Tension Member Connections

Three methods of connecting steel

members:
Rivets
Bolts
Welds

Advantages of Welding
Materials saving (often no connecting
members necessary)
Quieter than impact wrenches normally
used for bolts
More forgiving when dimensions dont
match
Forms rigid joints
Simpler detailing

Advantages of Bolts

Does not require as highly skilled workers

Requires less equipment
Reduced risk of fire
Better quality control

Types of Connections by Bolt Action

Bolts
Available Bolts
A307 Non-high strength bolts
A325
- High strength bolts
A490
Strengths given in Table J3.2 (p. 16.1-61)

Bolt Holes (Sizes in Table J3.3) p.

Standard
Oversized
Short-slotted
Long-slotted

Connection types
Bearing
Slip-critical

16.1-62

Spacing, Edge, and End Distances

Minimums
Center to center 2 2/3 x bolt diameter,
preferably 3 x bolt diameter
Edge distance Table J3.4
For maximum bearing Strength (pitch): (J3.10)
Center to center 3 x bolt diameter
Edge (end) distance p. 7-35, Table 7-13

Spacing, Edge and End Distances

Maximums
Center to Center (pitch) 24 x thickness
of thinner part 12
Edge distance 12 x thickness of part 6

Bolt Shear Strength

J3.6FnAb
Table J3.2
Fn Table J3.2
Ab Area of bolt

Tabulated on page 7-33, Table 7-10

Bearing Strength at Bolt Holes

J3.10 Rn
0.75
Rn given by equations J3-2

Tabulated on page 7-34,35

Analysis of Tension Connection

Example (p. 15 notes)
Two A36 steel plate tension members
have been connected with a lap splice
using diameter A307 bolts,
arranged as shown.
Find the
allowable service live load. Also find
required distances a and b. Assume
service live load is two times dead
load. Plate edges are likely to be
sheared.

Analysis of Tension Connection

Example (p. 15 notes)
3/8 in.
P
P

3/8 in.
a

3 in.

a
b

10 in.
P

Boted Tension Connection

Design Procedure
p. 15 -16 notes

Bolt Design Example p. 16 notes

Design a pair of splice plates to
connect the two parts of the channel
tension member shown. The forces
in the member are 110 kips live load
and 69.7 kips dead load. The bolts in
the surrounding joints are 1 diameter
A325N. All steel is A36. Slip is not
critical.

Bolt Design Example p. 16 notes

Block Shear Rupture

J4.3 Equations J4-3a and J4-3b

Welded Tension Connections

Two primary types of welds:

LRFD Specification for Welds

p. 16.1-52

Effective throat thickness = 0.707 x l

Where l = weld size or leg size

Limitations on Fillet Welds

Minimum weld size Table J2.4
Maximum weld size:
along edge of material < thick
= thickness of material
along edge of material > thick
= material thickness - 1/16
Minimum length
Greater than 4 x weld size and,
If longitudinal filet welds are used alone in end
connections of flat bar tension members length
perpendicular distance between them (p. 16.1-234)

Limitations on Fillet Welds

Intermittent fillet weld segments must be
at least 4 times the weld size and 1
Lap joints require a lap of at least 5 times
the thickness of the thinner part joined, but
not less than 1 in. (p. 16.1-235)
Returns are required when practicable at
the ends of fillet welds. The must be at
least 2 times the weld size and usually not
more than 4 times the weld size.

Design Strength of Welds

Table J2.5 p. 16.1-57

Fillet welds (shear on effective area):

FwAw (0.75)(0.60 FEXX )( Aw)

Where:
Aw = Area of weld = throat thickness x length
FEXX= Weld metal designation
(FE70 = 70 ksi)
Welded connection design procedure p. 22 notes

Weld Design Example p. 22 notes

An L 6 x 4x is stressed in tension by a 50
kip live load and a 40 kip dead load. At
the truss panel point the angle member is
attached to a 5/8 thick gusset plate. The
4 leg of the angle is outstanding. Check
the angle for tension strength and design
the welded connection of the angle to the
plate. Assume all material is A36 steel
and that the loading will be static.

Weld Design Example p. 22 notes