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 don’t
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. 16.1-62
• Standard
• Oversized
• Short-slotted
• Long-slotted

Connection types
• Bearing
• Slip-critical
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
• J3.6→ФFnAb
– Ф – 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 → ФRn
– Ф – 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 ¾” 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 P

b
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 < ¼” thick
= thickness of material
– along edge of material > ¼” 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 ½”
• 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 ½ 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