BEAM TO COLUMN

CONNECTIONS (BC)

K A R P O O R A PA N D I A N M
17MC65
 BS 23 BEAM TO COLUMN CONNECTION ON
TOP OF THE BEAM STEEL-COVERED BEARING
FACES
In this case the (roof) beam is supported on top of the column and the bearing
surfaces of both beam and column are steel-covered. This connection for simply-
supported beams is able to transmit a large vertical shear force on small bearing
faces, provided beam deflection is negligible.
 In variant “A” (details 1 to 3) the steel angles are placed flush with the column
faces. In variant “B” (details 4 to 7) the angles are recessed from the column faces,
so that the vertical force is introduced more centrally into the column and the
mortar fill of the recess protects the bearing construction.
 At an internal column a rolled steel channel may be used in lie of the two angles
(details 6 to 7).
The flat bars and angles must be properly anchored in the beams and columns.
This connection may also be used for transmitting fairly small longitudinal forces.
The flat bars then have to be welded to the angles (see general notes 3.6.). In
determining the size of the fillet welds, stresses due to rotation and shortening of
the beams must be considered. In this respect the greater part of the shrinkage
shortening should preferably have taken place prior to welding. For prestressed
beams this equally applies to the creep shortening. If the beams have to carry
heavy dead loads, welding should be postponed until the dead loads are in place.
 The steel parts can also be welded to resist upward forces, e.g due to suction or
explosion. In this case the plates and plates and angles should be adequately
anchored vertically.
 The recesses in variant “B” must be filled with a mortar with good bonding
properties.
 The steel parts of variant “A” must be provided with a permanent protection
against corrosion and, if they are welded, also against fire (see general notes 3.11
& 3.12.).
 BS 24 BEAM TO COLUMN CONNECTION ON TOP
OF THE COLUMN BY TIE-RODS OR HIGH-
TENSILE BARS
In this case the (roof) beam is supported on top of the column and interconnected
by tie-rods or high-tensile bars. This connection can only be used for beams
meeting on an internal column. From the column head a dowel bar projects and fits
into the joint between the two which should have grooved ends. The joint must be
dry packed.
This connection is able to transmit large vertical and horizontal forces. If the tie-
rods (high-tensile bars) are placed on the upper side of the beams (variant “A”),
fairly large bending moments can also be transmitted.
 In variant “A” (details 1,2,4,5 & 7) ducts have been provided near the top of the
beams. These ducts terminate in anchorage pockets at some distance from the
ends of the beam. The pocket at one of the anchorages should have sufficient
length for inserting the tie-rod or high-tensile bar.
 In variant “B” (details 3 & 6) ducts are provided at the level of the neutral axis of
the beams. This variant is applicable to web beams with solid ends.
 To ensure good performances of the connection the vertical joint must be filled
with the almost care, and the mortar should have gained sufficient strength prior
to stressing the tie rods or high-tensile bars. Measures should be taken to exclude
mortar from the ducts (see general notes 3.9.).
 The greater part of the creep and shrinkage shortening should preferably have
taken place prior to the installation of the beams.
 If in variant “A” moment reversal may occur, tension connections at the bottom
of the beams should be provided. For this purpose bearing faces should be
covered with steel plates which are welded together after the tie rods or high-
tensile bars have been stressed (details 2,4 & 5). For welding instructions see
general notes 3.66, the steel plates must be properly anchored.
The ducts must be carefully positioned to ensure a proper fit of the tie-rods
or high tensile bars. Ducts may be formed by cast-in ribbed metal or plastic
tubes.
For recommendations regarding the use of tie-rods or high tensile bars see
general notes 3.8. All steel parts must be provided with a permanent
protection against corrosion and, if necessary , against fire (see general notes
3.11 & 3.12).
Recommendations for filling the anchorage pockets are given in general notes
3.5.
 BS 25 BEAM TO COLUMN CONNECTION ON TOP
OF THE COLUMN BY IN-SITU CONCRETE JOINT
This connection for fixed end beams is able to transmit fairly small to large forces,
depending on the variant, and fairly small moments. Small tolerances can be catered for, but
bars to be welded must end near to each other, without bends or excessive deflections.
 In variant “A” (details 1 to 4 & 7) the column head is provided with coberls. After
placing the beam on a leveling pad on the corbel the joint is dry packed. At an internal
column the main reinforcing bars projecting from the beams are butt-welded. At an end
column these bars are either butt-welded to the main column reinforcement on the
outside or they have to form bond overlays with these column bars. Finally the joint is
concreted in-situ.
 In variant “B” (details 5 & 6) for a column without corbels the beams are fully supported
until the in-situ concrete has gained sufficient strength. These supports should then be
released gradually.
If the main reinforcing bars of the beams and column lie in the same plane, it is desirable
to use additional tie (anchor) bars as shown in the details.
 For welding recommendations see general notes 3.7. The weld formed by the
semi-cylindrical shell method is preferable, but when tie bars are used splice
welds could also be considered.
 The mix, compaction and curing of the in-situ concrete should aim to attain a
quality which is as nearly identical as possible to that of the precast concrete
and moreover to minimize shrinkage. Adhesion between the in-situ and the
precast concrete can be increased by priming the interfaces of the precast
elements with an epoxy resin, for example.
 The greater part of the shrinkage and/or creep shortening should preferably
have taken place prior to erection of the beams.
 Prestressed beams should be provided with additional mild steel reinforcing
bars for the welded connections.
 The reinforcing bars should be provided with a permanent protection against
corrosion where they project from the precast members (see general notes
BS 26 BEAM TO COLUMN CONNECTION ON
TOP THE COLUMN BY POST-TENSIONING
In this case the (roof) beam is supported on top of the column and connected to it by post-
tensioning.
This connection is suitable for transmitting fairly small to large bending moments, fairly large
vertical and horizontal forces, depending on the amount and the eccentricity of post-
tensioning. In shape it resembles a monolithic construction.
 After the beam has been placed on a levelling pad of slightly flexible material the joint
between beam and column is dry packed. For measures to prevent mortar from penetrating
into the ducts see general notes 3.9.
When the mortar has hardened sufficiently the tendons are stressed.
 In determining the allowable load on the column the compressive load due to post-
tensioning should be considered.
 The ducts in the column and the beam must be carefully positioned to facilitate threading
of the tendons. Ducts may be formed by cast-in ribbed metal or plastic tubes.