What Will You Gain From This Presentation?

• Why steel structures?

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

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 Why Steel?

• Steel allows for reduced frame construction time and the

ability to construct in all seasons
• Steel makes large spans and bay sizes possible, providing
more flexibility
• Steel is easier to modify and change to an extent facility over
its life
• Steel is lightweight and can reduce foundation costs
• Steel is durable, long-lasting and recyclable

‘There is always a solution in steel’ -AISC

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

‘A structure is only strong as its weakest link’ –N Subramanian

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 Components of Connections

Connectors Connecting
Part

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

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 Design Philosophy
Connections

Art Science

Determination of most efficient

+
Involves equilibrium, limit states and
load paths because all connections lower bound theorem
are indeterminate
Strength : Forces are calculated applying equilibrium > Analysis
Stiffness : The stiffness of the connection affects the level of loading for which it should
be designed.
Rigid – No influence of their deformations (High rotational stiffness)
Pinned connections - Flexible enough to accommodate rotations
Deformation Capacity : Qualitative & difficult to check
Ductile connections that have a great deformation capacity contribute to the
overall safety of the structure in the event that the connection becomes
overloaded. plastic design is employed with plastic hinges forming in the
connections

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 Classification of connections
Connections

Type of force Structural element Type of members

Type of connecting
connection is that made up the the connection are Based on location
medium
expected transfer connection joining

1 Riveted 1 Axial 1 Single plate-angle 1 Beam to beam 1 Shop

2 Bolted 2 Shear 2 Double web angle 2 Column to column 2 Field
3 Welded 3 Moment 3 Seated angle 3 Beam to column
4 Stiffened seat 4 Base

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

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 Based on connecting medium

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

• Grade = 3.6, 4.6, 4.8, 5.6, 5.8, 6.8, 8.8, 9.8, 10.9, 12.9. Ø=12 to 68mm

• Black bolts = Most commonly used, ductile, static condition, rough surface
• Turned bolts = Machined surface, more expensive, dynamic conditions
• HSFG Bolts = Proof load is used (no yield point), slip critical connections,
good where vibration & impact is induced, pretensioned

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 Based on connecting medium
Shearing of Bolts & plates

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

Bearing of Bolts & Plates

Vnpb (2.5kbdtfu ) / Ymb

Bearing of plate, t<0.5bolt dia

Tension failure of Bolts & Plates

Tnb  (0.90 fubAn ) / Ymb

failure of bolted connections

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 Based on connecting medium
(a) Bearing Connection
T
Bearing stresses

(b) Friction Connection

T
Tension
Frictional Force T in bolt
Clamping Force, PO
T

Clamping Force, PO
Load transfer mechanism bolted connections

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 Based on connecting medium

(b) Fillet welds

(a) Groove welds
Ends shall be semi
circular
A A A A

Section A-A Section A-A

(d) Plug weld (c) Slot weld

Types of welds

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 Based on connecting medium

 fw2  3 w2
Critical
f1 plane fu 
w

w
fd  size * 0.707 * fy /( 3 * Ym)

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

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

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

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

Axial Connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

Axial Connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer
• Curve 1: At a very low
moment it safely yields (M1 )
and allows the connection to
rotate (θ ) , This is typical of
top angle, web framing
angles, connections
• Curve 2 : Under working load
it elastically yields sufficiently
to provide the necessary
rotation of the connection,
and yet has sufficient
resistance to develop the
proper end moment.
Although thick top angles
have been suggested for
service as semi-rigid
connections, they are
impractical to design and
fabricate with the desired
built-in restraint
• Curve 3 : Using a top
connecting plate detailed to
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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Shear or Pin Connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer
Clip

b  R / tw( fyw / Ymo)

R b1 b  (Tf  rb)
Bearing
45O Abr  R /( fy / Ymo)
Seat angle

Stiffener

Stiffened & unstiffened seat angle connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer
Web Angle

• Depth of cleat = (0.6 to 0.7 Db)

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

Single or double web angle connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Moment Connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate

End plate connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

End plate connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

• Prying forces arises when a relatively thin plate deflects outward, thus pressing the
unsupported edges against the supporting piece
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 Type of force connection is expected transfer
Bolts in • Shear is transferred by web
tension (Prying angle
effect) Bolts in single • F = M/Db
shear • Find thickness of web of stub
• Flange design – Tension &
Prying effect

Split Beam/T- Stub connections

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 Type of force connection is expected transfer

R  Mdi /  di2 T  Myn /  yi 2

Bracket connection

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 Type of members the connection are joining
• Designed for M and V
• Flange splice plate work as flange
• Web splice plate work as web
• Flanges transfer M
• Web transfer V (Except slender web)
• Flush end plate as end plate
moment connections

Beam splice

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 Type of members the connection are joining

Tension field – Post buckling behaviour

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 Type of members the connection are joining

• Axial force are transferred in

accordance with the area of
flanges and web

Column splice

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 Type of members the connection are joining

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

Column bases

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

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