ILX Connection: steel connection design to AISC 360-22, in your browser
Easy-to-use strength design for 34 kinds of steel connections, from shear tabs to column bases. ILX Connection helps you through the design, checks every limit, and hands you clean drawing sheets and calculation reports. Built by engineers for engineers.
What it does
From loads to a finished connection in minutes
Pick a connection, enter the members and loads, and ILX Connection does the rest. Intuitive inputs, instant results and clear explanations keep you in control of every decision.
Guided design
A wizard walks you through each connection, and auto-design proposes a workable layout you can fine-tune.
Every check, explained
Strength and detailing checks update as you type, with the governing check and a plain-language note on what to change.
LRFD or ASD, US or SI
Switch the design method and units at any time. Projects keep your preferred defaults, bolts, welds and title block.
Projects and batches
Organize connections by project, design whole schedules at once in batch, and compare options side by side.
Runs in your browser
Nothing to install. Your work is saved on the server and opens on any computer you sign in from.
Built by engineers
Made by practicing structural engineers to the AISC 360-22 Specification and the 16th Edition Steel Construction Manual.
Connection families
34 connection types, one consistent workflow
Grouped the same way you find them in the app's new-connection wizard.
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Simple shear
Plate · Angle · Seated · Tee
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Moment
FR moment · PR moment · End-plate moment · Double-tee moment
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Splices
Beam shear splice · Compression splice
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Truss & bracing
Truss connection · Tension member end · Vertical bracing gusset (UFM) · Chevron bracing gusset (chevron effect) · Horizontal bracing wrap-around gusset
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Hangers & bearing
Hanger · Beam bearing plate · HSS strut end plate · Column bearing on beam · Crane-rail connection
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Column bases
Base plate · Embedded column base · Braced-frame base
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Components & calculators
Bracket plate · Bolt group · Weld group · Bolted joint · Welded joint · Pin-connected member / eyebar · Built-up member connectors · Beam web opening
Drawings and reports
Documents you can hand over
Every connection comes with a drawing sheet and a calculation report, ready for your submittal package.
- Drawing sheets to scale as PDF and DXF, with realistic bolts and weld symbols
- Your title block, sheet size and logo, set per user and per project
- Calculation reports that show every check, the governing case and the references
- Batch output for whole connection schedules
Verification
Tested against the published examples
Passes over 3,200 checks against published AISC design examples; every difference from the published values is explained in the documentation.
How ILX Connection is tested, with the live results →
ILX Studio, LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by AISC.
Pricing
Simple pricing
Try everything free for 90 days. Then keep going for $20 a month or $100 a year.
ILX Connection on the web is the online version of the upcoming ILX Connection desktop application. Desktop: coming soon.
FAQ
Questions engineers ask
What does ILX Connection design?
Steel connections to AISC 360-22 and the 16th Edition Steel Construction Manual: simple shear connections, moment connections, splices, truss and bracing joints, hangers and bearing plates, column bases, and a set of everyday calculators for bolt groups, weld groups and joints.
Do I need to install anything?
No. ILX Connection runs in your browser. Your projects are saved on the server, so you can pick up where you left off on any computer.
Does it support LRFD and ASD, and US and SI units?
Yes. Switch the design method and the units for each connection at any time; the drawings and reports follow.
How do I know the results are right?
Every connection type is tested against the published AISC Design Examples and Design Guides. See the Verification page for the method, the live numbers, and every documented difference.
Who is responsible for the design?
You are. ILX Connection helps you through the design and documents every check, but the engineer of record reviews and approves the results. See the Disclaimer.
What happens after the free beta?
New accounts get 90 days free. After that, the web version is $20 per month or $100 per year.
Is there a desktop version?
The ILX Connection desktop application is coming soon: $500 one time, including 5 years of maintenance. Tell us you are interested on the Pricing page.
Design your next connection today
Free for 90 days. Nothing to install.