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Yield-Link® Brace Connection for Steel Construction

The Brace Connection with a Breakthrough Design

The Yield-Link brace connection (YLBC) is an innovative solution for isolating damage while ensuring brace frames within structural steel buildings remain intact during a seismic or wind event. With pre-designed, bolted connections, it simplifies design work, eliminates the need for field welding, and is easy to incorporate into new builds or retrofits. YLBC gives fabricators, erectors, engineers, building owners, and contractors a proven, efficient, and more economical solution for structural steel.

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Upcoming Changes to Structural Steel Product Offering

As part of our ongoing commitment to innovation and strategic focus, Simpson Strong-Tie is streamlining our structural steel portfolio. We will stop accepting designs for Yield-Link® Brace Connections on December 31, 2025, and product support will end on December 31, 2026.

We remain dedicated to supporting your projects during this transition. If you have any questions about specific projects or timelines, or if you need detailing or design support, please reach out to your regional representative or contact our support team at structuralsteelsales@strongtie.com.

Yield-Link® Brace Connection

Yield-Link Brace Connection

Ensure a highly resilient steel structure with the Yield-Link® brace connection from Simpson Strong-Tie. This innovative connection isolates damage to a replaceable yielding element while the brace frame remains intact.

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Benefits

Building Owners

  • Bolted connection accelerates construction schedules for faster building occupancy and lower project costs
  • Cost-effective solution for retrofitting of existing structures
  • Resilient design protects beams, columns and braces for less costly repairs and shorter recovery time in a major event

Designers/Engineers

  • Code listed under ICC ESR-4342
  • Multiple full-scale tests to prove product performance
  • Design software tools available for simple integration with your existing design programs
  • Standardized design parameters reduces design and project delivery times
  • Support provided by our dedicated engineering staff to assist with design and detailing
  • Master specification and typical detail sheets available
  • Reduced base shear when compared to SCBF and OCBF due to high code-approved response modification factor (R) of 8.

General Contractors

  • Expedites construction schedules and reduces coordination between trades
  • Eliminate delays required for field welding and inspection of the brace-to-gusset connection
  • Small protected zone allows for non-structural attachments
  • Connection is available as a stock product reducing delivery lead times

Fabricators/Erectors

  • No hidden licensing fee
  • Field bolted connection reduces site labor and install time
  • Greater control over availability, lead time and costs
  • No slot cutting, welding or special fabrication is required for the brace member
  • Detailing software is available for integration with your steel detailing software

Resources

Guides and Fliers for US and Canada

Videos and Articles

General Product Use and Information

Recorded Webinars