Horizontal Brace Connection Failure Messages

Introduction :

Error messages listed in alphabetical order :

A B C E F G H I L M
N P S T   U W        

page 1 | contents | failure messages | horizontal brace review window


Where/when/why these error messages appear :

When you open a Horizontal Brace Review window after connection design has failed an " Input connection type " connection on the left or right end of the horizontal brace, you will find a connection design error message such the following:

 Invalid brace work point location

The message is displayed on the left half of the Horizontal Brace Review window if it applies to the connection on the left end of the horizontal brace. The message tells you why connection design failed the connection. Understanding the message can help you to determine what steps the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to take in order to create the connection you want.

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Warning 1: Users should enter loads (" Tension load ," " Compression Load ," etc.) only under the authority of a qualified engineer. An improperly set load can result in design changes that are structurally unsound. Lowering the load may get a connection in a full-featured SDS2 program , but it could result in a connection failure under the true loading conditions in the built structure.

Warning 2: Users of a full-featured SDS2 program should make design changes (such as changing the brace's " Section size " or " Steel grade ") only under the authority of a qualified structural designer. Making such design changes may involve extra costs, clearance problems, delays, etc. For many projects, materials may have already been ordered at the time connections are being designed.

Warning 3: Creating graphical connections are two methods that users of a full-featured SDS2 program can almost always use to get around connection failures. Each graphical connection should be approved by a qualified designer before its drawing is sent to the fabrication shop.

Warning 4: Fixing connection failures in a full-featured SDS2 program may, in some cases, involve making changes to Job/Fabricator setup options. Caution should be exercised when making any setup change since such changes will be automatically applied to newly added members and, for members that already exist in the model, the user needs to manually select (mark for processing) those members that the user wants connection design to update.

Warning 5: Just because connection design passes a connection without a failure message, you should not assume that the connection is optimal. All connections should be visually inspected in the model. In addition, the Connection Design Calculations or Expanded Connection Design Calculations report should be reviewed by a qualified engineer.

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- A -

All 3 braces must have the same material type: You get this message when connection design fails a shared gusset for three braces when the " Section size " for at least one of the horizontal braces is a wide flange or tube brace.

Connection design can create shared gussets for a combination of angle or channel or W tee braces, but will not let you mix wide flange or tube braces with other material types.

To get a connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try changing the " Section size " so that each of the three braces are same type (wide flange or tube) or so that none of the three braces are wide flanges or tubes.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- B -

Bolt bearing strength on conn./supported member exceeded: This connection failure message may apply when the horizontal brace " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. and the horizontal brace gusset plate connects to the supporting beam with a clip angle.

Framing situations
in which a gusset
may connect to the
supporting beam
with a clip angle:

Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2-point, to a web
Horizontal brace to a beam-beam corner
Horizontal brace to a beam-column -beam corner

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) field " Bolt diameter " or " Rows " (of bolts) or " Columns " (of bolts) for the leg to the gusset plate in a " HB Conn2 " or " HB Conn1 " leaf .

Assuming that the horizontal brace's " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, generally the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Bolt diameter " or " Rows " or " Columns " or, alternatively, to adjust the entries made to those locked fields..

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt bearing strength on gusset/connection exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ' and the " Gusset to beam connection " is ' Clip angle '. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." The failure occurs when bearing on either the gusset or the clip angle exceeds the limit.

Framing Situation Leaves Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's web NS/FS Clip Conn2 , Gusset One Member
HBrc perpendicular to a beam web NS/FS Clip Conn2 , Gusset One Member Perp
2-point bracing to a beam web NS/FS Clip Conn2 , Gusset 2 Point
HBrc to two beam webs NS/FS Clip Conn1 & NS/FS Clip Conn2 , Gusset To Two Beams
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column NS/FS Clip Conn1 & NS/FS Clip Conn2 , Gusset To Two Beams

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) fields " Rows " (of bolts) or " Plate thickness " (of gusset) in any of the above-listed leaves.

Assuming that the horizontal brace " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, generally the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Rows " or " Plate thickness " fields or to enter larger values to those fields.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt bearing strength on OSL/Supporting member exceeded: This connection failure message may apply when the horizontal brace " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. and the horizontal brace gusset plate bolts to the supporting beam with a clip angle.

Framing situations
in which a gusset
may connect to the
supporting beam
with a clip angle :

Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2-point, to a web
Horizontal brace to a beam-beam corner
Horizontal brace to a beam-column -beam corner

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) field " Bolt diameter " or " Rows " (of bolts) or " Columns " (of bolts) for the leg to the supporting beam (the OSL leg) in a " HB Conn2 " or " HB Conn1 " leaf .

Assuming that the horizontal brace's " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, generally the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Bolt diameter " or " Rows " or " Columns " or, alternatively, to adjust the entries made to those locked fields..

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt diameter is greater than 1 inch; 25.4 mm: You get this failure message when, because of the load on this end of the horizontal brace, connection design has increases the number of rows of bolts to maximum and has determined that the connection requires bolts above 1 inch in diameter, which is above the SDS2-supported maximum.

A possible way to get an " Input connection type " connection of the type originally specified is to lower the governing " Load ."

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt dia. too large for member or sprt member flg: This applies to the brace-to-gusset bolts on angle , tee , and wide flange horizontal braces. Connection design checks the edge distance and the bolt clearance. If it determines that the brace-to-gusset bolts are too large in diameter for the brace, the connection fails, and you get this message.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try entering a smaller " NM bolt diameter ." If that doesn't work, the user will probably need to enter a larger brace " Section size ."

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt shear strength at gusset connection exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ' and the brace bolts to two beam webs with clip angles. It indicates that the strength of shop bolts in the leg of the clip angle that connects to the gusset plate has been exceeded.

Horizontal Brace to Two Beams
framing situation leaves (gusset clips, web)
horizontal brace to beam-beam corner NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2
horizontal brace to beam-column-beam NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2

The message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in the " Clip Angle " or " NS/FS Clip Conn2 " leaves. Specifically, you may get this message when that user entered a " Bolt diameter " or a number of " Bolt rows ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is increase the " Bolt diameter " or number of " Bolt rows " or to unlock ( ) those fields so that connection design can automatically make the appropriate adjustments.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt shear strength exceeded: This connection failure message can apply to any horizontal brace " Input connection type " that is bolted. The message may be generated for any " Connection design method ."

The connection failure message may be generated on the Horizontal Brace Review window due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any leaf that contains connection design locks related to hole patterns and bolts.

Assuming that the horizontal brace's " Tension load " and " Compression load " and other parameters are to engineering specifications, generally the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the offending locked fields or, alternatively, to adjust the entries made to those locked fields.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Bolt shear strength at OSL connection exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ' and the brace bolts to two beam webs with clip angles. It indicates that the strength of field bolts in the leg of the clip angle to the beam web has been exceeded.

Horizontal Brace to Two Beams
framing situation leaves (gusset clips, web)
horizontal brace to beam-beam corner NS/FS Clip Conn1 or NS/FS Clip Conn2
horizontal brace to beam-column-beam NS/FS Clip Conn1 or NS/FS Clip Conn2

The message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in the " NS/FS Clip Conn1 " or " NS/FS Clip Conn 2 " leaves. Specifically, you may get this message when that user entered a " Bolt diameter " or a number of " Rows ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is increase the " Bolt diameter " or number of " Rows " or to unlock ( ) those fields so that connection design can automatically make the appropriate adjustments.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Both braces must be either on/off the neutral axis: You get this failure message for angle and double angle horizontal braces that frame opposite to one another at a brace intersection plate . It indicates that the two braces have different " Locate on neutral axis " settings.

To fix this problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could change the " Locate on neutral axis " setting for one of the braces so that it matches the setting for the brace that is opposite to it on the intersection plate.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Both braces must have the same material type: You get this failure message when connection design is unable to create an intersection plate or a shared gusset for horizontal braces of different material types.

To fix this problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could enter a new " Section size " for one or both braces so that both braces have section sizes that are of the same material type.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Brace conn. will not fit in beam web: You get this failure message when connection design is unable to design a gusset plate for a horizontal brace to a beam web that is not deep enough.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program will have to change the beam " Section size " or, possibly, relocate the brace with respect to the beam.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Brace gross compression strength failure: You get this failure message when connection design cannot create a connection because the compression load causes failure of the brace.

Possible ways to get an " Input connection type " connection in a full-featured SDS2 program are to input a stronger " Section size " for the brace, or to lower the " Compression load " on the brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Brace gross tension strength fails: You get this failure message when connection design cannot create a connection because the brace material itself is not strong enough to not stand up to the applied tension.

One way the user of a full-featured SDS2 program to get an " Input connection type " connection is to change to a different brace material. For example, it the brace is a single angle, the user might change to " Double material ." If the brace is a tee, the user might use a heavier tee " Section size ."

Another way is lower the " Tension load " and thus allow the brace to be as weak as it currently is.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Brace net tension strength fails: You get this failure message when connection design has determined that the brace material, including the holes for bolting it to the gusset, is not strong enough to stand up to the applied tension.

Possible ways for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program to get an " Input connection type " connection are to change to a different brace material (e.g. if it's a brace of single angle material, the user might change to " Double material "; if it's made of tee material, the user might use heavier tee " Section size "), or to lower the " Tension load " and thus design a weaker gusset plate.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Braces must be colinear: This error message applies to angle and double angle and HSS horizontal braces that frame opposite to one another at a brace intersection plate . It indicates that the work lines (stick form lines) of the two braces are not in alignment.

To evaluate the misalignment of the two braces, use EXPT to locate a construction line that passes through the work points of one of the opposing horizontal brace. Then do the same for the opposite horizontal brace. You will see that the construction lines (and therefore the two horizontal braces) are not colinear.

To fix this problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program may be able to change the " End elevation " of one of the horizontal braces so that it is colinear with the opposite horizontal brace. If that doesn't work, the user could use Move/Stretch Member to repair the problem. Or the user may have to Erase the member then Add a new horizontal brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Brace to beam angle less than 20 degrees ( 73 ): No longer applies!

Pre-2016 versions of SDS2 had a design check to ensure that the angle between a horizontal brace and its supporting beam is greater than or equal to 20 degrees. That design check has been removed.

Braces have different end elevations: You get this connection failure message when connection design cannot create a shared gusset for horizontal braces because the braces are at different elevations.

To get an " Input connection type " connection in a full-featured SDS2 program , the user could adjust the " End elevation " on both ends of one brace so that it matches the " End elevation " of the other brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- C -

Calculated minus dim larger than member length: This connection failure message indicates that an entry made to a connection design lock on the brace would result in the " Automatic minus dimension " being larger than the member length, which is a physical impossibility that cannot be accurately modeled.

In a full-featured SDS2 program , a possible fix would be to unlock ( ) the connection design lock whose entry caused the failure message. This would likely result in connection design populating that field with an automatically calculated, reasonable value that is compatible with member setbacks and with entries made to other, related connection design locks.

Another possible fix would be for the user to keep the lock ( ) on the connection design lock that caused this failure message, but to enter to that field a smaller, more reasonable value.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Cannot have a moment web setback with both flanges coped: This connection failure message indicates that both the " Top flange operation " and the " Bottom flange operation " on the same member end are cope operations and a non-zero " Moment connection web setback " has been set. Various cope operations may be specified under the " End preparations " leaf on a member review window.

' Cope plain '
' Cope shop weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Cope shop weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Seismic cope field weld '
' Seismic cope shop weld '
cope operations

To clear this failure message, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program can clear the cope operation on either the top flange or the bottom flange or enter ' 0 ' to " Moment connection web setback " or unlock ( ) that field. The user can clear a cope operation and keep the weld preparation by entering ' 0 ' as the " Cope length " and ' 0 ' as the " Cope depth ."

If this failure message is not cleared, the program still copes the top and bottom flanges. However, the " Moment connection web setback " that has been entered is not applied. That entry is shown on the member window, accompanied by this failure message as an indication that the entered value has not been applied. On the Rolled Section Material window, the " Moment connection web setback " is ' 0 ' since zero is the actual, applied value.

Cannot have a moment web setback without a cope weld end operation: This failure message applies to all member types that have a valid " Section size " to which the user of a full-featured SDS2 program can apply a cope weld end operation.

' Cope shop weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Cope shop weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Seismic cope field weld '
' Seismic cope shop weld '
cope weld operations

To clear this failure message, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to enter ' 0 ' to " Moment connection web setback " or unlock ( ) that field or apply one of the above-listed cope weld end operations as the " Top/bottom flange operation ."

If this failure message is not cleared, the " Top/bottom flange operation " is still applied. The entry made to " Moment connection web setback " is shown on the member review window, accompanied by this failure message as an indication that the entered value has not been applied. On the Rolled Section Material window, the " Moment connection web setback " is ' 0 ' since zero is the actual, applied value.

Clip angle/plate weld strength to gusset exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. The horizontal brace gusset may weld directly to the supporting beam or it may connect to the supporting beam with a clip angle. This message may be generated for any " Connection design method " and applies to virtually all horizontal brace framing situations.

Framing situations : Horizontal brace to a beam's top flange
Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2- and 3-point, to top flange or web
Horizontal brace to a beam-beam corner
Horizontal brace to a beam-column-beam corner

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) fields " Plate thickness " in a gusset leaf and/or " Rows " of bolts in a clip angle leaf.

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications and that the " Gusset plate grade " is what you want it to be, probably the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Plate thickness " and/or " Rows ," or to enter a larger gusset plate thickness or a larger number of rows.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Clip angle with adequate thickness not available: You get this connection failure message when an angle section that will work for this connection is unavailable in the local shape file .

Possible ways for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program to get an " Input connection type " connection are to add the angle the user needs using Shapes Properties , or to use a different section size for the brace or supporting member. Lowering the " Tension load " may allow connection design to use an angle that is less thick.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Combined gusset stress limit exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. For example, it may apply to the framing situations listed below. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." The failure message indicates that combined forces from the beam and brace exceed the gusset plate stress limit.

Framing situations : Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2- and 3-point
Horizontal brace to a beam-beam corner
Horizontal brace to a beam-column -beam corner

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) " Plate thickness " (of gusset) field in any gusset-related leaves in the above-listed framing situations.

Assuming that the " Shear load " on the beam and the " Tension load " and " Compression load " on the horizontal brace are to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Plate thickness " field, or to enter larger thickness to that field.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Cannot complete connection design: This may apply to many different situations.

You should probably review the 3D model with an eye toward examining this particular framing situation in order to assess what might be the problem.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Connecting beam has failed connection: You get this connection failure message because the beam to which the horizontal brace is connecting has a connection failure. This message might, for instance, occur on a brace connecting to a beam-column-beam or to a beam-beam.

Before connection design can create a gusset plate, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to get a connection on the end of the beam. See beam connection failure messages .

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Connection will not fit in beam: You get this connection failure message on a horizontal brace to a beam web . If the beam is not deep enough, connection design cannot generate a gusset plate on this end of the brace.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program will have to change the beam " Section size " or, possibly, relocate the brace with respect to the beam.

This is a geometry problem where the user should probably review the 3D model and inspect the framing situation before making a decision.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Cope depth is less than minimum allowed: This failure message applies when, under the " End preparations " leaf on a member window, a user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered a " Cope depth " that is less than the minimum allowed. A " Cope depth " can be entered for any of the following " Top/bottom flange operations :"

' Cope plain '
' Cope shop weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #3 (Standard) '
' Cope field weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Cope shop weld #1 (FEMA) '
' Seismic cope field weld '
' Seismic cope shop weld '
cope operations

The program calculates the minimum cope depth based on the flange thickness of the " Section size " of the member, using in the following formula: r + tf + 0.01 inch = mcd .

mcd = minimum cope depth
tf = flange thickness
r = cope radius

To clear this failure message, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program needs to enter a " Cope depth " that is larger than the calculated minimum ( mcd ) or unlock ( ) the " Cope depth " field so that the program enters the calculated minimum.

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- E -

End operation will not work with this situation: This connection failure message indicates that the left- or right-end " Top flange operation " or " Bottom flange operation " under " End preparations " on the member window will not work. This is a catch-all failure message. In the table below, situations that produce this failure message are marked ? or fail .

OK = end operation is applicable to the material type
fail = end operation will not work for this situation
? = operation works on the flange, not the stem
288 = failure message number 288
  W , S C L tube   pipe   WT
Cope plain OK OK OK OK OK OK
Cope field #3 OK OK ? fail fail ?
Cope shop #3 OK OK ? fail fail ?
Cut flange width OK 288 288 fail fail fail
Cut flange flush OK 288 288 fail fail fail
Clip flange OK fail fail fail fail fail
Notch top/bottom fail fail fail OK OK fail
Notch NS/FS fail fail fail OK OK fail
Cope field #1 OK OK ? fail fail ?
Cope shop #1 OK OK ? fail fail ?
Clip web OK OK OK fail fail OK
Cope field seismic OK OK ? fail fail ?
Cope shop seismic OK OK ? fail fail ?

Example of ?: In a full-featured SDS2 program , selecting ' Cope field weld #3 ' as the " Bottom flange operation " for a W tee horizontal brace produces the failure message, and a weld preparation will not be applied to the stem of the W tee. However, if the user of that program selects the same operation as the " Top flange operation ," the weld preparation will be applied to the top flange of the W tee and, of course, that user will not get the failure message. All operations in the above chart that are marked ? work in a similar way.

To clear the failure message, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program can switch to a different " Top/bottom flange operation ."


- F -

Frames to a Model Complete member: This applies when the member this horizontal brace frames to has its " Model complete date " set.

You will get a yellow " Frames to ... " banner like the following even if there is no connection failure. This banner describes the framing situation, but does not necessarily pertain to connection design.

 Frames to a Model Complete member

In addition to the above banner, you may (but will not necessarily) get a red banner like the following, which indicates a connection failure due to connection design not being permitted to modify the main material of the model-complete member. This can happen, for example, if this horizontal brace was added, or its " Input connection type " or " Connection specifications " were changed, after the framed-to member's " Model complete date " was set.

  Frames to a Model Complete member

You can " Force " the connection or change the model complete type on the model complete member from ' Restrictive ' to ' Legacy ', but the connection will probably not be designed correctly. Before connection design can generate a properly designed connection on this end of the horizontal brace, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to type in ' 0 ' (zero) to enter ' **NOT SET** ' in place of the date entry for " Model complete date " on the member that this brace frames to. See the following table:

framing situation likely cause
horizontal brace to beam flange The beam has its " Model complete date " set.
horizontal brace to beam web The beam has its " Model complete date " set.
horizontal brace with shared gusset The opposite horizontal brace or supporting beam has its " Model complete date " set.
horizontal brace to beam-beam corner Either beam has its " Model complete date " set.
horizontal brace X or T intersection The supporting horizontal brace has its " Model complete date " set. 

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- G -

Gusset-beam interface connection failure: You get this connection failure message for a horizontal brace framing to two beams. It indicates that the gusset bolted to the beam flange or clip angle bolted to the beam web has failed.

You should probably review the 3D model with an eye toward examining this particular framing situation in order to assess what might be the problem. For example, the geometry of the cut around the column may be the source of the problem.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset buckling strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. It applies to virtually any horizontal brace framing situation. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the compression load exceeds the buckling strength of the gusset plate.

Framing situations : Horizontal brace to a beam's top flange
Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2- and 3-point, to top flange or web
Horizontal brace to a beam-beam corner
Horizontal brace to a beam-column -beam corner

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any horizontal brace leaf that controls the gusset plate. Specifically, the offending connection design lock may be the gusset plate's " Plate thickness ."

Assuming that the applied " Compression load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to adjust the gusset plate's " Plate thickness " or to unlock ( ) that field so that the program can automatically adjust the plate thickness.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset/clip angle tension strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. It applies to virtually any horizontal brace framing condition. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." The message indicates that the tensile strength of either the gusset plate or the clip angle connection to that gusset plate has been exceeded.

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any horizontal brace leaf that controls the gusset plate. Specifically, the offending connection design locks may be the gusset plate's " Length " or " Width " or " Plate thickness ."

Assuming that the applied " Tension load " is to engineering specifications and the clip angle section size is what you want, the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to adjust the gusset plate's " Length " or " Width " or " Plate thickness " or to unlock ( ) those fields so that connection design can automatically resize the gusset plate dimensions for you.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset connection angle not found: This connection failure message indicates that connection design could not find a connection angle that would allow it to complete the connection design.

When looking for a connection angle, connection design searches the local shape file . Lowering the " Tension load " in a full-featured SDS2 program may allow connection design to use a different angle.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset extends past center of supporting beam flange: This applies to a horizontal brace to two beam flanges or to two beam flanges with an interposed column.

The connection design check that produces this error message prevents gusset plates of horizontal braces that frame to the same beam flange from clashing into one another. You may get the error message even if there is no other horizontal brace framing opposite.

Typically you will get this error message only if you are using a fairly large " NM bolt diameter ." This is because a larger " NM bolt diameter " results in connection design applying a larger " Minimum edge distance ," which in turn causes the gusset plate to extend past the center of the top flange of the beam.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try using a smaller " NM bolt diameter ." Or the user could keep the same bolt diameter and change the " Minimum edge distance " setup value for that diameter in Gusset Plate Settings .

Or the user could " Force " the connection.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset geometry fails: This connection failure message could indicate many different problems.

You should probably review the 3D model with an eye toward examining this particular framing situation in order to assess what might be the problem. The brace might be too small, or its work points may have been input incorrectly. To get an " Input connection type " connection in a full-featured SDS2 program , the user may have to Erase the brace then Add it again so that the brace properly connects with the beam. Or the user may be able to select the offending member end ( ) of the horizontal brace, then Move/Stretch Member to repair the problem.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset gross/net shear strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ' and the horizontal brace gusset connects to a beam-beam corner or beam-column-beam corner with clip angles. The failure message may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the shear strength of the gusset plate is insufficient.

Horizontal Brace To Beam -Beam
brace gusset clip angle
angle Gusset To Two Beams Square NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2
HSS Gusset To Two Beams NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2
W, WT, 2L Gusset To Two Beams Square NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2

Horizontal Brace To Beam-Column-Beam
brace gusset clip angle
angle Gusset To Two Beams Square NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2
HSS Gusset To Two Beams NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2
W, WT, 2L Gusset To Two Beams Square NS/FS Clip Conn1 & 2

The connection failure message may be generated due to an entry that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has made to the locked ( ) fields " Plate thickness " (of gusset plate) or " Rows " (of bolts in the clip angle) in any of the above-listed leafs.

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications and that the " Gusset plate grade " is what you want it to be, probably the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Plate thickness " and/or " Rows " fields, or to enter a larger plate thickness or a larger number of rows.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset interactive stress limit exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ' and two or three braces share the same gusset plate. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." The failure occurs when the gusset force interaction from two or three braces exceeds the limit.

2- or 3-Point Horizontal Brace Gusset Plate Locks
framing situation leaf containing relevant locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange (angle) Gusset 2 Point Square
HBrc to a beam's web (angle) Gusset 2 Point Square
HBrc to a beam's top flange (HSS) Gusset 2 Point
HBrc to a beam's web (HSS) Gusset 2 Point
HBrc to a beam's top flange (W, WT, 2L) Gusset 2 Point Square
HBrc to a beam's web (W, WT, 2L) Gusset 2 Point Square

The connection failure message may be generated due to an entry that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has made to the locked ( ) fields " Plate thickness " or " Length " in any of the above-listed gusset leaves for 2- or 3-point gussets.

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " on the two or three braces are to engineering specifications and that the " Gusset plate grade " is what you want it to be, the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Plate thickness " and/or " Length " fields, or to enter a larger gusset plate thickness or length.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Gusset interferes with beam connection: This applies when a horizontal brace to a beam web is too close to the supporting beam's end. If the program were able to generate a gusset plate for this condition, the result would be a gusset plate that clashes with the connection (for example, the leg of the clip angle) on the beam.

The work point of the horizontal brace is too close to the end of the beam. To get a ' System ' connection in a full-featured SDS2 program , the user needs to Erase the horizontal brace then Add it again, this time locating the brace farther from the end of the beam. Or the user may be able to select the offending member end ( ) of the horizontal brace, then Move/Stretch Member to relocate that end farther away from the work point of the beam.

Eurocode : If the " Connection design method " is ' EUROCODE 3 ' or ' EUROCODE 3 UK ' and the beam connection is an end plate, then the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try turning on (checking) the option " Use horizontal brace gusset to beam and end plate " in Plate Design Settings (job setup).

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- H -

Horz brace gusset weld strength failed: This connection failure message indicates that no system-generated weld is strong enough to bear up to the applied load.

One way to fix this is to lower the governing " Load " so that a weaker weld will be allowed.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Horiz brace not in plane of connecting beam: You get this connection failure message for sloping horizontal braces. A sloping horizontal brace must be in the same plane as the beam it frames to, and the slope of that plane cannot exceed 30 degrees. If these conditions are met, the same types of connections can be designed on a sloping horizontal brace as can be designed for a nonsloping horizontal brace. A special case is a brace to two beams with or without an interposed column -- in this special case, connection design can design a bent plate to the web of the one beam that is not in the same plane as the brace.

If the brace is not in the same plane as the beam, the connection design fails and you get this message. To fix the problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could Delete the brace then Add it again. To get in the same plane as the beam, the user could Snap to Surface on the top flange of one of the beams, then enter a negative Relative Depth to get below the flange of the beam, then add the brace.

Or the user could " Force " the connection. Connection design may then be able to generate connection materials.

If the brace slopes more than 30 degrees, you get " Slope of plane containing brace exceeds 30 degrees " as the error message.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

HSS brace cap plate shear failure: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the shear strength of the cap plate (which welds to the HSS brace) is not enough to resist the brace tension. A stem plate shop welds to the cap plate on the HSS horizontal brace, forming a built-up tee end fitting for bolting the horizontal brace to the gusset plate.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design locks may be the cap plate " Thickness " or " Width " or " Length ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the thickness, width or length of the cap plate. Or you could unlock ( ) the cap plate " Thickness " " Width " or " Length " so that the program can automatically calculate the required values.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

HSS brace to cap plate weld strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the strength of the cap-plate-to-HSS-brace weld is not enough to resist the brace tension. A stem plate shop welds to the cap plate on the HSS horizontal brace, forming a built-up tee end fitting for bolting the horizontal brace to the gusset plate.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design lock may be the cap-plate-to-brace " Weld size ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the cap-plate-to-brace weld size. Or you could unlock ( ) that particular " Weld size " so that the program can automatically calculate the required value.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- I -

Invalid bolt edge distance: This connection failure message indicates that an entry made to a connection design lock on the brace would result in the bolt edge distance being larger than 6 inches or 150 mm.

In a full-featured SDS2 program , a possible fix that will make the connection failure message go away is to unlock ( ) the connection design lock whose entry caused the failure message to appear. Doing so will likely result in connection design populating that field with an automatically calculated value that generates an edge distance that is valid.

Another possible fix in a full-featured SDS2 program is to keep the lock ( ) on the connection design lock that caused this failure message, but to enter to that field a smaller value.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid brace conn., nodes or no supporting member: You get this connection failure message for problems related to the framing situation.

To properly assess the reason for the connection design failure, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program should review the 3D model to evaluate the framing situation. Most likely the user will have to Erase the brace, then Add it again to fix this problem. Or the user may be able to select the offending member end ( ) of the horizontal brace, then Move/Stretch Member to repair the problem.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid brace material type: You get this connection failure message when an " Section size " that connection design does not recognize as valid is used for the horizontal brace.

For a horizontal brace, the " Section size " must be a W , L , WT , HSS round (pipe), HSS rectangular (tube), S or ST . Full-featured SDS2 programs can generate a brace when an invalid material type is entered, but connection design will not be able to generate an " Input connection type " connection for that brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid brace work point location: You can get this connection failure message for a horizontal brace that was improperly added in Modeling. You can also get it if the horizontal brace's " End elevation " was changed, or because the beam the horizontal brace frames to was moved, or because the beam's section size changed.

For a horizontal brace framing to the bottom flange of a beam, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program may be able to clear this failure message by switching " Allow material workline offset " to ' Yes '. That option can be found under " General Information " on the Horizontal Brace window.

For other situations, a possible fix for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program is to Erase the brace, then Add it again. If the beam framed to is web vertical and not sloping, the user can add the horizontal brace to the beam's workline ( INCM ), then lower the " End elevation " on both ends of the brace to get a connection to the beam's web. However, if the beam is sloping or not web vertical, the user needs to be more careful when adding the brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid end operation for this type of material: This connection failure message indicates that the " Top/bottom flange operation " under " End preparations " on the member window will not work because the " Section size " of the member is a channel or angle. In the table below, situations that produce this failure message are marked fail .

OK = end operation is applicable to the material type
fail = invalid end operation for this type of material
289 = failure message number 289
  W , S C L tube   pipe   WT
Cope plain OK OK OK OK OK OK
Cope field #3 OK OK 289 289 289 289
Cope shop #3 OK OK 289 289 289 289
Cut flange width OK fail fail 289 289 289
Cut flange flush OK fail fail 289 289 289
Clip flange OK 289 289 289 289 289
Notch top/bottom 289 289 289 OK OK 289
Notch NS/FS 289 289 289 OK OK 289
Cope field #1 OK OK 289 289 289 289
Cope shop #1 OK OK 289 289 289 289
Clip web OK OK OK 289 289 OK
Cope field seismic OK OK 289 289 289 OK
Cope shop seismic OK OK 289 289 289 289

To clear the failure message, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program can switch to a different " Top/bottom flange operation ."

Invalid material type for supporting member: You get this message when connection design cannot create the connection on this end of the horizontal brace unless the user of a full-featured SDS2 program first changes the material type on the supporting beam.

The beam's " Section size " must be wide flange or S shape or channel or " Double " channel or welded plate wide flange or HSS/TS (tube) or welded plate box in order for this horizontal brace to connect to that beam.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid material type for this member: You get this message when connection design cannot generate a connection on this horizontal brace because the " Section size " that has been entered is an invalid material type.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to change the horizontal brace's " Section size ." For horizontal braces, the " Section size " must be a W , L , WT , HSS round (pipe), HSS rectangular (tube), S or ST in order to get a system connection.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid shared brace configuration:

No longer applies!

VIDEO Prior to v2017, SDS2 connection design required that the middle brace of 3-point horizontal bracing needed to be perpendicular to the supporting beam to which the gusset plate attaches. That restriction has been lifted. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2017.)

Two-point horizontal braces can now be on the same side of a perpendicular to the supporting beam.

Three-point horizontal braces can now be constructed without the middle brace having to be perpendicular to the beam.

These configuration restrictions for 2-point and 3-point braces were removed from connection design in v2017 SDS2 software.

Invalid support beam material type: You get this connection failure message when this horizontal brace frames to a supporting beam that has an " Section size " that connection design does not recognize as valid.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to enter a valid " Section size " to the supporting beam. A ' System ' connection can be designed on a horizontal brace that frames to a wide flange , channel , welded plate W ,
S shape , tube , welded plate box or " Double " channel beam.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Invalid support material type: You get this connection failure message when this horizontal brace frames to a supporting beam that has an " Section size " that connection design does not recognize as valid.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to enter a valid " Section size " to the supporting beam. A ' System ' connection can be designed on a horizontal brace that frames to a wide flange , channel , welded plate W ,
S shape , tube , welded plate box or " Double " channel beam.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- L -

Locked bolt edge distance not within required min/max values: This failure message is difficult to reproduce since it is a catch-all message that will only be generated if a more specific connection failure message has not been generated to account for a connection failure. It may apply to any connection that is bolted. There is no easy-to-state rule that defines exactly what minimum and maximum edge distance values are acceptable since such requirements are based on the connection type, hole type, bolt diameter, bolt type, design code and other factors.

If the user of a full-featured SDS2 program gets this failure message, that user may be able to unlock ( ) the edge distance so that the program is able to calculate an acceptable edge distance. Or the user may need to unlock ( ) a connection design lock that is related to edge distance. Alternatively, it may be possible to keep all of the potentially offending lock fields locked ( ) if the user enters different values to those fields.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Locked bolt spacing not within required min/max values: This failure message is difficult to reproduce since it is a catch-all message that will only be generated if a more specific connection failure message has not been generated to account for a connection failure. It may apply to any connection that is bolted. There is no easy-to-state rule that defines exactly what minimum and maximum bolt spacing values are acceptable since such spacing requirements are based on the connection type, hole type, bolt diameter, bolt type, design code and other factors.

If the user of a full-featured SDS2 program gets this failure message, that user may be able to unlock ( ) the bolt spacing so that the program is able to calculate an acceptable bolt spacing. Or the user may need to unlock ( ) a connection design lock that is related to bolt spacing. Alternatively, it may be possible to keep all of the potentially offending lock fields locked ( ) if the user enters different values to those fields.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Locked connection has too many constraints: This is a catch-all failure message that may apply to various connection types or framing situations or loading conditions. It indicates a problem with user-entered values made to connection design locks . Connection design may have failed the connection because the locked ( ) settings prevented the program from designing a connection of sufficient capacity to stand up to the governing load. Or it may be that locked settings introduced math errors or physical inconsistencies that connection design is unable to solve.

Fixing this problem in a full-featured SDS2 program may be as simple as correcting a user-entered value that is inconsistent with related, interdependent values that are also locked. Or the user may have to unlock ( ) some of the connection design locks.

If, on the other hand, the user insists that the connection be designed around the user-entered values, and that user therefore does not want to remove any locks, the user might try lifting other constraints, such as user-applied setbacks. The user also may be able to get the desired connection by lowering the governing load.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Locked dimension is less than minimum allowed: This connection failure message may apply to any brace connection. It typically indicates that a user has made an entry to a connection design lock pertaining to gusset dimensions which causes a related gusset dimension to go below the minimum allowed, for example, to a negative number. For most gusset plate dimensions, the minimum allowed dimension is 0 (zero).

In a full-featured SDS2 program , probably the easiest fix for this problem is to simply unlock ( ) the connection design lock that caused the failure message to appear. Doing so will, hopefully, cause connection design to populate that field with a value that will work.

If the user wants to keep the locked value that was entered without getting a failure message, the user will probably have to lock ( ) or unlock ( ) other, related connection design locks before the failure message will go away. In particular, the user should lock ( ) the value that you think might have gone negative.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- M -

Maximum gusset thickness exceeded: You get this connection failure message when, because of the load on the brace, connection design requires a gusset plate thicker than the " Maximum gusset plate thickness " specified in Gusset Plate Settings .

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try increasing the " Maximum gusset plate thickness " in Gusset Plate Settings so that connection design can potentially create a gusset that meets the originally specified load. Or the user could lower the governing " Load " to let connection design create a gusset that as thick or less thick than the maximum originally specified.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Maximum gusset width exceeded: You get this connection failure message when, because of the load on the brace, connection design requires a gusset plate than is wider than the maximum allowed.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try increasing the " Maximum gusset plate thickness " in Gusset Plate Settings so that connection design does not have to create a gusset plate that is so wide. Or the user could lower the governing " Load " to get a gusset that is less wide; however, the gusset will also be weaker as a result.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Maximum number of bolt rows exceeded: You get this connection failure message when the number of bolt rows that connection design requires in the gusset plate exceeds the maximum allowed. You can also get this when a ' Clip angle ' is used for the " Gusset to beam connection ."

To get an " Input connection type " connection when the bolt rows are exceeded in the gusset plate, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could use a stronger " NM bolt type " or increase the " NM bolt diameter " and thus allow the program to build a stronger connection. Or the user could lower the " Tension load " so that the program can design a weaker gusset plate with fewer rows of bolts.

To get an " Input connection type " connection when the bolt rows are exceeded in the clip angle, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could change the " Gusset to beam connection " to ' Welded '. Or the user could set " Gusset clips on " to ' Both sides ' if there is room on both sides. Changing the " NM Bolt diameter " only changes the bolts in the gusset plate, not in the clip angle.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Max no. of bolts in guss to bm conn exceeded: This connection failure message applies to a gusset-to-clip-angle-to-beam-web connection or to a gusset-to-beam-flange connection. These types of connections are designed for hbrc-to-beam-corner or hbrc-to-beam-col-corner framing situations. The message indicates that in order to design a strong enough connection to stand up to the load on this end of the horizontal brace, connection design requires more bolts than the maximum of 20.

To get a system gusset plate with 20 or fewer bolts, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program could try lowering the " Load ," thus making the connection weaker, or the user could increase the " NM bolt diameter " or use a stronger " NM bolt type ," thus making the connection stronger.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- N -

Net/gross area strength fails: You get this connection failure message when connection design requires that a stronger " Section size " be used for the horizontal brace.

Possible remedies for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program are to lower the governing " Load ," thus allowing a connection to be designed for the currently input brace " Section size ." Or the user could enter a stronger " Section size ." If the brace is an angle, the user could change to " Double material ."

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

No supporting member: You get this connection failure message when connection design cannot find a supporting beam to which to attach the gusset plate.

Possible ways for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program to get an " Input connection type " connection are to Add a valid beam for the brace to attach to. Or the user may have to Erase the horizontal brace then Add it again. Or the user may be able to select the offending member end ( ) of the horizontal brace, then Move/Stretch Member to repair the problem.

If the brace is supposed to be welded to something that is not a part of the structure, change the " Input connection type " to a ' Plain end '. Or the user can input an existing member for this brace to connect to.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- P -

Physical limitations exceeded: This is a catch-all connection failure message that applies when other messages do not apply.

Ways to diagnose the problem are to review the 3D model , or to generate a Connection Design Calculations or Expanded Connection Design Calculations report and evaluate which formulas on the Connection Design Calculations Cover Sheet apply to the situation.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

page 1 | contents | failure messages | horizontal brace review window | top


- S -

Shared 2pt or 3pt brace has failed connection: You can get this failure message for a horizontal brace with a gusset shared by 2 braces (2 point brace) or for a horizontal brace with a gusset shared by 3 braces (3 point brace).

The message indicates that connection design has failed this brace's connection due to it having detected a connection failure in another horizontal brace connection to the same shared gusset. To fix the problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program should first attempt to fix the other brace's connection to the gusset. Once the user has repaired that connection, this connection failure message should go away.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Shared brace Clip end-operatiion settings must match: This connection failure message can apply to W tee or angle or wide flange horizontal braces with shared gusset plates.

The message indicates that the ends of the braces that share the gusset plate have different settings for the connection specification " Clip end-operation ."

To clear this failure message and get a connection, a full-featured SDS2 program needs to make the same choice to " Clip end-operation " on each of the braces that share the gusset plate.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Shared intersection brace has failed connection: You get this failure message on a horizontal brace with an intersection plate connection for cross bracing (X bracing).

The message indicates that connection design has failed this brace's connection due to it having detected a connection failure in the horizontal brace on the other side of the cross brace that this brace frames to. To fix the problem, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program should first attempt to fix the opposite brace's intersection plate connection. Once the user has repaired that connection, this connection failure message should go away.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Shear/Tension/Comp load less than minimum required by AS4100: This applies when the " Connection design method " is ' AS4100 '.

The connection failure message indicates that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered a  " Tension load " or " Compression load " of less than 40 kN (9 kips imperial). To make the error message go away, the user needs to enter 40 kN or greater. Also, in addition to values of 40 kN or greater, a " Compression load " of 0 kips is permissible.

Before attempting to fix this connection, see the warnings .

Shear/Tension/Comp load less than minimum required by ASD9: This applies when the " Connection design method " is ' ASD9 '.

The connection failure message indicates that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered a  " Tension load " or " Compression load " of less than 6 kips (26.7 kN metric). To make the error message go away, the user needs to enter 6 kips or greater. Also, a " Compression load " of 0 kips is permissible.

Before attempting to fix this connection, see the warnings .

Slope of plane containing brace exceeds 30 degrees: This applies to sloping horizontal braces. A sloping horizontal brace must be in the same plane as the beam it frames into, and the slope of that plane cannot exceed 30 degrees. If these conditions are met, the same types of connections can be designed on the sloping horizontal brace as can be designed for a non sloping horizontal brace.

If the plane containing the horizontal brace exceeds 30 degrees, the user will get this error message and the connection design will fail. If the brace is not in the plane of the beam, you will get " Horiz brace not in plane of connecting beam " as the error message.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Stem plate block shear strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the bending/tear out strength of the stem plate, which bolts to the gusset plate, has been exceeded. The stem plate shop welds to a cap plate on the HSS horizontal brace, forming a built-up tee end fitting for bolting the horizontal brace to the gusset plate.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design locks may be the stem plate " Thickness " or the " Bolt diameter " or the number of bolt " Rows " or bolt " Columns ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the thickness of the stem plate or the number of bolts or the diameter of bolts. Or you could unlock ( ) the stem plate " Thickness " and bolt fields so that the program can automatically calculate the required values.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Stem plate buckling strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the stem plate (which bolts to the gusset plate) buckles due to compression. The stem plate welds to a cap plate on the HSS horizontal brace, forming a built-up tee end fitting for bolting the horizontal brace to the gusset plate.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design lock may be the stem plate " Thickness ."

Assuming that the " Compression load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the thickness of the stem plate. Or you could unlock ( ) the stem plate " Thickness " so that the program can automatically calculate the required value.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Stem plate net/gross tension strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." It indicates that the stem plate (which bolts to the gusset plate) fails in net/gross tension. The stem plate welds to a cap plate on the HSS horizontal brace, forming a built-up tee end fitting for bolting the horizontal brace to the gusset plate.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design locks may be the stem plate " Thickness " or the stem plate " Width ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the thickness or width of the stem plate. Or you could unlock ( ) the stem plate " Thickness " and " Width " so that the program can automatically calculate the required values.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Stem plate to cap plate weld strength exceeded: This failure message applies when the " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined ', and the horizontal brace " Section size " is an HSS or pipe or tube. It may be generated for any " Connection design method ." The stem plate in this connection shop welds to the horizontal brace cap plate and bolts to the gusset plate. This message indicates that the capacity of the weld between the cap plate and stem plate has been exceeded.

Framing Situation Leaf Containing Relevant Locks
HBrc to a beam's top flange Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to a beam's web Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc perpendicular to a beam Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
2- or 3-point bracing Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to two beams Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted
HBrc to 2 beams, interposed column Brace Connection To Gusset Hss Bolted

The connection failure message may be generated due to values that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to locked ( ) fields in any of the above-listed leaves. Specifically, the offending connection design locks may be the stem plate to cap plate connection " Weld size " or the stem plate " Width ."

Assuming that the " Tension load " and " Compression load " is to engineering specifications, the best way for that user to clear the failure message is to increase the width of the stem plate, allowing for a longer weld, or to increase the " Weld size " of the weld itself. Or you could unlock ( ) the stem plate" Width " or " Weld size " (stem plate to cap plate connection) so that the program can automatically calculate the required values.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Support beam flange is too narrow for connection: You get this connection failure message when, for example, on a horizontal brace to two beam flanges. It indicates that the flange of the beam that the brace bolts to is too narrow for the gusset to bolt to.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program probably needs to use a larger beam " Section size ." Changing the " NM bolt diameter " does not work since that field only affects the bolt size used for the brace-to-gusset interface.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Support beams are not perpendicular: This failure message used to apply to a horizontal brace to two beam flanges or to the webs of two beams or to a beam-column beam when the beams were not perpendicular. Beginning in v2017 SDS2 software, the beams no longer have to be perpendicular.

No longer applies!

VIDEO Prior to v2017, SDS2 connection design required that the beams had to be perpendicular to one another in order to get a horizontal brace gusset plate connection at a beam-beam corner. That restriction no longer applies. (Recorded in SDS2 Detailing , v2017.)

Supporting web/flg overstressed by axial load: This connection failure message indicates the supporting beam's web or flange is overstressed by tension or compression on the end of the horizontal brace that frames to that beam.

To get the originally specified " Input connection type ," the user in a full-featured SDS2 program could lower the compression or tension " Load ," thus allowing connection design to create a weaker connection, or the user could specify a stronger supporting beam " Section size " or " Steel grade ," thus allowing connection design to create a connection that will stand up to the originally input axial load.

For a horizontal brace to a beam web, if the " Gusset to beam connection " is set to ' Welded ', then changing that option to ' Clip angle ' may relieve the stress on the web and clear this failure message.

Another possible way to clear this message for a horizontal brace welded to a beam web is to increase the " Maximum web stiffener thickness " that is entered in the " Horizontal Braces " section of Member Detailing Settings ( Fabricator Setup ).

The user of a full-featured SDS2 program could also set " Check supporting member web stress " under " Connection specifications " on the Horizontal Brace Review window to ' Never '. However, doing so may be a bad idea from an engineering standpoint since the supporting member web stress check helps to ensure the structural integrity of a project.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Suitable plate thickness not found: This message applies to connection plates when the box is checked for " Use miscellaneous plates list " on the Horizontal Brace Review window. It indicates that connection design has determined that a plate of a particular thickness is required for the connection, but such a plate (or a slightly thicker plate) is not on the " Plates " list in Standard Fabricator Connections.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program first needs to add a suitable plate to the " Plates " list. Or the user could uncheck the box for " Use miscellaneous plates list ." Or the user could remove all entries from the " Plates " list.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- T -

2 & 3 point brace gussets require a common hole type: You get this connection failure message when connection design cannot create a shared gusset for two braces or three braces because different hole types are specified for the brace-to-gusset interface.

To get an " Input connection type " connection, the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to make sure that the box for " Use OS gusset holes " is either checked or not checked on all of the horizontal braces that share the gusset.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

2pt or 3pt brace to beam angle less than 20 degrees: You get this connection failure message on a horizontal brace with a shared gusset whose angle to the supporting beam is less than 20 degrees.

To get the originally specified " Input connection type ," the user of a full-featured SDS2 program might need to delete the horizontal brace then add it again so that the angle to the beam is 20 degrees or greater. Or the user may be able to move the offending member end ( ) to change the angle of the brace.

Another possible fix for a user of a full-featured SDS2 program is to " Force " the connection. However, forcing a connection will also result in a call for additional engineering review in the Design Calculations Report and the Expanded Connection Design Calculations .

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- U -

Unsupported connection type: This connection failure message indicates that connection design is unable to create an " Input connection type " connection on this end of the horizontal brace due to the brace's framing situation. This may happen, for example, for unsupported framing situations such as an HSS horizontal brace to a variety of web and flange orientations.

You may want to review the 3D model to evaluate the framing situation.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

User slot length is larger than maximum allowed: This error message may occur on a system (non-user) horizontal brace gusset clip connection whose Horizontal Brace Review window's " Hole type supported " or " Hole type supporting " is set to " Auto " with the setup " Hole type supported " or the setup " Hole type supporting " set to ' User slot 1 ' or ' User slot 2 '.

The maximum slot length that connection design allows is based on the long-slot length in Table J3.3 or Table J3.3M in section J3 on page 16.1-105 of the AISC Steel Construction Manual, Thirteenth Edition .

Example: Standard practice for your current Job in a full-featured SDS2 program is to set the " NM bolt diameter " for horizontal braces to ' 3/4 ' inch. On the Member Detailing Settings setup window, under the " Horizontal Brace " tab, the user enters a " Hole type supported " (or a " Hole type supporting ") of ' User slot 1 '. In the User Slot Lengths setup window, for " 3/4 " inch bolts, the user enters a user " Slot 1 " length of ' 2 ' inches. On the Horizontal Brace Review window, the user sets " Hole type supported " or " Hole type supporting " to " Auto ." Since 2 inches is larger than the 1 7/8 inch maximum for 3/4 bolts (from Table J3.3), the next gusset-to-supporting clip angle connection with 3/4 inch bolts that is designed per these setup values will fail.

Possible fixes : The user of a full-featured SDS2 program could change the offending entry in the User Slot Lengths setup window to a length that is less than or equal to the maximum specified in Table J3.3 or Table J3.3M. However, if the user wants to keep that setup length as it is, the user could instead change the Horizontal Brace Review window's " Hole type supported " (or " Hole type supporting ") to a different type, such as ' Short slot ' or ' Standard round '.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

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- W -

Weld is greater than maximum: You get this connection failure message when, because of the load, connection design requires a weld that is greater than the beam web will support.

Possible ways for the user of a full-featured SDS2 program to get an " Input connection type " connection are to specify a beam " Section size " with a heavier web, or to lower the governing " Load " on the horizontal brace.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Weld strength to supporting member exceeded: This connection failure message may apply when the horizontal brace " Input connection type " is ' Hbrc plate ' or ' User defined '. It applies to any horizontal brace gusset plate that welds to a supporting beam in the following framing situations:

Framing situations : Horizontal brace to a beam's top flange
Horizontal brace to a beam's web
Horizontal brace perpendicular to a beam
2- and 3-point, to top flange or web

The connection failure message may be generated due to a value that the user of a full-featured SDS2 program has entered to the locked ( ) field " Weld size " in a " Weld Conn2 " or a welded " HB Conn2 " leaf .

Assuming that the horizontal brace's " Tension load " and " Compression load " are to engineering specifications, generally the best way for that user to clear this failure message is to unlock ( ) the " Weld size " or, alternatively, to enter a larger weld size.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

Work point not at center of column: This applies to a horizontal brace to beam-column-beam. You get this connection failure message when the work point for this end of the horizontal brace is not at the precise center of the column.

To get an " Input connection type ," the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to Erase the brace, then Add it again, making sure to locate the work point on the work line of the column. Or the user may be able to select the offending member end ( ) of the horizontal brace, then Move/Stretch Member to repair the problem.

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

WTee brace is too small for connection: You get this message when the W tee brace is too small to be bolted to the gusset.

To get the originally specified " Input connection type ," the user of a full-featured SDS2 program needs to select a larger " Section size ." Or the user may be able to use a smaller " NM bolt diameter ."

Before attempting to fix this connection, the user of the full-featured SDS2 program should read and understand the relevant warnings .

page 1 | contents | failure messages | horizontal brace review window | top