Swinburne University of Technology Faculty of

Engineering and Industrial Sciences

CVE30002 (HES3121) Design of Steel Structures

Tutorial 6: Simple Connections

Question 1
A lap connection in a tension member made of 300 Grade steel plates is shown in Figure 1.
The plates are bolted together by four M20 8.8/S bolts. Determine the maximum design force
N* that can be transmitted.

40

N* 180 70 N*
40

A A

12 N*
N*
10
35 70 35
Section A-A
All dimensions are in mm
Figure 1.

Question 2
In order to prevent slip under serviceability conditions in the lap connection shown in Figure
1, the same bolts have been tensioned to 145kN instead of the sung tight installation (i.e.,
8.8/TF instead of 8.8/S). Determine the maximum serviceability force that can be transmitted.

Question 3
If 8mm E41xx SP fillet weld is to be used for the lap connection as shown in Figure 2,
determine the maximum design force N* that can be transmitted.
70

N* 180 150 N*

A A

12 N*
N*
10

Section A-A

Figure 2.

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Supplementary question to be attempted after tutorial 6.

A lap splice connection in a tension member is shown in the figure below. Determine the
maximum design force (N*) that can be transmitted.
- All bolts are M20/8.8/S
- All welds are 8mm SP fillet E48xx
- Steel plates are Grade 300

Hint:
Calculate the capacity of:
- The main plates in tension
- The splice plates in tension
- The bolts in shear
- The bolts in bearing (ply tearing and bearing)
- The welds

(Ans. N*≤ 740kN)

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