What Will You Gain From This Presentation?

Why steel structures?

What is connections?
Components of connections
Design philosophy
Classification criteria of connections
Understanding different types of connections
Special connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Why Steel?
Steel allows for reduced frame construction time and the
ability to construct in all seasons
Steel makes large spans and bay sizes possible, providing
more flexibility
Steel is easier to modify and change to an extent facility over
its life
Steel is lightweight and can reduce foundation costs
Steel is durable, long-lasting and recyclable
There is always a solution in steel -AISC
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Connections

Connects different inter/intra-elements

Load transmission medium top to foundation
Decide behavior of structure Rigid / Flexible
Brittle failure
Cost of connections > steel work (60 40)
All chores Analysis & Design - Appropriate
- Drawings Sufficient
- Execution - Practical

A structure is only strong as its weakest link N Subramanian

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Components of Connections

Connectors

Connecting
Part

Cutting, Drilling, Bolting, Welding of Plates, Cleats, Angle, Rolled sections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Design Philosophy
Connections

Art

Science

Determination of most efficient

load paths because all connections
are indeterminate

Involves equilibrium, limit states and

lower bound theorem

Strength : Forces are calculated applying equilibrium > Analysis

Stiffness : The stiffness of the connection affects the level of loading for which it should
be designed.
Rigid No influence of their deformations (High rotational stiffness)
Pinned connections - Flexible enough to accommodate rotations
Deformation Capacity : Qualitative & difficult to check
Ductile connections that have a great deformation capacity contribute to the
overall safety of the structure in the event that the connection becomes
overloaded. plastic design is employed with plastic hinges forming in the
connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Classification of connections
Connections

Type of connecting
medium

1 Riveted
2 Bolted
3 Welded

23/09/2012

Type of force
connection is
expected transfer

1 Axial
2 Shear
3 Moment

Structural element
that made up the
connection

1 Single plate-angle
2 Double web angle
3 Seated angle
4 Stiffened seat

Type of members
the connection are
joining

1 Beam to beam
2 Column to column
3 Beam to column
4 Base

General Connections In Steel Structures

Based on location

1 Shop
2 Field

Based on connecting medium

Manufactured from mild
steel, aluminium,
copper, brass and special
alloys.
Length > Grip
Heating up to 980OC
Cold rolled used in
aircraft industry
Intermediate between
friction and bearing type
Similar to pile
Obsolete in structure

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Based on connecting medium

Bolts are classified as Black bolts, Turned/close tolerance and HFSG

Grade = 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9, 12.9. =12 to 68mm
Black bolts = Most commonly used, ductile, static condition, rough surface
Turned bolts = Machined surface, more expensive, dynamic conditions
HSFG Bolts = Proof load is used (no yield point), slip critical connections,
good where vibration & impact is induced, pretensioned
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Based on connecting medium

Shearing of Bolts & plates

Vnsb (( fu / 3 )( nnAnb nsAsb ) )Ymb

Bearing of Bolts & Plates

Vnpb (2.5kbdtfu ) / Ymb

Bearing of plate, t<0.5bolt dia
Tension failure of Bolts & Plates

Tnb (0.90 fubAn ) / Ymb

failure of bolted connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

10

Based on connecting medium

(a) Bearing Connection
T

Bearing stresses

T
(b) Friction Connection
T
Clamping Force, PO

Tension
in bolt

Frictional Force T

Clamping Force, PO
Load transfer mechanism bolted connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

11

Based on connecting medium

(b) Fillet welds

(a) Groove welds
Ends shall be semi
circular
A

Section A-A

(d) Plug weld

Section A-A
(c) Slot weld

Types of welds
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

12

Based on connecting medium

f1

w
w

Critical
plane

fu

fw2 3 w2

fd size * 0.707 * fy /( 3 * Ym)

In the design procedure the internal force on the fillet weld is

resolved into components parallel and
transverse to the critical plane of the weld throat
A uniform stress distribution is assumed on the critical throat
section of the weld, leading to the normal stresses and shear
stresses
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

13

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Axial force is transferred by shear through weld or bolts using cover plates
Cover plates = 5/8 t

Axial Connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

14

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Axial Connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

15

Type of force connection is expected transfer

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

Curve 1: At a very low

moment it safely yields (M1 )
and allows the connection to
rotate ( ) , This is typical of
top angle, web framing
angles, connections
Curve 2 : Under working load
it elastically yields sufficiently
to provide the necessary
rotation of the connection,
and yet has sufficient
resistance to develop the
proper end moment.
Although thick top angles
have been suggested for
service as semi-rigid
connections, they are
impractical to design and
fabricate with the desired
built-in restraint
Curve 3 : Using a top
connecting plate detailed to
develop the full end moment
16

Type of force connection is expected transfer

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Shear or Pin Connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

17

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Clip

b R / tw( fyw / Ymo)

b1 b (Tf rb)

R
Bearing
45O

Abr R /( fy / Ymo)

Seat angle
Stiffener

Stiffened & unstiffened seat angle connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

18

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Web Angle

Depth of cleat = (0.6 to 0.7 Db)

Minimum thickness of web
angle is 8mm, Db= 450
Thicker the angle = Stiffer the
angle

Single or double web angle connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

19

Type of force connection is expected transfer

(a)

(b)

(c)

(d)

Moment Connections
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

20

Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate

End plate connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

21

Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

22

Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

23

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Prying forces arises when a relatively thin plate deflects outward, thus pressing the
unsupported edges against the supporting piece
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

24

Type of force connection is expected transfer

Bolts in
tension (Prying
effect)

Bolts in single
shear

Shear is transferred by web

angle
F = M/Db
Find thickness of web of stub
Flange design Tension &
Prying effect

Split Beam/T- Stub connections

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

25

Type of force connection is expected transfer

R Mdi / di2

T Myn / yi 2

Bracket connection
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

26

Type of members the connection are joining

Designed for M and V

Flange splice plate work as flange
Web splice plate work as web
Flanges transfer M
Web transfer V (Except slender web)
Flush end plate as end plate
moment connections

Beam splice
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

27

Type of members the connection are joining

Tension field Post buckling behaviour

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

28

Type of members the connection are joining

Axial force are transferred in

accordance with the area of
flanges and web

Column splice
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

29

Type of members the connection are joining

Axial force are transferred in accordance with the area of flanges and web

Column bases
23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

30

References
Owens & Cheal Structural Steel Work Connections
Euro code -3
AISC Connection Manual
Akbar Tamboli Handbook of Connection Design
Subramanian Design of Steel Structures
INSDAG Teaching Resources
ESDEP Notes -European Steel Design Education Programme

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

31

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

32

23/09/2012

General Connections In Steel Structures

33