Search

Steel Interchange


Ry for Seismic Design
The Ry factor is applied to the loads for which to design connections in many seismic applications. However, the Ry factor is not considered in the capacity of the connection material. Is this not an overly conservative approach?

Answer

No. Ry is applied to Fy for the yielding element to ensure that the elements intended to remain elastic (like connection elements) can develop the expected strength of the yielding element. We apply Ry because we want to account for material that might be overstrength. However, if Ry were applied in the design of the elements intended to remain elastic, you would be counting on material that might be overstrength, but also might not.

 

Kurt Gustafson, S.E., P.E.

Posted on June 1, 2010


Please feel free to submit a question/answer to solutions@aisc.org