Why connections matter more than members
Member sizing follows a code formula. Connection design follows judgement. Connection details drive 60–70% of fabrication labour hours and a disproportionate share of erection time. Yet they are routinely under-specified at the design stage.
Common failure modes
- "Engineer to fabricator" notes that push design liability to fabricators without compensating fees.
- End-plate moment connections sized for member capacity instead of actual demand — leading to oversized stiffener plates.
- Skewed connections detailed as orthogonal, requiring on-site re-fabrication.
- Missing washer-plate, packer-plate and column-cap details that show up at erection.
- Slip-critical bolt requirements specified without faying-surface treatment notes.
What a complete connection package looks like
- Connection schedule for every member intersection, including secondary members.
- Bolt class, diameter, count and tightening method specified.
- Slip-critical vs. bearing-type clearly distinguished.
- Weld sizes, types and inspection categories called out.
- Skewed, splayed and rotated connections detailed individually.
- Erection-aid details (lugs, temporary brackets) included.
MEC's connection design approach
Every connection in an MEC-detailed package is designed by an in-house senior engineer, not pushed to the fabricator. Skewed and non-orthogonal connections are detailed explicitly. Bolt grade, tightening method, and weld inspection categories are documented per member type.
Lead-magnet download: Our connection-design RFI template — the question set you should hand a structural consultant before signing off on a connection package. Request the template.