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Yield-Link® Moment Connection (YL)

The (YL) Yield-Link moment connection is Simpson’s legacy design for resilient structural fuses in a steel moment frame. This product configuration is still available and is qualified to be used on OSPHD/HCAI or DSA projects. If your project does not carry these requirements, please consider our new (YLMC) Yield-Link moment connections, now featuring integrated spacers. Please see the YLMC product information page for more information

At Simpson Strong-Tie, we've built a heritage of steel connection innovation. Through our tireless commitment to technological advancement, research and rigorous testing, our engineers have acquired an unparalleled body of expertise, with more patents and code-listed products than anyone else in the business. Our Yield-Link moment connection is precision-made to meet the tough demands and increased loads of structural steel construction. From building owners to engineers, to contractors and fabricators, the Yield-Link's state-of-the-art design saves everyone time and money — while providing a connection that keeps structural steel buildings strong and safe.

Key Features

  • Saves time and costs on fabrication and erection
  • Requires no onsite welding of moment connection, reducing welding inspection costs
  • Replaceable Yield-Links allow for less costly repairs and shorter recovery times
  • Accepted into AISC 358-16 and code listed in ICC-ES ESR-2802
  • Can be integrated into your design software and can be designed without beam bracing
  • Reduces difficult coordination between welders and inspectors
  • No delays for field welding and welding inspection of the moment connection
  • Small restricted zone for easier MEP coordination
  • All shop welds are fillet welds, providing a simple fabrication process

Patent Information

  • US Patents 11,072,938; 10,669,718

Related Literature

Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Mill District Lot 7
S-L-MDL723
A project spotlight on use of the Yield-Link® moment connection in the Mill District Lot 7.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Modeling Guide
F-L-YLMCMG22
A modeling guide for the Yield-Link® moment connection for structural steel framing. The guide walks designers through the structural analysis and connection design of structural steel buildings.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Design Guide
F-L-YLMCDG20
A design guide for the Yield-Link® connection for structural steel designs including design requirements and considerations, methods of specification as well as product and anchorage information.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection for Structural Steel Frames
F-L-YLMC21
A flier on the Yield-Link® moment connection for structural steel frames describing product features and the engagement process on how to design and fabricate the Yield-Link moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Copeland Medical Office Building
S-L-CMOB23
A project spotlight on a medical office building in Clovis, California, whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Fremont Union High School District Building
S-L-FUHSD24
A sales flier highlighting use of the Simpson Strong-Tie® Yield-Link® moment connection in constructing the Fremont Union High School District building.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Happy Valley Crossroads East
S-L-HVXRD22
A project spotlight on four retail buildings in Happy Valley, OR whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Industrial Warehouse Buildings
S-L-AMZWH22
A project spotlight on an industrial warehouse whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Patterson High School - Performing Arts Theater
S-L-PTRSNHS22
A project spotlight on Patterson High School Performing Arts Theater whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Topgolf – Vineyard
S-L-TGVY23
A project spotlight on a Topgolf building in Vineyard, Utah, whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Project Spotlight: Valley Children’s Hospital Founders Plaza
S-L-VCH23
A project spotlight on a two-story medical office building in Madera, California, whose construction uses the Yield-Link® moment connection.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection Design Guide
F-L-YLMCDGCAN21
A design guide for the Yield-Link® moment connection for structural steel designs including design requirements and considerations, methods of specification, and product and anchorage information.
Flier
Yield-Link® Moment Connection for Structural Steel Frames
F-L-YLMCCAN21
A flier describing product features of the Yield-Link® moment connection and the engagement process for designing and fabricating the connection for structural steel frames in Canadian Limit States.
Flier
SECTION 05 12 24 Prefabricated Special Steel Moment Connections
MF-L-YLMC23
This MasterFormat® Specification document defines how the specified product is categorized within the standard MasterFormat framework.
MasterFormat® Specification
SECTION 05 12 24 Prefabricated Special Steel Moment Connections
MF-L-YLMC23
This MasterFormat® Specification document defines how the specified product is categorized within the standard MasterFormat framework.
MasterFormat® Specification

Product Information Table

Yield Link Moment Connection (Original)
Yield Link Moment Connection (Integrated)

The YLMC SKUs have spacers that have been integrated into the Yield-Link structural fuses. The YLMC configurations are equivalent to the former YL configurations. However, YL configurations are required for OSHPD/HCAI projects. Please see the YLMC product information page for more information.

Geometry
Yield-Link Series tstem
(in.)		 tflange
(in.)		 hflange
(in.)
YL4 1/2 7/8 5 3/4
YL4-x-10 13/16
YL6 & YL6-x-13 3/4 1 1/4 9 1/4
YL8 & YL8-x-15 1 1 13/16 10 3/4
Yield-Link® SKU Geometry Design Information Bolts Information, Quantity and Dia. Included Kit Component
Lyield
(in.)		 Llink
(in.)		 bflange
(in.)		 Py_link
(kips)		 Keff
(kip/in.)		 Beam Depth Link Flange
(in.)		 Link Stem
(in.)		 BRP
(in.)		 BRP ID Spacer Plate ID
Min. Max.
  1. The YL configurations are equivalent to the new YLMC configurations. However, YL configurations are required for OSHPD/HCAI projects. Please see the target="_blank">YLMC product information page for more information.
  2. Link Stem-to-beam flange bolts shall be ASTM F3125 Grade A490 or F2280 (X or N) (Pretensioned)
  3. Link Flange-to-column flange bolts shall be ASTM F3125 Grade A325-N (Snug-tight) or F1852-N (Pretensioned)
  4. Shear Plate-to-beam web bolts shall be ASTM F3125 Grade A325, A490, F1852 or F2280 (X or N type per design)
  5. BRP-to-beam flange bolts shall be ASYTM F3125 Grade A325-N (A3250X for YL8-6 & YL8-6-15)
  6. A Simpson Strong-Tie patent label, provided by Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc., must be applied adjacent to each moment connection. Simpson Strong-tie Strong Frame® and the Yield-link Moment Connection Structural fuse are protected under one or more of the following U.S. patents and applications: U.S. Patent No. 8,001,734 B2, U.S. Patent No. 8,375,652 B2, U.S. Patent Publication No. 2015/0159362, And U.S. Patent Publication No. 15/935,412 and must be supplied or licensed through Simpson Strong-tie. Yield-link Moment Connection is manufactured and protected under U.S. Patent No. 10,669,718 B2 and cannot be duplicated or fabricated without expressed, written permission from Simpson Strong-tie Co., Inc.
YL4-2 7 18 5/8 6 1/4 50.00 2970 W12 W18 (4) 7/8 (4) 7/8 (2) 5/8 BRP4C SP4C
YL4-2.5 62.50 3468
YL4-3 6 1/2 75.00 3960
YL4-2.25 7 56.25 3337 BRP4A SP4
YL4-2.875 71.88 3953
YL4-3.5 21 3/8 8 87.50 4460 (6) 7/8 BRP4B SP4
YL4-3.75 93.75 4651 SP4
YL4-4 100.00 4831 SP4
YL4-2.25-10 10 21 9/16 7 56.25 2554 W16 W27 (4) 7/8 (4) 7/8 (4) 5/8 BRP4A-10 SP4-10
YL4-2.875-10 71.88 3077
YL4-3.5-10 24 5/16 8 87.50 3529 BRP4B-10
YL4-3.75-10 93.75 3701
YL4-4-10 100.00 3865
YL6-2.5 10 27 1/2 6 1/2 93.75 3426 W16 W27 (4) 7/8 (6) 7/8 (4) 3/4 BRP6D SP6D
YL6-3 8 112.50 4149 (4) 1 (6) 1 BRP6A SP6
YL6-3.5 131.25 4564
YL6-4 150.00 4933 (4) 1 1/4
YL6-4.5 10 168.75 5801 (6) 1 1/4 BRP6B
YL6-5 187.50 6167
YL6-5.5 12 206.25 7037 BRP6C
YL6-6 225.00 7400 (4) 1 3/8
YL6-3-13 13 30 1/2 8 112.50 3484 W24 W36 (4) 1 (6) 1 (4) 3/4 BRP6A-13 SP6-13
YL6-3.5-13 131.25 3868
YL6-4-13 150.00 4216 (4) 1 1/14
YL6-4.5-13 10 168.75 4925 (6) 1 1/14 BRP6B-13
YL6-5-13 187.50 5270
YL6-5.5-13 12 206.25 5981 BRP6C-13
YL6-6-13 225 6324 (4) 1 3/8
YL8-4 13 31 1/6 9 200.00 6034 W24 W36 (4) 1 3/8 (6) 1 1/4 4 3/4 BRP8A SP8
YL8-4.5 225.00 6524 (4) 1 3/8
YL8-5 34 7/16 12 250.00 7698 (8) 1 1/4 BRP8B
YL8-5.5 275.00 8213 (4) 1 1/2
YL8-6 300.00 8698
YL8-4-15 15 33 1/16 9 200.00 5465 W24 W36 (4) 1 1/4 (6) 1 1/4 (6) 3/4 BRP8A-15 SP8-15
YL8-4.5-15 225.00 5931 (4) 1 3/8
YL8-5-15 36 7/16 12 250.00 6959 (8) 1 1/4 BRP8B-15
YL8-5.5-15 275.00 7446 (4) 1 1/2
YL8-6-15 300.00 7908

Code Reports & Compliance

Drawings

PDF DWG DXF RFA IFC SAT

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