CONNECTION DESIGN DOC NO: CDS-1

STANDARD

CONNECTION DESIGN STANDARDS

DOCUMENT NO: CDS-1

SECOND EDITION

DATE: DECEMBER 9, 2005

 CONNECTION DESIGN DOC NO: CDS-1
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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Description Page No Release Date

1 Connection Components 1-1 thru 1-3
2 Allowable Loads 2-1 thru 2-8
3 Connection Types 3-1 thru 3-2
4 Shear Connections 4-1 thru 4-50
Double Clip-Angle Connections
Single-Plate Connections
Seated Beam Connections
Beam Copes and Cope Reinforcement
Figures 4.1 thru 4.27
5 Moment Connections 5-1 thru 5-7
Directly welded flanges
Flange plate connection 8/12/05
Figures 5.1 thru 5.6
6 Truss and Vertical Bracing Connection 6-1 thru 6-27
Single Brace Connections
Double Brace Connections
Chevron Bracing Connections
Brace connection at column base
X-brace connection
Figures 6.1 thru 6.26
7 Horizontal Bracing Connection 7-1 thru 7-7
Shear-tab Connections
Clip-Angle Connections
Figures 7.1 thru 7.6
8 Splices 8-1 thru 8-5
Appendix A Connection Capacity Tables A-1 thru A-7
Appendix B Calculation Summary Table Templates B-1 thru B-36 12/9/05
Appendix C Design Software and Worksheets C-1 thru C-33

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REFERENCES

1. AISC Manual of Steel Construction, Allowable Stress Design, 9th Edition, Vol I
2. AISC Manual of Steel Construction, Allowable Stress Design, 9th Edition, Vol II Connections
3. Steel Structures, Design and Behavior, by Charles G. Salmon and John E. Johnson.
4. Design of Welded Structures, A Publication of The James F. Lincoln Arc Welding
Foundation, June 1996
5. Hollow Structural Sections, Connections Manual, 1st Edition, 1997

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1.0 Connection Components

Members are connected by means of welding or bolting. Structural framing members of a building
are usually connected using high strength bolts. The different components of a connection are as
follows. A connection can have some or all of the components listed below.

1. Beam/Column Web
2. Beam/Column Flange
3. Bracing Member
4. Bolts, Nuts and Washers
5. Welds
6. Clip Angle (Used for connecting beam webs to column or other beams)
7. Gusset Plate (Typically the plates at the ends of bracing members)
8. Seat Plate
9. Seat Angle
10. Stiffener Plate – Used to stiffen another plate against yielding, crippling, buckling, bending
etc. Typically these are provided at column or beam webs, seat plate, etc.
11. Web Doubler Plate
12. Bearing Plate
13. Cap Plate

Each of the components of the connection is checked for their limit states or failure modes. In
addition to checking these components of the connection, local checks of the beam and column have
to be done. The local checks include the beam copes, beam web, column web and column flange.
The limit states for the connection components are as follows.

1. Bolt failure due to shear or tension

2. Weld failure
3. Shear yielding (of beam web, of clip angle, etc) on gross area
4. Shear rupture (of beam web, of clip angle, etc) on net area
5. Tension yielding on gross area
6. Tension rupture on effective net area
7. Block shear (failure by shear and tension) of a block of material
8. Bolt bearing (failure caused by excessive deformation at bolt holes or limited by proximity to
a loaded edge)
9. Flexural yielding
10. Web yielding
11. Web crippling
12. Web buckling
13. Flange local bending
14. Prying action (causes additional tension in bolts based on the flexural stiffness of the
connecting elements)
15. Whitmore section yielding or buckling of gusset plate at the ends of the bracing members
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1.1 Material Requirement

Bolts:
The two common types of high-strength bolts are A325 and A490. A325 bolts are heat treated, while
A490 bolts are heat treated and are of alloy steel. High-strength bolts are installed with a pre-tension.
The pre-tension loads are given in Table J3.7 of AISC Manual, Specification Section J3. For
structures that are not part of the main or critical load carrying system of a building, A307 carbon-
steel bolts that are not heat-treated may be specified.

High-strength bolts are pre-tensioned using one of the three methods, which are the calibrated wrench
method, the turn-of-the-nut method and direct tension indicator method. The “Specification for
Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts” provided in the AISC Manual discusses these
methods in detail.

The calibrated wrench method uses a manual or power wrench that stalls at a specified torque. The
specified torque is calculated to obtain the desired tension in the bolt. The turn-of-the-nut method
develops the pretension in the bolt by turning the nut through a specified rotation past the snug
condition. The turn-of-the-nut method is more reliable than calibrated wrench method. The direct
tension indicator method uses a hardened washer with protrusions on one face. When bolts are
tensioned, the protrusions are flattened. The amount of gap remaining will indicate the amount of
tension in the bolt.

Recent development is the tension control (TC) bolts, which are torqued until the tip snaps off the
threaded portion of the bolt indicating that the desired tension has been obtained. The TC bolts are
covered by ASTM F1852.

Washers: Shall be per ASTM F436. For A325 bolts, generally one hardened washer is provided
under the turned element. For A490 bolts, hardened washer under the bolt head and the nut is
provided. When long slotted holes are used in an outer ply, a plate washer at least 5/16” thick with a
standard hole could be used. These washers shall be sized to cover the slot after installation. For
A490 bolts a hardened washer 5/16” thick minimum shall be used.

Nuts: For ASTM A325 bolts, nuts shall be per ASTM A563, grades C, C3, D, DH or DH3 or A194
grade 2H. For galvanized bolts, nuts shall be per ASTM A563 grade DH or A194 grade 2H. Nuts for
A490 bolts shall be A563 grade DH or DH3 or A194 grade 2H..

Welding Material
Common weld electrode used for joing carbon steel elements is the E70 weld electrode having a
tensile strength of 70 ksi. E60 may also be specified but is not used extensively.
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Table –1-1: Material Properties Connection Components (Commonly Specified) (Note 1)

Component Shapes/Plates/Misc ASTM Min Yield Min Tensile AISC

Designation Strength Strength Manual
Ref Page
Beam/Column Wide Flange A992 50 ksi 65 ksi
Members Wide Flange A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
Square or A500 Grade B 46 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-92
Rectangular HSS
Brace/Truss Wide Flange A992 50 ksi 65 ksi
Members Wide Flange A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
Angle A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
Tee (Cut from W A992 50 ksi 65 ksi
Shapes) A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
Round HSS A53 Type E, 35 ksi 60 ksi Pg. 1-92
Grade B
Square or A500 Grade B 46 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-92
Rectangular HSS
High-Strength ½” to 1” dia A325 92 ksi 120 ksi Pg. 4-4
Bolts 1 1/8” to 1 ½” dia A325 81 ksi 105 ksi
½” to 1 ½” dia A490 150 ksi
½” to 1” dia F1852 (TC bolts) 92 ksi 120 ksi
1 1/8” dia F1852 (TC bolts) 81 ksi 105 ksi
Common Bolts A307 60 ksi Pg. 4-4
Gusset/Stiffener/B Plate A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
earing/Seat/Web A572 Grade 50
Doubler/Cap
Plates
Clip/Seat/Claw Angle A36 36 ksi 58 ksi Pg. 1-7
Angles

Note 1: For additional material properties not covered in the table, see the AISC Manual Reference
pages.
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2.0 Allowable Loads for Bolts and Welds

2.1 Bolts
The Allowable Loads for bolts in tension is given in Table I-A of AISC Manual, Vol I.

The Allowable Loads for bolts in shear is given in Table I-D of AISC Manual, Vol I. When slip-
critical bolts are used in a connection, the resistance to slip is provided by the clamping force across
the faying surface. The resistance is calculated as the clamping force times a coefficient of friction.
The coefficient of friction varies depending on the type of surface preparation and the coating
specified for the steel. Generally, the design is based on a Class A surface. When steel is galvanized,
the Class C friction coefficient can be used. The friction coefficient for various class of surface is
provided in Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts. The allowable
shear given in Table I-D is based on a Class A surface. These allowable can be revised (increased) if
the faying surface is Class B or Class C.

The Allowable Loads for bolts in bearing on different material thicknesses is given in Table I-E of
AISC Manual, Vol I.

Bolt allowables shall be reduced when using oversized or slotted holes. Short slotted holes can be
used in any or all plies of the connection. Long slotted holes are generally provided in only one ply
of the connection.

In bearing-type connection, the bolts shall not be considered to share the load with the weld.
However, in slip-critical connections, bolts and welds shall be considered to share the load.
However, it is preferable to avoid such situations.

Bolt and weld group subjected to shear load with an eccentricity can be designed using either elastic
method or the ultimate strength method, also called the instantaneous center of rotation method.
AISC Manual provides coefficients for both bolt and weld groups based on the instantaneous center
of rotation method. These Tables are conservative for slip-critical bolts and when used for ASTM
A490 bolts. When the eccentric shear load is at an angle to the vertical, AISC Manual provides a
procedure for using the instantaneous center of rotation method. See Alternate Method 2, pgs. 4-59
thru 4-61 in the AISC Manual. In lieu of this alternate method, the elastic method can always be
used. The load obtained by elastic method is about 10% less than what is obtained by the ultimate
load method.

However, when bolt groups do not conform to the pattern given in the AISC Tables XI through
XVIII, the elastic method shall be used.
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2.1.a Elastic Method of Bolt Analysis for bolts subjected to loads in the plane of the connection

Let the assumed plane of the connection be X and Y

Loads: Px, Py and Mz

Where Px = Load along X-direction
Py = Load along Y-direction
Mz = Torsional moment caused due to eccentricity of Px and Py load about the
centroid of bolt group

Number of bolts = n

Determine the Moment of Inertia Ix and Iy

Determine the Moment of Inertia Ix = ∑y

2

Where y is the distance of each bolt in the y-direction from the neutral axis.

Determine the Moment of Inertia Iy = ∑x

2

Where x is the distance of each bolt in the y-direction from the neutral axis.

Determine Polar Moment of Inertia Ip = Ix + Iy

Let distance of the farthest bolt along X-Axis = Cx

Let distance of the farthest bolt along Y-Axis = Cy

Bolt Stress (X-Dir) = fx = ( Px ÷ n) + Mz * Cy ÷ Ip

Bolt Stress (Y-Dir) = fy = ( Py ÷ n) + Mz * Cx ÷ Ip

Resultant Bolt stress = fr = fx 2 + fy 2 should be less than allowable bolt shear.

2.1. b Elastic Method of Bolt Analysis for bolts subjected to shear and tension due to bending

Let the assumed plane of the connection be X and Y

Loads: Py and Mx
Where Py = Load along Y-direction
Mx = Moment caused due to eccentricity of Py load about the X-axis

Number of bolts = n
Let distance of the farthest bolt along Y-Axis = Cy
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Bolt shear Stress (y-dir) = fy = ( Py ÷ n)

Bolt tensile Stress (z-dir) = fz = ( Mx ÷ Ix ) × Cy

See Section 2.1.c for checking bolts subjected to tension and shear simultaneously.

2.1. c Bolts subjected to Tension and Shear

When bolts are subjected to both tension and shear, the interaction of tension and shear stresses has to
be performed. In calculating the applied tension, the applied tension shall be the sum of the external
load and any tension resulting from prying action produced by deformation of connected parts.
Prying action is discussed at the end of this section.

For Slip-Critical Bolts

The interaction of tension and shear is done only if there is a net direct tension on the joint. As
discussed earlier, the slip-critical joints obtain their resistance through the clamping force across the
faying surface. When a moment is applied across a faying surface that causes some portion to go into
tension and some into compression, there is no change in the net clamping force across the joint.
Hence, although some bolts in the joint may experience tension and others do not, the bolts under
tension need not be evaluated for the tension load since there is no net tension on the joint.

Therefore, when there is a net direct tension on the joint,

The allowable bolt shear shall be reduced by the factor (1 − ft × Ab ÷Tb )

Where ft is the average tensile stress on a bolt caused by direct tension load
And Ab is the nominal tensile area of the bolt given in Table I-A
and Tb is the bolt pretension as given in Table J3.7 of the AISC Specification

For Bearing Type Bolts

For bearing type bolts, whether the tension is caused through direct tension or through a moment, the
interaction of tension and shear is done. For bearing type connections, the allowable tension stress is
altered based on the equations provided in Table J3.3 for A325 and A490 bolts depending on whether
threads are included in the shear plane or not.

Prying Action

Prying action is the deformation of the connected part, for example the clip angle of a shear
connection subjected to tension or transfer loads, split-beam tee moment connection where the
flanges of the tee deform and dig into the column causing extra tensile force in bolts or hanger type
connections where the bending of the outstanding leg of angles or flanges of Tee cause prying forces.
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Hence prying action involves not only the bolts but also the flange or angle thickness, bolt pitch and
gage. AISC, ASD Manual, Part 4 provides the Analysis and Design Methodology to determine the
prying force, the thickness of the flange or angle leg required to develop the full tensile capacity
without additional prying loads, the thickness of the angle or flange required to develop the moment
due to prying.

Note that shear connections subjected to axial loads usually require much thicker angles to resist the
moment developed in the connection angle. Hence, shear connections subjected to axial loads shall
be evaluated on a case by case basis.

2.2 Welds

Welding is a process for joining similar metals. Welding joins metals by melting and/or fusing the
base metals being joined with or without a filler metal. Welding is done using localized heat input.
Most welding involves ferrous-based metals such as steel and stainless steel. Weld joints are usually
stronger or as strong as the base metals being joined. Most of the commonly used welding techniques
employ an electric arc to generate the heat necessary for welding. These processes are covered under
the general term ‘Arc Welding’. The different arc welding techniques are the following.

1. Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW)

2. Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
3. Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW)
4. Flux Cored Arc Welding (FCAW)

Another unique arc welding technique is Stud Welding. In this process the stud itself acts as the
electrode. The stud is placed in a stud gun that contains a ceramic ferrule, which acts as the shield for
the weld. The gun is placed in position and an electric arc is created to melt the end of the stud. The
molten metal is contained within a ceramic ferrule. The stud is then driven into the molten metal by
the gun creating a full penetration weld across the shank along with a small fillet around the stud.

Welds shall be designed per the requirements of AWS D1.1 - Structural Welding Code – Steel

For Carbon steels used in the design, the E70XX electrode is the matching electrode commonly used.
This has similar or greater mechanical properties than the connected materials.

Allowable Stress for E70XX electrode and effective throat of welds shall be as provided in Table 2-1.
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Table 2-1: Effective Throat of Weld and Allowable Stress of E70XX Weld
Weld Type Effective Throat Stress Type Allowable Stress
Fillet Weld Shortest distance Shear on effective 0.3 x 70 ksi
from root of joint to area
the face of the weld, Tension or Same as base
Typically equal to Compression parallel metal
0.707 x weld size to axis of weld
Complete- 1) Thickness of the Tension/compression Same as base
Penetration thinner part joined normal to effective metal
Groove Weld 2) For Flare groove area
weld, 5/16 R where R Tension/compression Same as base
= 2t, t being the parallel to axis of the metal
thickness of the weld
material with the Shear on effective 0.3 x 70 ksi
rounded corner area

Partial- 1) Depth of chamfer Shear parallel to axis 0.3 x 70 ksi

Penetration (for J or U joint or for of weld
Groove Weld bevel >= 60 deg) Tension normal to 0.3 x 70 ksi
2) For bevel < 60 deg effective area
and >=45 deg it is Compression to Same as base
depth of chamfer – effective area metal
1/8 Tension/compression Same as base
parallel to axis of the metal
weld
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2.2.a Weld Analysis and Design

Weld group subjected to shear load with an eccentricity can be designed using either elastic method
or the ultimate strength method, also called the instantaneous center of rotation method. AISC
Manual, Tables XIX through XXVI provide coefficients for weld groups based on the instantaneous
center of rotation method. When the eccentric shear load is at an angle to the vertical, AISC Manual
provides a procedure for using the instantaneous center of rotation method. See Alternate Method 2,
pgs. 4-73 thru 4-74 in the AISC Manual. In lieu of this alternate method, the elastic method can
always be used. The load obtained by elastic method is about 5% less than what is obtained by the
ultimate load method.

However, when bolt groups do not conform to the pattern given in the AISC Tables XI through
XVIII, the elastic method shall be used.

2.2.b Elastic Method of Weld Analysis for welds subjected to shear, torsion and moment

Welds can be subjected to a combination of shear, torsion and bending moment loads. To investigate
the weld, the following steps shall be taken.
1. Assume a unit thickness of weld and draw the effective cross-section of the weld group.
2. Establish a coordinate system and determine the centroid of weld group. Calculate the
properties of weld treated as lines. Properties of most commonly used weld groups are
provided in Table 2-2.

For example: Let the assumed plane of the connection be X and Y

Properties required are
Centroid
Length
Moment of Inertia Ix
Moment of Inertia Iy
Polar Moment of Inertia Ip
Distance of the extreme weld point to the weld centroid along x-axis (cx)
Distance of the extreme weld point to the weld centroid along y-axis (cy)

3. Determine the forces on the weld group.

Loads: Px, Py, Pz, Mx, My and Mz

Where Px and Py = Shear Loads
Pz = tension Load
Mx = Moment about the X-axis
My = Moment about the Y-axis
Mz Torsional Moment
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4. Determine the individual weld stresses (in each principal axis) due to shear, moment and
torsion.

Weld stress along x-axis due to Px = fx1 = Px / L

Weld stress along y-axis due to Py = fy1 = Py / L
Weld stress along z-axis due to Pz = fz1 = Pz / L

Weld stress along x-axis due to Mz = fx 2 = ( Mz ÷ Ip ) × cy

Weld stress along y-axis due to Mz = fxy 2 = ( Mz ÷ Ip ) × cx
Weld stress along z-axis due to Mx = fz 2 = ( Mx ÷ Ix ) × cy
Weld stress along z-axis due to My = fz 3 = ( My ÷ Iy ) × cx

Total weld stress in x-direction: fxtot = fx1 + fx 2

Total weld stress in y-direction: fytot = fy1 + fy 2
Total weld stress in z-direction: fztot = fz1 + fz 2 + fz 3

5. Combine the stresses vectorially.

Resultant Weld Stress: fr _ weld = fxtot 2
+ fytot 2
+ fztot 2
in kips/inch

6. Determine the weld size required for the computed weld stress.

 Resultant Weld stress shall be less than the weld allowable.

 Weld Allowable = Effective Throat Thickness x Allowable Weld Stress in kips/inch

7. Check to ensure that the weld size does not exceed the maximum allowed per AISC Manual,
Specifications, Section J2.

8. Weld sizes shall also meet the AISC minimum weld size provided in Tables J2.3 and J2.4.
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Table 2-2: Properties of Welds Treated as Lines (Courtesy Ref. [4])

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Connection Types

Structural steel connections can be classified into the following broad categories.
1. Shear Connections
a. Framed Beam Connections (Double-Clip Angle Connections)
b. Seated Connections
c. End Plate Connection
d. Single-Plate Connection
2. Moment Connections
a. Directly welded flange type to column flange (flanges are field welded to the column
flange and the beam web is field bolted to a shear plate).
b. Welded Flange Plate Connection (top flange plate is field welded to the column
flange, bottom flange plate is shop welded to the column flange and beam is field
welded to the flange plates).
c. Shop Welded-Field Bolted Flange Plate Connection (flange plates are shop welded to
the column flange and the beam web is field bolted to a shear plate).
d. End-Plate Connection (end plate is welded to the beam and field bolted to the column
flange).
e. Directly welded flange type to column web (flanges are field welded to extension
plates welded to the column flange and web and the beam web is field bolted to an
extended shear plate).
f. Shop Welded-Field Bolted Flange Plate Connection (flange plates are shop welded to
the column web and flange flange and the beam web is field bolted to an extended
shear plate).
g. Moment connections using WT or angles.
h. Beam to Beam moment connections (directly welded or using flange plates).
i. Other variations of the above listed moment connections
3. Horizontal Bracing Connections
4. Vertical Bracing Connections
a. Brace connections at column base
b. Chevron Brace connection (Inverted-V brace connection)
c. Single and Double brace connections at beam/column intersection
d. K-Brace connection
e. X-Brace connection
5. HSS Connections
a. WF beam to HSS column shear connections
b. WF beam to HSS column moment connections
c. HSS to HSS shear connections
d. HSS to WF beam moment connection
6. Hanger and Post Connections
7. Truss Connections (all bolted, all welded or a combination)
a. Angle diagonal and strut to WF chord
b. Angle diagonal and strut to WT chord
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c. WF diagonal and strut to WF chord

d. HSS to HSS truss connections (T, K and N type)

Several variations of the above mentioned connection types are typically encountered in the real
world. For example, the framed beam connection for skew beams will have to be designed using bent
plates instead of clip angles. Also, parameters such as bolt eccentricity will change depending on the
amount of skew and such information shall be considered in the design. Similarly, connections of
sloping beams and connections to sloping beams will require additional considerations in design,
such as fit up, larger than usual copes, reduced number of bolts, etc. However, these are variations of
the basic connection types listed above.
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Shear Connections

Framed Beam connections are generally made with a pair of clip angles. Single angle connections
can also be used for lightly loaded members and where the beam is not subjected to loads that could
cause twisting on it. Single angle connections would require the consideration of eccentricity of the
load with respect to the bolt line on the outstanding leg. For evaluation of this eccentricity effect, the
procedure given in AISC Manual Part 4, pg. 4-83 is useful.

Other framed beam connections involve using bent plates for skew connections, shear plate and
extended shear plates. For details of various typical shear connections see Figures 4.1 thru 4.24.

4.1 Double Clip-Angle Connections

These are the standard clip angle connections. When supported on column flange, this detail can be
used as a “Knifed” connection (where the beam is lowered into position between the clip angles). For
a knifed connection, allowance must be made for erection clearance between the clip angles. This is
accommodated by providing slotted holes on the outstanding leg of the clip angles that bolt to the
supporting column flange. Four variants using bolts and/or welds can be formulated.
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4.1.a Shop Bolted / Field Bolted Connection (Detail DCA-BB)

Formulation for developing load capacity table for Double Bolted Clip Angle Connection using Slip-
Critical Bolts

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
Bolt Hole Dia (dh)
No. of Bolts (n),
Clip-Angle Length (L),
Clip-Angle thickness (t),
Clip-Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Clip-Angle Tensile Strength (Fu_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam Tensile Strength (Fu),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Vertical Edge Distance for the top bolt (for coped beams) (lv)
Distance from center of bolt hole to beam end (lh)
Spacing of bolts (s)
Cope depth (dc)
Reduced beam depth (ho)
Cope length (c)
Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Sn)
Supporting member web or flange thickness (t_supt)

Step 2: Determine Allowable Bolt Shear in Kips: Use Table II-A, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Bolt Shear = n x (double shear capacity of bolt from Table I-D)

Step 3: Determine Net Shear on the Angle: Use Table II-C, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Net Shear = 2 x [L-n(dh)] x t x 0.3 x Fu_angle

Step 4: Determine Beam Web Bearing:

Allowable Beam Web bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x tw x n

Step 5: Determine Beam Block Shear (if beam is coped on top):

Determine Coefficients C1 and C2 from Table I-G, AISC Manual Part 4
Block Shear = (C1 + C2) x Fu x tw

(or) Block Shear = {(0.3 x lv + 0.5 x lh) + 0.3 [(n-1)(s-dh)-dh/2] –dh/4} x Fu x tw

Step 6: Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,
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For checking the beam copes and obtaining the allowable reaction see the procedure outlined
in Section 5.3.a.1 and 5.3.a.2. If only a bottom cope is present conservatively assume it as top
cope for design.

Step 7: Determine Supporting member (web or flange) bearing:

For One-Sided Connection:
Allowable supporting member (web or flange) bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x t_supt x n x 2

For Two-Sided Connection: Conservatively take 50% of the one-sided conn. load
Allowable supporting member (web or flange) bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x t_supt x n

Conclusion:
Maximum Allowable Beam End Reaction = Minimum of Loads obtained from Steps 2 through 7.

If Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable, then the following can be done:
a. If the governing allowable is due to bolt shear : Either increase number of bolts or increase
bolt diameter
b. If the governing allowable is due to net shear on the angle, increase angle thickness.
c. If the governing allowable is due to beam web bearing : Either increase number of bolts or
increase bolt diameter or add web doubler plates
d. If the governing allowable is due to block shear : Either increase number of bolts or add web
doubler plates
e. If the governing allowable is due to beam cope : Reinforce the cope with web doubler plates
or horizontal stiffeners
f. If the governing allowable is due to supporting member web or flange thickness: Increase the
connection depth, or reinforce the support member.

Capacity of this connection type for various beam sections is provided in Table CDS 4.1 and Table
CDS 4.2 for bearing type and slip-critical type connections.

Excel worksheet no. DCA-1 is applicable for evaluating this connection.

The ideal engineer is a composite ... He is not a scientist, he is not a mathematician, he is not a sociologist
or a writer; but he may use the knowledge and techniques of any or all of these disciplines in solving
engineering problems.
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STANDARD

4.1.b Shop Welded / Field Bolted Connection (Detail DCA-WB)

Formulation for developing load capacity table for Double Clip Angle Connection (shop welded to
beam web and field bolted to column or beam) using Slip-Critical Bolts

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
Bolt Hole Dia (dh)
No. of Bolts (n),
Clip-Angle Length (L),
Clip-Angle thickness (t),
Clip-Angle In-Standing Leg dimension (ISL)
Clip-Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Clip-Angle Tensile Strength (Fu_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam Tensile Strength (Fu),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Cope depth (dc)
Reduced beam depth (ho)
Cope length (c)
Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Sn)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Distance from top of clip angle to edge of beam cope (a)
Supporting member web or flange thickness (t_supt)

Step 2: Determine Allowable Bolt Shear in Kips: Use Table II-A, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Bolt Shear = 2 x n x (single shear capacity of bolt from Table I-D)

Step 3: Determine Net Shear on the Angle: Use Table II-C, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Net Shear = 2 x [L-n(dh)] x t x 0.3 x Fu_angle

Step 4: Determine Weld Capacity: Use Table III, AISC Manual Part 4, Weld A Capacity
Based on angle length and weld size (limited by the beam web size) obtain Weld Capacity.
If the actual web thickness is less than the minimum required web thickness provided in the
Table, then
Revised Allowable = tw x Weld Allowable per Table / Min. web thickness per Table

Step 5: Determine Beam Block Shear (if beam is coped on top):

Block Shear = 0.4 x Fy x (L + a) x tw + 0.5 x Fu x (ISL – setback) x tw

Step 6: Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,
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STANDARD

For checking the beam copes and obtaining the allowable reaction see the procedure outlined
in Section 5.3.a.1 and 5.3.a.2. If only a bottom cope is present conservatively assume it as top
cope for design.

Step 7: Determine Supporting member (web or flange) bearing:

For One-Sided Connection:
Allowable supporting member (web or flange) bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x t_supt x n x 2

For Two-Sided Connection: Conservatively take 50% of the one-sided conn. load
Allowable supporting member (web or flange) bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x t_supt x n

Conclusion:
Maximum Allowable Beam End Reaction = Minimum of Loads obtained from Steps 2 through 7.

If Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable, then the following can be done:
a. If the governing allowable is due to bolt shear : Either increase number of bolts or increase
bolt diameter
b. If the governing allowable is due to net shear on the angle, increase angle thickness.
c. If the governing allowable is due to Weld capacity : Either increase weld size or increase weld
length by increasing clip angle length, if possible.
d. If the governing allowable is due to block shear : Add web doubler plates
e. If the governing allowable is due to beam cope : Reinforce the cope with web doubler plates
or horizontal stiffeners.
f. If the governing allowable is due to supporting member web or flange thickness: Increase the
connection depth, or reinforce the support member.

Capacity of this connection type for various beam sections is provided in Table CDS 4.3 through
Table CDS 4.6 for bearing type and slip-critical type connections.

Excel worksheet no. DCA-2 is applicable for evaluating this connection.

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STANDARD

4.1.c Shop Bolted / Field Welded Connection (Detail DCA-BW)

Formulation for developing load capacity table for Double Clip Angle Connection (Shop Bolted /
Field Welded Connection) using Slip-Critical Bolts

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
Bolt Hole Dia (dh)
No. of Bolts (n),
Clip-Angle Length (L),
Clip-Angle thickness (t),
Clip-Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Clip-Angle Tensile Strength (Fu_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam Tensile Strength (Fu),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Vertical Edge Distance for the top bolt (for coped beams) (lv)
Distance from center of bolt hole to beam end (lh)
Spacing of bolts (s)
Cope depth (dc)
Reduced beam depth (ho)
Cope length (c)
Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Sn)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Supporting member web or flange thickness (t_supt)
Supporting Member Yield Strength (Fy_Supt),

Step 2: Determine Allowable Bolt Shear in Kips: Use Table II-A, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Bolt Shear = n x (double shear capacity of bolt from Table I-D)

Step 3: Determine Net Shear on the Angle: Use Table II-C, AISC Manual Part 4
(or) Allowable Net Shear = 2 x [L-n(dh)] x t x 0.3 x Fu_angle

Step 4: Determine Beam Web Bearing:

Allowable Beam Web bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x tw x n

Step 5: Determine Beam Block Shear (if beam is coped on top):

Determine Coefficients C1 and C2 from Table I-G, AISC Manual Part 4
Block Shear = (C1 + C2) x Fu x tw

(or) Block Shear = {(0.3 x lv + 0.5 x lh) + 0.3 [(n-1)(s-dh)-dh/2] –dh/4} x Fu x tw

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Step 6: Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,

For checking the beam copes and obtaining the allowable reaction see the procedure outlined
in Section 5.3.a.1 and 5.3.a.2. If only a bottom cope is present conservatively assume it as top
cope for design.

Step 7: Check Weld on the Outstanding leg of the clip angle:

Use Table III, AISC Manual Part 4, Weld B Capacity
Based on angle length and Required weld capacity obtain the weld size.
Note: Connection capacity may be limited by the shear capacity of the supporting member.
Hence check the following:

For One-Sided Connection:

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web or flange thickness
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= (support member web or flange thickness) x 1.35

For Two-Sided Connection: (see note)

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.5
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.67
Note: This approach may or may not be conservative depending on the weld size of the
opposing connection. This assumes that the weld size of the connections on either side of the
web is the same.

Conclusion:
Maximum Allowable Beam End Reaction = Minimum of Loads obtained from Steps 2 through 7.

If Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable, then the following can be done:
a. If the governing allowable is due to bolt shear : Either increase number of bolts or increase
bolt diameter
b. If the governing allowable is due to net shear on the angle, increase angle thickness.
c. If the governing allowable is due to beam web bearing : Either increase number of bolts or
increase bolt diameter or add web doubler plates
d. If the governing allowable is due to block shear : Either increase number of bolts or add web
doubler plates
e. If the governing allowable is due to beam cope : Reinforce the cope with web doubler plates
or horizontal stiffeners
f. If the governing allowable is due to weld on the outstanding leg: Increase the weld size (if
possible), or increase weld length by increasing the length of the clip angle (if possible) or
reinforce the supporting member web or flange to allow a bigger weld.

Excel worksheet no. DCA-3 is applicable for evaluating this connection.

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STANDARD

4.1.d Shop Welded / Field Welded Connection (Detail DCA-WW)

Formulation for developing load capacity table for Double Clip Angle Connection (shop welded to
beam web and field welded to column or beam)

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Clip-Angle Length (L),
Clip-Angle thickness (t),
Clip-Angle In-Standing Leg dimension (ISL)
Clip-Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Clip-Angle Tensile Strength (Fu_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam Tensile Strength (Fu),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Cope depth (dc)
Reduced beam depth (ho)
Cope length (c)
Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Sn)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Distance from top of clip angle to edge of beam cope (a)
Supporting member web or flange thickness (t_supt)
Supporting Member Yield Strength (Fy_Supt),

Step 2: Check Weld on the Outstanding leg of the clip angle:

Use Table III, AISC Manual Part 4, Weld B Capacity
Based on angle length and Required weld capacity obtain the weld size.
Note: Connection capacity may be limited by the shear capacity of the supporting member.
Hence check the following:

For One-Sided Connection:

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web or flange thickness
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= (support member web or flange thickness) x 1.35

For Two-Sided Connection: (see note)

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.5
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.67
Note: This approach may or may not be conservative depending on the weld size of the
opposing connection. This assumes that the weld size of the connections on either side of the
web is the same.

Step 3: Determine Shear on the Angle: Allowable Net Shear = 2 x L x t x 0.4 x Fy_angle

Step 4: Determine Weld Capacity on the beam web: Use Table III, AISC Manual Part 4,
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Weld A Capacity
Based on angle length and weld size (limited by the beam web size) obtain Weld Capacity
If the actual web thickness is less than the minimum required web thickness provided in the
Table, then
Revised Allowable = tw x Weld Allowable per Table / Min. web thickness per Table

Step 5: Determine Beam Block Shear (if beam is coped on top):

Block Shear = 0.4 x Fy x (L + a) x tw + 0.5 x Fu x (ISL – setback) x tw

Step 6: Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,

For checking the beam copes and obtaining the allowable reaction see the procedure outlined
in Section 5.3.a.1 and 5.3.a.2. If only a bottom cope is present conservatively assume it as top
cope for design.

Conclusion:
Maximum Allowable Beam End Reaction = Minimum of Loads obtained from Steps 2 through 6.

If Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable, then the following can be done:
a. If the governing allowable is due to weld on the outstanding leg : Increase the weld size (if
possible), or increase weld length by increasing the length of the clip angle (if possible), or
reinforce the supporting member web or flange to allow a bigger weld.
b. If the governing allowable is due to shear on the angle, increase angle thickness.
c. If the governing allowable is due to Weld capacity on the beam web : Either increase weld
size or increase weld length by increasing clip angle length, if possible.
d. If the governing allowable is due to block shear : Add web doubler plates
e. If the governing allowable is due to beam cope : Reinforce the cope with web doubler
plates or horizontal stiffeners

Excel worksheet no. DCA-4 is applicable for evaluating this connection.

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STANDARD

4.2 Single Plate Connections

Two types of single plate connections are possible. One is the normal single-plate shear connection
and the other is the extended shear plate connection.

References to Technical Papers:

1. Behavior and Design of Single Plate Shear Connections, by Abolhassan Astaneh
2. Designing with Single Plate Connections, by M. Thomas Ferrell
3. Design Procedures for Extended Shear Tabs, by Al Ghorbanpoor and Donald R. Sherman

Formulation for design of single plate connection

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
Bolt Hole Dia (dh)
No. of Bolts (n),
Plate Length (L),
Plate thickness (tp),
Plate Yield Strength (Fy_plate)
Plate Tensile Strength (Fu_plate)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam Tensile Strength (Fu),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Cope depth (dc)
Reduced beam depth (ho)
Cope length (c)
Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Sn)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Vertical Edge Distance for the top bolt (for coped beams) (lv)
Distance from center of bolt hole to beam end (lh)
Vertical Edge Distance for the top bolt from plate edge (lvp)
Distance from center of bolt hole to plate end (lhp)
Distance of bolt line from the weld (a)
Supporting member web or flange thickness (t_supt)
Supporting Member Yield Strength (Fy_Supt),

The single plate is welded to the support member and bolted to the beam. The bolts have to be
designed for the shear and moment due to the eccentricity. The eccentricity depends on the support
type and the type of holes used in the plate.

 For flexible support (i.e. when a beam frames into another beam from one side only or when a
heavy girder frames into a light column) with standard holes, eccentricity shall be taken as
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eb = |(n-1)| -a| >= a

 For flexible support (i.e. when a beam frames into another beam from one side only or when a
heavy girder frames into a light column) with slotted holes, eccentricity shall be taken as

eb = |2n/3-a| >= a

 For rigid support (i.e. when a beam frames into a heavy column flange) with standard holes,
eccentricity shall be taken as

eb = |(n-1)| -a|

 For rigid support (i.e. when a beam frames into a heavy column flange) with slotted holes,
eccentricity shall be taken as

eb = |2n/3-a|

 When two beams frame on either side of a beam/girder: Use eb = a

Step 2: Design parameters shall be based on the following rules:

a. Ideally the support is somewhere between flexible and rigid. Hence, the larger value of eb
shall be taken.
b. For any combination of support condition and hole type, the E70 electrode maximum weld
size need not exceed ¾ of the plate thickness for A36 plate material.
c. Distance of bolt line from the weld (a) shall be preferably 2½” and a maximum of 3½”. For
use of Tables in AISC manual this shall not exceed 3”.
d. Minimum plate length shall be one-half of the T-dimension of beam to be supported.
e. The minimum plate thickness should be such that
tpmin >= L/64 >= ¼”
f. The maximum plate thickness should be
d/2 + 1/16 in > = tpmin
g. Weld to be designed for maximum of Actual Reaction or 0.4 x Fy_plate x L x tp

Step 3 Determine Bolt Group Capacity:

Using Table XI or XII, l = eb and knowing n, determine Coefficient C

Bolt Group Capacity = Rb = C x rv

Where rv = Single shear bolt capacity from Table I-D

Step 4: Determine Plate bearing Capacity:

Allowable Plate bearing load = 1.2 x Fu_plate x tp x d x n
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Step 5: Check Shear Yielding Capacity of Plate: 0.4 x Fy_plate x L x tp

Step 6: Check Shear rupture of plate: 0.3 x Fu_plate x [ L – n(dh)] x tp

Step 7: Check Plate Block Shear:

Determine Coefficients C1 and C2 from Table I-G, AISC Manual Part 4
Block Shear_plate = (C1 + C2) x Fu_plate x tp
(or)
Block Shear_plate ={(0.3 x lvp + 0.5 x lhp) +0.3 [(n-1)(s-dh)-dh/2] –dh/4}x Fu_plate x tp

Step 8: Determine Beam Web Bearing:

Allowable Beam Web bearing load = 1.2 x Fu x d x tw x n

Step 9: Determine Beam Block Shear (if beam is coped on top):

Determine Coefficients C1 and C2 from Table I-G, AISC Manual Part 4
Block Shear = (C1 + C2) x Fu x tw

(or) Block Shear = {(0.3 x lv + 0.5 x lh) + 0.3 [(n-1)(s-dh)-dh/2] –dh/4} x Fu x tw

Step 10: Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,

For checking the beam copes and obtaining the allowable reaction see the procedure outlined
in Section 5.3.a.1 and 5.3.a.2. If only a bottom cope is present conservatively assume it as top
cope for design.

Step 11: Determine Weld Capacity:

For Rigid Connection and when beams frame on two sides of a girder: Eccentricity to be used
for design of weld = ew = a + eb
For Flexible Connection : Eccentricity to be used for design of weld = 0”

Using Table XIX, AISC Manual

Allowable weld capacity Pw = C x C1 x D x L
Where D = Number of sixteenth of an inch in fillet weld size
C1 = 1.0 for E70 Electrode
And 0.857 for E60 Electrode
C is obtained from the Table XIX for a = ew/L

Note: Connection capacity may be limited by the shear capacity of the supporting member.
Hence check the following:

For One-Sided Connection:

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web or flange thickness
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= (support member web or flange thickness) x 1.35
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STANDARD

For Two-Sided Connection: (see note)

For Fy_Supt = 36 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.5
For Fy_Supt = 50 ksi, weld size shall be <= support member web x 0.67
Note: This approach may or may not be conservative depending on the weld size of the
opposing connection. This assumes that the weld size of the connections on either side of the
web is the same.

Conclusion:

Maximum Allowable Beam End Reaction = Minimum of Loads obtained from Steps 3 through 11.

If Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable, then the following can be done:
a. If the governing allowable is due to bolt shear : Either increase number of bolts or increase
bolt diameter.
b. If the governing allowable is due to plate bearing : Either increase number of bolts or plate
thickness or bolt diameter
c. If the governing allowable is due to plate shear yielding : Either increase plate length or plate
thickness.
d. If the governing allowable is due to plate shear rupture : Either increase plate length or plate
thickness.
e. If the governing allowable is due to plate block shear : Either increase number of bolts or
increase plate thickness
f. If the governing allowable is due to beam web bearing : Either increase number of bolts or
increase bolt diameter or add web doubler plates
g. If the governing allowable is due to beam web block shear : Either increase number of bolts or
add web doubler plates
h. If the governing allowable is due to beam cope : Reinforce the cope with web doubler plates
or horizontal stiffeners
i. If the governing allowable is due to weld: Increase the weld size, or increase weld length by
increasing the length of the plate, if possible.

Excel worksheet no. SSPC-1 is applicable for evaluating this connection.

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CONNECTION DESIGN Chkd by: MNG
STANDARD

4.2.a Additional considerations for Extended Shear Plate Connection

Unstiffened extended shear plate connections should be avoided as much as possible. When a beam
framing into the column web has to stop short of the column flange or when a beam framing into the
web of a girder has to stop short of the flange of the supporting girder, the following shall be done to
avoid the situation of an unstiffened extended shear tab.

1. If the beam is framing into another beam, the shear plate shall be welded to the top and
bottom flange and the distance of the bolt line from the edge of the flange shall not exceed 3”.
2. If the beam is framing into the column web, a pair of horizontal stiffeners shall be provided
and welded to the column flange and webs. The shear plate shall be welded to the top and
bottom horizontal stiffeners. The distance of the bolt line from the end of the horizontal
column web stiffener shall not exceed 3”.

The point at weld is considered to be a pin-support subjected to shear only. The bolts and the plate
shall be checked for the moment equal to the reaction times the eccentricity of the bolt line from the
weld line.

Additional checks required when extended shear tab cannot be stiffened (this situation shall be
avoided)

 If the distance ‘a’ exceeds 3” due to fit-up and constructability constraints, additional
check for plate thickness has to be done to check for stability.
 Also, if the horizontal web stiffener cannot be provided in the column web, the column
web has to be checked for yielding.
 The eccentricity of the reaction force with respect to bolt line shall also be re-
calculated.
 For these additional checks and eccentricity calculation refer to the “Design
Procedures for Extended Shear Tabs” by Al Ghorbanpoor and Donald R. Sherman.
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4.3 Seated Beam Connections

4.3.a Unstiffened Seated Beam Connections

The beam is supported on a seat that is not stiffened. The unstiffened seat is designed to carry
the entire reaction. Note: Always provide a top angle, which provides lateral support to the
compression flange. As an alternate, the top angle could also be placed on one side of the beam
web at the top. The design of unstiffened seat (bolted or welded) requires the following steps.

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
No. of Bolts (n),
Outstanding Leg (OSL) of seat angle = 4”
Length of Seat Angle
Seat Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Beam End Reaction: R

Step 2: Using Table V-A (for Fy = 36 ksi) or Table V-B (Fy = 50 ksi) and for the given beam
web thickness (tw) and reaction R, determine the seat angle thickness required. Note that for
welded seated angle, use Tables VI-A and VI-B in lieu of Tables V-A and V-B.

Step 3:
For Bolted Connection: Using Table V-C and knowing the bolt type, pick the connection type
and bolt diameter that satisfies the required beam end reaction. Note that Connection Types
A, B and C are good for Column Flanges only, while Connection Types A thru F can be used
on column or beam webs.

For Welded Connection: Using Table VI-C, pick the seat angle size, thickness and weld size
that satisfies the required beam end reaction.

Step 4: Check for Beam Web Crippling: Determine values ‘R3’ and ‘R4’ from the Allowable
Uniform Load Tables. Allowable Load due to Beam Web crippling is (R3 + NxR4), where N
is the bearing length on the OSL (taken as length of OSL).

Conclusion:
If the Beam Web Crippling limits the allowable reaction, beam web stiffeners shall be provided as
specified in AISC Manual, Chapter K, Section K1.4.

If the Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable as obtained from the Tables, provide a stiffened seated
connection.
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STANDARD

4.3.b Stiffened Seated Beam Connections

4.3.b.1 Bolted Stiffened Seated Beam Connections

The beam is supported on a seat that is stiffened by a pair of angles. Note: Always provide a
top angle, which provides lateral support to the compression flange. As an alternate, the top
angle could also be placed on one side of the beam web at the top.

The design of bolted stiffened seat requires the following steps.

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Bolt Type, Bolt Diameter (d),
No. of Bolts (n),
Outstanding Leg (OSL) of stiffener angle (
Stiffener Angle Yield Strength (Fy_angle)
Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Beam End Reaction: R

Step 2: Using the Allowable Uniform Load Table, determine values for R1, R2, R3 and R4.
Based on these values, determine the required bearing length N to prevent beam web yielding
or crippling. This will determine the Outstanding Leg length required for the stiffener angle.
The seat plate shall be 3/8” thick and shall extend past the stiffener angle.

Step 3: Using Table VII-A (for Fy_angle = 36 ksi or 50 ksi) and for the assumed outstanding
leg as determined in Step 2, determine the stiffener angle thickness required that satisfies the
reaction R.

Step 4: Using Table VII-B and knowing the bolt type, pick the bolt diameter and the fasteners
required per row that satisfies the required beam end reaction.

Step 5: Check for Supporting Column flange/web or beam web bearing: Determine the load
per bolt and compare to allowable bearing values given in Table I-E. Actual load shall be less
than the allowable bearing load.

Conclusion:

If the Beam Web Crippling limits the allowable reaction, beam web stiffeners shall be provided as
specified in AISC Manual, Chapter K, Section K1.4.

If the Actual Reaction exceeds the Allowable as obtained from the Tables, try with larger bolt size or
larger number of bolts or thicker stiffener angle size, etc. and repeat steps 2 thru 5.
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4.3.b.2 Welded Stiffened Seated Beam Connections

For the design of welded stiffened seated beam connection, use the procedure in AISC
Manual of Steel Construction, Vol I, Table VIII. The following shall be checked as part of
the design.

a. Beams have to be connected to seat by high-strength A325 or A490 erection bolts or the
bottom flange welded to the seat for a length of 2” on each side of the flange. If the
bottom flange is bolted, the location of the centerline of the bolts (B) shall be the greater
of 0.50W or 2 5/8”, where W is the Seat width measured along the beam.
b. Where seated connection width, W is 7”, 8” or 9”, limit B to 3 ½”, except for W14x43
column where B shall be limited to 3”.
c. Top angle of minimum ¼” thickness shall be welded or bolted in place.
d. For beams supported off the column web, the seat plate shall not be welded to column
flanges.
e. Maximum weld size is column web thickness for one sided connection. For two sided
connection maximum weld size is 0.5 x web thickness for A36 steel and 0.67 x web
thickness for 50 ksi steel.
f. Thickness of the seat plate or the flange of a WT shall be minimum 3/8”.

The design of stiffened seat (welded) requires the following steps.

Step 1: Establish the Design Inputs:

Beam Yield Strength (Fy),
Beam web thickness (tw)
Weld Electrode E70XX, Fu = 70 ksi
Seat Plate Material
Stiffener Plate Material
Beam End Reaction: R

Step 2: Using the Allowable Uniform Load Table, determine values for R1, R2, R3 and R4.
Based on these values, determine the required bearing length N. This will determine the value
of W to be used in Table VIII.

Step 3: Seat Plate Width measured along the flange (B) = Flange width + 4 x weld thickness

Step 3:
Using Table VIII and seat width W as determined in Step 2, and for a given beam end reaction
and weld size, the length of the stiffener ‘L’ can be obtained. The length of the stiffener shall
be such that (B-stiffener thickness) >= 0.4 x L.
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Also, the minimum weld between the seat and the stiffener is 0.4L, i.e. 0.2L on either side of
the stiffener.

Step 3:
Check that the stiffener plate thickness is equal to 2 x weld thickness when material is A36 or
at least 1.5 x weld thickness when the material is 50 ksi.

Conclusion:

1. If connection capacity as given by AISC Table does not meet the actual reaction,
reinforcing of the column web to be able to provide a thicker weld can be looked at.
2. Alternately, a double clip angle connection can be proposed.
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4.4 Special Considerations for Framed Beam Connections

4.4.a Coped Beams

Copes can affect the beam in two ways:

1. Reduction in out-of-plane rotational restraint which reduces the resistance to lateral torsional
buckling - Needs to be considered at the time of beam design and hence is not in the scope of
connection design.
2. May result in local buckling failure of the web. This would require reinforcement of the web.
Hence this check is needed as part of the connection design.

As a design guideline, the following shall set the limit of the copes for which a check of the cope is
not warranted. Beam cope check shall be done if the cope exceeds the copes given in Table CDS 4.7
and Table CDS 4.8. These copes are based on using a 5/16” thick clip angle with ¾” diameter A325-
SC bolts.
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4.4.a.1 Case 1 - Check of beams coped at top flange only

Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,

Critical buckling stress of the compression portion shall be checked using Eqn. B-1. For ASD design
the allowable buckling stress is based on a factor of safety of 1.67. The allowable bucking stress Fbc
is computed using Eqn. B-2.

Variables:

ho = Reduced beam depth

tw = Beam web thickness
c = Cope length
dc = Cope depth
d = Depth of the beam
Sn = Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Obtained from AISC Manual, Vol II,
Table B-1 or calculated if not available in the Table)
e = cope length ( c ) + beam setback
Fy = Yield-strength of the beam

Step 1: Check if c <= 2d and dc <= d/2

Step 2: Compute c/ho and determine k using Eqn. B-3

Step 3: Compute c/d and determine f using Eqn. B-4

Step 4: Compute Allowable buckling stress, Fbc using Eqn. B-2.

Step 5: Compute Allowable Shear based on cope bending, Rall = (Fbc x Sn)/e

Step 6: Compute Allowable Web Shear on the reduced section as

Vall = 0.4 x Fy x tw x ho

Step 7: Maximum Allowable Reaction,

Rmax, all = Maximum (Rall, Vall)

Step 8: Is Rmax,all > Actual Reaction

If Yes, no web reinforcement is required. End of beam cope check.
If No, Web Reinforcement is required.

Excel Worksheet COPE-1 is available for checking beams with top cope.
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4.4.a.2 Case 2 - Check of beams coped at top and bottom flanges

Check cope based on AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol. II, Appendix B,

Critical buckling stress of the compression portion shall be checked using Eqn. B-5. For ASD design
the allowable buckling stress is based on a factor of safety of 1.67. The allowable bucking stress Fbc
is computed using Eqn. B-6.

Variables:

ho = Reduced beam depth

tw = Beam web thickness
c = Cope length
dc = Cope depth
d = Depth of the beam
Sn = Reduced Section Modulus of the coped beam section (Obtained from AISC Manual, Vol II,
Table B-1 or calculated if not available in the Table)
e = cope length ( c ) + beam setback
Fy = Yield-strength of the beam

Step 1: Check if c <= 2d and dc <= 0.2d

Step 2: Compute fd = 3.5 – 7.5(dc / d)

Step 3: Compute Allowable buckling stress, Fbc using Eqn. B-6. Allowable buckling stress cannot
exceed 0.6Fy.

Step 4: Compute Allowable Shear based on cope bending, Rall = (Fbc x Sn)/e

Step 6: Compute Allowable Web Shear on the reduced section as

Vall = 0.4 x Fy x tw x ho

Step 7: Maximum Allowable Reaction,

Rmax, all = Maximum (Rall, Vall)

Step 8: Is Rmax,all > Actual Reaction

If Yes, no web reinforcement is required. End of beam cope check.
If No, Web Reinforcement is required.

Excel Worksheet COPE-1 is available for checking beams with top and bottom copes.
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4.5 Design of Web Reinforcement

Webs can be either reinforced with web doubler plates or web stiffener plates. The design of these
elements will be discussed here. Note that the welded web doubler plates and the welded horizontal
stiffener plates will be discussed here since these are the most common applications. For the design
of bolted web doubler plate, see AISC, Manual of Steel Construction, Vol II, Connections, Appendix
B. Other option such as Welded Tee Section is also possible but is not the preferred with many
fabricators. Hence it will not be discussed here.

4.5.a Design of Welded Web Doubler Plates

Step 1: Design force for the design of web doubler plate =

Rwdp = Actual Reaction – Rmax,all

Step 2: Design Moment for doubler plate design =

Mwdp = Rwdp x (c + setback)

Step 3: Determine Doubler Plate thickness: twdp

twdp = [(Mwdp x 6)/(dwdp2 x 0.6*Fywdp) ] x 0.5 (assumed two plates provided)

Where dwdp = depth of web doubler plate

Fywdp = yield strength of the web doubler plate

Step 4: Check shear capacity of the web doubler plate:

Vwdp = twdp x dwdp x 0.4 x Fywdp
Vwdp shall be greater than Rwdp

Step 4: Design the weld between the web doubler plates and the beam web.
Check Weld for shear forces and the moment due to eccentricity.

Step 5: Extend the doubler plate at least a distance dc beyond the cope to prevent web crippling.
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4.5.b Design of Horizontal Stiffener Plates

Step 1: Select a plate size to start with, e.g. tpl x wpl

Where tpl = plate thickness
wpl = plate width

Step 2: Calculate the reinforced section properties

I and S

Step 3: Determine Allowable Shear/Reaction as

Rmax_all_revised = (0.6 x Fy_beam)x S / e

Step 4: Is Rmax_all_revised > Actual Reaction

If Yes, selected plate size is adequate or could be optimized if design margin is high
If No, increase plate size (thickness or width and repeat Steps 1 thru 4)
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5.0 Moment Connections

These are rigid frame connections classified as AISC Type 1 connections. The design of these
connections is concerned with developing the full-plastic moment capacity at the joint.

There are several varieties of beam to column flange moment connections such as
a. Directly welded flange (field welded)
b. Top and bottom flange plate (welded and bolted variety)
c. End Plate
d. Split Tee on top and bottom flanges
e. Top and bottom angles (rarely used)

Other moment connections are also possible. Beam to column web moment connections can be made
using connection types ‘a’ or ‘b’ by introducing an extension plate in the column web.

Beam to beam moment connections can be made by directly welding the flange of the beam to the
supporting girder flange or web. Flange plates can be used as well.

For design of Directly welded flange connection see AISC Manual, pg 4-106 through 4-108. For
design of moment connections with flange plates see AISC Manual, pgs 4-100 through 4-105 and 4-
109 thru 4-115. For design of moment connections with end plate see AISC Manual, pg. 4-116
through 4-125.

Excel worksheet no. MC-TBFP-1 and MC-TBFP-2 are applicable for evaluating the moment
connection using top and bottom flange plates.

For details of various typical moment connections see Figures 5.1 thru 5.6
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6.0 Truss and Vertical Bracing Connections

Trusses are used when the span gets large and it becomes uneconomical or unfeasible to use rolled
shapes or plate girders. The loads in a truss travel as axial loads through the truss members.

Typically members that carry gravity loads are called trusses. The connections associated with the
diagonal members of the truss with the chord members or at the supports at a column and/or beam are
called Truss Connections.

The same truss when laid on its side can be used as horizontal trusses in a floor to carry the lateral
loads, say from a rotating equipment or crane runway, etc. The connections of the bracing members
that form the horizontal truss are called Horizontal Bracing Connections.

Another use of trusses is to provide stability to a structure against lateral sway and to resist wind and
seismic forces. These trusses resist the lateral forces of wind and seismic of the structure and
transmit these forces ultimately to the foundation. Such trusses form the lateral force resisting system
for a building, also called as the vertical bracing system for the structure. The connections for these
vertical bracing systems can get very complex based on the magnitude of loading.

The design methodology for a truss connection or vertical bracing connection is similar. All truss
connections and vertical bracing connections shall be designed using DESCON. DESCON uses the
Uniform Force Method concept for designing the connections at the supports.

For design of truss connections and vertical bracing connections, refer to AISC Manual, Vol II,
Connections, Chapter 7.

For details of various typical truss and vertical bracing connections see Figures 6.1 thru 6.26.
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7.0 Horizontal Bracing Connections

Horizontal trusses can be used in a floor to carry the lateral loads, say from a rotating equipment or
crane runway, etc to the supporting girder that eventually transmits it to a lateral load resisting
system. The connections of the bracing members that form the horizontal truss are called Horizontal
Bracing Connections. These are typically encountered in industrial structures where grating floors
are supported on steel frames and concrete flors are not present to transmit the lateral loads through
diaphragm action. In such instances, horizontal bracing system is employed to carry the lateral loads
from the floor to the supports.

For design of horizontal bracing support, the brace load is broken down into its components along the
beam’s longitudinal axis and perpendicular to it. Usually the load component perpendicular to the
beam is negligible unless there is a transfer force at that panel point. Hence typical connection is a
shear connection oriented horizontally.

The brace is welded or bolted to the gusset and the gusset is in turn connected to the supporting beam
in the following manner.
a. Directly bolted to the bottom flange of the beam
b. Connected to the beam web using a shear tab
c. Connected to the beam web using a single clip angle
d. Connected to the beam web using double clip angle if load is high

For details of various typical horizontal bracing connections see Figures 7.1 thru 7.6
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8.0 Splices

Splices are specified for beams, columns and plate girders for various reasons. Splices are required
when the rolled section are not be available in the lengths required, or the fabricator chooses to
specify a splice for ease of shipping and erection or when the designer chooses to vary the cross-
section of the member.

Splices can be either simple shear splice or those that provide continuity to a member in which case it
shall be designed for both shear and moment. Splices can be all welded or all bolted or a
combination of welded and bolted connection.

For details of various typical splices see Figures 8.1 thru 8.4.
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APPENDIX A
CONNECTION CAPACITY TABLES
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APPENDIX B
CONNECTION SUMMARY TABLE TEMPLATES
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APPENDIX C

Design Software and Worksheets

Design of Standard AISC connections using the AISC prescribed methodology can be done using the
software “DESCON”. There are four modules in DESCON. They are
a. Descon Win-ASD, Version 4.1
b. Descon Brace-ASD, Version 4.1
c. Descon Win-LRFD, Version 5.0
d. Descon Brace-LRFD, Version 4.1

Modules ‘a’ and ‘c’ are helpful for designing shear, moment and splice connections. Module ‘c’ can
design FEMA-350 connections as well. Modules ‘b’ and ‘d’ are used for designing lateral bracing
connections in ASD or LRFD respectively.

In addition, several worksheets are available for designing various types of connections. The list of
worksheet is as follows:

Connection Worksheet No. Description

Type
Shear DCA-1 Double Clip Angle Connection
Connection – Bolted/Bolted
Shear DCA-2 Double Clip Angle Connection
Connection – Welded/Bolted
Shear DCA-3 Double Clip Angle Connection
Connection – Bolted/Welded

Shear DCA-4 Double Clip Angle Connection

Connection – Welded/Welded

Shear COPE-1 Beam to Beam Cope check only

Connection
Shear SSPC-1 Single Shear Plate Connection
Connection
Shear SBC-1 Seated Beam Connection –
Connection Unstiffened (Bolted / Bolted
and Bolted / Welded)
Shear SBC-2 Seated Beam Connection –
Connection Stiffened (Bolted )
Shear SBC-3 Seated Beam Connection –
Connection Stiffened (Welded )
Shear SBPC-1 Single Bent Plate Connection –
Connection (Double bolted)
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Shear SBPC-2 Single Bent Plate Connection –

Connection Welded/Bolted
Moment MC-FW-B-C-1 Field Welded Moment
Connection Connection between Beam and
Column
Moment MC-SW/FB-1 Shop Welded Field Bolted
Connection Moment Connection between
Beam and Column
Moment MC-HSS-HSS-1 HSS beam to HSS column
Connection Moment Connection
Moment MC-HSS-WCW-1 HSS beam to Wide flange
Connection Column Web Moment
Connection
Moment MC-WF-HSS-TPL-1 Wide flange beam to HSS
Connection Column Moment Connection w/
Through Plate
Bearing BEARING PLATE-1 Bearing Plate design
Connection
Bracing BSC-GPL-CB-1 Checks for Bolt Shear Capacity
Connection and Gusset Plate of Cross
Bracing
Splicing BEAM-SPLICE-CA/FP-1 Beam Splice using Clip Angle
Connection for Web splice and Flange Plate
for flange splice
Splicing SPLICE-BEAM-1 Beam to Beam splice
Connection Connection
Splicing SPLICE-COLUMN-1 Column Splice connection
Connection