PRE-DESIGN OF SEMI-RIGID JOINTS

IN STEEL FRAMES
Martin Steenhuis (1), Nol Gresnigt (2), Klaus Weynand (3)

Keywords: steel, joints, frames, semi-rigid, pre-design, stiffness,

classification

Abstract The response of steel frames is influenced by the mechanical properties of the joints
(strength, stiffness, rotation capacity). In practice, the joints are usually considered as either rigid or
pinned. Research has shown that frames with semi-rigid joints can be more economical than frames
with rigid or pinned joints. Computer programs are available to determine the joint properties. These
programs require a full description of the geometry of the joint. In a pre-design, these data are not
yet available. Therefore, for the pre-design stage there is a need for simple rules to estimate the
mechanical properties of the joints. This paper presents such simple rules. Comparisons to the
Eurocode 3 are made. This paper also includes design examples.

1. Introduction
In various European countries, traditionally, two parties are responsible for the design of steel
frames: the engineer designs the beams and columns and the steel fabricator designs the connections.
In this design practice the engineer specifies the mechanical requirements of joints. The steel
fabricator designs the joints to fulfil these requirements. The fabricator also considers manufacturing
aspects.
Elastic global frame analysis is commonly used in Europe. In this analysis, pinned and rigid
design of joints (see figure 1) leads to a limited data flow between engineer and steel fabricator. In
case of pinned joints the fabricator needs to design the joints like pins. In case of rigid joints, the
fabricator needs to design the joints sufficiently rigid. In both cases, the joints should be capable of
transmitting the forces determined in the global frame analysis. Pinned and rigid joints, however, are
not necessarily economical [1].
On the contrary, the more economical semi-rigid design leads to intensive data flow between
engineer and steel fabricator. The global frame analysis (task of engineer) requires the stiffnesses of
the joints, which should be based on the actual geometrical layout of the joint (task of fabricator).
This intensive communication (and the consequent mixture of responsibilities) between engineer and
fabricator hinders the acceptance of semi-rigid design.

Pinned Joint Rigid Joint Semi Rigid Joint

figure 1: Examples of pinned, rigid and semi-rigid joints

Published in Proceedings of the Second State of the Art Workshop on Semi-Rigid Behaviour of Civil
Engineering Structural Connections, ed. by F. Wald, COST C1, Prague, Czech Republic, 1994, pp 131-140.

(1) TNO Building and Construction Research, P.O. Box 49, 2600 AA Delft, The Netherlands
(2) TU Delft, P.O. Box 5048, 2600 AA Delft, The Netherlands
(3) RWTH Aachen, Mies-van-der-Rohe Straße 1, 52074 Aachen, Germany

1
 This paper presents in chapter 2. a procedure for frame design with semi-rigid joints, which
respects the existing share of responsibilities between engineer and steel fabricator. The advantages
of this procedure are that: 1) semi-rigid design can be applied without increase of communication
between designer and fabricator compared to the traditional situation, 2) the fabricator has a certain
freedom to design the joints in accordance with the available production technologies and materials
in stock. Of course, this procedure is also applicable when the engineer designs both frame and joints.
Chapter 3. of this paper concerns the determination of the stiffness1 of joints in the pre-design phase.
Chapter 4 treats the check of the stiffness requirements during the design of the joints. Chapters 5 and
6 show some worked examples.

2. Design procedure
Traditionally, the design process of a steel frame consists of 7 logical steps (see table 1). In
the modelling phase (step 1), the engineer models the joints as pinned or rigid. Pinned joints should
be capable of transmitting the forces calculated in design, without developing significant moments
which might adversely affect the beams or columns in the frame. In elastic frame analysis, a rigid
joint has no influence on the distribution of internal forces and moments in the frame, nor on its
overall deformation.
table 1: Design process of a steel frame with elastic global frame analysis, with rigid or pinned joints
1. Mechanical modelling of the frame in the building including modelling joints as pinned or rigid.
2. Estimation of loads.
3. Pre-design of beams and columns.
4. Determination of forces and displacements in the frame.
5. Check of beams and columns in limit state conditions.
6. If required, adjustment of beams and columns (continue with step 4).
7. Design of joints based on strength ( pinned or rigid).

The loads and the stiffness of beams and columns are input for the frame analysis (step 4).
The deflections of the frame and the force distributions are output. The member sizes and the forces
which should be transmitted by the joints are the starting point for the design of joints (step 7). The
purpose of this design is to find a layout capable of transmitting the forces between the beam and the
column. Additionally, in case of pinned joints the fabricator should verify that no significant
moments develop in the joints. In case of rigid joints, the fabricator should verify that the joint is
sufficiently rigid.
Computer programs exist which support the design of joints [2, 3] (step 7) according to
Eurocode 3 [4]. These programs are essential in the design process because they enlightens the task
of the fabricator dramatically. They require the geometrical layout of the joint as input and give the
strength, stiffness and rotational capacity as output. A user of a program designs the joints in an
interactive way by trial and error. For example, the user first tries a simple solution. If this solution
doesn't satisfy the strength criteria, the user will improve the design by adjusting the lay out of the
joint. The process ends when the design is satisfactory. Some programs are also capable to check
whether a joint is rigid or not.

This paper proposes two modifications to make the procedure of table 1 suitable for semi-rigid
design. This leads to a process as given in table 2.

1 When this paper speaks about stiffness of a joint, it is meant the elastic stiffness

2
 table 2: Design process of a steel frame with elastic global frame analysis with semi-rigid joints
1. Mechanical modelling of the frame in the building.
2. Estimation of loads.
3. Pre-design of beams and columns and assessment of stiffness of joints.
4. Determination of forces and displacements in the frame (stiffness of the joint included in the analysis)
5. Check of beams and columns in limit state conditions.
6. If required, adjustment of beams and columns (continue with step 4).
7. Design of semi-rigid joints based on required strength and stiffness.

I Inclusion of stiffness in the frame analysis

Cunningham and Taylor proposed to assume a certain stiffness for the joints in the frame analysis
rather than to take the joints as either rigid or pinned [6]. This stiffness is taken as a function of the
beam stiffness and the recommended fixity factor (the fixity factor is defined as the relation between
the stiffness of the joint and the beam). This stiffness is an estimate of the actual stiffness of the
joints to be designed in step 7.
This paper basically proposes, as an extension to the work of Cunningham and Taylor, to
assess the stiffness of the joints relating to the beam and column properties and the type of the joints
in the pre-design phase. This is explained more in detail in chapter 3. These stiffnesses can be used in
the global frame analysis (step 4).
II Verification of stiffness in the design of joints.
It should be verified in step 7 that the stiffness of the joint designed by the fabricator is in
reasonable agreement with the stiffness included in the global frame analysis. This replaces the
verifications for rigid and pinned joints in traditional design. Chapter 4 gives some rules to carry out
this verification. These rules are based on the same philosophy as the classification diagrams of
Eurocode 3. In combination with a computer program, these rules can easily be applied.

3. Prediction of the stiffness of joints in the pre-design stage

In the pre-design phase of a structure, it is difficult to assess the stiffnesses of the (semi-rigid)
joints, because the joints have not been designed yet. To overcome this problem, some simplified
formulae have been derived based on Eurocode 3 Annex J (revised) [5]. With help of these formulae,
a designer can determine the stiffness of a joint by selecting the configuration.
These formulae assume some fixed choices for the connection design. These are for end-
plated connections:
• the connection has two bolt rows in the tension zone.
• the bolt diameter is approximately 1.5 times the thickness of the column flange;
• the location of the bolt is as close as possible to the root radius of the column flange, the beam
web and flange (about 1.5 times the thickness of the column flange);
• the end-plate thickness is similar to the column flange thickness;
For European I and H sections the following rules are valid:
• the root radius is about the same size as flange thickness;
• the web is about 0.6 times the flange thickness;
• the clear depth of the web is about 15 times the flange thickness.

As an example, a simplified formula is derived for an un-stiffened extended end-plate

connection in a single sided joint configuration. In figure 2, first the stiffness factors according to
Annex J (revised) are calculated.

3
Column web in shear:

hc
For simplicity we take equal to 0.8. This is a reasonable assumption in un-braced frames.
ht

Av,c 0.8 hc tw,c 0.8 hc 0.6 tf,c

0.38 ≈ 0.38 ≈ 0.38 ≈ 0.18 tf,c
ht ht ht

Column web in compression and tension:

We assume that in an un-stiffened joint with an extended end-plate, the deformation of the column web in
tension is similar to the deformation of the column web in compression. The effective width beff is
approximately:

beff = tf,b + 2te + 5 (rc + tf,c) ≈ 12 tf,c

beff tw,c 12 tf,c 0.6 tf,c

0.7 ≈ 0.7 ≈ 0.33 tf,c
d 15 tf,c

Column flange and end-plate in bending ht

3 3
leff t 12 tf,c t dn
f,c f,c
0.85 ≈ 0.85 ≈ 3.0 tf,c
m3 3
1.53 t tf,b
f,c
m
Two bolt rows in tension tf,c tp
hc
2
Ab,s 0.75 π/4 1.52t
f,c
2•1.6 ≈ 3.2 ≈ 1.4 tf,c
lb 3 tf,c

The stiffness of the joint is:

2 2 2
E ht tf,c E ht tf,c E ht tf,c
Sj ≈ ≈ ≈
1 1 1 1 1 1 5.6 + 3 + 3+ 0.33 +0.33 + 0.7 13,0
+ + + + +
0.18 0.33 0.33 3.0 3.0 1.4

In this example, the column web in shear contributes most to the flexibility of the joint.

figure 2: Derivation of a simplified stiffness formulae for an extended end plate connection

Table 3 contains formulae for different configurations. These formulae can be derived similar
to the previous example. Stiffening plates have a great influence on the stiffness.

The formulae in table 3 contain only two parameters: ht and tf,c. Parameter ht is the distance
between the point of compression and the centre of the tension zone. In an extended end-plate
connection with two bolt rows, this distance is approximately equal to the beam depth. For the same
joint with haunch, ht is equal to the sum of the beam depth and the haunch height. tf,c is the thickness
of the column flange.

4
table 3: Formulae for the approximation of the stiffness for beam-to-column configurations
Configuration Sj

Extended end-plate, single sided and 2

un-stiffened E ht tf,c
13,0

Extended end-plates, double sided, 2

un-stiffened and symmetrically E ht tf,c
7,4

Extended end-plate, single sided, 2

stiffened in tension and compression E ht tf,c
8,3

Extended end-plates, double sided 2

and stiffened in tension and E ht tf,c
compression, symmetrically 2,7

Extended end-plate, single sided and 2

Morris stiffener E ht tf,c
2,7

Flush end-plate, single sided and 2

cover plate E ht tf,c
11,5

Flush end-plates, double sided, 2

cover plate and symmetrically E ht tf,c
6,1

Welded joint, single sided and un- 2

stiffened E ht tf,c
11,6

Welded joints, double sided un- 2

stiffened and symmetrically E ht tf,c
6,0

Welded joint, single sided, stiffened 2

in tension and compression E ht tf,c
5,6

Welded joints, double sided ∞

stiffened in tension, compression
and symmetrically

5
4. Required stiffness
Eurocode 3 gives two diagrams to classify joints according to their stiffness (pinned, semi-
rigid, rigid): one for braced and one for un-braced frames. For braced frames Eurocode 3 says that a
joint may be regarded as rigid if:
8 E Ib
Sj ≥ l .
The background of this rule for rigid joints is that the bearing capacity of the frame doesn't drop with
more than 5% due to the difference between the assumed joint stiffness in the frame analysis (Sj = ∞)
and the 'actual' stiffness [7]. In the context of this paper, the 'actual' stiffness is the best value a
designer can obtain for the stiffness of a particular joint. This is, for example, a value obtained from a
test or based on Eurocode 3.
If a difference between assumed (Sj = ∞) and 'actual' stiffness has a limited effect on the
frame behaviour, then it is not required to perform a second frame analysis with the 'actual' stiffness
of the joint. The check whether a joint is rigid needs to be done in three steps, see figure 3.
• Step a) shows the inclusion of the joint stiffness in the frame analysis (in step 3 of table 1).
• Step b) shows the range in which the 'actual' stiffness should be (in step 7 of table 1).
• Step c) shows the check that the 'actual' stiffness is in this range (in step 7 of table 1).

M S M M Sj,act
j,app

φ φ φ
Frame analysis based on the Stiffness range for rigid joints Check if 'actual' stiffness S
j,act
assumption S j,app= ∞ based on S = ∞ is in range
j,app
(the joint is rigid) see Eurocode 3

Step a) : engineer Step b): fabricator Step c): fabricator

figure 3: Check of stiffness requirement for a rigid joint

This concept can be generalized to a check whether a difference between assumed and 'actual'
stiffness of semi-rigid joints has a significant influence to the frame behaviour, see figure 4. The
corresponding formulae for the variance between the assumption used in the frame analysis and the
'actual' stiffness of the joint are given in table 4. These criteria may be used to check whether a
difference between assumed joint stiffness in the frame analysis and 'actual' stiffness have the above
mentioned limited effect (5%) on the frame behaviour.

upper boundary
M Sj,app M M
Sj,act

lower boundary

φ φ φ

Frame analysis based on the Stiffness range for semi-rigid joints Check if 'actual' stiffness S j,act
assumption S based on S is in range
j,app j,app
Step a): engineer Step b): fabricator Step c): fabricator

figure 4: Check of stiffness requirement of a semi-rigid joint

6
 table 4: Boundaries for variance between actual an approximated stiffness
Frame Lower boundary Upper boundary
Braced 8 Sj,app E Ib 8 E Ib
Sj,act ≥ If Sj,app ≤ then
10 E Ib + Sj,app l l
10 Sj,app E Ib
Sj,act ≤
8 E Ib - Sj,app l
else
Sj,act ≤ ∞
Un-braced 24 Sj,app E Ib 24 E Ib
Sj,act ≥ If Sj,app ≤ then*
30 E Ib + Sj,app l l
30 Sj,app E Ib
Sj,act ≤
24 E Ib - Sj,app l
else
Sj,act ≤ ∞
in which:
Sj,app = the assumed stiffness adopted in the frame analysis (this is an approximation of the 'actual'
stiffness)
Sj,act = the 'actual' stiffness of a joint
E = youngs modules
l = beam length
Ib = moment of inertia of the beam
*For reasons of simplicity in the formulae for un-braced frames, the Eurocode 3 rigidity boundary is rounded
25 E Ib 24 E Ib
off from Sj ≥ to Sj ≥
l l

5. Comparison to the stiffness model of Annex J (revised)

The stiffness predictions with table 3 are compared to the stiffness according to Annex J
(revised) (this is seen as the 'actual' stiffness) for 6 different joints. Wald & Steenhuis [8] give a full
description of the geometry of these 6 joints.
Tables 5 and 6 give for these 6 joints successively:
• the approximation for the stiffness according to table 3 (step a)
• the range in which the Eurocode 3 prediction should lie, if the frame analysis is performed with
the approximation for the stiffness according to table 3 (step b)
• the 'actual' stiffness assuming this is predicted by Annex J (revised) and a check if the 'actual'
stiffness is in the range (step c).
These tables show good agreement between prediction based on table 3 and Annex J (revised).

7
 table 5: Comparison of stiffnesses for a braced frame, beam span l = 20 hb
Joint Approximation Range 'Actual' stiffness Check
for the stiffness, (step b) according to (step c)
(step a) Lower Upper Annex J
see table 3 boundary boundary (revised)

kNm/mrad* kNm/mrad* kNm/mrad* kNm/mrad*

83#9 44 20 591 53 Ok
83#10 61** 24 ∞ 82 Ok
83#11 86 46 259 59 Ok
91#1 59** 23 ∞ 59 Ok
91#2 59** 23 ∞ 60 Ok
91#3 181** 36 ∞ 149 Ok
*Kilonewton meter per milliradian **According to Eurocode 3 this joint is rigid

table 6: Comparison of stiffnesses for an un-braced frame, beam span l = 15 hb

Joint Approximation Range 'actual' stiffness Check

for the stiffness, (step b) according to (step c)
(step a) Lower Upper Annex J
see table 3 boundary boundary (revised)
kNm/mrad kNm/mrad kNm/mrad kNm/mrad
83#9 28 20 40 27 Ok
83#10 38 26 59 35 Ok
83#11 54 40 74 37 Not Ok*
91#1 38 26 59 33 Ok
91#2 38 26 59 33 Ok
91#3 59 37 109 49 Ok
*In this case, the 'actual' stiffness should be introduced in the frame analysis

6. Design example
The example in figure 5 shows the effect of the stiffness of a joint on the deformations and
the force distribution of an un-braced frame. First order elastic analysis is used. The span of the beam
is 6 meters. The column height is 4 meters. Both columns and beams are IPE 360 sections. Loads
consist of a horizontal load (F = 25 kN) and an uniformly distributed vertical load (q = 40 kN/m)
F = 25 kN q = 40 kNm δ h M M M
A B C
EI j
b
δ v
EI 4m
c

6m

G t Deformations M

figure 5: Single storey single bay frame

Table 7 gives internal forces and deformations in the frame for different joints which may be
considered as rigid according to Eurocode 3. A stiffness of Sj = 140 kNm/mrad is the lowest value to
be regarded as rigid. Compared to a theoretical rigid joint (Sj = ∞), vertical deflections vary 10% and
horizontal deflections vary 20%. The drop in bearing capacity is not more than 5%.
Table 8 shows the frame forces and the deformations for a semi-rigid joint with a stiffness Sj
= 60 kNm/mrad. This table also gives deformations and forces for stiffnesses Sj = 35 kNm/mrad and
Sj = 130 kNm/mrad. These are the lower and upper boundaries for stiffness according to table 4 when
in the frame analysis a stiffness of Sj,app = 60 kNm/mrad is adopted. When comparing the case Sj =
60 kNm/mrad to Sj = 35 kNm/mrad or Sj = 130 kNm/mrad, variations in deflections occur of 10% in
vertical deflections and 20% in horizontal deflections.

8
 The variations in deflections between different rigid joints in table 7 are in close agreement
to the variations between the different semi-rigid joints in table 8.

table 7: Comparison between frames with table 8: Comparison between frames with
different rigid joints different rigidity for semi-rigid joints
rigid joints semi-rigid joints
Sj kNm/ 140* ∞ Sj kNm/ 35* 60* 130*
mrad lower approximation mrad lower approxi- upper
boundary boundary mation boundary
δv mm 9.7 8.8 δv mm 12.0 10.8 9.7
δh mm 16.5 13.6 δh mm 25.4 20.3 16.6
MA kNm 24.6 33.0 MA kNm 6.7 15.7 24.2
MB kNm 105.3 96.9 MB kNm 123.2 114.2 105.7
MC kNm 124.6 133.0 MC kNm 106.7 115.7 124.2
*In accordance with Eurocode 3 Annex J (revised) *In accordance with Eurocode 3 Annex J (revised)
half Sj is adopted in the frame analysis half Sj is adopted in the frame analysis

unstiffened web panel

stiffened web panel

7. Conclusions
This paper shows that semi-rigid design of joints can fit in standard design practice by
adopting an adjusted traditional design approach. In this approach, the share of responsibilities
between engineer and steel fabricator are similar to those in traditional frame design with pinned or
rigid joints. In the adjusted approach, a first approximation of the joint stiffness should be included in
the frame analysis. Simplified formulae based on Eurocode 3 Annex J (revised) help to make this
approximation. The philosophy to check whether a joint is sufficiently stiff to be regarded as a rigid
joint in frame analysis can easily be extended to the application of semi-rigid joints. In this
application the difference between approximation and actual stiffness should fit within certain limits.
These limits are dependent on the type of frame, the beam span, the beam stiffness and the joint
stiffness. Examples show that the adjusted approach is feasible for application in practice.
We intend to compare the simplified formulae from table 3 to tests form the Aachen data
bank in the near future. As a possible result of this comparison, the check of the rigidity as described
in figure 4 could be omitted for certain joint geometry's, especially in braced frames.

9
References
[1] DOL C. & STEENHUIS C.M. Bolted end-plate connections (in Dutch), Staalbouwinstituut
Rotterdam, Bouwen met Staal nr 103, 1991.
[2] BROZZETTI, J., Design of Connections in the EUREKA "CIMSTEEL" project, Proceedings of
the Second International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures, edited by Bjorhovde
R., Colson A., Haaijer G. and Stark J., AISC, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1992;
[3] STEENHUIS, C.M., DOL C. & VAN GORP, L. Computerised calculation of force
distributions in bolted end-plate connections according to Eurocode 3, Journal of
Constructional Steel Research Vol. 31, 1994;
[4] EUROCODE 3, ENV - 1993-1-1, Design of Steel Structures, Commission of the European
Communities, European Prenorm, Brussels, Belgium, April 1992;
[5] EUROCODE 3, ENV - 1993-1-1, Revised annex J, Design of Steel Structures, CEN, European
Committee for Standardization, Document CEN / TC 250 / SC 3 - N 419 E, Brussels, June
1994.
[6] CUNNINGHAM R. & TAYLOR C., Practical design allowing for semi-rigid connections,
Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures, edited
by Bjorhovde R., Colson A., Haaijer G. and Stark J., AISC, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1992;
[7] BIJLAARD F.S.K, STEENHUIS C.M. Prediction of the Influence of Connection Behaviour on
the Strength, Deformations and Stability of frames, by Classification of Connections,
Proceedings of the Second International Workshop on Connections in Steel Structures, edited
by Bjorhovde R., Colson A., Haaijer G. and Stark J., AISC, Chicago, Illinois, USA, 1992;
[8] WALD F., STEENHUIS C.M., The Beam-to-Column Bolted Joint Stiffness according to
Eurocode 3, proceedings of the first COST C1 workshop, Strasbourgh 1993.

10
ANNEX: COMPARISON WITH SPRINT DESING TABLES

Introduction

In the proceedings of the second state of the art workshop on Semi Rigid
Behaviour of Civil Engineering Structural Connections COST C1, held in
Prague 26-28 October 1994, Martin Steenhuis, Nol Gresnigt and Klaus Weynand
have presented a paper concerning pre-design of semi-rigid connections.

They give simple formula to assess the stiffness of beam-to-column

connections in the pre-design stage. This assessment should in a second step
be verified against the 'actual' stiffness of the joint to be realised in
the structure. It should -of course- be in reasonable agreement with the
'actual' stiffness.

The formula to assess the stiffness in the pre-design stage is as follows:

E z 2 t f .c
S j .app = 1
kx

where: E is the Youngs modules

tf.c is the column flange thickness
z is the distance between centre of compression and tension
kx is a factor dependent from the type of joint (e.g. 13 for
extended unstiffened beam to column joints)
Sj.app the 'good guess' for the initial stiffness

To see whether the estimation of the stiffness is in reasonable agreement

with the 'actual' stiffness of the joint, in the COST proceedings the
following formula are given:

For braced frames:

8 S j .app E I b
S j .act ≥ 2
10 E I b + S j .app l

but

10 S j .app E I b
S j .act ≤ 3
8 E I b - S j .app l

in case
8 E Ib
S j .app ≤ 4
l

where: I is moment of inertia

Sj.app is the approximation of the initial stiffness
Sj.act is the actual initial stiffness
Sj.low is the allowable lower bound for the initial stiffness
Sj.upp is the allowable upper bound for the initial stiffness
l is the beam length

For unbraced frames:

11
 24 S j .app E I b
S j . act ≥ = S j .low 5
30 E I b + S j . app l

but

30 S j . app E I b
S j . act ≤ = S j .upp 6
24 E I b - S j .app l

in case

24 E I b
S j . app ≤ 7
l

This document provides further comparisons between predictions based on the

'good guess' formula with more accurate stiffness predictions based on
Eurocode 3 Annex J, as given in the "SPRINT Design Manual".

For this purpose, 6 series of beam-to-column connections have been analysed.

It concerned:
- two series with extended unstiffened end plate connections (series
"spr_ex1.dat" and "spr_ex2.dat"). In this case, distance z is calculated
as follows:
z = hb - tf.b
- two series with flush end plate connections, with an extended part in
the bottom flange (series "spr_fl1.dat" and "spr_fl2.dat"). In this
case, distance z is calculated as follows:
z = hb - 0.5 tf.b - u1
where u1 is the distance between the top of the beam to the centre of
the upper bolt row
- two series with flush end plate connections, with a non-extended part in
the bottom flange (series "spr_lfl1.dat" and "spr_lfl2.dat"). In this
case, distance z is calculated as follows:
z = hb - tf.b - u1

The differences between two series within one type concerns bolt spacing and
bolt grade.

In all calculations, it is assumed that the beam span is 15 times the beam
height. This is taken as a lower bound of the beam span in practical
structures. Higher values could also be adopted, but in that case, the frame
is less sensitive for the stiffness variations of the joints.

It is assumed that the extended end plated joints will be adopted in

unbraced frames, and the flush end plated joints in braced frames.

Example calculation

As an example, a flush end plate connection of chapter 3b of the "SPRINT

design manual" is calculated.

Column: HEB140B, Beam: IPE220

z = hb - 0.5 tf.b - u1 = 220 - 0.5 * 9.2 - 60 = 155.4 mm

12
 E z 2 t f .c 210.000 155. 4 2 12
S j .ini = = = 4346.8488 kNm/rad 8
kx 14

8 S j .app E I b
S j .act = 5978 ≥ 9
10 E I b + S j .app l
8 4346.8488 106 210000 27720000
= = 2790.97 kNm/rad 10
10 210000 27720000 + 4346.8488 106 15 * 220

10 S j .app E I b
S j .act = 5978 ≤ 11
8 E I b - S j .app l
10 4346.8488 106 210000 27720000
= = 7852.25 kNm/rad 12
8 210000 27720000 - 4346.8488 106 15 * 220

Conclusion: The approximation is within the limits and can be used in the
frame analysis.

Results

The figures herafter give the results to all 6 series in a graphical form on
6 different sheets. Each sheet shows four lines:
- 1 This line represents the 'actual' initial stiffness divided
by the 'actual' initial stiffness (Sj.act / Sj.act)
- SJAPPSJ This line represents the approximated initial stiffness divided
by the 'actual' initial stiffness (Sj.app / Sj.act).
- SJLOWSJ This line represents the lower bound of the stiffness divided by
the 'actual' stiffness (Sj.low / Sj.act).
- SJUPPSJ This line represents the upper bound of the stiffness divided by
the 'actual' stiffness (Sj.upp / Sj.act).

It appears in all cases, that non of the upper or lower boundaries is

crossing the line '1', so all Sj.ini according to the SPRINT manual are within
the predicted ranges based on the 'good guess' whenever the beam span is 15
* hb or more.

Acknowledgement

This comparison was made in the frame of the ECSC project 'Design manual'.
Thanks are given to the group preparing the 'SPRINT Design Manual' for
making their results available for this comparison.

13
 spr_ex1
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

14
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number
 spr_ex2
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

15
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number
 spr_fl1
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

16
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number
 spr_fl2
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

17
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number
 spr_lfl1
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

18
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number
 spr_lfl2
3
1
"SJAPPSJ"
"SJLOWSJ"
"SJUPPSJ"
2.5

1.5

0.5

19
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
joint number