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header

<h1>Methods of Specifying</h1>
<p>There are a variety of ways a Strong Frame moment frame can be specified:</p>

<h2>Method 1: Use Our Moment Frame Selector Software to Select a Frame.</h2>
<p>
  The Strong Frame moment frame selector software is a free software package
  that can be downloaded at
  <a href="/strongframe">strongtie.com/strongframe</a> and used to select a
  moment frame meeting the designer&rsquo;s specific design and project
  requirements. The tool allows for entering and adjusting the various inputs
  based on a project&rsquo;s design needs. Design beam and column using selected
  Simpson Strong-Tie standard elements. See
  <a href="/solutions/softstory">Dedicated Soft-Story Retrofit page</a> for more
  information. Currently, the Strong Frame selector software can provide
  solutions for 1-story x 1-bay special moment frames. For multi-story and
  multi-bay frames, see Method 2.
</p>

<div class="row">
  <div class="col-sm-8">
    <div class="image">
      <img
        alt="The Strong Frame moment frame selector software"
        src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/6nxxn0khf3/1088px@2x/F-L-SFDG20-53a.jpeg"
      />

      <caption>
        <strong>The Strong Frame Moment Frame Selector Software</strong>
      </caption>
    </div>
    
  </div>

  <div class="col-sm-4"></div>
</div>

<h2>Method 2: Contact Simpson Strong-Tie.</h2>

<p>
  Along with giving you enhanced design possibilities, Simpson Strong-Tie saves
  Designers time by providing design services for built-to-order multi-story and
  multi-bay frames. Designers receive a complete package from Simpson Strong-Tie
  that includes drawings and calculations that are submittal-ready. Simpson
  Strong-Tie even provides post-submission support with the plan check process.
</p>

<div class="row">
  <div class="col-sm-8">
    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-11 numbers">1.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>
          Designer completes the
          <a
            href="/products/lateral-systems/strong-frame-moment-frames/special-moment/special-custom-frame-worksheets"
            >Special Moment Frame</a
          >
          Loading Worksheet form or submits from the
          <a
            href="https://www2.strongtie.com/software/index.html#!strongframeselector"
            >Strong Frame selector software</a
          >.
        </p>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-12 numbers">2.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>
          Designer submits the loading worksheet or Strong Frame Selector input
          file to Simpson Strong-Tie at
          <a href="mailto:strongframe@strongtie.com"
            >strongframe@strongtie.com</a
          >.
        </p>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-13 numbers">3.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>
          Simpson Strong-Tie confirms receipt of the worksheet within 24 hours.
          Using state-of-the-art software, we create a design based on our
          patented Yield-Link&reg; structural fuse technology to meet all your
          design requirements &mdash; <strong>usually within 48 hours</strong>.
        </p>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-14 numbers">4.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>
          Designer receives a submittal-ready design package and drawings in
          electronic format from Simpson Strong-Tie.
        </p>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-15 numbers">5.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>
          Simpson Strong-Tie assists the Designer with any post-submittal Strong
          Frame questions.
        </p>
      </div>
    </div>

    <div class="row">
      <div class="col-sm-1">
        <span class="icon-number-16 numbers">6.</span>
      </div>

      <div class="col-sm-11">
        <p>Simpson Strong-Tie provides no-equal jobsite field support.</p>
      </div>
    </div>
  </div>

  <div class="col-sm-4">
    <div class="image">
      <img
        alt="The Strong Frame moment frame selector software"
        src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/vjufdn0zml/500px/F-L-SFDG20-54a.jpeg"
      />
    </div>
    

    <div class="image">
      <img
        alt="The Strong Frame moment frame selector software"
        src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/yoee2tbj3p/500px/F-L-SFDG20-54b.jpeg"
      />
    </div>
    
  </div>
</div>

<h2>Method 3: Calculate the Design Yourself.</h2>

<p>
  The design requirements for calculating the beam-to-column moment connection
  can be found in ICC-ES ESR-2802 or in AISC 358-16, Chapter 12. Connection
  design tools are also avaiable on strongtie.com.
</p>

<h5>Yield-Link Moment Connection Design Plugin</h5>
<p>
  To streamline the structural analysis and connection design using the Simpson
  Strong-Tie steel moment frame Yield-Link moment connection, we created plugins
  for ETABS/SAP2000 and Revit and the Design Guide to assist the designers. They
  are available on our website at
  <a href="/yieldlink">strongtie.com/yieldlink</a>.
</p>

<h2>Design Information Required</h2>

<p>
  When providing the loading sheets or the input form within the Strong Frame
  moment frame selector software, the user needs to provide the necessary
  lateral load and gravity load as well as the frame height and width.
</p>
<p>The following are helpful guidelines when providing design criteria:</p>
<ol>
  <li>
    Input loads are all nominal loads (no load factors applied, such as DL, LL,
    E, and ASD input for Wind). Simpson Strong-Tie then goes through the ASD or
    LRFD combination and combine the loads for frame and anchorage design.
  </li>
  <li>
    Redundancy Factor (&rho;) &mdash; When inputting ASD Seismic Lateral Load,
    set &rho; equal to 1.0. If &rho; = 1.3 for your structure, then select/mark
    ρ = 1.3 in the form and Excel file input. The reason for the separate input
    is so &rho; = 1.0 can be used for drift check as permitted in ASCE 7.
  </li>
  <li>
    Beam depth includes beam top and bottom nailers as well as 2x
    field-installed top plate and bottom plate at the upper frame level (see
    Figure 1). For multi-story frames, mid-level beam depths include the
    preinstalled beam top and bottom nailers and bottom field-installed 2x
    plate, but no 2x field-installed top plate (see item 4 below).
  </li>
  <li>
    Floor depth at floor for multi-story frames &mdash; If the structure has a
    floor system bearing on top of the beam top nailer, indicate the floor
    system depth on the worksheets. If no floor system is present, then just
    indicate the sheathing thickness on top of the 4x nailer.
  </li>
  <li>
    Omega (&Omega;&omicron;) load on beam &mdash; If there is a shearwall post
    or another beam that is resting on top of the SMF beam, indicate on the form
    or loading sheet (see Figure 3)
  </li>
</ol>

<div class="row">
  <div class="col-md-5 ca">
    <img
      alt="Figure 1 &mdash; Beam Depth at Roof Level"
      src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/thvtj8jhtr/500px/F-L-SFDG20-55a.jpeg"
    /><br />
    <caption>
      <strong>Figure 1 &mdash; Beam Depth at Roof Level</strong>
    </caption>
  </div>
  

  <div class="col-md-5 ca">
    <img
      alt="Figure 2 &mdash; Beam Depth at Floor Level"
      src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/bgckllq4wd/500px/F-L-SFDG20-55b.jpeg"
    /><br />
    <caption>
      <strong>Figure 2 &mdash; Beam Depth at Floor Level</strong>
    </caption>
  </div>
  

  <div class="col-md-12 ca">
    <img
      alt="Figure 3 &mdash; Point Loads on Top of Beam"
      src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/5zcwuywhtn/908px/F-L-SFDG20-55c.jpeg"
    /><br />
    <caption>
      <strong>Figure 3 &mdash; Point Loads on Top of Beam</strong>
    </caption>
  </div>
  
</div>


<p>
  Whichever method you use for specifying a Strong Frame moment frame, it is
  important to provide a complete model number and/or frame elevation drawing in
  the design construction documents. Model numbers are typically listed for
  one-story, two-story or two-bay frames. For other configurations, an elevation
  drawing will be necessary. It is also important to provide a model for the
  anchorage required at each individual column base. Anchorage models are not
  tied to a frame model and shall be specified by the designer. Strong Frame
  moment frame selector software or Simpson Strong-Tie design services will help
  provide an anchorage solution based on the frame base reactions, supplied
  foundation design criteria and ACI 318 anchorage calculations.
</p>

<div class="image">
  <img
    alt="Design Services Anchorage"
    src="http://embed.widencdn.net/img/ssttoolbox/nn5mpdpeba/986px@2x/F-L-SFDG20-56a.jpeg"
  />
</div>


<h3 class="h5">Specification Options</h3>
<p>
  A typical Strong Frame moment frame is delivered to the jobsite with main
  structural components installed (welded plates and shear tabs, Yield-Link®
  fuse-to-beam connections), wood nailers preinstalled, holes predrilled for
  utilities, grey paint and identification/instruction sticker labels. Beams and
  columns are bundled together and can be easily field bolted and set on the
  installed moment frame anchorage kits. However, certain instances occur where
  the typical components need to be adjusted to meet specific jobsite or design
  requirements. For a frame installed in a CFS or structural steel building,
  wood nailers may not be necessary and can be omitted. Where a ledger of infill
  is required in the web of the beam or column, additional predrilled web holes
  can be specified based on the designer&rsquo;s specification. Or where the
  columns may be left visible in the structure, the nailers, primer, holes and
  stickers may need to be omitted so that the finishes can be applied at the
  site. Hot-dip galvanization may also be available where the steel might be
  exposed to weather. See
  <a
    href="/products/lateral-systems/strong-frame-moment-frames/installer-overview/dimension-verification-process"
    >Strong Frame Dimension Verification Process</a
  >
  for additional options and considerations.
</p>

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