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TOS III Chapter VI: Connections in Structural Steel

6.1 CONNECTIONS IN STRUCTURAL STEEL

Joints are required in structural steel work either to join different sections of steel as in a
Roof Truss or in Tensile Structures or to join plates for a Steel Water Tank.

1. A joint may be required to provide structural members at various angles and hence the
need of a joint to support all such members.
2. Long length of members may be required (length more than the length available in the
market.)

Joints or connections are made in structural steel using the following methods

1. Riveting
2. Bolting
3. Welding

6.2 RIVETING.

Riveting is a method of joining together pieces of metal by inserting

ductile metal pins called rivets into holes of pieces to be connected
and forming a head at the end of the rivet

Rivet holes are made in the structural members to be connected by

punching or by drilling. The size of the rivet hole is kept slightly
more (1.5mm to 2 mm) than the size of rivet. After the rivet holes
are matched, a red hot rivet consisting of a shank and a head and a tail is inserted into the hole.
The shank with the tail is slightly more than the combined thickness of the two members to be
joined. Holding the red hot rivet in place, a head is formed by hammering on the tail at the
other side. This results into expansion of the rivet to completely fill in the hole and also
formation of a head at the other end. Desired shapes can be given to the driven head. Riveting
may be done in work shops or in the field.

Disadvantages of Riveting.

1. It is associated with a high level of noise pollution.

2. It needs heating the rivet to red hot.

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3. Inspection of the connection is skilled work

4. Removing poorly installed rivets is costly
5. Labor Cost is high.

Riveting is an obsolete procedure nowadays as it has been replaced by bolting.

6.3 BOLTED CONNECTIONS.

A Bolt is a metal pin with a head formed at one end and shank threaded at the other in order to
receive a nut. Bolts are used for joining together pieces of metal by inserting them through the
holes and tightening a nut at the threaded end.

Bolts are classified as

• Unfinished Black Bolts

• Finished Turned Bolts
• High Strength Friction Grip Bolts.
A. Unfinished Black Bolts. The square or hexagonal headed bolt has an unfinished shank
and comes in diameter of 16,20,24,30 and 36 mm and is made from Mild Steel. As the
shanks are unfinished the bolts may not establish contact with the structural member
at entire zone of contact surface. Joints hence remain loose resulting into large
deflections. These are used for light structures such as trusses, bracings, and temporary
connections required during erections.
B. Finished/Turned Bolts. Made from Mild steel they are formed from Hexagonal rods
finished into a circular shape. These are 1.2mm or 1.3 mm larger than the nominal
diameter. Tolerance available for fitting is small and hence results in much better
contact between bolts and holes.
C. High Strength Friction Bolts. These are made from high strength steel rods. These nuts
are tightened using calibrated wrenches. Hence they grip the members tightly. In
addition nuts are provided with clamping devices. Joint being subjected to shearing
load is primarily resisted by frictional force between the members and washers and this
prevents slippage at the joints. Available in 16,20,24,30 and 36 mm these replaced
rivets.

Bolts are also classified on the load transfer action as 1. Bearing Type 2. Friction Grip Type

6.4 ADVANTAGES OF B OLTED CONNECTIONS

1. Making Joints is noiseless
2. Do not need skilled labor
3. Needs less labor
4. Connections can be made quickly

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5. Structure can be put to use immediately

6. Accommodates minor discrepancies in dimensions
7. Alterations are easy
8. Working area required in the field is less

6.5 DISADVANTAGES OF B OLTED CONNECTIONS

1. Rigidity at the joints is reduced due to loose fits resulting in excessive deflections
2. Due to vibrations nuts are likely to loosen endangering the safety of structures.
3. Tensile strength is reduced considerably due to stress concentrations and reduction in
area at the root of the threads.

6.6 DISTANCES TO BE KEPT IN MIND WHEN DESIGNING A BOLTED CONNECTION

• Pitch p= 2.5 d where d is the nominal diameter of bolts. Pitch is the centre to centre spacing
of the bolts in a row measured along the direction of the load.
• Pitch p shall not be more than 16t or 200 mm whichever is less for a tension member
• Pitch p shall not be more than 12t or 200 mm whichever is less for a compression member
• Edge distance e shall not be less than 1.7 times hole diameter in-case of hand flame cut
edges
• Edge distance e shall not be less than 1.5 times hole diameter in-case of machine flame cut
edges
• Maximum edge distance shall not exceed 12t
• Provide tacking fasteners at distances 32t or 300 mm whichever is lesser for weather non-
exposed plates and 16t or 200mm whichever is lesser for exposed plates. Tacking fasteners
are provided when double sections are used to make one member.

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6.7 DESIGN OF B OLTED CONNECTIONS

Assumptions

a. The friction between plates is negligible

b. The shear is uniform over the cross section of the plate
c. The distribution of stress on the plates between the bolts is uniform
d. Bolts in a group subjected to direct loads is shared equally
e. Bending stress developed in the bolts is neglected.

Place Left Blank for Problem on how to find Bolt Value and Number of Bolts and Design of a
Joint

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6.8 WELDED CONNECTION

Welding is a permanent joint which is obtained by the fusion of the edges of two parts to be
joined together with or without application of pressure and a filler material. The heat necessary
for the fusion may be obtained by burning of gas as in the case of Gas Welding or by an electric
arc as in the case of Arc Welding. The Electric Arc Welding is extensively used because of the
speed it offers.
Welding is used in two cases
1. To join two parts
2. Used as a repair medium. e.g. To reunite metal at a crack, to build up a small part that has
broken up like a gear tooth.
Welding has various advantages and disadvantages over riveting.

6.9 TYPES OF WELDED JOINTS

1. Lap Joint.

2. Butt Joint.

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6.10 ADVANTAGES OF WELDED C ONNECTIONS

1. Due to absence of gusset plates, connecting angles etc. welded structures are lighter.
2. The absence of making holes for fasteners makes welding process quicker.
3. Welding is more adaptable than bolting or riveting. Even circular tubes can be easily
connected by welding.
4. Welded connection can achieve 100 % efficiency while bolted connections can achieve
only 70 – 80% efficiency.
5. Noise produced is relatively low compared to riveting or bolting.
6. Welded connections have good aesthetic appearance.
7. Welded connections are air tight and water tight. Hence preferred in making of steel
water tanks
8. Welded connections are rigid.
9. There is no problem of mismatching of holes as in bolted connection
10. Alterations in connections can be made easily.
6.11 ADVANTAGES OF WELDED C ONNECTIONS
1. Due to uneven heating and cooling, members are likely to distort in this process
2. There is a greater possibility of brittle facture in welding.
3. A welded joint fails earlier compared to a bolted joint under fatigue stress.
4. The inspection of welded joints is difficult and expensive. it requires non-destructive
testing
5. Highly skilled person is required for welding.
6. Proper welding in field conditions is difficult.
7. Welded joints are over rigid.

Throat Thickness =0.707 S

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6.12 DESIGN STRENGTH OF WELDS

Load at the Member= Weld Stress x Area of Weld

= Weld Stress x t(throat thickness) x Lw( Length of Weld)
= 108 x 0.707 x S x Lw

Where 108 = Weld Stress in N/mm²

0.707 x S = Throat Thickness and S = Thickness of Weld
Lw = Length of Weld

This Weld may have to be distributed as per the C.G of the section

Space Left Blank For Problem on Welding.

TOS III Chapter VI Connections in Structural Steel Compiled By Ar. Arthur Cutinho