EAS 354 - Connections

Joints versus Connections

Often the terms connection and joints are regarded as having the same
meaning but EC3-1-8 define:

Connection – location at which two or more elements meet.

Joints consists of the zone in which the members are interconnected. It is the
assembly of all the basic components required to represent the behaviour
during the transfer of the relevant internal forces and moments between the
connected member.
 EAS 354 - Connections
When do we need to provide connection?

1) To transfer the forces supported by a structural member to:-

a) other parts of the structure
b) to the support

2) To connect braces and other members which provide restrains to the

structural member.
 EAS 354 - Connections
Type of steel joints

Bolt
Weld

Rivet
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Pure pin joint
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Some examples of the connection elements
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Splice Joints

Column to column

Beam to beam

Where the maximum length of the

member is not long enough to CONTINUITY
accommodate the span , apart from
aesthetic reasons.
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Splice Joints

Justification on the location of the

splice joint – at maximum moment
& zero shear OR maximum shear
and zero moment?
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Line of action (setting out lines) ….and gusset plate.

Joints between axially loaded

members
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Simple connections – beam to column
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Simple connections – beam to column
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Simple connections – beam to column
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Basic locations
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Preferences (Bolts versus Welds)

1. The use of bolts often facilitates the assembly of structure

- Simple tools
- Not requiring high skilled workers
- Flexibility at site
- Cheap (test method, using torque wrench)

2. The use of welding is not favourable for general development project:-

- Quality (questionable) unless factory welded

- Skilled workers, electrical supply, generator set
- Relatively slow
- Cheap (great reduction in preparation-factory welding)
- Costly for site welding
- Greater strength (filler strength is superior that the parent material)
 EAS 354 - Connections
Bolt class, Table 3.1 (EC 8)

Bolt class 4.6 4.8 5.6 5.8 6.8 8.8 10.9

fyb 240 320 300 400 480 640 900

fub 400 400 500 500 600 800 1000

Units for fyb and fub = N/mm2

 EAS 354 - Connections
Simplified joint models
The joint may be assumed not to transmit bending
moments. The lateral stability of the frame is provided by
separate structural forms. Beams are designed to be pinned
at the ends and any moments due to eccentricities of
connections are considered as nominal moments when
designing a column.
Simple/Nominally pinned
In continuous design , full fixity is assumed at connections
transferring shear, axial and moment forces between
members. In addition it is assumed that adequate stiffness
exists at the joints to ensure minimum relative deformation
of members and hence to maintain the integrity of the
angles between them
Continuous/Rigid The behaviour of the joint needs to be taken into account in
the analysis. Partial continuity is assumed between
members. The moment-rotation characteristics of the
connection details are used both in the analysis and the
design. The complexity and lack of readily available data
render this method making it impractical for general use at
Semi-continuous the present time.
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Failure mode of bolted joints
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Failure mode for end plate moment connection
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Welds

Butt weld may be used to joint tension
members. A welding technique used to
connect parallel parts that are not
overlapped. Full penetration welds
enables the full strength of the member
to be developed. Butting together of the
members avoids joint eccentricity.
Technique to connect lapped plated or
intersecting plate/member. The member
force is transmitted by shear through the
weld either longitudinally or transversely.
Require less preparation compare to butt
weld. Extensively used but less efficient.
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Welds (defect)
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Useful data

Shear strength of bolts Bearing strength of bolts

Bearing strength of the

connected parts

Tensile stress area

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Useful data d0 A As
Nominal Diameter (mm) Nominal Area (mm2) Stress Area (mm2)

8 50.3 36.6

10 78.5 58.0

12 113 84.3

14 154 115

16 201 157

18 254 192

20 314 245

22 380 303

24 452 353

30 707 561
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Example

Slip resistant connections

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Bolted Connection
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Bolted Connection

Measurement: centre of bolts

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Bolted Connection – partial safety factors

γM2 = 1.25
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Design shear resistance per shear plane Table 3.4

i) If the shear plan passes through the

threaded portion of the bolt , the
design shear resistance per shear plane
is given by:-

Fv,Rd = αv fubAs / γM2

i) If the shear plan passes through the

unthreaded portion of the bolt , the
design shear resistance per shear plane
is given by:-

Fv,Rd = 0.6 fubA / γM2

This lecture only deals with Category A
(bearing type – non preloaded ) for
shear connection and Category D (non
-preloaded) for tension connection. Bolt
class 4.6 up to 10.9 should be used
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Single and double shear

Bearing resistance also increases twice

compared to single plate
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Bearing resistance Table 3.4

k1αbfudt
γM2
Where αb is the smallest of αb

αb = for inner bolts: αb =

k1 and αb are interchangeable

depending on the direction of the
force

Inner bolts Outer bolts

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Example 1
Calculate the shear and bearing
resistance of the connection details
shown below. The plates are made of
steel grade S275 and connected with
M20 class 8.8 bolts. Assume the shear
plane passes through the unthreaded
portions of the bolts.

Steel conforming to Design shear resistance per shear plane

EN-10025
Fv,Rd = αv fub A
γM2

= 0.6 × 800 × 314 = kN

1.25 × 1000

Since all bolts are in double shear,

Fv,Rd = 4 × (2 × 94) = 960 kN

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Bearing failure will tend to take place in the cover plate since they are thinner, as such
the parameter for bearing of plate shall be based on the cover plate properties.

For end bolts, αb = min of e1 = 35 = 0.53 OR fub = 800 = 1.86 ≤ 1.0

3d0 (3 × 22) fu 430

For inner bolts, αb = min of p1 - 1 = 70 - 0.25 = 0.8 OR fub = 1.0

3d0 4 66 fu

For end bolts, k1 = min of 2.8 e2 - 1.7 = 2.8 × 35 = 2.75 ≤ 2.5

d0 22

For inner bolts, k1 = min of 1.4 p2 - 1.7 = 1.4 × 70 - 1.7 = 2.75 ≤ 2.5
d0 22

For end bolts, Fb, Rd = 2 × 2.5 × 0.53 × 430 × (20 × 6) /(1.25)(1000) = 109.4 kN

For end bolts, Fb, Rd = 2 × 2.5 × 0.8 × 430 × (20 × 6) /(1.25)(1000) = 165.1 kN

Total bearing resistance (double shear plane) = 2 × (274.5) = 549 kN

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Example 2
Calculate the tensile resistance of the plate and determine the design resistance of the
joint. (Refer Clause 6.2.3 of EC3-1), the lower of

Npl,Rd - design plastic resistance of the gross cross section

= Afy/γM0 = (6 × 140) (275) /(1)(1000) = 231 kN OR

Nu,Rd - design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section at holes for fasterners

= 0.9Anetfu/γM2 ; Anet = (6 × 140) – (6 x 22 × 2) = 576 mm2

= 0.9 (576) (430)/(1.1)(1000) = 202.6 kN

Tensile resistance of 2 cover plates = 415.2 kN

As such, the critical design resistance of the joint is due to tensile resistance = 415.2 kN

Question :- Assuming that the design tensile force, Ft,Nd = 410 kN, what would be your
suggestion that may reduce the cost of this joint?
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Example 3 (full design – non conservative)

Check the adequacy of the bolt

arrangement and sizes.

threaded
do = 2 + 20 = 22 mm Area for L80 × 6 = 9.35 cm2
Concentric loading Steel conforming to
Steel grade for UKA = S235 EN-10025

Check :

1. End distance ; min 1.2d0 = 1.2 × 22 = 26.4 < 40 mm ; max 4(8) + 40 = 72 mm ...ok
2. Edge distance ; 26.4 < 45 < 72 mm ...ok
3. Spacing; min 2.2 d0 = 48.4 < 70 ; max 14 (t) = 112 mm.....ok

Single or double shear?

 EAS 354 - Connections
Example 3
Design shear resistance per shear plane

Fv,Rd = αv fub As = 0.6 × 500 × 245 = 58.8 kN

γM2 1.25 × 1000

Since all bolts are in double shear, Fv,Rd = 5 × (2 × 58.8) = 588 > 400 kN

Bearing of end bolts

αb = min of e1 = 40 = 0.61 OR fub = 500 = 1.39 ≤ 1.0

3d0 66 fu 360

For end bolts, k1 = min of 2.8 e2 - 1.7 = 2.8 × 35 = 2.75 ≤ 2.5

d0 22

Fb, Rd = 2 × 2.5 × 0.61 × 360 × (20 × 8) /(1.25)(1000) = 140.6 kN

(this case only consider single shear plane for bearing) why?
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Example 3

Bearing of internal bolts

For inner bolts, αb = min of p1 - 1 = 70 - 0.25 = 0.8 OR = 1.39 OR 1.0

3d0 4 66 360

For inner bolts, k1 = min of 2.8 e2 - 1.7 = 2.8 × 35 = 2.75 ≤ 2.5

d0 22

(same as end bolts because there is no p2)

Fb, Rd = 3 × 2.5 × 0.8 × 360 × (20 × 8) /(1.25)(1000) = 276.6 kN

Total = 417.2 > 400 kN …ok

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Example 3

Angle net section

Npl,Rd - design plastic resistance of the gross cross section

= Afy/γM0 = 2 × (935) (235) /(1)(1000) = 439.4 kN > 400 kN OR

Nu,Rd - design ultimate resistance of the net cross-section at holes for fasteners

= 0.9Anetfu/γM2 ; Anet = (935) – (6 × 22 ) = 803 mm2

= 2 (0.9) (803) (360)/(1.25)(1000) = 416.2 > 400 kN
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Example 4

Steel conforming to
EN-10025

4t + 40 = 80 mm or 200 mm
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Example 4
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17.3 mm

Note: fu = 430 N/mm2 Table 3.1

35 + 10 + 6.8 + 10 +35 =96.8 mm

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Note: fu = 430 N/mm2 Table 3.1

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Fh,Ed = Med = Ved s = 200 × 45 = 45 kN

4p 4p1 4 × 50

Fv,Ed = [(40)2 + (45)2]1/2 = 60.21 kN

= 60.21 kN …ok

Why not on column?

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Note: fu = 430 N/mm2 Table 3.1

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Note: fu = 430 N/mm2 Table 3.1

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Clause 3.10.2 Concentric Load

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Welding….

• EC3-8 recommends 2 methods ie ‘directional’ and ‘simplified’

• Simplified method is similar to BS 5950
• The design resistance of a fillet weld will be adequate if at all points the
design value of weld force per unit length, Fw,Ed is less than or equal to the
design weld resistance per unit length, Fw,Rd.

Fw,Rd = fvw,da ; fvw,d = fu(3)1/2

βwγM2

a = throat thickness
fvw,d = design shear strength of the weld
βw = correlation factor
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Welding….

Minimum effective throat thickness = 3 mm

Material thickness 4 mm and over

Hollow section 2.5 mm and over –

section 7

Fillet weld angle ; 600 < angle < 1200

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Welding….
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Welding….

Refer Clause 4.5.1 for

effective weld length
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Welding….
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Welding….
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Welding….
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Welding….