Question:

Would SACS consider additional moment automatically due to the offset 'e'? How would SACS performed the punching shear check in this case? Is it assuming the horizontal member is at the center of the vertical chord and not flushed to the edge as seen in the sketch below?

 

Answer:

SACS will consider the additional moment automatically with the application of member offset. The offset will introduce a rigid link between the end of the offset element to the node. This will handle the transformation of any moments and loads to the new position of the element. 

By default, without the member offset SACS will evaluate the punching shear stress at the modeled end of the brace (Location 1). You may provide RELIEF line in the joint can input to evaluate the punching shear stress at the surface of the chord (Location 2). The joint can program will calculate the brace stresses at the brace/chord intersection using the internal loads at the intersection. This optional capability is used when the model did not contain brace member offset to the chord of surface. With the application of member offset, SACS will evaluate the punching check at Location 2.