Moment Connections

Beam to Column Connection

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Bolted Moment Connections
These connections may be classified as light moment connections and heavy moment
connections.

Light Moment Connections

If the connection is subjected to large end shear and small end moments, it is called as a
light moment connection. Four angles or two pairs of angles are used to make the
connection.
One pair of angles on each side of the beam web is used to connect the beam to column.
These bolts will transfer the shear force at the connection.

The other pair of angles is used to connect the top and bottom flanges of the beam to the
column. If a clockwise end moment acts on the connection, bolts marked as 1 will be
under tension, and those marked as 2 and 4 will be in moment-induced shear. If the

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moment is anti-clockwise, bolts marked as 3 will be in tension, and those marked as 2
and 4 will be in moment-induced shear. The following assumptions are made in the
analysis of such connections.
1. Due to end moment, the bolts in tension elongate, and the outstanding leg of the
clip angle connected to the column bends as a cantilever in single curvature.
The bolts used for such connection are assumed to have no initial tension.
2. The outstanding leg of the clip angle will be held flat against the column, if
there is initial tension in the bolt. In this case the leg will bend in double
curvature (reverse curvature) as shown in figure.

Single and Double Curvature Cases of Bending of Clip Angle

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Heavy Moment Connections

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Bolted Bracket Connection

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