Complex Steel Connection Design for HSS Bracing in a Data Center
The Avondale Data Center project was a highly coordinated structural steel project where connection detailing played a critical role in meeting both performance and constructability requirements. Designed as an industrial-scale data facility, the structure incorporates a steel framing system integrated with an exterior screen wall. The bracing connections demanded careful consideration due to custom facility requirements and erection constraints. The combination of HSS members, field-driven installation preferences, and exposure conditions introduced a level of connection complexity that exceeded standard design approaches.
About the Project
The Avondale Data Center is part of the continued expansion of digital infrastructure across the U.S., supporting high-demand computing, storage, and cloud-based operations. These facilities are typically designed with speed, scalability, and reliability in mind, which places unique demands on the structural system.
From a structural standpoint, data centers often rely on steel framing combined with tilt-up concrete construction. This approach allows for fast erection while maintaining the flexibility needed to accommodate evolving equipment layouts and future expansions.
A defining feature of the Avondale project was the use of HSS bracing within this exterior screen wall. These members were required not only to provide lateral stability but also to integrate cleanly with the architectural layout. In addition, all exposed steel was specified as galvanized, introducing durability requirements that directly influenced connection detailing, including drainage and long-term performance considerations.
This project is just one example of the type of work Southern Steel Engineers has been involved in across the data center space. You can check out their full list of projects here: Projects - Southern Steel Engineers
Engineering Challenges
The primary engineering challenge centered on the design of non-standard HSS bracing connections at the exterior screen wall. Unlike more typical beam-to-column connections, these details needed to handle a combination of axial forces, shear, and moments, all within a relatively constrained geometry.
At the same time, there was a strong preference for maximizing field-bolted connections. This requirement significantly influenced the connection strategy, pushing the design toward bolted assemblies and away from fully welded assemblies, which is often desirable for erection speed and quality control. However, when working with HSS members, this introduces additional considerations around fit-up, alignment, and load transfer.
Traditional design methods would have required extensive time invested in manual checks and iterative calculations to validate each variation of these connections, particularly given the number of similar yet distinct conditions across the project.
Solution
To address these challenges, the engineering team at Southern Steel Engineers utilized IDEA StatiCa Connection to model and verify the performance of the HSS bracing connections under realistic loading conditions.
Rather than relying on simplified assumptions, the connections were evaluated based on how forces were actually transferred through the joint. This included the interaction between HSS members, gusset plates, splice plates, and end plates under combined loading.
This approach made it possible to:
- Evaluate axial, shear, and moment effects within a single model
- Understand how forces were distributed through plates, bolts, and welds
- Identify critical areas in the connection without relying on overly conservative assumptions
The ability to quickly adjust geometry and connection details also played a key role. As the design evolved, the team was able to refine:
- Bolted splice configurations
- Plate thicknesses
- Connection layouts
All while maintaining alignment with project requirements and applicable design codes.
As one engineer noted: “Being able to model these connections and immediately understand their behavior under load allowed us to move much faster and make informed decisions without overdesigning.”
Results and Impact
By using IDEA StatiCa Connection, Southern Steel Engineers developed a consistent, efficient approach to managing a series of complex and highly specific connection conditions.
The workflow significantly improved design efficiency by reducing the need for repetitive manual calculations and enabling faster validation of multiple connection variants. This allowed the team to respond more effectively to project demands while maintaining a high level of technical accuracy.
The final connection designs successfully balanced structural performance with constructability. Field bolting was maximized in accordance with client preferences, reducing on-site welding and improving erection efficiency. At the same time, galvanization requirements were fully addressed through integrated drainage detailing, supporting long-term durability.
Most importantly, the use of advanced connection analysis provided a high level of confidence in the final designs, ensuring code compliance in their analysis and reports while avoiding unnecessary conservatism.
The Avondale Data Center's targeted use of advanced connection design tools enabled the engineers to resolve complex constraints while delivering efficient, constructible, and reliable structural solutions.
