RAM Connection: Dowswell Reference

Question

I frequently see the reference in RAM Connection Calcs to: 
 Dowswell, B., 2003, Connection Design for Steel Structures, Structural Design Solutions, LLC 
 I have not been able to find this document anywhere which presents a rather large issue when interpreting the RAM Connection Results. Could you please provide a location to buy/access this reference? If it is no longer available for purchase, I would recommend finding a new reference for these calculations, if possible, or providing additional background on the calculations using this reference.

Jason McCool · Answer

I asked Bo Dowswell that question back in 2014, as RAM Connection appeared to be referencing a chapter 9 for weak-axis moment connections from the 2003 reference you cited. I couldn't ever find a book like that, even on his own site. He emailed me back the following reply: "I attached Chapter 9 of the notes from my 2003 ASCE Seminar, Connection Design for Steel Structures. I don't have the remaining chapters compiled into book form yet, but hopefully it will be ready soon." He was readily willing to share the referenced section when asked, and his book has not come to fruition yet, but the 29 page pdf he sent me was copyrighted, so I'll refrain from sharing the whole chapter without his permission, but I don't think he'd mind me sharing this screenshot of the section that the program uses for a limit state. I'm assuming this is the condition you're trying to justify. I know this has been difficult for me to justify to others as it tends to invalidate many "typical details" that seem very conservative. If your issue was with other portions of Bo's material, perhaps Seth or somebody at Bentley could confirm with Bo and arrange a more official posting of the full Chapter 9 pdf resource.

RAM Connection: Dowswell Reference

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