STRENGTH TABLES FOR SPECIAL SEISMIC AND BLAST DESIGN OF COLD

FORMED STEEL CONNECTIONS

Kurtis Kennedy, E.I.T, and Nabil A. Rahman, Ph.D., P.E.

Introduction
Various specifications and design standards allow the use of nominal strength of material
when calculating resistance values of components for special blast or seismic design. Beyond
the use of nominal strength, some design codes allow the use of an increased nominal strength or
an increased expected strength. A Static Increase Factor (SIF) and a Dynamic Increase Factor
(DIF) can be applied to nominal and expected strength, respectively, to attain greater material
strength of components for special design purposes and when using dynamic analysis. The Steel
Network has developed LRFD design strength, nominal strength and ultimate strength tables for
each connector manufactured which can be used in special seismic and blast design and are
compatible with the Static and Dynamic Strength Increase factors. This technical note provides
background on the development of TSN connectors strength and how to use it for seismic and
blast design per various codes and standards in the US.
Seismic Design
Special seismic design requirements are mandated in AISI S213 section C1.1 Seismic
Requirements, which are applicable to the design of cold formed steel shear walls or systems
using diagonal strap bracing that resists wind, seismic, or other in-plane lateral loads. Section
C1.1 directs the designer to the Special Seismic Requirements section, Section C5, if the
design is in the United States or Mexico and the Response
Modification coefficient, R, is greater than 3.
Section C5 Special Seismic Requirements is referenced and contains the provisions
allowing nominal strength of materials to be used in the design of members and/or connections.
Section C5.1 Shear Walls and Section C5.2 Diagonal Strap Bracing presents the provisions
for design of connections, chord studs, anchorage, and foundations when using a shear wall or
diagonal strap bracing lateral force resistance systems. Section C5.2.2.2 presents provisions that
allow the nominal strength to be used for design of connections in the load path of diagonal strap
bracing. This section states:
All members in the load path and uplift and shear anchorage thereto from the diagonal
strap bracing member to the foundation shall have the nominal strength to resist the expected
yield strength AgRyFy, of the diagonal strap bracing member(s), except the nominal strength
need not exceed the following, as applicable:
(a) In the United States and Mexico: Amplified seismic load.
(b) In Canada: Maximum anticipated seismic loads calculated with RdRo= 1.0.
The load to design for is the expected strength of the diagonal strap bracing, but not to
exceed the amplified seismic load.

______________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
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888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Blast Design
UFC 4-010-01 Section B-3 outlines the design of window and skylight systems under
extreme pressure loading such as a blast. Provisions are given for a static or dynamic method of
design for window and skylight opening framing and connections. Section B-3.1 Standard 10.
Windows and Skylights provides guidance on not reducing the nominal strength with a strength
reduction factor for flexural mode. The code states:
Use strength design with load factors of 1.0 and strength reduction factors of 1.0 for all
methods of analysis referenced herein \1\ for flexure and use typical strength reduction factors
for other modes of failure.
The UFC design code provides an alternative design method utilizing the dynamic
material properties of the window glazing, framing members, connections, and supporting
structural elements. Section B-3.1.1 Dynamic Analysis states:
Any of the glazing, framing members, connections, and supporting structural elements
may be designed using dynamic analysis to prove the window or skylight system will provide
performance equivalent to or better than the hazard rating associated with the applicable level
of protection as indicated in Table 2-1... The design loading for a dynamic analysis will be the
appropriate pressure and impulse from the applicable explosive weight at the actual standoff
distance at which the window is sited. The design loading will be applied over the area tributary
to the element being analyzed.
The dynamic method of analysis and design of framing members incorporates strength
increase factors that enhance the nominal and expected strength of materials. A Static Increase
Factor (SIF) or Average Strength Factor (ASF) can be applied to the nominal strength of a
material, while a Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) can be applied to the expected strength of a
material.
Documents such as the UFC 3-340-02, the ASCE Publication Design of Blast-Resistant
Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities, and the ASCE 59-11 Standard describe Static and
Dynamic Increase Factors and the uses of each. Since the nominal strength is typically taken as
the lower bound minimum yield strength of the material, the Static Increase Factor (SIF) or
Average Strength Factor (ASF) are applied to the nominal strength to account for higher yield
strength of installed components than minimum specified yield strength values. The resultant
value is the expected strength. Beyond the use of this expected strength level, ASCE and the
UFC code states that the Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF) is to be applied to the expected strength
to account for strain rate effects from a rapid blast loading to achieve greater dynamic strengths.
Table 1 shows suggested increase factors to be used for cold-formed steel design as
recommended by two different ASCE publications and the DoD UFC 3-340-02.

______________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Table 1 - Static and Dynamic Increase Factors for Cold-Formed Steel

ASCE/SEI 59-11 (2011)

ASCE Design of Blast-Resistant
Buildings in Petrochemical
Facilities (2010)
UFC 3-340-02 (2014)

Static Increase
Factor (SIF) or
Average Strength
Factor (ASF)
1.1

Dynamic Increase Factor

(DIF)
Bending/
Tension/
Shear
Compression
1.1
1.1

1.21

1.1

1.1

1.21

1.1

1.1

In reference to the AISI S100-12 Specifications and the development of the nominal
strength tables, it should be noted that LRFD design strength is typically determined as the
nominal strength multiplied by the appropriate resistance factor (). Chapter F of the AISI
Specification permits the calculation of LRFD design strength based on the ultimate strength of a
specimen tested according to the provisions given within. This ultimate strength value is then
multiplied by a smaller resistance factor than what is given in the main specification. Figure 1 is
a diagram depicting the various levels of strength and the relationship between LRFD design
strength, nominal strength, expected strength, ultimate strength, and dynamic strength.

Figure 1 - Strength Relationship Diagram

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The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Strength Tables
The Steel Network has developed the following tables to present the LRFD design
strength, nominal strength, and ultimate strength for all clip connectors manufactured. The
ultimate and LRFD values for each clip are calculated according to the test method specified in
AISI S100-12, Chapter F. The nominal strength is calculated as the LRFD strength divided by
an average resistance factor of 0.9.
TM

MasterClip Series
Connector
(Application)
VLB600
(Vertical Deflection)
VLB600
(Rigid Connection)

Load Direction

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)

Nominal
Strength (lbs)

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)

F1
F2
F1
F2
F3

364
2,509
1,481
3,297
2,869

405
2,788
1,646
3,664
3,188

661
4,245
2,506
5,579
4,855

Notes:
Strength values provided are those of the clip only (One clip). Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is the average maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor (SIF) and a
Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

VertiClip Series
Connector
SL362
SL400
SL600
SL800
SL1000
SL1200
SLD150
SLD250
SLD362/400
SLD600
SLD800
SLB362
SLB600
SLB600-HD,
(2) Screws

Load Direction
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)
397
1,696
318
1,817
588
2,691
579
2,994
664
2,521
611
2,863
82
254
575
648
1,091
364
2,563
364
2,509
374
1,901

Nominal
Strength (lbs)
441
1,885
353
2,019
653
2,990
643
3,327
738
2,801
679
3,182
91
282
639
720
1,212
405
2,848
405
2,788
416
2,112

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)
721
2,680
600
3,074
1,068
4,251
1052
4,730
1,206
4,266
1,110
4,845
139
430
973
1,302
1,844
661
4,381
661
4,245
679
3,216

______________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Connector

Load Direction

SLB600-HD,
One Anchor

F1
F2
F1
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F2
F1
F2
F1
F2
F2
F3

SLB800
SLB1000
SLB1200
SLBxxx-10, -12
SLS362/400-9, -12
SLS600-12
SLS600-15, -18, -20
SLS600-24
SLS800-12, -15, -18, -20
SLT9.5
SLT(L)
Splice

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)
388
1,606
357
2,563
2,266
2,266
2,266
1,991
3,315
3,398
3,036
2,909
546
822
784
1,116
2,282
3,888

Nominal
Strength (lbs)
431
1,785
397
2,848
2,517
2,517
2,517
2,096
3,489
3,577
3,196
3,062
575
865
825
1,175
2,402
4,092

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)
704
2,718
604
4,381
4,112
4,112
4,112
3,821
5,237
5,750
5,137
4,922
991
1,492
1,422
2,026
3,861
6,578

Notes:
Strength values provided are those of the clip only (One clip). Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is the average maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor (SIF) and a
Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

DriftClip and DriftTrak Series

Connector

Load
Direction

DSLB

F2

DSLS600-12

F2

DSLS600-15
1
DSLS600-15

F2
F2

DSLD362

F2

DSLD600

F2

DSLD800

F2

DSL362

F2

DSL600

F2

DSL800
1
DSL800

F2
F2

Fastener Pattern
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2
1
2

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)
1,467
916
2,980
2,788
3,045
3,045
186
85
286
399
318
293
796
397
1,242
1,840
1,666
1,666

Nominal
Strength (lbs)
1,630
1,018
3,311
3,098
3,383
3,383
207
94
317
443
354
326
884
441
1,380
2,044
1,851
1,851

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)
2,317
1,663
4,707
4,405
4,811
5,008
317
141
481
869
578
858
1320
720
2,254
3,051
3,023
4,122

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The Steel Network, Inc.
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888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Connector

Load
Direction

DTSL

DTSLB

DTLB600
DTLB800

F2

F2
F2
F3
F2
F3

Fastener Pattern
8" Fastener Spacing Pattern 1
8" Fastener Spacing Pattern 2
16" Fastener Spacing Pattern 1
16" Fastener Spacing Pattern 2
8" Fastener Spacing Pattern 1 and 2
16" Fastener Spacing Pattern 1 and 2
8" Fastener Spacing
8" Fastener Spacing

LRFD Design
Strength (lbs)

Nominal
Strength (lbs)

Ultimate
Strength (lbs)

1,001

1,112

1,807

770

856

1,303

1,338

1,487

2,264

774

860

1,309

1,292

1,435

2,186

1,206

1,340

2,040

1,292
2,434
1,292
2,434

1,435
2,704
1,435
2,704

2,186
4,118
2,186
4,118

Notes:
1

LRFD strength limited by fastener pattern 1.

Strength values provided are those of the clip only (One clip). Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as the LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor (SIF) and a
Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

StiffClip Series
Connector

AL362

AL600

AL800

LB362

LB600

LB600-HD, (2)
Screws

LB800

Load Direction
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
1,177
2,493
4,522
1,388
3,493
4,830
2,827
4,022
9,798
1,481
3,297
4,256
1,481
3,297
2,869
1,764
1,810
3,149
1,993
3,297
6,188

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
1,308
2,770
5,025
1,542
3,882
5,366
3,141
4,469
10,887
1,646
3,664
4,729
1,646
3,664
3,188
1,959
2,011
3,499
2,214
3,664
6,875

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
2,137
4,219
7,652
2,348
5,911
8,172
4,784
6,806
16,579
2,506
5,579
7,202
2,506
5,579
4,855
2,984
3,062
5,328
3,617
5,579
10,470

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The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Connector

LB800-4" Offset

LB1000

LB1000-4" Offset

LB1200

HE(L)-43 mil
HE(H)-68 mil
HE(S)-68 mil

CL362/400-68

CL362/400-118

CL362/400-118H

CL600-68

CL600-118

CL600-118H

CL800-68

Load Direction
F1
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
F2
F3
F2
F3
F2
F3
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
1,993
3,297
2,496
1,465
2,270
2,872
2,270
2,506
1,465
2,270
3,041
1,003
4,901
1,739
8,880
1,739
4,753
2,267
3,071
1,842
2,888
3,880
7,090
3,611
6,299
4,160
7,973
9,150
10,750
2,275
4,020
1,932
4,978
4,131
6,578
3,561
9,126
6,659
10,337
9,620
9,958
2,298
4,263
1,724
4,578

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
2,214
3,664
2,773
1,627
2,522
3,191
2,522
2,784
1,627
2,522
3,379
1,114
5,446
1,932
9,867
1,932
5,281
2,519
3,412
2,047
3,209
4,311
7,878
4,012
6,999
4,622
8,858
10,167
11,944
2,528
4,467
2,147
5,531
4,590
7,308
3,956
10,140
7,399
11,485
10,689
11,065
2,553
4,736
1,916
5,086

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
3,617
5,579
4,223
2,658
4,120
4,859
4,120
4,240
2,658
4,120
5,146
1,696
8,293
2,943
15,026
2,943
8,043
4,122
4,851
3,349
5,251
6,129
11,201
6,565
11,453
6,572
12,595
14,455
19,545
3,594
6,351
3,513
9,050
7,147
10,391
6,474
16,592
10,520
16,330
15,197
18,106
3,630
6,734
3,135
8,323

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The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

Connector

CL800-118

CL800-118H

TD

Load Direction
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F1
F2
F3
M1 (in-lbs)
F3

LRFD Design
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
5,375
10,265
4,270
13,170
7,713
13,251
11,925
17,834
17,149

Nominal
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
5,972
11,406
4,744
14,634
8,570
14,723
13,250
19,815
19,055

Ultimate
Strength
(lbs or in-lbs)
8,491
16,217
8,291
23,946
12,185
20,933
18,839
32,425
20,863

Notes:
Strength values provided are those of the clip only (One clip). Attachment to stud framing and to structure must be evaluated independently.
Nominal Strength is calculated as LRFD Strength divided by an average resistance factor of 0.9.
Ultimate Strength is the average maximum load obtained from tests.
When dynamic analysis is used for blast design, the Nominal Strength may be allowed to be increased by a Static Increase Factor (SIF) and a
Dynamic Increase Factor (DIF).

______________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015

References
American Iron and Steel Institute, North American Specification for the Design of ColdFormed Steel Structural Members, 2012 Edition, Washington, D.C.
American Iron and Steel Institute, North American Standard for Cold-Formed Steel Framing
Lateral Design, AISI Standard, 2007 Edition with Supplement No. 1, 2012, Washington,
D.C.
ASCE/SEI 59-11, Blast Protection of Buildings, ASCE Standard 2011.
Department of Defense, UFC 3-340-02 Structures to Resist the Effects of Accidental
Explosions, 2014, Washington, D.C.
Department of Defense, UFC 4-010-01 DoD Minimum Antiterrorism Standards for Buildings,
2013, Washington, D.C.
Design of Blast-Resistant Buildings in Petrochemical Facilities, 2nd Edition, ASCE 2010.

______________________________________________________________________________
The Steel Network, Inc.
www.steelnetwork.com
888-474-4876
First Published Aug. 2011
Last Updated September 2015