This summer we will be launching our own TEDDs modules to cover specific aspects of steel construction. The general philosophy will be to associate each module with an SCI publication, or similar guidance. Our first four modules will comprise:

• The calculation methodology covered by our recent publication P424 Fire Resistance of Light Steel Framing. This methodology can be used to extrapolate the results of a loaded fire test as part of the design of a specific light gauge steel building.
• A tool that allows the resistance of a light steel member to be determined in accordance with EN1993-1-3.
• A tool that allows composite slabs to be assessed for their ability to resist significant point loads (building on the approach presented in AD450). Although appropriate for use when designing a slab, the tool will be primarily used to assess the ability of an existing slab to support an unforeseen load (such as that induced by a MEWP). It adopts a development of the basic method given in EN1994-1-1.
• A tool that designs the reinforcement around openings in composite slabs, implementing the methodology outlined in P300 Composite Slabs and Beams using Steel Decking.

Subsequent modules will cover different aspects of composite and light gauge steel design, and of course we are always happy to receive suggestions. We are currently considering a number of different options for licensing these tools - either individually or as a block - and will of course confirm details when ready to launch.

You can register your interest in receiving further direct communications about these modules here.

If you join SCI as a Corporate or Sole Trader member the support offered to you includes access to a number of benefits designed to support your business, key benefits include:

Access to a team of expert technical advisors. The experience of that team is built on previous lives in practice, research backgrounds, and involvement in code development, networks, and sorting out problems for people.

How do you benefit from using the SCI Advisory Desk? Think about the benefits of those answers. For example, the benefit of showing that a composite beam will work despite not satisfying the requirements of Eurocode 4 is not simply knowing that it is technically justifiable. Sometimes the benefit of our advice will be valued in hundreds of pounds - a call to SCI that saves half a day of personal research. Sometimes it will be valued in tens of thousands of pounds - avoiding the need to take down, refabricate and reconstruct something, or avoiding the danger of getting it badly wrong by seeking advice in advance.

Advisory Desk Notes direct to your inbox. Members can sign up to receive these emails which contain a wide variety of subjects from specific design issues to interpretation of code clauses. These snippets of information are designed to keep engineers up-to-date with latest developments in steel construction. They are sent fortnightly, generally one is a reminder of an AD Note that has previously been published but is still relevant and already exists in Steelbiz the other is a new AD produced specifically for SCI members.

Access to SCI's technical resources on-line and available anytime. The resources held within the Steelbiz section of the SCI Information Portal contains a wealth of technical information including SCI's design guidance publications, an Advisory Desk section with FAQ's and Advisory Desk Notes keeping members up-to-date with latest developments, Worked examples, NCCI documents and many more resources.

Monthly 1-hour Technical Webinars are again designed to provide the latest information on steel design. They are delivered over a lunchtime period making the live webinars easy to view during your working day. If you are unable to watch the live event? The recordings are available to watch again anytime at your convenience for up to 30 days after the live streamed webinar which are then replaced by the next live streamed webinar recording.

Our aim is to keep our members up-to-date with latest information and provide the support required for their successful business.

For information on Membership Contact
Membership@steel-sci.com

The new Advisory Desk service emails sent this month included;

Advisory Desk Note - AD 435
Beams supporting precast planks - checks in temporary condition

Advisory Desk Note - AD 438
Non Slip Connections to BS 5950

Advisory Desk Note - AD 464
Clarification of the reference strain rate in EN 1993-1-10

If you are an SCI Sole Trader or Corporate Member and not receiving these emails alerts go to the SCI Information Portal and in your Profile click on notifications/alerts and select the notifications you require.

All the Advisory Desk Notes and Questions and Answers together with other technical resources are all available at all times on the SCI Information Portal.

For SCI Sole Trader and Corporate members, SCI offers support through our Advisory Desk Service. For questions asked which we feel are pertinent to the wider member audience we publish anonymously the questions and answers.

Where some questions relate to SCI Publications we publish the question and answers in Connect.

This month our published question is about;
Welding nuts and bolts

Question: Is it permissible to weld nuts or bolts - for example "captive nuts" when access to both sides of a connection is not possible?

Please see the answer to this Advisory Question/Answer - Ref No AD_QA_7157-21 and all Advisory questions on the SCI Information Portal.

The Advisory Desk Service is for SCI Corporate and Sole Trader Members advisory@steel-sci.com | +44 (0) 1344 636525

SCI Online Training Courses

On-line Steel Connection Design Course

This online course is delivered in 4 sessions
Part 1 - 20 May 2021
Part 2 - 21 May 2021
Part 3 - 27 May 2021
Part 4 - 28 May 2021

Time: 10:00-12:00

This course is for designers and technicians wanting practical tuition in steel connection design. The course concentrates on the design of nominally pinned connections, in accordance with BS EN 1993-1-8, considering vertical shear and tying.

The Eurocode approach to the design of moment resisting connections will be discussed, anticipating that software will be used for the design of these connections. Bracing connections, bases, splices, welded joints and non-standard connections will all be covered. The Eurocode rules for ordinary and pre-loaded assemblies will be discussed. Critical design checks and rules of thumb will be identified, for preliminary connection sizing.

The objectives of this course are:

• to equip designers with the knowledge to design common connections with confidence
• to explain the key principles of connection behaviour which must be realised in connection details
• to generate an awareness of the resistance of standardised connections

Member Rate - £250.00
SCI Non-Member - £330.00

For more information and to book this course click here.

Next SCI Member webinar is;

Connection to Cores
11 May 2021
Time: 12:30-13:30

The webinar will follow the contents of SCI publication P416, The design of cast-in plates.

Topics addressed will include:

• the behaviour of simple connections to cast-in plates;
• connections with coincident axial shear forces;
• the design model for the cast-in plate;
• contractual arrangements and design responsibilities;
• the effect of construction tolerances.

Register here to view this webinar

For a list of webinars, on-line public courses visit the
SCI Information Portal

For course reminders, publication updates and article notifications follow SCI on Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn.