CONNECTION STIFFNESS IMPLEMENTATION PROCEDURE

FOR ETABS/SAP/STAAD USERS

Modeling of Global Frame Using SidePlate Connection Technology:
Effective use and correct implementation of the inherent SidePlate connection stiffness on the global lateral
frame of a structure results in one or more of the following:
Significant reduction in the required lateral frame beam and column weight and/or size needed to satisfy
allowable building drift criteria
o Saves 20-30% in lateral steel tonnage when compared to all other moment connection systems
Reduction in the number of moment connections
Facilitates the use of pinned boundary conditions, in lieu of fixed, at the base of steel frame columns,
which results in simplified detailing and lower foundation costs
Removal of unwanted diagonal braces by converting the lateral braced frame system to a lateral moment
frame system eliminates the otherwise required coordination with other disciplines .
o A slight increase in lateral frame weight is expected, which is offset by a decrease in foundation cost and

no loss of useable building space (i.e. diagonal braces typically result in a 2-5% loss in usable area)

This is done by replacing beam and column stiffness with the SidePlate lateral connection stiffness, which is
simulated in the steel frames mathematical computer model as follows: use 100% rigid panel zone, increase
the beams moment of inertia, Ix, to approximately 3*Ix (seismic displacement controlled) or 1*Ix (wind displacement controlled), for a typical distance of approximately 77% of the nominal beam depth (Db) beyond
the face of column flange, and increase the beams depth to 3 plus the nominal beam depth to account for
the added stiffness due to the depth of side plates.

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 1 of 6

The SidePlate connection stiffness implementation steps are as follows for ETABS/SAP users:

ETABS User
METHOD 1
THE ETABS BUILT-IN SIDEPLATE FEATURE automatically creates a non-prismatic beam where each fixed
beam end represents the appropriate SidePlate connection stiffness properties from the column face towards the beam centerline as follows:
A section extends from column face to 77% of the nominal beam depth. The SIDEPLATE section, which
consists of the physical side plates {A}, cover plates {B} and beam, has an approximate moment of inertia
(3) times that of the beam alone for R=8 applications and (1) times the moment of inertia of the beam for
R=3 applications.

STEP 1: GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY & PRELIMINARY STRONG COLUMN WEAK BEAM RULES
When sizing the frame beam-to-column combinations for a SidePlate moment frame, the following
rules of thumb should be maintained:
WELDED GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY: bbf + 1.1tbf + 1/2 bcf
Background: The SidePlate connection typically consists of cover
plates at the beam ends to bridge the difference between the beam
flange width and the wider column flange width. The cover plates are
fillet welded to the beam flange edges of which the top cover plate
is detailed to be approximately the same width as the column flange
width.
BOLTED GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY: bbf + 1 1/2 bcf
Background: The SidePlate connection typically consists of a cover
plate and angles at the beam ends. The cover plate is fillet welded to
the beam flange edges.
STRONG COLUMN WEAK BEAM COMPLIANCE FOR R=8 SMF DESIGNS ONLY:
(Zx,col) > 1.7* (Zx,bm) for 1-12 stories (rule of thumb)
Background: The above equation takes into account the latest Seismic
Provisions equation for SCWB compliance of SMF connections, including an approximate allowance for reduction in column capacity due
to axial loads as well as the pushing out of the plastic hinge into the
beam.

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 2 of 6

STEP 2:
Select all moment frame beams.

STEP 3:
Click on Assign > Frame > Moment Frame Beam Connection Type > Side Plate Option > OK
(see Fig. 2)

ETABS SidePlate built-in feature.

STEP 4: MODEL S IDE P LATES PANEL ZONE

Select all moment frame beams and columns:
Assign > Frame > End Length Offsets >
Rigid-zone factor = 1 > OK.
(see Fig. 3)
Note: All full-scale testing programs demonstrated very
little contribution to the total overall drift from the panel
zone. Thus, it has been deemed by various prequalification committees that the flexibility the panel zone does
have is negligible and can be considered as 100% rigid.Thus, it would be incorrect to utilize the ETABS Panel
Zones feature.
ETABS end length offsets.

STEP 5: CONNECTION WEIGHT

To obtain the approximate connection plate weight for a specific project, simply email your ETABS model
to solutions@sideplate.com. One of our engineers will review the model for validation and reply with the
connection plate weight.

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 3 of 6

ETABS User
METHOD 2
USING NON-PRISMATIC BEAM SECTIONS
Another way of implementing SidePlate connection properties is to use non-prismatic beam sections. This
method can also be used for seismic or wind applications to help improve steel stress ratios if the current design is at or above the allowable code values due to present limitations with the built-in SidePlate feature.
STEP 1: SAME AS METHOD 1.
STEP 1A: BE SURE TO ASSIGN ALL MOMENT FRAME BEAMS AS STANDARD MOMENT CONNECTION
If the built in feature is still turned on, the non-prismatic beam section will have essentially double SidePlate stiffness, which will overestimate the strength of the connection.
STEP 1B: SELECT ALL MOMENT FRAME BEAMS.
Assign > Frame > Moment Frame Beam Connection Type > Standard Moment Connection > OK.
STEP 2A: CREATING THE SECTIONS FOR THE NON-PRISMATIC BEAM (I.E. XXSP)
1 TOTAL PER NON-PRISMATIC BEAM (SEE FIG. 4).
Click define > Frame Sections > Choose Add Property from the drop down menu. Input connection properties per the PDF entitled Engineers Design Guidelines.
Make sure the material is the steel material being used on the rest of the project.
For start/end section, there exist two side plates, the beam, cover plates and angles which is referred to as
the SP section. Change the Section name to represent the sections weight + SP. (e.g. For W24x55, this
section would be called 55SP.)
o Dimensions: Depth will be nominal beam depth plus 3. Width is the approximate average column
width used with this beam section.
Note: the area inputs are the same as that for the beam alone to preclude double counting of connection weight.

ETABS general section for non-prismatic beam sections

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 4 of 6

STEP 2B: CREATING THE ACTUAL NON-PRISMATIC BEAMS (SEE FIG. 5)

To Create Non-Prismatic Section: Choose Add Non-prismatic from drop down menu.
Change Section Name to sectionNPSP (e.g. W27x94NPSP)
Change Start Section and End Section to XXSP, which in this case is 94SP section.
Typical Length = 77% of beam depth (i.e. can range between 75% to 100% of beam depth).
Note: SidePlate connection lengths are set to Absolute type.
Where the beam section in the middle is set to
Variable (this accounts for different bay widths
in which this section may be used).
All EI33 and EI22 Variations are Linear

SAP & STAAD Users

STEP 1: GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY & PRELIMINARY STRONG COLUMN WEAK BEAM RULES:
When sizing the frame beam-to-column combinations for a SidePlate moment frame, the following
rules of thumb should be maintained:
WELDED GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY: bbf + 1.1tbf + 1/2 bcf
Background: The SidePlate connection typically consists of cover plates at the beam ends to bridge the difference between the beam flange width and the wider column flange width. The cover plates are fillet welded
to the beam flange edges of which the top cover plate is detailed to be approximately the same width as the
column flange width.
BOLTED GEOMETRIC COMPATIBILITY: bbf + 1 1/2 bcf
Background: The SidePlate connection typically consists of a cover plate and angles at the beam ends. The
cover plate is fillet welded to the beam flange edges.
STRONG COLUMN WEAK BEAM COMPLIANCE FOR R=8 SMF DESIGNS ONLY:
(Zx,col) > 1.7* (Zx,bm) for 1-12 stories (rule of thumb)
Background: The above equation takes into account the latest Seismic Provisions equation for SCWB compliance of SMF connections, including an approximate allowance for reduction in column capacity due to axial
loads as well as the pushing out of the plastic hinge into the beam.
STEP 2: MODEL THE BEAM END PROPERTIES
To model SidePlate connection properties, the lateral beam needs to be broken up into three segments.
a) Insert a new node at distance equal to approximately 77% of the nominal beam depth plus the column
depth.
b) The beam element between the new nodes is assigned the proposed standard AISC frame beam size.
c) For the beam elements that are from the centerline of column to the new node (e.g. at end of side plates),
assign a beam just like the center portion, but modified with properties per the PDF entitled Engineers
Design Guidelines.

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 5 of 6

STEP 3: MODEL THE PANEL ZONE

Select all moment frame beams and columns.
Assign a rigid end offset equal to half the column depth and half the modified beam end depth.
STEP 4: CONNECTION WEIGHT
To obtain the approximate connection plate weight for a specific project, simply email your model to
solutions@sideplate.com. One of our engineers will review the model for validation and reply with the
connection plate weight.

For more information:

Toll Free 800 475 2077

Tel 949 238 8900

www.sideplate.com
Pg 6 of 6