SIMPLE CONNECTIONS

Every structure is an assemblage of individual parts or members that must be fastened together
usually at member ends. Connections ensure structural continuity at the intersection of members
and allow transfer of loads along smooth load paths (to avoid stress concentrations).Connections
are also needed to join plates together to form built-up members and columns to foundations.

Considerable time and effort is often spent in establishing the most suitable framing arrangement
and in selecting members with regard to size, shape and economy at the expense of adequate
attention to connections and their design. This is evidenced by the fact that the more common
structural failures occur most often in connections rather than in the members. Attention must be
given to the challenge of bringing structural members together in a manner that is both satisfactory
and consistent with assumptions made in the selection of individual members and the structure as
a whole.

The ideal requirements for a structural joint are:-

i. Should be simple to manufacture and assemble

ii. Should be manufactured from readily available materials
iii. Welding only necessary/confined to workshops to ensure good quality and low cost
iv. Detailed to allow sufficient clearance and adjustments to accommodate inaccuracies in
site dimensions.
v. Designed to withstand normal working loads and also erection forces.
vi. Designed to develop the required load–deformation characteristics at service and ultimate
loads.
vii. Detailed to resist corrosion and to be of reasonable appearance.
viii. Low in cost and cheap to maintain.

Types of connections

i. Beam to beam
ii. Beam to column
iii. Splices (beam-beam, column-column)
iv. Column bases

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 v. Bracing

Connections can be:-

i. Pinned-resist forces but not (or very little) moment

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ii. Rigid-full transfer of moment and forces (usually highly stressed)

iii. Semi-rigid-Partial moment transfer (Very common in practice)

There are two principal methods for connecting together steel elements of structure:-

1. Bolting, using ordinary or high strength friction grip (HSFG) bolts

2. Welding, principally electric arc welding, is an alternative way of connecting elements. End
plates and fixing cleats are usually welded to the elements in the fabrication yard. The elements
are then delivered to site where they are bolted together in position.

Typical connections used in steel structures (a-beam to column, b-beam to beam)

BOLTED CONNECTIONS

A bolt consists of a cylindrical shank with an attached head. A portion of the shank is threaded to
receive a nut. Both the head and nut may be square or hexagonal and a washer may or may not be
required. In some cases steel washers under the head and under the nut. The washer distributes the
bolt force and prevents the nut, or bolt head, from damaging the component or member

Advantages of using bolts

 They are installed with considerable ease

 They are relatively inexpensive
 Can be visually checked for imperfections and damaged material
 Require less supervision than welding and therefore are ideal for site conditions.
 Accommodate minor discrepancies in dimensions.

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Disadvantages of using bolts

 For large forces the space required for the joint is extensive, and the connection is not as
rigid as a welded connection even when friction grip bolts are used.

They are two types of bolts commonly used in steel structures i.e. ordinary (or black) bolts and
High strength Friction Grip (HSFG) bolts. Black bolts sustain a shear load by the shear strength of
the bolt shank itself, whereas HSFG bolts rely on a high tensile strength to grip the joined parts
together so tightly that they cannot slide.

There are three grades of ordinary bolts i.e. 4.6, 8.8 and 10.9. The preferred size of steel bolts are
12, 16, 20, 22, 24 and 30 mm in diameter. Generally, in structural connections, grade 8.8 bolts
having a diameter not less than 12 mm are recommended. In any case, as far as possible, only one
size and grade of bolt should be used on a project.

The nominal diameter of holes for ordinary bolts should be larger than the bolt size. It is equal to
bolt diameter plus 1mm for 12mm diameter bolts, 2mm for bolts between 16mm and 24mm in
diameter and 3mm for 27mm or greater in diameter.

LOAD TRANSFER

Bolts are used to transfer loads from one plate to another by:-

 Shear-load transferred by bearing on the connected plate

 Tension-load transmitted by axial tension in bolt
 Combined S&T-in the case of combined moment and transverse loading

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FASTENER SPACING AND EDGE/END DISTANCES

Minimum and maximum spacing between fasteners, end and edge distances to fasteners are
given in table 3.3.

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STRENGTH CHECKS FOR ORDINARY BOLTS

Bolted connections may fail due to various mechanisms including Shear in bolts, tension in bolts,
combined shear +tension, bearing, web buckling on beam, punching shear of column, cleat
bending, local buckling, block shear failure (where cleat fractures along holes and chunk
removed).

a) Shear and bearing

It is visible that the loading on bolt A

between the web cleat and the column will
be in shear, and that there are three principal
ways in which the joint may fail.
 The bolts can fail in shear, for
example along surface x1–y1 (Fig.
(a))
 Secondly the bolts can fail in
bearing as the web cleat cuts into the
bolts (Fig.(b)). This can only happen
when the bolts are softer than the
metal being joined
 Thirdly, the metal being joined, i.e.
the cleat, can fail in bearing as the
bolts cut into it (Fig. (c)). This is the
converse of the above situation and
can only happen when the bolts are
harder than the metal being joined.

It follows, therefore, that the design shear strength of the connection should be taken as the least
of:

1. Shear capacity of the bolt

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 2. Bearing capacity of bolt
3. Bearing capacity of connected part

Double shear area

If a column supports two beams in the manner as shown below, the failure modes essentially
remain the same as for the previous case, except that the bolts will be in ‘double shear’.

This means that failure of the

bolts will only occur once
surfaces x2–y2 and x3–y3
exceed the shear strength of
the bolt.

Double shear effectively

doubles the shear strength of
the bolt.

b) Tension.

Tension failure may

arise in simple
connections as a result of
excessive tension in the
bolts (Fig. (a)) or cover
plates (Fig.(b)).

Categories of bolted connections

Bolted connections loaded in shear should be designed as one of the following (Cl.3.4.1)

 Category A: bearing type where there is no pre-loading nor special provision for contact
surfaces. Design for shear and bearing resistance. This is the cheapest type of connection
where complete rigidity and plasticity are not important

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  Category B: Preloaded bolts used slip resistant at serviceability limit state. Design for slip
resistance at the serviceability limit state and shear and bearing resistance at the ultimate
limit state. Connection used to provide full rigidity in the elastic stage of behaviour when
deflections are critical.
 Category C: Preloaded bolts used. Slip resistant at ultimate limit state. Design for slip
resistance and bearing resistance at the ultimate limit state. Connection used to limit
movements at the ultimate plastic limit state.

Design checks are summarized in table 3.2

Bolted connections in tension should be designed as one of the following:-

 Category D: Non-preloaded
 Category E: Pre-loaded.

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The tensile stress area is obtained from BS 3692, 2001; and BS 4190, 2001 and are:
Bolt diameter (mm) 12 16 20 22 24 27 30 36
As (mm2) 84.3 157 245 303 353 459 561 817

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Nominal bolt strength (Cl.3.3 BS EN1993-1-8)

Recommended bolt classes and associated nominal values for yield strength and the ultimate
tensile strength are given in table 3.1. These values should be taken as characteristic values in
design.

Partial safety factors

Cl 2.2 of EC3-1-8 gives the partial safety factors (Table 2.1 of EC3-1-8).

Home work: Read about design for HSFG bolts.

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Example 1: Analysis of a tension splice connection

Calculate the design resistance of the connection detail shown below. The cover plates are made
of S275 steel and connected with Ordinary (non-preloaded) bolts of diameter 20m and Class 4.6.
Assume that the shear plane passed through the unthreaded portion of the bolts.

Reference Calculations

All references in this section are to BS EN1993-1-8 and its UK National

Annex unless stated otherwise.

Non-Preloaded bolts

Table 3.4 As
Design Shear resistance per shear plane Fv,Rd = αv fub γ
M2
Table 3.1 αv=0.6,fub=400N/mm2,
πd2 πx202
Table 2.1 γM2=1.25. As = A = = = 314mm2
4 4
314
Fv,Rd = 0.6x400x 1.25 = 60.3kN

All four bolts are in double shear, hence the shear resistance
FEd of the connection is 4x60.3x2=480kN

Table 3.4 Bearing resistance

Table 3.1 dt
Fb,Rd = 𝑘1 αb fu γ Bearing failure will tend to occur in the cover
M2

Table 2.1 plates since they are thinner.

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 Reference Calculations
𝑒1 𝑓𝑢𝑏 35 400
For end bolts: αb = min ( ; ; 1.0) = min ( ; ; 1.0) = 0.53
3𝑑0 𝑓𝑢 3𝑥22 410

𝑝 1 𝑓𝑢𝑏 70 1 400
For inner bolts: αb = min (3𝑑1 − 4 ; 𝑓𝑢
; 1.0) = min (3𝑥22 − 4 ; 410 ; 1.0) =
0

0.81 Adopt the lower of the two(more critical)=0.53

2.8𝑒2 𝑝 2.8(35)
For edge bolts: : k1 = min ( − 1.7; 1.4 𝑑2 ; 2.5) = min ( −
𝑑0 0 22
70
1.7; 1.4 22 ; 2.5) = 2.5

𝑝 70
For inner bolts: k1 = min (1.4 𝑑2 ; 2.5) = min (1.4 22 ; 2.5) = 2.5
0

The design bearing resistance per shear plane

20𝑥6
Fb,Rd = 2.5x0.53x410x = 52.2𝑘𝑁
1.25
Bearing resistance of bolt group=2x4x52.2=417.6kN

Tensile resistance of the cover plates

The tensile resistance Nt,Rd should be taken as the smaller of

the design plastic resistance of the gross cross-section and
the design ultimate resistance of the net cross section at the
holes for fasteners.

BS EN 1993- 𝐴𝑓𝑦 6𝑥140 ∗ 275

𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 231𝑘𝑁
1-1 Eq. 𝛾𝑀0 1
(6.6)

BS EN 1993- 0.9𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢 0.9∗576𝑥410

Anet=6(140)-2(6x22)=576mm2 𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = = 170𝑘𝑁,more
𝛾𝑀2 1.25
1-1 Eq.
critical
(6.7)
Total ultimate resistance of the connection for two cover
plates=2x170=340kN.

The design resistance of the connection with Class 4.6 20mm

diameter bolts is the least of the three=340kN

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Example 2: The figure below shows a Bolted connection of an angle brace in tension to a 15mm
thick gusset plate welded to a column web. M20 grade 8.8 Non-preloaded bolts are used (Category
A: Bearing type) ae used and the long leg of the 120x80 angle is attached to the gusset plate. The
design tensile force is 250kN.

Reference Calculations

All references in this section are to BS EN1993-1-8 and its UK National

Annex unless stated otherwise.

Modes of failure of the bracing connection

i. Bolts in shear (NRd,1)

ii. Bolts in bearing (on the angle leg) NRd,2
iii. Angle in tension, NRd,3
iv. Weld design

Table 3.4 Bolts in Shear: Design Shear resistance per shear plane Fv,Rd =
As
Table 3.1 αv fub γ αv=0.6,fub=800N/mm2,As=245mm2
M2

Table 2.1 γM2=1.25.

245
Fv,Rd = 0.6x800x 1.25 = 94.08kN

Total shear resistance for the bolt group NRd,1=3x94.08=282kN

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 Reference Calculations

Bolts in Bearing. Since the angle leg thickness if less than

that of the gusset plate, it may be sufficient to check the
angle leg for bearing.
dt
Fb,Rd = 𝑘1 αb fu γ
M2
Table 3.4
𝑒 𝑓𝑢𝑏 50 800
For end bolts: αb = min (3𝑑1 ; ; 1.0) = min (3𝑥22 ; 410 ; 1.0) = 0.76
Table 3.1 0 𝑓𝑢

𝑝 1 𝑓𝑢𝑏 80 1 800
Table 2.1 For inner bolts: αb = min (3𝑑1 − 4 ; ; 1.0) = min (3𝑥22 − 4 ; 410 ; 1.0) =
0 𝑓𝑢
0.96 Adopt the lower of the two(more critical)=0.76

2.8𝑒2 2.8(80)
k1 = min ( − 1.7; 2.5) = min ( − 1.7; 2.5) = 2.5
𝑑0 22

The design bearing resistance per bolt

20𝑥12
Fb,Rd = 2.5x0.76x410x = 149.6𝑘𝑁
1.25
Bearing resistance of bolt group=3x149.6=448.7kN

Tensile resistance of the angle

𝑡
area of leg of angle =t (𝐿 − 2)
12
Gross area of connected leg of angle =12 (120 − )=1368mm2
2
12
Gross area of unconnected leg of angle =12 (80 − )=888mm2
2
Total area=1368+888=2256mm2
Area of holes = d0t = (20+2)12=264mm2

Net area of angle = 2256-264=1992mm2

BS EN 1993- 𝐴𝑓𝑦 2256𝑥275

𝑁𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 = = = 620.4𝑘𝑁
1-1 Eq. 𝛾𝑀0 1
(6.6)

Cl.3.10.3
(2)

eqn. 3.13

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 Reference Calculations
𝛽3 𝐴𝑛𝑒𝑡 𝑓𝑢
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = . 𝑃𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ 𝑖𝑠 80𝑚𝑚 = 3.64𝑑0 . By interpolating, β3=0.59
𝛾𝑀2

0.59𝑥1992𝑥410
𝑁𝑢,𝑅𝑑 = = 323.2𝑘𝑁
1.25
For the bolt connections, the governing value for the joint is
the minimum i.e bolt in shear condition with a connection
resistance of 282kN>NEd, Okay.

Weld connection

Welds: Gusset plate to column web: double fillet weld, a = 4 mm

Gusset plate to base plate: double fillet weld, a = 4 mm

Common practice is to minimize the eccentricity between the

bracing member and the column axis. The gusset plate is welded
to the column web and to the base plate using double fillet
welds. The recommended procedure to follow is to propose a size
of the weld throat and to check whether it complies with the
requirement of resistance:

Cl.4.5.3.3 Design resistance for the double weld

𝑁𝑅𝑑,𝑤,ℎ𝑜𝑟 = 2𝐹𝑤,𝑅𝑑 𝑙

𝑓𝑢 430
𝑓𝑣𝑤,𝑑 = = = 233.7𝑁/𝑚𝑚2
√3𝛽𝑤 𝛾𝑀2 0.85𝑥1.25𝑥√3

𝐹𝑤,𝑅𝑑 = 𝑓𝑣𝑤,𝑑 𝑎 = 233.4𝑥4 = 934.6𝑁/𝑚𝑚2

Eqn.4.3
𝑁𝑅𝑑,𝑤,ℎ𝑜𝑟 = 2𝑥934.6𝑥250 = 467𝑘𝑁

Eqn. 4.4 This supports the horizontal component of the force acting in
the bracing, which is

𝑁𝐸𝑑,ℎ𝑜𝑟 = 𝑁𝐸𝑑 𝑠𝑖𝑛40 = 250𝑠𝑖𝑛40 = 161𝑘𝑁

Therefore the horizontal weld is Okay.

Similar approach applies to the vertical weld(the gusset plate

is welded to the column web).

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