Science Building - Steel Overview
The braces can be seen here. Note the brace has a slot that fits over the gusset plate which is then welded. The braces are HSS sections.The bottom right photo also shows different gusset plates for bracing - the right is not typical. In high seismic regions the gusset details would be as shown in the bottom left (between these two extremes), with the smaller gusset plates more typical of non-seismic areas.
The building has a combination of pinned connections (left) and moment connections (right), which are distinguished by whether the flanges are also connected. Note the disparity in beam sizes as they frame around an opening and have much lighter load. Before bracing and moment connections are completed temporary bracing (cables) are the lateral support for the building. They are also used to align the building during construction.
Differences in beam size resulted in some additional brace elements (left) and unusual framing.
A column splice is shown before and after splicing. In the third photo columns of very different size are spliced, showing the need to use similar depth members to simplify the connection (otherwise end plates would be required).
A baseplate is shown. Steel framing for a lower story can be seen in the background due to the sloping grade across the building. To connect to concrete plates as shown in the basement wall are embedded and the girder welded to this plate.
At the penthouse the steel is galvanized rather than painted or fireproofed, as seen by the dull gray appearance.
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