Simply supported beam-to-beam connection.

In this example we are going to design a simple (shear) connection between a primary beam IPE400 and a secondary beam IPE300. We are going to use steel S355 and bolts with grade 8.8. The shear force subjected to the connection is 90kN.

Positioning of holes for bolts. (EC3, part 8, table 3.3)

Calculation of the forces subjected to the bolts located at the web of the primary beam.

Firstly, we assume that these bolts transmit only shear force from the secondary to the primary beam. Hence, each of the 6 bolts are subjected to single shear equal to:

Calculation of the forces subjected to the bolts located at the web of the secondary beam.

The shear force is causing a moment to the group of the 3 doubly sheared bolts:

The moment is equivalent with two horizontal forces equal in magnitude and opposite in direction subjected to the edge bolts.

The shear force is distributed equally to the three bolts:

The resultant force at the edge bolts equals to:

Design resistance of the singly sheared bolts @ the web of the primary beam. (EC3, part 8, table 3.4)

We assume that the shear plane passes through the unthreaded portion of the bolt.

Shear resistance:

Bearing resistance:

Check:

Design resistance of the doubly sheared bolts @ the web of the secondary beam. (EC3, part 8, table 3.4)

Shear resistance:

Bearing resistance:

Check:

Design resistance of the angle cleats @ a-a cross-section.

Each of the two angle cleats at the a-a cross-section is subjected to:

Bending resistance: According to EC3, part 1, equation 6.16 we have to check whether the fastener holes in the tension flange will be ignored for the calculation of the bending resistance of the angle cleat.

Hence, we have to ignore the fastener hole at the tension flange for the calculation of the bending

resistance.

Shear resistance (EC3, part 1, equation 6.18):

Moreover, there is no need to reduce the bending resistance of the section because of the shear (EC3, part 1, section 6.2.8 (2)):

Design for block tearing (EC3, part 8, 3.10.2): For a bolt group subject to eccentric loading the design block shear tearing resistance is given by:

Net area subjected to tension:

Net area subjected to shear: