UNIVERSITY OF THE CORDILLERAS COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND ARCHITECTURE

AE 2 STEEL AND TIMBER DESIGN

MODULE 2: STEEL CONNECTIONS

UNIT 2: BOLTED CONNECTIONS

UNIT 3: WELDED CONNECTIONS
Prepared by:

Brian Jhay Guzman, CE, RMP, ME-1

 UNIT LEARNING OUTCOMES
In this unit, here are the following desired learning outcomes:
✘ Identify the advantages and disadvantages of bolted connections.
✘ Identify the advantages and disadvantages of welded connections.

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 BOLTED CONNECTIONS
Most commonly used connections
include the bolted connections. This
connection has the advantage of
flexibility in assembling parts of the
structure as well as dissembling it and
which is necessary if there is inspection
or some routine maintenance. This type
of connections is applicable for
members subjected to tension or shear
or both tension and shear.

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 BOLTED CONNECTIONS
A bolt is a metal pin with a head
formed at one end and the shank
threaded at the other end so that
nut can be received. Generally, the
bolts are used to connect the
pieces of metals by inserting them
through the holes in the metals; at
the threaded end, nuts should be
tightened.

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ADVANTAGES OF BOLTED
CONNECTIONS

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 ADVANTAGES OF BOLTED
CONNECTIONS
✘ The process of erection of
structure can be made faster.
✘ Skilled labors are not necessary.
✘ Connections do not involve the
noise.
✘ Requirement of labors is less.

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 ADVANTAGES OF BOLTED
CONNECTIONS
✘ Immediate use of structure is
possible in case of bolted
connection.
✘ The alternative arrangement of
structural members is possible
if required.
✘ Lesser working area is required.

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 DISADVANTAGES OF
BOLTED CONNECTIONS

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 DISADVANTAGES OF BOLTED
CONNECTIONS

✘ The material cost is very high.

✘ Due to the area reduction at the
root of the thread and due to
concentration of stress, the
tensile strength of this type of
connection is reduced.
✘ Bolts get loose if it is subjected
to vibrations or shocks.

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 WELDED CONNECTIONS
Welding is the process of joining two
pieces of metal by creating a strong
metallurgical bond between them by
heating or pressure or both. It is
distinguished from other forms of
mechanical connections, such as
riveting or bolting, which are formed by
friction or mechanical interlocking. It is
one of the oldest and reliable methods
of joining.

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 WELDED CONNECTIONS
Welded connections are direct and
efficient means of transferring forces
from one member to the adjacent
member. Welded connections are
generally made by melting base metal
from parts to be joined with weld metal,
which upon cooling form the
connection. The welded connections in
a majority of the cases may be
categorized as fillet weld or butt.

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ADVANTAGES OF WELDED
CONNECTIONS

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 ADVANTAGES OF
WELDED CONNECTIONS
✘ enables direct transfer of stress
between members eliminating
gusset and splice plates
necessary for bolted structures.
✘ the absence of holes improves
the efficiency of the section
✘ involves less fabrication cost
compared to other methods
due to handling of fewer parts

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 ADVANTAGES OF
WELDED CONNECTIONS
✘ and elimination of operations
like drilling, punching etc
✘ less labor leading to economy
✘ offers air tight and water tight
joining and hence is ideal for oil
storage tanks, ships etc

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 ADVANTAGES OF
WELDED CONNECTIONS
✘ neat appearance and enable
the connection of complicated
shapes
✘ more rigid compared to
structures with riveted and
bolted connections
✘ A truly continuous structure is
formed by the process of fusing
the members together

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 DISADVANTAGES OF
WELDED CONNECTIONS

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 DISADVANTAGES OF WELDED
CONNECTIONS

✘ requires skilled manpower for

welding as well as inspection
✘ Welding in the field may be difficult
due to the location or environment
✘ Welded joints are highly prone to
cracking under fatigue loading
✘ Large residual stresses and
distortion are developed in welded
connections.
✘ less attractive in appearance.

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 Let’s review some concepts

“Most commonly used “Immediate use of “Welded connections

connections include the structure is possible in are direct and efficient
bolted connections.” case of bolted means of transferring
connection.” forces from one
member to the
adjacent member.”

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 thanks!
Any questions?
bpguzman@uc-bcf.edu.ph

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 Credits
Special thanks to all the people who made and released
these awesome resources for free:
✘ Presentation template by SlidesCarnival
✘ Photographs by Unsplash

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