes Top / Bottom Extension Plate (to a beam) Left/Right/Top/Bottom Base Plate Extension ( )
Splice Plate	Outer Flange Plate , Upper Outer Flange Fill Plate , Butt Plate Web Plate , Upper Web Fill Plate Web Channel , Inner Flange Plate

Horizontal brace : HBrc to 1 beam
framing situation	angle	W tee	HSS, pipe, tube	wide flange, S-shape
to top flange	Gusset One Member Square , Guss One Mem , Brace Conn to Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	Gusset One Member Square , Gusset One Mem Brace Conn to Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	Gusset One Member , Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted HB Conn2 (w)	Gusset One Member Square , Guss One Mem , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)
to web	Gusset One Member Square , Guss One Mem , HB Conn2 (w), NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Gusset One Member Square , Guss One Mem HB Conn2 (w) NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Gusset One Member , Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted	Gusset One Member Square , Guss One Mem , HB Conn2 (w) NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)
bottom gusset to bottom flange	- - -	- - -	- - -	Bottom Gusset One Member
perp to top flange	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn to Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)
perp to web	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w), NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Gusset One Member Perp, Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w), NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted , NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Gusset One Member Perp , Brace Conn , HB Conn2 (w), NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)
perp bottom gusset to bottom flange	- - -	- - -	- - -	Bottom Gusset One Member

Horizontal brace : Shared gussets or intersection plates
framing situation	angle	W tee	HSS, pipe, tube	wide flange, S-shape
shared gusset to top flange	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)	gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w)
shared gusset to web	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w), NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w) NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Guss 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w) NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)	Guss 2 Pt Square , Gusset 2 Point , Brace Conn To Gusset , HB Conn2 (w) NS/FS Clip Conn2 (b)
shared bottom gusset to bottom flange	- - -	- - -	- - -	Bottom Gusset 2 Point
intersection	Gusset Intersection   Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset Intersection   Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset Intersection Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted	- - -

Horizontal brace : Gusset to beam-to-beam corner
framing situation	angle	W tee	HSS, pipe, tube	wide flange, S-shape
bm to bm corner (gusset, etc.)	Gusset To Two Beams Square , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset To Two Beams Square , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset To Two Beams , Brace Conn To Gusset Hss Bolted	Gusset To Two Beams Square , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset
bm to bm corner (flange conns)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)
bm to bm corner (web conns)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)

Horizontal brace : Gussets to beam-beam corner with interposed column
framing situation	angle	W tee	HSS, pipe, tube	wide flange, S-shape
bm to bm - column (gusset, etc.)	Gusset To Two Beams Square , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset To Two Beams , Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset To Two Beams , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset To Two Beams , Guss To Two Bms , Brace Conn To Gusset
bm to bm - column (flange conns)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)	HB Conn1 & 2 (w)
bm to bm - column (web conns)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)	NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2 (b)

" Member type " = 'Vertical brace' except wide flange
framing situation	angle, tee, channel	HSS, pipe or tube	stem-vertical tee or [rod brace]
various		Brace Reinforcement	Brace Connection To Gusset [rod brace]
beam only	Guss One Mem Square Guss One Mem Square Guss One Mem Brace Conn To Guss Weld Conn2 NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset One Member ... Hss Paddle ...Hss Bolted ... Hss Welded Weld Conn2 NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset One Member Brc Conn To Gus Wtee Brc Conn To Gusset Weld Conn2 NS/FS Clip Conn2
column only	Guss One Mem Square Guss One Mem Square Guss One Mem NS/FS Clip Conn2 Stiffener Plate others	Gusset One Member ...Hss Paddle ...Hss Bolted Stiffener Plate others	Gusset One Member Brc Conn To Guss Wtee Brace Conn To Gusset others
intersection	Gusset Intersection Brace Conn To Gusset	Gusset Intersection ...Hss Paddle ...Hss Bolted	- - -
beam & column	Gus Bm Col Square Gus Bm Col Square Gus Bm Col NS/FS Clip Conn1 Shear Tab End Plate others	Gusset Beam Column ...Hss Welded ... Hss Paddle others	Gusset Beam Column Brc Conn To Guss Wtee Brc Conn To Gusset NS/FS Clip Conn1 others
shared gusset to beam	Gusset 2 Point Square Gusset 2 Point Square Gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset NS/FS Clip Conn2 Web Doublers others	Gusset 2 Point ...Hss Paddle ... Hss Bolted ... Hss Welded Web Doublers others	Gusset 2 Point Brc Conn To Guss Wtee Brc Conn To Gusset Web Doublers others
shared gusset to column	Gusset 2 Point Square Gusset 2 Point Square Gusset 2 Point NS/FS Clip Conn2 Web Doublers Stiffener Plate others	Gusset 2 Point ...Hss Paddle ...Hss Bolted ...Hss Welded Web Doublers Stiffener Plate others	Gusset 2 Point Brc Conn To Guss Wtee Brc Conn To Gusset NS/FS Clip Conn2 Web Doublers others
column & base/cap plate	Guss Col Cap Square others	Gusset Column Cap ... Hss Paddle ... Hss Bolted others	Gusset Column Cap Brc Conn To Guss Wtee Brc Conn To Gusset others

Vertical Brace : Wide Flange -- not other materials
framing situation	web vertical			web horizontal
	standard	paddle plates	bolt web to guss	claw angles	flange gussets
beam only	Gusset One Member , Web Plate , Flange Angle , Weld Conn2 ,   NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset One Member Brace Conn To Gusset NS/FS Clip Conn2 others	Brace Connection To Gusset	Gusset One Member , NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset
column only	Gusset One Member , Web , Flange , Stiffener Plate NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset One Member Brace Conn To Gusset Stiffener Plate others	Brace Connection To Gusset	Gusset , NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset
beam & column	NS/FS Clip Conn1 , Shear Tab , End Pl , Gusset Beam Column , Web , Flange , NS/FS Clip Conn2	Gusset Beam Col Brace Conn To Gusset VBrClip Shear Tab End Plate other	Brace Connection To Gusset	Gusset Beam Col NS/FS Clip Conn1 Shear Tab End Plate	- - -
shared gusset to beam	Gusset 2 Point , Web , Flange , NS/FS Clip Conn2   Web Doublers	Gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset Web Doublers other	Brace Connection To Gusset Web Doublers	Gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset Web Doublers	Gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset Web Doublers other
shared gusset to column	Gusset 2 Point , Web , Flange , NS/FS Clip Conn2   Web Doublers Stiffener Plate	Gusset 2 Point Brace Conn To Gusset NS/FS Clip Conn2 Web Doublers Stiffener Plate	Brace Connection To Gusset Web Doublers	Gusset 2 Point Web Doublers	Gusset 2 Point Web Doublers
column & base/cap plate	Gusset Column Cap ...Wflg Web Plate ...Wflg Flg Angle	Gusset Column Cap Brace Conn To Gusset	Brace Connection To Gusset	Gusset Column Cap Brace Conn To Gusset

" Member type " = 'Joist'
Connection Type	Connection Design Locks
Top chord seated, various materials	Seated Tee , Seated Plate , Seated Angle
Extended bottom chord stabilizer angle	Joist Stabilizer Angle (for an extended bottom chord)
Extended bottom chord stabilizer plate	Joist Stabilizer Plate (for an extended bottom chord)
Joist top chord to concrete with pocket & bearing embed	Joist End Pocket (for the top chord). The embedded bearing plate, bearing angle or bearing channel is not a designed connection.
Bearing	Bearing Shoe Slots and Bolts
Top chord joist seat to an embed	Locks are the same as for a joist seat. The plate, angle or channel embed is a custom member , not a designed connection. Consequently, no locks for the embed plate are available on the User Defined Connections setup window
Extended joist bottom chord stabilizer to an embed	Locks are the same as for a bottom chord plate or bottom chord angle. The plate, angle or channel embed is not a designed connection. Consequently, no locks for the embed are available on the User Defined Connections setup window.
Flush framed shear	Knife Plate (joist plate for bolting the shear plate to) Shear Tab (joist to beam or column), Tab Clips and Copes (joist to beam or column), Stability Plate (joist to a column web)

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Applying a user defined connection :

VIDEO A connection is double-clicked to open the Connection Component Edit window, wherein the bottom cope for that component is changed in " End preparations " to a cut flange flush and saved (with the entire connection) as a new user defined connection. The new user defined connection is then applied to another member. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2015.)

1 . A user defined connection consists of connection settings that are stored in a file. That file can be used by connection design to create a connection. Once a user defined connection has been saved under a file name, you can do the following to apply that connection to a member:

Alternative 1 : You can set up the user defined connection to be applied as an auto standard connection. This causes it to be automatically applied to particular framing conditions where ' Auto standard ' is the " Input connection type " on a member edit window. See auto standard connections for instructions on how to do this.

Alternative 2 : You can apply the connection to individual members in the 3D model. Go to step 2.

To save a user defined connection, you can follow the step-by-step instructions on this page, or you can follow the instructions for the " Save As User Defined Connection " button ( ) that can be found on the Beam Edit , Column Edit , Horizontal Brace Edit , Vertical Brace Edit or Joist Edit window. You can also save a user defined connection from the Connection Component Edit window.

2 . Open a member edit window by doing the following.

Alternative 1 : Add a beam or column or vertical brace or horizontal brace or joist.

Alternative 2 : Edit (double-click) a beam or column or vertical brace or horizontal brace or joist.

Note: The type of member that you add or edit should, in most cases, be the same type as the " Member type " selected for the user defined connection. Other characteristics of the member should also generally match the " Condition " settings that are specified in the user defined connection file.

Tip: To see what " Condition " settings have been applied to a user defined connection with a particular file name, open that file at Home > Project Settings > Job by following step 1 and step 2, alternative 1 of the procedure outlined on this page.

3 . The Beam , Column , Vertical Brace , Horizontal Brace or Joist window opens.

3a : Confirm that the " Section size " on the edit window is a material of the same type as the " Material type " selected for the user defined connection.

3b : Select ' User defined ' as the " Input connection type ."

3c : To " User defined connection ," enter the name of the user defined connections. You may, if you are editing the member, at this point make additional connection design lock changes to the connection. You can't, however, do this with a new member that you are adding.

3d : Press the " OK " button at the bottom of the member edit window to save your changes and close the window.

4 . Process and Create Solids to run the connection through connection design .

User defined connections are just like other designed connections: A user defined connection will undergo the same capacity checks, bolt validations and other failure checks that it would undergo if it had been specified on a member edit window. User defined connections adapt to different framing conditions such as the section sizes and orientation of the connecting members, just like other system connections do. They also adapt to the loads that have been applied to them. This means that the same user defined connection may be designed in different ways on different members. Just like any other designed connection, a user defined connection lets a user employ connection design locks to specify, for example, the plate thickness or number of rows of bolts to be used by connection design when it creates the connection. Connection design will adjust the unlocked settings to design a connection that is appropriate to the framing situation and load. The values a user enters for locked settings will be preserved through connection design.

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