I'm looking at designing a very typical bolted/welded stiffened seated connection using RAM Connection. In doing so, I'm seeing some unexpected calculations regarding the weld capacity, namely a calculation of "e" and then the final capacity check of Pn = 2.4L^2*Rn/(16*e^2 + L^2)^.5. When I compare the capacity I get to Table 10-8 of the AISC steel manual, I'm seeing a highly reduced capacity.
I looked up the reference (Design Criteria for Stiffened Seated Connections) where those calculations originate from - I see the provision for eccentricity of 0.8W, but at least in the version of the paper I'm looking at, I don't see any reference to the 2.4L... equation. Where did this equation originate from?
Similarly, even if that paper does contain the used equation, why are we seeing such different values from the tables in AISC? From all I can see, the tables in AISC are an acceptable solution - if they're acceptable and give increased values compared to Connection, I'm highly tempted to avoid using Connection for such applications in the future.
Any insight on the rationale of this calculation would be greatly appreciated!