SidePlate Frequently Asked Questions

• Why should I specify SidePlate™ over other moment connections?
  
  Technical Superiority:
  • Uniquely satisfies government bomb blast "missing column" design criteria at no additional construction cost…All other moment connection types are fundamentally vulnerable to progressive floor collapse
  • Eliminates all connection performance uncertainties discovered after the January 1994 Northridge earthquake, thereby earning its growing reputation by many in the steel frame industry as the "bulletproof connection" (see Critical Parameters Affecting Special Moment Frame Connection Prequalification)
  • Independently tested at University of California at San Diego Charles Lee Powell Structural Laboratories
  • Independently prequalified by ICBO Evaluation Service, Inc., and corroborated by the City of Los Angeles Engineering Research Section and County of Los Angeles Current Position on Design and Construction of Welded Moment Resisting Frame System CP-2, dated August 14, 1996 -- no more headaches getting a building permit!
  • Connection design is complete and state-of-the-practice, including panel zone performance unlike other connection sponsors -no more connection design headaches, worries or testing!
  
  
  Cost-Effective Solutions:
  • Guaranteed Material Savings in either reduced total steel tonnage, fewer required moment connections and/or significantly lower foundation costs, plus Faster Erection Time (see Frequently Asked Question #6 for details)
  • Prequalified & unlimited use of deeper and lighter column sections in lieu of SAC's severe limitations on using maximum of W14 series columns (see Frequently Asked Question #5 for details)
  • No additional testing required due to unlimited prequalifications included in published reports by ICBO and City of Los Angeles
  
  
  Creative & Responsive Structural Engineers:
  • Creative and technically-advanced, cost-efficient steel frame solutions are provided at no cost by SidePlate's Structural Engineers
    
  • Unrivaled construction support during steel frame fabrication and erection
    
    "The professional help from SidePlate™ was beyond expectation, 'that' made a difference"
    - Silvano Patrignami, XL Ironworks
    
    "Cooperation and responsiveness from SidePlate™ personnel was excellent"
    - Meir Amsalam, Maya Steel Fabrications, Inc.
  
  
  SidePlate™ connections provide the lowest overall risk to the performance of steel frame structures available today, without sacrificing cost efficiency.
  
  

  …Nothing else comes close!