Simpson Strong-Tie introduced the new Yield-Link brace connection, part of a full suite of structural steel innovations and resilient building solutions, at this year’s NASCC: The Steel Conference, held April 12-14 at the Charlotte Convention Center in Charlotte, North Carolina.

The Steel Conference is the premier annual event for designers, fabricators, erectors and construction professionals involved in the design and construction of steel buildings and bridges. This year’s event also incorporated the World Steel Bridge Symposium, QualityCon, the NISD Conference on Steel Detailing, SafetyCon, Architecture in Steel and the SSRC Annual Stability Conference.

Resilient building solutions and new product innovations showcased at Simpson Strong-Tie’s Booth included the new YLBC along with the Yield-Link moment connection and Edge-Tie system for cladding connections. Together, these solutions provide fabricators, erectors, engineers, building owners and contractors with a tested, more economical solution for structural steel construction and improved resiliency from wind and seismic events.

The YLBC is an innovative structural steel solution for dissipating energy through a fuse connection, creating a resilient steel frame that protects beams, columns and braces during seismic and wind events. Designed for simple incorporation into either new construction or retrofits, the YLBC requires no field welding, thus helping reduce testing and inspection costs.

Recently re-engineered, the one-piece Yield-Link moment connection likewise requires no on-site welding of moment connections, reducing welding inspection costs and dependency on shrinking labor pools. Because they’re designed to absorb damage and are easy to replace, Yield-Link connections also allow for less costly repairs and shorter recovery times after significant seismic and high-wind events.

Introduced in July 2022, the Edge-Tie system is designed to replace field-welded bent plate pour stops with a high-strength, straight-edge, channeled steel beam that accepts bolted connections to facilitate easy cladding installations. Long lengths provide an easy, cut-to-fit solution for steel buildings of any size, and the bolted connections eliminate the need for field welding, delivering faster, safer installation with less labor.

“Simpson Strong-Tie is excited to introduce the YLBC as part of an array of innovative product and technology solutions designed to help the structural steel industry build stronger and work smarter,” said Tim Ellis, market segment manager for structural steel at Simpson Strong-Tie. “Like the Yield-Link moment connection and Edge-Tie system, the YLBC provides fabricators, erectors, engineers, building owners and contractors with innovative, easy-to-install solutions designed to reduce overall construction time and costs while providing built-in resiliency and fast repair after natural disasters.”

Backed by technical field support and integrated into several widely used design and detailing software tools, the YLBC, Yield-Link moment connection and Edge-Tie system make up a growing suite of proven structural steel construction solutions designed to simplify design and installation while enhancing building strength and resilience. For more information, visit strongtie.com/solutions/steel-construction.