ILX Connection user manual

ILX Connection v1.0.0 · AISC 360-22 · AISC Steel Construction Manual, 16th Ed.

ILX Connection designs and details steel connections in a web browser. You enter the members, loads and connection geometry. ILX then checks every applicable limit state and detailing rule, draws the connection, and produces a calculation report and a title-blocked drawing sheet.

This release covers the connection types and component calculators below, each with its own editor, checks, drawings, report and sheet:

What ILX does #

• Connection types. The types above, chosen in the wizard's Connection type step (see Choosing the connection type).
• Supports. Column flange, column web, girder web (with top-of-steel offset) and HSS column wall, as each type allows. Base plates sit on a concrete pier or footing.
• Loads. LRFD or ASD in US or metric units, from any of these:
  • service dead and live loads;
  • service components combined by ASCE 7-22;
  • required strength entered directly;
  • a table of factored load cases.

  Shear can be combined with axial tension or compression where the type supports it. FR and end-plate moment connections and base plates take moments as well.

• Bolts. Bearing-type and slip-critical joints, every ASTM F3125 grade (plus F3043, A307 and threaded rod), every hole type, and fillers.
• Welds. Fillet welds by the instantaneous-center method, one-sided or both-sided support welds (single plate), and CJP groove welds (FR moment, base plates).
• Copes. Top, bottom and double copes, with the reentrant-corner radius.
• Checks. Each check shows its code clause, the required and available values, the ratio and a fix hint.
• Feasibility. A geometric feasibility gate marks any connection that cannot be built as NOT FEASIBLE.
• Design tools. Auto-design for every type, batch design of a schedule of marks, and side-by-side comparison.
• Outputs:
  • interactive on-screen drawings;
  • a configurable PDF calculation report;
  • a drawing sheet with your title block, as PDF and DXF.
• Project files. Projects and connections are stored on the server under your account, with search, pins, templates, version history, trash, and import and export.

What ILX does not do #

ILX follows the AISC Specification, Manual, design guides and seismic standards as written. Where a provision leaves a value or a choice to the engineer of record, ILX asks for it (with a stated default) and reports it; it does not assume it. The items below are outside what ILX designs today.

• Member design. The beam, column, brace and support are checked only for the local limit states of the connection (web shear, coped sections, column flange and web local limit states, panel zone, out-of-plane strength). Member design, including runway girders, is not included.
• Shop drawings. The drawings are schematic connection details, not fabrication drawings.
• Seismic. AISC 358-22 RBS, WUF-W, BFP, BUEEP/BSEEP and double-tee connections and the AISC 341-22 SCBF, OCBF, EBF and BRBF connection rules are designed. Proprietary and cast 358 connections (Chapters 9 to 12, 14 and 15), built-up, boxed and cruciform columns, plug-welded doublers and knife-plate brace details are not.
• Skewed and sloped details. Skewed single plates and end plates, single and double bent plates, and sloped beams on single plates and angles are designed. Canted beams, combined skew and slope, skewed or sloped seats, all-bolted or wrapped single bent plates, and a slope on shear tees, end plates and seats are not; sloped elevations are drawn square.
• HSS supports. Angles may be through-bolted or blind-bolted to a rectangular HSS wall; round HSS walls and HSS walls under axial tension from bolted angles (J3.13) are not covered.
• Fatigue. AISC 360 Appendix 3 is designed for the details of the wired types (see each type's page); bracing gussets, splices, PR moment and several calculators are not wired yet, and distortion-induced fatigue is not checked.
• Chevron gussets. The Concentrated Stress Method follows the Manual's description only (Sabelli and Saxey 2021, EJ 58(1), is not on file); the Uniform Stress Method is the default.
• Crane rails. Web yielding and crippling of the runway girder under the wheel, the rail section, and clip, clamp and hook components are not checked; the rail fastening bolts, Part 15 / DG7 / CMAA detailing and the crane forces are.

Design basis #

The verification of the calculations against published examples is summarised in Verification.

Engineer-of-record responsibility #

ILX is a design aid. It does not replace engineering judgement, and it does not know your project's load path, construction sequence or contract requirements. The engineer of record remains responsible for:

• the design, and for checking that the inputs (loads, members, materials and geometry) are correct;
• deciding whether the limit states and methods ILX applies are appropriate for the project;
• reviewing every report and drawing before it is issued, and sealing it where required.

Every report ends with a disclaimer to this effect, which you can edit in the report settings.

How this manual is organised #