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STEEL CONNECTION DESIGN

Delegated Steel Connection Design for Fabricators and Detailers

Connection Design You Can Rely On
Proven Steel Expertise 
We have completed more than 1,400 successful projects, including projects up to 40,000 tons. Our team has worked on significant structures as well as smaller jobs across the country. With decades of structural steel connection design experience, we deliver code-compliant, constructible solutions that help reduce RFIs and keep your project on schedule.
Fabricator-Focused Design
Our engineers design with your shop and field needs in mind. We understand steel fabrication preferences, erection sequences, and cost-saving opportunities. By creating practical, efficient, and constructible connection designs, we help fabricators and detailers save time, reduce costs, and move through approvals faster.
Responsive, Reliable Support
Steel projects demand tight schedules and clear communication. We provide dependable turnaround times, quick responses to RFIs, and solutions that keep fabrication and erection on track. From project kickoff to closeout, our team stays aligned with your goals and ready to solve problems before they slow your project.
Qualified and Licensed Nationwide
We are licensed in 46 states and provide PE and SE stamped delegated connection designs nationwide. Our proven fabrication and erection knowledge allows us to deliver practical solutions for fabricators and detailers across the United States. Wherever your project is located, we can provide the engineering expertise you need.
Shear Connections
Shear connections make up the majority of connections on most projects, so it's critical they are designed to minimize fabrication costs and meet shop preferences.  Shear tabs, clip angles, extended shear tabs and end plates are some of the most common types.
Bracing Connections
Many projects have vertical bracing connections and some have horizontal bracing.  Connections can be designed as bolted or welded, depending on load or member type.  Typical members are HSS, WF, L, 2-L or Rods.
Moment Connections
Moment connections provide stability for the lateral system.  Many moment connections are directly welded, but bolted flange plates and bolted end plates are alternate options.  We work to minimize doublers, stiffeners and through plates at moment connection columns.
Seismic Connections
We have extensive experience designing seismic connections to meet the AISC seismic provisions.  Connections vary from collector beams with heavy axial loads, to OCBF, SCBF or BRB bracing systems.  OMF, IMF and SMF are the typical high-seismic moment frame systems.
Crane Connections
We engineer crane connections including seats, laced column connections, horizontal bracing, etc.  Crane connections require special attention as they often have fatigue design considerations.  This falls into AISC Appendix 3, for design criteria based on the number of cycles.
Truss Connections

We design truss connections for any types of trusses, from small decorative or HSS trusses to heavy wide flange large-span trusses.  Truss end connections and chord splices must be carefully designed to ensure fit-up and tolerances for steel erection.
Misc. Connections
No matter the connection type, if it's steel, it's in SSE's wheelhouse.  From built-up nodes, to specialty joints we are able to use Idea StatiCa software to analyze complex and heavily loaded joints.  
Welded Connections
Welded connections need to be optimized not only for load transfer, but careful consideration of weld type and labor.  Fillet welds are the most economical but Partial-Joint Penetration (PJP) and Complete-Joint Penetration (CJP) can provide more strength but at a higher cost.
connection design | Southern Steel Engineers

steel Connection Design

Our delegated steel connection design deliverables are trusted by fabricators and detailers nationwide. We tailor our process to the needs of steel detailers, from early coordination and RFI resolution at project kick-off to delivering standard shear connection packages quickly. The focus is schedule, efficiency, and quality. We provide detailed connection mapping and clear, constructible steel connection design sketches to communicate details accurately, minimize RFIs, and keep projects moving from detailing through fabrication and erection.
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Steel Connection
Design Expertise

We provide delegated steel connection design for structural steel projects of all sizes and complexities, including schools, data centers, warehouses, battery plants, industrial facilities, aerospace projects, healthcare facilities, hospitals, high-seismic projects, and more.  From 4 tons to 40,000 tons, we have delivered more than 1,400 successful projects for over 50 fabricators nationwide.
Delegated Steel Connection Design | steel structure engineering
Our engineers bring proven shop and field experience to every project, delivering accurate, efficient, and constructible delegated connection designs that meet AISC code requirements and keep fabrication and erection on schedule.

We provide steel detailers with connection design sequenced by project needs and coordinated to minimize RFI's. Our clear and detailed PE-stamped calculation submittals flow smoothly through the IFA process to maintain tight schedules on projects.

Fabrication shop preferences are always in mind, whether that means bolted or welded connections, specific weld types, or preferred assembly methods. By considering your production workflow from the start, our designs help reduce shop time and improve efficiency.  Erector needs are also factored into every project, with attention to fit-up, accessibility, and sequence so connections install smoothly in the field.  

Our delegated connection designs meet AISC, AWS, AISC Seismic Provisions, and RCSC requirements for structural integrity and code compliance.  We coordinate with detailers in Tekla, SDS/2, and Trimble Connect, and review submittals in Bluebeam to reduce RFIs and keep schedules on track. For analysis, we use MathCAD and IDEA StatiCa, and produce clear, accurate sketches in Revit.

Our PROJECTS

A FEW OF OUR Recent connection design PROJECTS

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

At Southern Steel Engineers, we understand that every project is unique and often raises important questions. Our FAQ section provides clear and concise answers to common inquiries regarding our services, project processes, industries we serve, and how we ensure efficiency in delivering structural steel engineering solutions

1. What is steel connection design? And when is it required?

Steel connection design involves engineering the joints that connect structural steel members, such as beams, columns, and braces. These designs are required to ensure that load transfers between members are safe, efficient, and code-compliant. Southern Steel Engineers’s steel connection design services are essential for fabricators and erectors working on complex steel structures or projects requiring delegated engineering.

It is required on most projects, that do not include full connection design within the contract drawings provided by the EOR. Delegated connection design is very common on the East Coast and the middle of the country but is less common on the West Coast.

2. How do you provide steel connection design for the detailer?

We provide detailed and thorough connection sketches for the steel detailer as well as supplemental connection maps. Our deliverables and processes were set up to ensure we accurately communicate our design to the detailer while making it easier for them to use.

3. Do you customize your designs to fit the needs of different fabrication shops?

Yes, Southern Steel Engineers provides customized engineering solutions tailored to the capabilities and preferences of individual steel fabrication shops, optimizing efficiency and ensuring seamless production. We have experience working with a variety of fabrication shops with differing preferences and processes.
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SSE Company Resume

This document provides an overview of our capabilities in structural steel design, detailing how we approach projects across various industries. Whether you're looking for an experienced partner in steel connection design, building design, or value engineering, our resume showcases the breadth of our work and commitment to delivering practical, efficient solutions.
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Structural engineering for the steel industry, specializing in delegated design, steel connection design, stair design, and miscellaneous structural steel. Serving fabricators, detailers, and erectors nationwide with practical, code-compliant solutions.

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Structural Engineering for the Steel Industry | Nationwide Delegated Design
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