Bolted Connection

• Traditional Design
– Assumed joints are stiff and strong
– Either pinned or rigid
– End up with low deformation capacity and
high fabrication costs
• Modern Design (EC3-1-8)
– Semi-rigid
– Connections are treated as structural
elements
– Rules are provided to determine the design
parameters e.g. stiffness, strength and
rotation capacity
– Connections are modelled by using
component-based approach
• Key design
parameters
– Stiffness
– Strength
– Rotation capacity
Different types of connections in a building frame

B A
A- Beam to column connection
B- Beam to beam connection
C- Column to column connection
D- Column to foundation connection

D
 Definition
Connected member = Any
member that is joined to a
Joint
supporting member or
element

Joint = Zone where two or

more members are
interconnected.
Connection

Joint configuration = Type

or layout of the joints in a
zone within which the axes
of two or more inter-
connected members
• Classification by stiffness
• Nominally pinned – capable of transmitting the
internal forces without developing significant
moments, capable of accepting the resulting
rotations
• Rigid – Sufficient rotational stiffness to justify
analysis based on full continuity
• Semi-rigid – classification lies between these two
limits
M M M

Φ Φ Φ

(a) Rigid Joint (Φ=0) (b) Pinned Joint (M=0) (c) Semi-rigid Joint (M and Φ0)
Figure 2.3 Modelling joints for elastic global analysis
Typical beam-to-column joints and a diagrammatic stiffness classification

1 2 3

4 5 6

1 Fully welded
M Rigid 7
2 Extended end plate
3 Top and bottom flange
splices
4 Flush end plate
Semi-rigid
5 Flange cleats and web
angles
6 Flange cleats

7 Double web angle

Flexible
Φ
• Classification by strength
• Nominally pinned – capable of transmitting the
internal forces without developing significant
moments, capable of accepting the resulting
rotations, Mj,Rd is not greater than 0.25 times the
design moment resistance required for a full-
strength joint
• Full-strength – design resistance of a full-strength
joint should be not less than that of the connected
members
• Partial-strength – classification lies between these
two limits
Strength classification boundaries

M Full-Strength
Mp

Partial-Strength

0.25Mp

Pinned

Φ
 Bolt connection
• Detailing guidance
• Joints in direct shear
• Eccentric connections
 Detailing guidance
• Min. end distance
• Min. edge distance
• Max. end and edge distances
• Min. bolt spacing
• Max. bolt spacing
 Design of bolts
• Bolt in shear
• Bearing of bolts and connected parts
• Bolt in tension
• Bolts in combined shear and tension
• Bolts in combined shear and torsion