CT46 SHS Jointing 14 06 06 PDF

Corus Tubes
SHS Jointing
Structural & Conveyance Business

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SHS Jointing
Contents
Introduction
Butt Joints
Flange Connections
Splice Joints
End Fittings, Cleats & Brackets
Lattice Joints
Beam to Column Connections
Slab to Column Connections
Cast Joints
Mechanical Joints
Flowdrill & Hollo-Bolt Jointing
Flowdrill
Hollo-Bolt
Corus Tubes, Structural & Conveyance Business www.corustubes.com SHS Jointing: Contents
SHS Jointing
Introduction
Connections with hollow sections are often considered to

be complicated and expensive but in reality they
can be simple and cost effective. Any connection
can be designed in two ways, either as a basic connection
or as an architectural connection.
Basic connections serve to join two or more components

in the cheapest and simplest way. Plates are cut by
cropping or profile burning and, whilst sharp edges and
burrs are removed, no additional shaping is made.
Connections are made in the most accessible way for
shop fabrication or site erection and will normally be left
exposed. Given freedom of choice and considering that, in
todays economic climate, its the lowest bid that usually
wins, fabricators will, unless detailed otherwise, plan for
basic connections.
Architectural connections are designed to give the best

appearance generally requiring additional workmanship
and extra cost. However one should not focus on
designing architectural connections which have
diminished visual impact, when considered as a part of
the final structure.
Frequently hollow sections are employed for their

aesthetic appearance and in such cases it is important
that the connection used has the necessary strength. It is
thus necessary to strike a balance between workmanship
and cost. This document is intended to show that, the use
of good architectural detailing can, provided a sense of
proportion or scale is maintained, be achieved without
incurring substantial extra costs.
A wide range of joint details are shown in this

publication. Many details will automatically seal a hollow
section and in this situation no internal protection is
required. Where however the jointing system penetrates
the tube wall without sealing or leaves the section open,
consideration must be given to the question of water
ingress and internal corrosion protection. This aspect
is particularly relevant to external structures.
Corus Tubes, Structural & Conveyance Business www.corustubes.com SHS Jointing: Introduction
SHS Jointing
Butt Joints
As most structures are higher or wider

in dimension than an individual
component, they will need to be jointed.
A common connection will be an in-line
joint of two similar sized or possibly
different sized hollow sections. In-line
joints of equal size members are easily
made by full penetration butt joints.
Full use should be made of the fact that for a

given size of section the thickness change is
internal and not external thus a constant
external dimension can be achieved even
when differing thicknesses are being joined. CHS Butt Joint
For full welding details refer to Corus Design
Guide: SHS Welding CT15.
Up to 6mm
Up to 20mm
Up to 3mm
SHS Butt Joint Over 3mm
Full Penetration In-Line Butt Welds
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SHS Jointing
Butt Joints
Use of these techniques, especially when

used at natural joint positions (i.e. at ends of
individual mill length members), can achieve
clean lines with economy. In-line joints need
careful alignment and jigging to ensure
correct fit-up. This is not a problem in the
work shop where equipment is readily
available, but special provision is required for
site work. Site work will also be affected by
weather conditions and care must be taken
when welding. As a result most fabricators
would prefer bolted site joints.
CHS Butt Joint Bolts applied to hold joint together for welding, once
welded the bolts and cleats are removed.
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SHS Jointing
Flange Connections
Flanges are the simplest type of in-line

bolted connections and can be of any shape
or size but those most generally used are
rectangular, square, round or triangular.
They should be kept as small as possible but of

sufficient thickness to give adequate joint
strength and prevent distortion during welding.
Flanges can be of the blank or ring type, the
latter being useful for external elements such
as tubular towers that require galvanizing both SHS Flange Connection
internally and externally.
NB. Attention must be paid to water drainage

in external structures.
The following recommendations were

established for circular tower leg members
(under static load conditions) and assume the
same grade of material for the flange and the
Drainage blank
tube. Thickness is based on strength and may
need increasing to control distortion.
20mm min
20mm min
Ft Pb = 1.2Ft / no bolts
Blank flange
Ring Flange
t
Pb
3t min 2t min
Min PCD
1.25 x bolt dia

Typical flange details Typical drainage details
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SHS Jointing
Flange Connections
Similar joints can be used in RHS and CHS

lattice construction remember that, whilst
close up these can look bulky, in overall
perspective their effect is diminished.
SHS Howe / x Girder lattice construction with bolted flange

connections
SHS with flanges, connected to I beam
SHS Jointing
Flange Connections
Flange joints can equally be used in lattice

or multi-storey construction with either the
same or different size members. For multi-
storey construction the flange joint can
normally be accommodated within the floor
construction depth. Flanges can be blank or
provided with holes for bolting access, to
connect floor beams and/or concrete filling
of the column.
Base plates can either be plain or Similarly flanges are used as either cap
stiffened dependent on thickness and or base connections for columns.
loading.
SHS Jointing
Flange Connections
CHS and SHS with bolted flange connections CHS with bolted flange
connections
CHS with bolted ring flange connections
SHS Jointing
Splice Joints
As an alternative to flanges, in-line

joints can be made by bolted splice
plates which can be either left exposed
or used in conjunction with cover plates
to give a smooth external appearance.
Splice Joint with cover plate removed -

CHS
Splice Joint with cover plate removed - SHS Splice joint with Cover Plate -
CHS
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SHS Jointing
Splice Joints
Exposed Splice Joint - CHS
Exposed Splice Joint - SHS
SHS Jointing
Splice Joints
SHS Splice Joint with cover plate removed &

exposed RHS splice joint
Exposed Splice Joint - CHS
Splice Joint preparation
SHS Jointing
End fittings, cleats and brackets form a

part of any connection whether for main
components or secondary items.
They can vary from simple flat plates

or off-cuts of rolled sections, to complicated
brackets. As has been previously said,
simplicity is the key and simple connections
are often the most economical and can be
visually acceptable. As a further bonus, a
simple connection usually creates a direct
load path between the elements.
Longitudinal gusset plate with single

forked pinned joint
Double fork end fitting, pinned onto Bolted single forked plate end fittings
column head cruciform plate
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SHS Jointing
End forks with single or multiple bolts or

pins can be made from standard rolled
sections or from plates.
As an alternative to adding plates, ends of

CHS members may be fully flattened.
Cold flattening may be used, but repair by
welding may be required on the weld and
outer edges of the tube due to the amount
of cold working carried out.
Double forks reduce plate thickness and

put bolts or pins into double shear.
Single forks can be either on or off the
center line, and end plates or sections seal
the SHS member and negate internal
corrosion.
N.B. Sealed SHS members must be

vented if galvanized.
End of SHS can be left open but internal

protection must be considered especially
for external structures.
Extended plates reduce crowding at joint.
Bolted single forked plate end fittings
SHS Jointing
Column bases, bracing and main chord

connections shown here, are all based on
the continuing theme of simple plates with
either single pin or bolt connections.
Shaping and relative dimensions of the
plates combine to create their own
architectural style.
Pinned double forked column Pinned double forked bracing joints

base
General Photograph showing column base and bracing Pinned double forked
jointing bracing joints
SHS Jointing
SHS bolted into a double forked bracket Longitudinal gusset plates, with double forked
pinned joint
Column base supporting a single forked pinned joint
SHS Jointing
Double forked end fitting on stiffening plate Double forked end fitting, pinned onto
column base
Single forked end fitting Simple flange welded onto SHS, ready to be
bolted onto another section
SHS Jointing
Double forked fabricated bracket bolted to column
Longitudinal gusset plate

with pinned double forked
end fittings
CHS with plated end fitting, bolted to longitudinal cleat
SHS Jointing
Transverse cleat
Fabricated
bracket attaching
beam to a column
Transverse cleat bolted to plate end fitting on

CHS. Also a fabricated bracket supporting an I
beam
SHS Jointing
Longitudinal gusset plate
Double forked end fittings, pinned to fabricated bracket
SHS Jointing
Longitudinal gusset plate, pinned to a double forked fabricated column head
Double forked end fitting pinned

to ring cleat
SHS Jointing
SHS bracing bolted to double forked

longitudinal gusset plate
Cast end fittings welded to SHS, pinned to fabricated

bracket
SHS Jointing
Transverse gusset plate Transverse gusset plate, used to join the

two sections
Double forked end fittings pinned to a longitudinal gusset

plate
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
Structural hollow sections are highly

efficient in compression as well as
tension and the added fact of a clean,
slender appearance means they are
regularly used in lattice construction.
A warren bracing system is generally

preferred, as the compressive strength of
SHS bracings allow longer strut lengths
to be used, thus reducing the number of
bracings and joints, when compared to
an equivalent N Brace system.
Additional struts can be added at non-

nodal purlin positions to reduce chord
bending if required.
Care in selecting member sizes and

adjusting the joint eccentricity can
minimise the complexity.
N Brace system used for roof structure
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SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
CHS Warren brace system (One near vertical brace)
Warren brace system
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
Design Notes
1 Design rules have been established

for most of the common range of
joints in lattice construction. See
Corus Tubes publication CT16
Design of Welded Joints.
2 The strength of such joints is

dependent on the relative size of the
bracing and chord members, the
angles of the bracings, whether the
bracings have a gap between or
overlap each other, and the
thickness of the chord and any
Warren Brace system for CHS truss with
compressive load in it. As a
multiplanar gap joints
consequence, when selecting
member sizes the engineer pre-
determines the strength of the joint.
Multiplanar gap joint
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
There are two basic types of lattice bracing

joints, gap and overlap. The gap joint is
the easiest for fabrication as it confines the
work to a single bevel cut or end profiling.
A minimum bracing angle of 30 should be
used to ensure welding access.
The joint strength can be increased by

overlapping the bracings. This will however
increase the fabrication work due to the
double shaping required unless a full overlap
is made.
A combination of the chosen member sizes

and gap or overlap condition may create an
eccentricity. This must be included in the CHS overlap joint
chord design check. In both cases the
physical dimensions will affect the joint
strength and this should be checked.
See Corus Tubes design guides.
CHS overlap joint, for arched roof trusses
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
When two or more bracings overlap

the shaping required can be reduced
by using a central division plate. This
is especially useful for overlapped
CHS bracings or where additional
vertical bracing is required, to allow a
division cap plate to be added
forming a T connection.
If at the design stage joints need to

be strengthened this can often be
achieved by increasing the bracing
member size or thickness.
Alternatively, extra strength can be

achieved by adding plates to the
chord face or the use of SHS fillet
pieces between bracings. It should
also be noted that 100% overlap will
increase joint strength and reduce
end shaping.
Overlap joint, with central division plate and end cap plate
forming a T connection, supporting additional vertical
bracing, creating a KT joint
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
For joints with CHS members the requirement

of end profiling must be considered.
However, not all bracings need to be profiled

or saddled. When bracings are between
1/3rd to 2/3rds of the chord diameter partial
profiling is needed, when over 2/3rds of the
diameter full end profiling is required to achieve
the weld fit up requirement. For bracings
smaller than 1/3rd of the chord diameter a
single end cut will normally achieve the
required fit up.
With CHS bracings the technique of partial

flattening can be used to increase welding
access and reduce/avoid profiling or double
shaping. This method will however increase
the bracing width and the resultant fit up
should be considered.
Profiled CHS, for close tolerance

connection.
CHS end profiling
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
Joint complexity can increase when bracings

exist in more than one plane (multi-planar) as
those found in triangulated girders.
In these cases necessary weld clearance

can be obtained by partial flattening the
ends of the bracings, double shaping the
bracings or alternatively the main member
diameter may be increased to ensure
necessary weld clearance is obtained
without complex forming.
Multiplanar K-K overlap joint
Howe girder with X joints

and multiplanar KT joints
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
When RHS members are used in

triangulated girders the selection of member
sizes for the bracings and chords must be
done by considering their relative sizes and
fit up. Failure to do this can cause extra
fabrication and complicate details.
Additional work can often be eliminated by

rotating the chord member and avoiding
expensive bird mouthing. It should always
be remembered that chords can be made of
twin members. This can reduce the bracing
complexity and also allows the girders to be
split for fabrication and transport.
Triangular girder with N side bracing and Warren bracing

between bottom chords
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
Where multiple bracings occur the

bracing connection can be moved back
from the intersection point creating a
simple joint . This can be achieved by
introducing a short length of CHS, or by
employing hollow spheres. Spheres give
the advantage of a square cut bracing
end regardless of the intersection angle
but are limited in their source.
Sphere joint used in space frame roof

structure
Short length of CHS for joining multiple

bracings
Short length of CHS, used for

joining multiple bracings
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
SHS overlap joint, with central division CHS overlap Joint, with central division plate
plate and an end cap plate, forming a
T connection
Warren Brace system, for SHS and RHS roof truss
SHS Jointing
Lattice Joints
Triangular girder with N side bracing and warren bracing on

plan/between top chords
KX joints for a CHS truss
SHS Jointing
It is impossible to illustrate all the varieties of

end-plates and shoes which may be used
with structural hollow sections to fabricate
trusses and lattice girders.
The designer has a wide scope to exercise his

ingenuity, to produce aesthetically pleasing
connections, which will keep fabrication to
minimum, but which are adequate to perform the
task for which they are required.
Some connections use the flange of the

universal column to transmit the loads from
the girder or truss, which are more or less,
simple plate flanges. They are probably the
cheapest type of joint. However, great care
must be taken during design and fabrication
to avoid cumulative tolerances which may
give rise to difficulties during erection and
necessitate an excessive amount of
shimming. It should also be borne in mind
that the connecting bolts transmit all the loads
from the truss or girder.
Transverse beam to column connection (in horizontal plane)
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Connections 01
SHS Jointing
When RHS columns are used it is not

always possible to bolt through the column
as with open sections. Alternative face
connections can be made by combination
of plates or section off cuts.
RHS warren braced truss

joined to RHS column
Connections 02
SHS Jointing
Combinations of simple connections, often

exposed, can with ingenuity create aesthetic
and visually pleasing structures.
CHS bracing with end fittings bolted to a Fabricated bracket to attach

flange, which is welded onto the column the beam to the column
I section beams welded to

column
Connections 03
SHS Jointing
As with lattice construction, connection of

rolled beams to RHS columns can be made
via simple plate details. Beams can be twin
channels (for access of vertical services)
or single universal beam sections.
Face plates welded onto column, allow twin channels to be

bolted to the column, supporting secondary I beams
Connections 04
SHS Jointing
In all cases it is the joint area that

requires the work. In many cases pre
assembled joint locations can be made
and added to the overall column - hence
minimising the need to handle the total
column length.
Fabricated L shape brackets, join together the I beam to the RHS

column
Single forked pin joint, joining the warren

brace truss to the column
Connections 05
SHS Jointing
Beams can be joined to SHS columns via

end plates or angle cleats in conjunction
with proprietary mechanical methods such
as Hollo-bolt or bolted systems such as
Flowdrill (See Flowdrill and Hollo-Bolt
Jointing). Where joints are located at the end
of the section hand access for installation and
tightening can be obtained and a single side
fixing made.
For joints at other locations a joint box

technique using a heavier wall insert and
hand access hole can be adopted. Where 4
way beams connect the final face will require
captive nuts, threaded column wall or a one
sided mechanical fixing to be used.
SHS with fabricated access slot

to allow internal access, for bolt
application
Use of SHS with fabricated

access slots in construction.
Connections 06
SHS Jointing
Slab to Column Connections
SHS columns can be used in

conjunction with insitu concrete floors
or either a beam and slab or flat slab
construction. Plates or cleats can be
added to provide shear resistance at
junctions as an alternative to using the
column flange connection.
Reinforcing bars can be continued around the

column, welded to the face or passed through
the section to give moment continuity. Where
a column head is required to be extended so
as to reduce the shear in the slab, this can be
achieved by addition of steel sections welded
to the column.
Extended column heads, welded to

the column reinforcing plates.
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Connections 01
SHS Jointing
Cast Joints
Castings can be effectively used in

tubular jointing, they can be designed to
locate the hollow section ready for
welding.
They allow graceful joints to be made

economically, only a few castings are
required for economy over a fabricated
option.
Advice and guidance on castings can be

found in SCI publication: SCI-P-172:
Castings in Construction
Cast joint, pinned to single forked column head,

supporting CHS roof structure
Cast joint pinned to column head, supporting CHS roof

structure
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SHS Jointing
Mechanical Joints
A range of mechanical fixings are available

from specialist suppliers. Such mechanical
fixings may be used with CHS (e.g. using a
profiled washer) but the flat surfaces of
RHS are better suited to their use.
Generally fixings can be put into two

categories, those that require special tools and
those that can be used in normal clearance
holes without special tools.
As an alternative to single side fixings, through

bolting can be used. The section is drilled and
spacer tubes welded in position. This method Welded Spacer Tubes
prevents distortion of the RHS and seals
against water ingress.
Lindapter - Lindibolt
The Lindibolt is a self heading bolt suitable for

making connections to cavity steel structures in
similar applications to the Hollo-Bolt but where
the specific nature of the application precludes
the Hollo-Bolts use.
Lindapter
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SHS Jointing
Mechanical Joints
Huck BOM Fasteners
High strength blind fasteners for structural

applications, offering excellent pull together and
high clamping force. Installation is a quiet and
fast process that requires minimum skill levels.
Huck
Clufix Blind Rivet Nuts
A range of fasteners with different properties,

dependant on their application. Such as the
body and screw diameter; head form (flush,
cylindrical, countersunk); type of the body
(open / closed); options choice (brake of
screw); thickness and material.
Clufix
SHS Jointing
Mechanical Joints
Lindapter Hollo-Bolt
Hollo-Bolt is a pre-assembled three or five part

fitting consisting of body, cone and bolt (the
collar and the body being seperated by a
collapse mechanism in the five part fitting).
The pre-assembled unit is inserted through

normal tolerance holes in both the attachment
plate and the RHS. As the bolt is tightened the
cone is drawn into the body, spreading the legs,
and forming a secure fixing. Once installed only
the Hollo-Bolt head and collar are visible.
Lindapter
Flowdrill
Flowdrilling is a thermal drilling process which

makes a hole through the wall of a structural
hollow section without the removal of metal
normally associated with a drilling process.
The formed hole is then threaded by the use

of a roll thread forming tool, leaving a
threaded hole which will accept a standard
fully threaded bolt.
Flowdrill
SHS Jointing
Mechanical Joints
Molabolt Peg Anchor Bolt
The innovation behind the Molabolt is its

ability to expand to provide a firm bite that
does not rely on a good thread or being tightly
fitted.
Installation is a fast process that requires

minimum skill levels, and it does not require a
clearance hole.
It can be used for all blind applications into

hollow steel sections.
Molabolt
SHS Jointing
Mechanical Joints
As an alternative to mechanical fixings the Studs can be welded onto the section
walls of thicker sections may be drilled and face. Some methods leave a collar at
tapped (Fig 1), or, if the section thickness the root. Holes must be recessed to
is insufficient, threaded pads or nuts can clear the collar or clearance washers
be welded on (Fig 2). fitted (Fig 3).
Fig. 1
Fig. 3
Fig. 2
Cladding may be fixed direct to hollow A wide range of other fixings including J
sections by using self drilling self tapping (Fig 5) and U (Fig 6) bolts are available.
fasteners (Fig 4). It is important that
these use twin seal washers to avoid
water penetration and should be fastened
at 90 degrees or perpendicular otherwise
the screw may skid off center and or the
drill point break.
Fig. 4 Fig. 5 Fig. 6
Buildex Super Teks Series 500
SHS Jointing
Flowdrill & Hollo-Bolt Jointing (for Hollow Sections)
Flowdrill and Hollo-Bolt gives a choice of two

methods to produce bolted joints in Hollow
Sections. Both systems offer the following
benefits:
They produce bolted joints of structural
capacity in Hot Finished Structural Hollow
Sections (HFRHS).
They minimise the change in the fabrication
process by using connection details which are
standard in the construction industry.
They reduce fabrication by removing the need
to weld plates or other fittings onto the outside
surface of the RHS.
They simplify erection by using fully threaded
bolts - an increasing practice in the
construction industry.
They maintain aesthetics by producing a flush
face on the RHS after fabrication.
They only require access from one side.
Design Guidance
The design guidance for Flowdrill and Hollo-Bolt
systems with grade 8.8 bolts in conjunction with
Corus Tubes hot finished structural hollow sections
is given in BCSA/SCI Joints in Steel Construction
(Ref 1).
The design guidance, for joints in simple
construction, result from Corus Tubes initial
research work undertaken in connections with
CIDECT. The guidance has been consolidated into
the information published by the BCSA/SCI Joints
in Steel Construction (Ref 1).
Further test work is being undertaken to establish
design guidance for moment resisting joints.
Procedural checks are given for bearing, shear and
local bolt pull out of the RHS wall and for the
combined effect of the column axial load and the
structural integrity tensile load of BS 5950 : Part 1.
The combined check for the column axial load and
the structural integrity tensile load recognises that
the flexibility of the RHS face caused by the tensile
load can, in the presence of the column axial load,
reduce the overall joint capacity.
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SHS Jointing
Flowdrill & Hollo-Bolt Jointing (for Hollow Sections)
Fabrication and Construction

General detailing recommendations for beams to
SHS columns, are given in the BCSA/SCI
publication: Joints in Steel Construction (Ref 1).
Both Flowdrill and Hollo-Bolt use fully threaded bolts
which allows standardisation of bolt lengths
throughout the construction. Where beams are
connected to adjacent faces of an RHS column a
Flowdrill
check must be made with the chosen bolt length to
ensure that assembly is possible (see Fig 3:
Flowdrill and Fig 6: Hollo-bolt).
Both Flowdrill and Hollo-Bolt are suitable for use
with the two standard grades of Corus Tubes
Celsius SHS, EN10210 S275J2H and S355J2H.
At present, application of the Flowdrill process is
limited to RHS thicknesses up to and including
12.5mm. For thicknesses of 16mm and over,
conventional drill and tap methods are
recommended, although due to the RHS material
strength being lower than that of the grade 8.8 bolts, Hollo-Bolt
pull out strengths may be below the bolt tension
capacity.
Reference
1. BCSA/SCI publication: P212 Flowdrill

Joints in Steel Construction:
Simple Connections
Published jointly by:
The Steel Construction Institute The British Construction Steelwork

Silwood Park Association Limited
Ascot 4 Whitehall Court
SL5 7QN London
SW1A 2ES
Telephone: 01344 623345 Telephone: 020 7839 8566

Fax: 01344 622944 Fax: 020 7976 1634
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SHS Jointing
Flowdrill
Flowdrilling is a thermal drilling process

which makes a hole through the wall of a
structural hollow section without the
removal of metal normally associated with a
drilling process. The formed hole is then
threaded by the use of a roll thread forming
tool, leaving a threaded hole which will
accept a standard fully threaded bolt.
The Tools
The initial hole is made by a flowdrill tool consisting of a
tungsten carbide bit held in a Flowdrill Morsetaper collet
adaptor (fig. 1). The tool can be used in a conventional drilling
machine or CNC machine as found in fabricators works,
provided it has adequate horsepower and spindle speed.
Fig 1
1st Stage 2nd Stage

The tungsten carbide bit is brought into contact The 2nd and final stage is to tap the Flowdrill
with the RHS wall where it generates sufficient bush. This is done by roll threading the bush with
heat to soften the steel. The bit is then a Coldform Flowtap. The complete cycle is shown
advanced through the wall and in so doing the in figure 2.
metal is redistributed (or flows) to form an
internal bush. As well as drilling the initial hole,
the tool is fitted with the means of removing any
surplus material which may arise on the outside
of the RHS section. The cycle time for
Flowdrilling is similar to that for conventional
drilling. However, if done on CNC machines the
feed rate can be slow at the beginning, rapidly
increasing as the material softens to improve
efficiency.
Fig 2
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SHS Jointing
Flowdrill
Drilling machine parameters :

Table 1 gives a guide to required
machine parameters for producing
Flowdrill holes for M12 to M24 bolts:
Note: The Flowdrill process is not
suitable for hand held or magnetic
clamp type drilling equipment when
used in the sizes shown.
Drill length: The recommended length

of Flowdrill bits varies with the thread
size and thickness of material as given
in Table 2.
Drill care: Flowdrills are made from
tungsten carbide. They are extremely
hard but cannot withstand shock loads.
After drilling each hole, FD KS paste
should be applied to the Flowdrill whilst it
is still hot, so minimising oxidation and
preventing build up on the surface.
Flat surface: the raised rim on the outer
surface of the RHS material caused
during Flowdrilling should be removed
using Flowdrills with cutting edges
provided on the collar. One rotation of
the cutter is all this is required to remove
the rim.
SHS Jointing
Flowdrill
Flowdrill detailing requirements.

See Fig. 3 and Table 3
Note:
Flowdrilled joints used at
locations exposed to the
weather should not be
considered as water tight.
Flowdrilling is not suitable for
us with pre-galvanised
materials.
Flowdrill data :
Further information on thermal drilling, including drilling machine parameters and tool sizes can be obtained
from the companies given below:
Flowdrill (U.K.) Limited Formdrill

Unit 7, Hopewell Business Centre Robert Speck Ltd,
105 Hopewell Drive Little Ridge,
Chatham Whittlebury Road,
Kent Silverstone,
ME5 7NP Northants
NN12 8UD,
Tel: 01634 309422 Tel: 01327 857307,
www.flowdrill.com Contact: Mr Mike Carpenter.
SHS Jointing
Hollo-Bolt
HOLLO-BOLT is a pre-assembled three or five

part fitting consisting of body, cone and bolt
(the collar and the body being seperated by a
collapse mechanism in the five part fitting).
The pre-assembled unit (fig. 4) is inserted through
normal tolerance holes in both the attachment plate
and the RHS. As the bolt is tightened the cone is
drawn into the body, spreading the legs, and forming a
secure fixing. Once installed only the Hollo-Bolt head
and collar are visible (fig. 5).
Installed 3-part Hollo-Bolt (M8, M10 & M12)
Installed 5-part Hollo-Bolt (M16, M20)
Location Flats
Collapse
mechanism
Body
Cone Knurling
Corus Tubes, Structural & Conveyance Business www.corustubes.com SHS Jointing: Hollo-Bolt 01
SHS Jointing
Hollo-Bolt
Drilling requirements:
Hollo-Bolt uses a plain drilled hole which can be made
on site or in the fabrication shop using all normal
drilling equipment. The finished hole should have a
tolerance of -0.2mm to +1.0mm from the nominal given
in the data table (table 4).
Bolt Bolt Fixing Bolt Internal Edge Bolt Across Nominal Tightening
size length thickness centres min. edge distance hole flats bolt torque
(size1) (V) (W) (X) distance (E1) dia. main dia.
Min Max Min (Y) (dh) body
mm mm mm mm mm mm mm mm Nm
M8 50 3 22 35 13 50 tp 14 19 8 21
M10 55 3 22 40 15 55 tp 18 24 10 40
M12 60 3 25 50 18 60 tp 20 30 12 78
M16 75 8 29 55 20 65 tp 28 36 16 190
M20 90 8 34 70 25 90 tp 35 46 20 300
Table 4 (See Fig. 6 for nomenclature)
SHS Jointing
Hollo-Bolt
Material Options
The standard product is manufactured from mild steel and is electro-zinc
plated with the addition of JS500 1000 hour saltspray corrosion
protection. The central fastener is a grade 8.8 bolt.
For special applications, the Hollo-Bolt is available manufactured from
316 stainless steel, with a grade A4-80 central bolt. This will not be a
stocked item, and would be manufactured to order.
Installation
The only tools required to fit Hollo-Bolt are two spanners - an open
ended spanner to hold the collar and a torque wrench to tighten the
central bolt. Alternatively a power operated electric hand bolt is in
development.
Should the steelwork need to be adjusted, the fixing can simply be
removed and the hole reused with another Hollo-Bolt.
Step 1
Drill holes in required position (see table 4 for
recommended hole size). Offer up the Hollo-Bolt
and fixture to the steelwork. Insert product through
both fixture and steelwork, cone end first.
Step 2
Grip the Hollo-Bolt collar with an open ended
spanner. Using a torque wrench, tighten the central
bolt to the recommended torque given in the table
above.
Step 3
The Hollo-Bolt cone is drawn up into the body,
spreading the product legs and providing a secure
fixing.
SHS Jointing
Hollo-Bolt
Sealing Options
In certain applications, it may be necessary
to seal the Hollo-Bolt to prevent ingress of
water or other corrosive agents. For details
of sealing options available, please contact
Lindapter.
Special Options
(manufactured to order)
Stainless steel
Button head setscrew
Socket head capscrew
Countersunk setscrew/body
Special body lengths
Further information on Hollo-Bolt is available from:

Lindapter International,
A Division of Victaulic plc,
Lindsay House,
Brackenbeck Road, Bradford,
West Yorkshire,
England,
BD7 2NF
Tel: +44 (0) 1274 521444

Fax: +44 (0) 1274 521130
www.corusgroup.com
Care has been taken to ensure that this

information is accurate, but Corus Group plc,
including its subsidiaries, does not accept
responsibility or liability for errors or information
which is found to be misleading.
Corus Tubes Corus Tubes

Structural & Conveyance Business Structural & Conveyance Business
Sales Enquiries contact: Sales Enquiries contact:
UK Sales office Netherlands Sales office
PO Box 6024, Postbus 39
Weldon Road 4900 BB Oosterhout
Corby, Northants The Netherlands
NN17 5ZN T +31 (0)162 482300
United Kingdom F +31 (0)162 466161
T +44 (0)1536 402121 corustubes.s-c@corusgroup.com
F +44 (0)1536 404127
www.corustubes.com
corustubes.s-c@corusgroup.com
Technical Helpline (UK Freephone)

0500 123 133 or +44 (0) 1724 405060
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Corus Tubes

Structural & Conveyance Business

Connections with hollow sections are often considered to

Basic connections serve to join two or more components

Architectural connections are designed to give the best

Frequently hollow sections are employed for their

A wide range of joint details are shown in this

As most structures are higher or wider

Full use should be made of the fact that for a

SHS Butt Joint Over 3mm

Full Penetration In-Line Butt Welds

Use of these techniques, especially when

Flanges are the simplest type of in-line

They should be kept as small as possible but of

NB. Attention must be paid to water drainage

The following recommendations were

1.25 x bolt dia

Similar joints can be used in RHS and CHS

SHS Howe / x Girder lattice construction with bolted flange

SHS with flanges, connected to I beam

Flange joints can equally be used in lattice

CHS with bolted ring flange connections

As an alternative to flanges, in-line

Splice Joint with cover plate removed -

Exposed Splice Joint - CHS

Exposed Splice Joint - SHS

SHS Splice Joint with cover plate removed &

Exposed Splice Joint - CHS

Splice Joint preparation

End fittings, cleats and brackets form a

They can vary from simple flat plates

Longitudinal gusset plate with single

End forks with single or multiple bolts or

As an alternative to adding plates, ends of

Double forks reduce plate thickness and

N.B. Sealed SHS members must be

End of SHS can be left open but internal

Extended plates reduce crowding at joint.

Bolted single forked plate end fittings

Column bases, bracing and main chord

Pinned double forked column Pinned double forked bracing joints

Column base supporting a single forked pinned joint

Double forked fabricated bracket bolted to column

Longitudinal gusset plate

CHS with plated end fitting, bolted to longitudinal cleat

Transverse cleat bolted to plate end fitting on

Longitudinal gusset plate

Double forked end fittings, pinned to fabricated bracket

Longitudinal gusset plate, pinned to a double forked fabricated column head

Double forked end fitting pinned

SHS bracing bolted to double forked

Cast end fittings welded to SHS, pinned to fabricated

Transverse gusset plate Transverse gusset plate, used to join the

Double forked end fittings pinned to a longitudinal gusset

Structural hollow sections are highly

A warren bracing system is generally

Additional struts can be added at non-

Care in selecting member sizes and

N Brace system used for roof structure

CHS Warren brace system (One near vertical brace)

Warren brace system

1 Design rules have been established

2 The strength of such joints is