Column Splices Not Requiring Full Continuity of Stiffness

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

SN025a-EN-EU
NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of

stiffness
This NCCI gives details of economical column splices that do not provide full continuity of
stiffness. It also explains where such splices may be used.
Contents
1. General 2
2. Types and details of column splices 3
3. Frame configuration and column splice positions 5

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Created on Tuesday, December 04, 2007
Page 1

SN025a-EN-EU
1. General
In many cases, economy may be achieved in column splices if they are not required to
maintain the full stiffness (EIy and EIz) of the upper column section through the splice. There
is a need to identify and explain how such column splices should be designed. It is also
necessary to identify the type of frames and positions where such column splices may be
used.
For column splices not providing full continuity of stiffness, there are two basic types of
column splices that may be used: bearing column splice and non-bearing column splice.
For bearing column splices (see Section 2.1), considerable economy can be achieved by:
Detailing the connection for compressive force to be transmitted by direct bearing

between upper and lower column sections. A division plate is used when the columns are
of different serial size (i.e. clear distance between the flanges is different).
Only using the minimum number of bolts (non-preloaded in a Category A: Bearing type
connection) and cover plates necessary to maintain alignment of the upper and lower
sections and to resist any tension forces that may arise from consideration of robustness
in an accidental loading condition.

For non-bearing column splices (see Section 2.2), economy can be achieved by:
Designing the cover plates and the bolt group for strength only, taking no account of the
secondary effects or of the stiffness of the splice.
Page 2

SN025a-EN-EU
2. Types and details of column splices

2.1 Bearing column splices
Figure 2.1 presents typical details for a bearing column splice where the forces are transferred
through direct bearing. Normally, it is considered good practice to have a minimum of four
bolts for each half of a flange splice plate and a minimum of two bolts for each half of a web
splice plate. The web splice plate may be single sided.
Normally, non pre-loaded bolts in a Category A: Bearing type connection are used.
A design procedure for bearing column splices is given in SN026.
1 1 1
A A A
(a) (b) (c)

Key
1 Packs (shaded where hidden behind web splice plates).
2 Division plate
A Ends of members prepared for bearing; a good quality saw cut end is satisfactory (tolerances in accordance
with EN 1090-2).
Figure 2.1 Typical bearing column splices

a) External flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size
b) Internal flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size
c) External flange cover plates and division plate for sections of a different serial size
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SN025a-EN-EU
2.2 Non-Bearing Column Splices

Figure 2.2 presents typical details for a non-bearing column splices where the forces are
transferred through the splice plates and bolts. The web splice plates should normally be
double sided.
Opinions vary about the type of bolts to be used for such connections. If splices are placed as
shown in Figure 3.1, then non-preloaded bolts in a Category A connection may be used.
Where slip is unacceptable, then pre-loaded bolts in a Category B connection (Slip-resistant at
serviceability limit state) or a Category C connection (Slip-resistant at ultimate limit state)
should be used.
A design procedure for non-bearing column splices is given in SN023.
1 1 1 1
G G G G
(a) (b) (c) (d)

Key:
1. Packs (shaded where hidden behind web splice plates)
G Gap between column sections
Figure 2.2 Typical Non-bearing column splices

a) External flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size
b) External and internal flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size
c) Internal flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size
d) External flange cover plates for sections of a different serial size
Page 4

SN025a-EN-EU
3. Frame configuration and column splice

positions
500 - 700 mm
Figure 3.1 Typical splice positions in a braced frame
Figure 3.1 shows a braced frame where the splices are located at a convenient distance for
erection above floor beam level. In a braced frame, columns containing such splices will
behave satisfactorily even if the connection effectively behaves as a pin. In practice, typical
bearing and non-bearing column splices as given in Sections 2.1 and 2.2 will provide
significant stiffness about both axes, although less than full stiffness.
Column splices with less than full continuity of stiffness can also be used in other situations
where it may be demonstrated that this local reduction in stiffness will not adversely affect
overall behaviour of the frame.
Page 5

SN025a-EN-EU
Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness
Reference(s)
ORIGINAL DOCUMENT
Name Company Date
Created by Dr Graham Owens Steel Construction Aug 2005

Institute
Technical content checked by Abdul Malik Steel Construction Aug 2005

Institute
Editorial content checked by
Technical content endorsed by the

following STEEL Partners:
1. UK G W Owens SCI 11/1/06
2. France A Bureau CTICM 11/1/06

3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 11/1/06
4. Germany C Müller RWTH 11/1/06
5. Spain J Chica Labein 11/1/06
Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 23/5/06

Coordinator
TRANSLATED DOCUMENT
This Translation made and checked by:
Translated resource approved by:

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NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of

2. Types and details of column splices 3

3. Frame configuration and column splice positions 5

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

 Detailing the connection for compressive force to be transmitted by direct bearing

in an accidental loading condition.

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

2. Types and details of column splices

A design procedure for bearing column splices is given in SN026.

(a) (b) (c)

Figure 2.1 Typical bearing column splices

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

2.2 Non-Bearing Column Splices

A design procedure for non-bearing column splices is given in SN023.

(a) (b) (c) (d)

Figure 2.2 Typical Non-bearing column splices

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

3. Frame configuration and column splice

Figure 3.1 Typical splice positions in a braced frame

NCCI: Column splices not requiring full continuity of stiffness

Name Company Date

Created by Dr Graham Owens Steel Construction Aug 2005

Technical content checked by Abdul Malik Steel Construction Aug 2005

Editorial content checked by

Technical content endorsed by the

1. UK G W Owens SCI 11/1/06

2. France A Bureau CTICM 11/1/06

3. Sweden A Olsson SBI 11/1/06

4. Germany C Müller RWTH 11/1/06

5. Spain J Chica Labein 11/1/06

Resource approved by Technical G W Owens SCI 23/5/06

This Translation made and checked by:

Translated resource approved by:

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Detailing the connection for compressive force to be transmitted by direct bearing