A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.1

last modified: 30 Sept 2006

by: TBQ

Given: The connection shown has a gusset plate fitted into a slot in an HSS
Given: The connection shown has a gusset plate fitted into a slot in an HSS
section.
section.
The gusset plate is A992 steel.
The gusset plate is A992 steel.
The HSS is A500 Gr B steel.
The HSS is A500 Gr B steel.
The electrode is F7.
The electrode is F7.
T consists of 50 k Dead load and 150 k Seismic Load. Use ASD.
T consists of 50 k Dead load and 150 k Seismic Load. Use ASD.

Loads
D
E

50 k
150 k

Material Properties
PL
Fy
50
Fu

HSS

Weld

46

65

ksi

58

70

ksi

Wanted: Determine the size and required lengths of the fillet welds so as to minimize the lap
Wanted: Determine the size and required lengths of the fillet welds so as to minimize the lap
of the connection. Draw the appropriate fillet weld on your summary detail drawing.
of the connection. Draw the appropriate fillet weld on your summary detail drawing.

Bart:
Experiment with
changing weld siz
notice what happ
the req'd lap leng

Solution:
Ta =

155 k ASD LC 5

Compute the Capacity of Each Element

HSS
Plate
t
0.375
t
locations
4
locations
FBM
FBM
34.8 ksi
ABM

Rn/L
L

0.375 L
2
26.1 k/in
5.94 in

ABM

Rn/L
L

0.75
2
39 ksi
0.750 L
2
29.25 k/in
5.30 in

Welds
Leg size,a
locations
FW
AW

Rn/L
L

7
4
42
0.309
2
26.0
5.97

L >

5.97 in

ed: 30 Sept 2006

Bart:
Experiment with
changing weld size and
notice what happens to
the req'd lap length.

/16 in.
ksi
L
k/in
in

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

last modified: 9 Aug 2007
Example 6.2
by: TBQ
Fix the hand calc two errors in part (b) (14.625*phi, a1 = 7.9)
Prob statement has wrong gusset thickness
Given: The single angle connection shown. A992 steel and E70 electrodes are used. The
Given: The single angle connection shown. A992 steel and E70 electrodes are used. The
gusset plate is 3/8 inch thick. The Tension load is 25 k Dead Load and 40 k Wind Load. Use
gusset plate is 3/8 inch thick. The Tension load is 25 k Dead Load and 40 k Wind Load. Use
LRFD
LRFD
Loads
D

25 k

Material
Fy

40 k

Fu

65 ksi

FEXX

70 ksi

Gusset
t

0.375 in

Angle
Ag
leg
t
y

50 ksi

2.86
4
0.375
1.13

in^2
in
in
in

Wanted: Determine the size and required lengths of the welds so as to minimize the lap of the
Wanted: Determine the size and required lengths of the welds so as to minimize the lap of the
connection.
connection.
a) All fillet welds are the same size
a) All fillet welds are the same size
b) Fillet welds may be different sizes
b) Fillet welds may be different sizes
Solution:
Pu
part (a):

94 k (LRFD LC-4)

The largest weld size will be controlled either by the thickness of the angle leg
or shear rupture in the base metal.
amin

0.1875 in

amax

0.3125 in

a(max effective)

0.4925 in

use, a

0.3125 in

Weld Strength

0.75
te
0.221 in
rn
9.279 k/in
rn
6.960 k/in

Base Metal Strength

0.75
tbm
0.375 in
rn
14.625 k/in
rn

Controlling strength, rn =
req'd length of weld

6.96 k/in (the weld metal controls over the base metal.)
13.51 in

Balance the Welds

L2
L3
L1

Length
(in)
4.000
1.816
7.691
13.507

Arm, y
(in)
2
4
0
1.13

moments taken about "base", L1

part (b):

10.969 k/in

Ly
(in2)
8.000
7.263
0.000
15.263

Bart:
Found by taking first
moments of the lines
about the 'base' L1.

Bart:
Found by subtracting L2
and L3 from the
required length.

Bart:
Ly / overall length. You have a good
result of this equals the distance to
the centroid of the member.

For this part use the largest effective weld for L1 and the max allowed for L2 and L3.
Bart:
Found by dividing force
by rn for the weld.

Leg
L2
L3
L1

a
(in)
0.3125
0.3125
0.5000

rn
(k/in)
6.960
6.960
10.969

Length
(in)
4.000
1.816
4.880

Capacity
(k)
27.84
12.64
53.53
94.00

Arm, y
(in)
2
4
0
1.13

Moment
(in-k)
55.68
50.54
0.00
106.22

You might observe that all we did was change the size and length of L1 in
both parts (a) and (b) the welds have the same capacities.
You need to complete drawings with appropriate weld symbols!

Bart:
Found by taking
moments about L1.

ed: 9 Aug 2007

f the
of the

r the base metal.)

Bart:
Found by taking
moments about L1.

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.3

last modified: 30 Sept 2006

by: TBQ

Given: The connection shown has a flat plate tension member attached to a gusset plate.
Given: The connection shown has a flat plate tension member attached to a gusset plate.
The plates are A36 steel.
The plates are A36 steel.
The electrode is F6.
The electrode is F6.
The weld size a = 3/8
The weld size a = 3/8
Fu
FEXX
a
L1
L2
L3
L4

58 ksi
60
0.375
3
4.24
4.24
3

ksi
in
in
in
in
in

Wanted:
Wanted:
a) Determine the weld strength of the connection considering the effect of the
a) Determine the weld strength of the connection considering the effect of the
angle of load to weld axis.
angle of load to weld axis.
b) Determine the weld strength of the connection not considering the effect of
b) Determine the weld strength of the connection not considering the effect of
angle of load to weld axis.
angle of load to weld axis.
c) Determine the thickness of the gusset plate to prevent shear rupture.
c) Determine the thickness of the gusset plate to prevent shear rupture.
Solution
Solution Summary:
Rn
(k)
162.3
138.3

with theta
w/o theta
Gusset Plate thickness >

0.274 in

part (a): Consider the effects of theta:

Segment
L1
L2
L3
L4

Length
(in)
3.00
4.24
4.24
3.00

te
(in)
0.265
0.265
0.265
0.265
Aw =

part (b): Ignoring effects of theta

Aw =

3.841 in^2

Fw =

36.0 ksi

Aw
(in^2)
0.795
1.125
1.125
0.795
3.841

Theta
(deg)
0.0
45.0
45.0
0.0

Coeff
0.600
0.778
0.778
0.600

Fw
(ksi)
36.0
46.7
46.7
36.0
Rn =

Rn
(k)
28.6
52.5
52.5
28.6
162.3

Rn =

138.3 kips

part ( c): Thickness of gusset plate to prevent shear rupture

tp >=

0.274 in =

4.39 /16ths

ed: 30 Sept 2006

e.

A Beginners Guide to the Steel Construction Manual

Example 6.4
Given:

last modified: 3 Oct 2006

by: TBQ

The eccentrically loaded weld shown.

Load
Dead Load
Live Load

10 kips
25 kips

10 degrees
8 in

A36 Steel
F6 electrode
Fexx

60 ksi

Wanted:
a. Fillet weld size using the elastic method.
b. Fillet weld size using the IC method
Solution:
The controlling load case is LRFD LC2
Composite load factor for LRFD: Pu =
Pux =
Puy =
Pu e =

The controlling load case is ASD LC2

52.00 kips

Composite load factor for ASD:

-9.0 kips
-51.2 kips
-416.0 in-k

Find center of weld group (relative to point C)

Segment
AB
BC
CD
Total

Length
(in)
4
11
4
19

x-coor
(in)
2
0
2
0.842

y-coor
(in)
11
5.5
0
5.5

xL
(in^2)
8
0
8
16

yL
(in^2)
44
60.5
0
104.5

Determine geometric data

Point
A
B
C
D
E

x-coor
(in)
3.158
-0.842
-0.842
3.158
8.123

y-coor
(in)
5.50
5.50
-5.50
-5.50
0.00

c
(in)
6.34
5.56
5.56
6.34
<--- point of load application

Part (a)
Use a =
a
te

8 /16ths
0.5 in
0.354 in

Determine Ip relative to the CG. (Assume the te = 1)

All the terms in the following table can be multiplied by the actual te to get the associate property for that te.
Segment
AB
BC
CD
Total

b
(in)
4
0.354
4
Area =
Ip =

h
(in)
0.354
11
0.354

Area
(in^2)
1.414
3.8885
1.414
6.72
6.72 in^2
135.15 in^2

x-coor
(in)
1.157895
-0.842105
1.157895

y-coor
(in)
5.5
0
-5.5

Iox
(in^4)
0.01
39.21
0.01

ydir
(ksi)
9.72
-2.59
-2.59
9.72
Maximum

Resultant
fw
(ksi)
23.3
16.4
19.0
25.2
25.2

Ay^2
(in^4)
42.7735
0
42.7735

Determine Stresses
LRFD
Point
A
B
C
D

Translational
x-dir
(ksi)
1.34
1.34
1.34
1.34

Rotational
Stress
(ksi)
19.5
17.1
17.1
19.5

ydir
(ksi)
7.6
7.62
7.62
7.62

x-dir
(ksi)
-16.93
-16.93
16.93
16.93

=
0.75
r = fw * Aw <= Fw Aw
fw <= Fw = 0.60 FEXX
25.2 ksi <=
f w / Fw =
Use:

27 ksi
93.3% Good

1/2" fillet weld

Part (b)
divide the weld into one inch segments, numbered successively as you move from point A to point D.
a
a
te

4 /16ths
0.25 in
0.177 in
Relative to CG
x-coor
y-coor

Computations for ro
atan() =
0.1728

IC
CG
Load

(in)

(in)

-1.93
0.00
8.12

0.68
0.00
0.00

ro =

Segment
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19

Length
(in)
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
19

rox =
roy =

<--- change until balance

Good IC

1.67
These values found by computing
the intersection of two line whose
slope we know and a point that each

9.79 in (perp dist from IC to load path)

Angle frm Relative to CG

Vertical
x-coor
y-coor
(deg)
(in)
(in)
90
2.658
5.500
90
1.658
5.500
90
0.658
5.500
90
-0.342
5.500
0
-0.842
5.000
0
-0.842
4.000
0
-0.842
3.000
0
-0.842
2.000
0
-0.842
1.000
0
-0.842
0.000
0
-0.842
-1.000
0
-0.842
-2.000
0
-0.842
-3.000
0
-0.842
-4.000
0
-0.842
-5.000
90
-0.342
-5.500
90
0.658
-5.500
90
1.658
-5.500
90
2.658
-5.500

Equilibrium

Moment:
Horiz.:
Vert.:

LRFD
=
Pn
Pu / Pn =

Part (c.)
See SCM pgs 8-90 and 8-91

passes through.

Realative to IC
x-coor
y-coor
(in)
(in)
4.584
4.816
3.584
4.816
2.584
4.816
1.584
4.816
1.084
4.316
1.084
3.316
1.084
2.316
1.084
1.316
1.084
0.316
1.084
-0.684
1.084
-1.684
1.084
-2.684
1.084
-3.684
1.084
-4.684
1.084
-5.684
1.584
-6.184
2.584
-6.184
3.584
-6.184
4.584
-6.184

c
(in)
6.65
6.00
5.47
5.07
4.45
3.49
2.56
1.71
1.13
1.28
2.00
2.89
3.84
4.81
5.79
6.38
6.70
7.15
7.70

Pn = sum(Pw c)/ro
Pn = sum(Pwx)/sin(delta)
Pn = sum(Pwy)/cos(delta)
maximum difference:
Use Pn =

0.75
54.2 k/connection
95.9% Good

9.64

Reaction
Angle frm
Vertical
(deg)
-35.92
-38.74
-41.39
-43.53
-44.12
-43.55
-42.17
-37.66
-15.65
28.07
40.05
42.84
43.81
44.25
44.49
44.09
42.70
40.87
38.78

72.3 k
72.3 k
72.3 k
0.0

72.3 kips
ASD
=
Pn/ =
Pa / (Pn/) =

2.00
36.1
96.8%

l=
ex =
kl =
C1 =

11 in
8.12 in
4 in
0.857

a
k

Interpolate on adjacent tables

Angle:
0 deg
k
0.3
0.36
0.7
1.66
1.84
a
0.74
1.67
0.8
1.23
1.39

0.74
0.36

Angle:
0.4
1.95
a
1.48

0.7
0.74
0.8

15 deg
0.3
1.68
1.5

k
0.36
1.86
1.79
1.67

Interpolate between tables

Angle
0
10
15

C
1.669
1.750
1.790

<--- use this C

Knowing that Pn = Pu / and Pn = Pa :

LRFD
=
Pu
Dmin =
Use:

0.75
52.0 kips
4.20 /16ths
5/16" fillet weld

ASD
=
Pa
Dmin =
Use:

2.00
35.0
4.24
5/16" fillet weld

ed: 3 Oct 2006

ase is ASD LC2

Pa =
Pax =
Pay =
Pa e =

35.00 kips
-6.1 kips
-34.5 kips
-280.0 in-k

ssociate property for that te.

Ix
(in^4)
42.8
39.2
42.8
124.8

Ioy
(in^4)
1.89
0.04
1.89

Ax^2
(in^4)
1.90
2.76
1.90

Iy
(in^4)
3.78
2.80
3.78
10.36

Ip
(in^4)
46.57
42.01
46.57
135.15

Rotational
Stress
(k/in/te)
13.1
11.5
11.5
13.1

x-dir
(k/in/te)
-11.40
-11.40
11.40
11.40

ASD
Point
A
B
C
D

Translational
x-dir
ydir
(k/in/te)
(k/in/te)
0.90
5.1
0.90
5.1
0.90
5.1
0.90
5.1

=
2
r = fw * Aw <= Fw Aw /
fw <= Fw / = 0.60 FEXX /
17.0 ksi <=
fw / (Fw / ) =
Use:

om point A to point D.

1/2" fillet weld

18 ksi
94.2% Good

ydir
Resultant
(k/in/te)
(k/in/te)
6.54
15.7
-1.74
11.0
-1.74
12.8
6.54
17.0
Maximum
17.0

in

in
ues found by computing
ction of two line whose
now and a point that each

Theta
(deg)
54.08
51.26
48.61
46.47
-44.12
-43.55
-42.17
-37.66
-15.65
28.07
40.05
42.84
43.81
44.25
44.49
45.91
47.30
49.13
51.22

Def. at
Def. at
max stress ult stress
m
u
(in)
(in)
0.0144
0.0190
0.0146
0.0196
0.0149
0.0202
0.0151
0.0207
0.0153
0.0213
0.0154
0.0215
0.0155
0.0219
0.0161
0.0233
0.0209
0.0368
0.0176
0.0274
0.0158
0.0225
0.0155
0.0217
0.0154
0.0214
0.0153
0.0213
0.0153
0.0212
0.0151
0.0209
0.0150
0.0205
0.0148
0.0201
0.0146
0.0196

u / c
2.85E-03
3.26E-03
3.69E-03
4.08E-03
4.79E-03
6.16E-03
8.56E-03
1.37E-02
3.26E-02
2.14E-02
1.13E-02
7.50E-03
5.58E-03
4.43E-03
3.67E-03
3.27E-03
3.06E-03
2.81E-03
2.54E-03
2.54E-03

Element

(in)
0.0169
0.0153
0.0139
0.0129
0.0113
0.0089
0.0065
0.0043
0.0029
0.0033
0.0051
0.0074
0.0098
0.0122
0.0147
0.0162
0.0170
0.0182
0.0196

f(p)

1.174
1.043
0.934
0.854
0.738
0.576
0.418
0.270
0.138
0.185
0.322
0.476
0.636
0.798
0.962
1.072
1.136
1.225
1.337

0.997
1.001
0.997
0.990
0.973
0.934
0.874
0.785
0.656
0.711
0.821
0.899
0.950
0.983
0.998
1.001
0.999
0.993
0.979

Compute a coefficient as found in the Tables (see SCM pg 8-90)

C1
l
D
Pu / = Pa = Pn =
C=

k/connection
Good

0.857
11 in
4
72.3 kips
1.92

Fw
(ksi)
49.12
48.40
47.70
47.11
46.46
46.29
45.90
44.60
38.52
41.81
45.29
46.09
46.37
46.49
46.56
46.96
47.34
47.84
48.39

Pw
(k)
8.68
8.55
8.43
8.33
8.21
8.18
8.11
7.88
6.81
7.39
8.01
8.15
8.20
8.22
8.23
8.30
8.37
8.46
8.55

0.4
1.97
1.77

kips
/16ths
5/16" fillet weld

Pwx
Pwy
(k)
(k)
-6.29
5.99
-6.86
5.11
-7.43
3.99
-7.91
2.60
-7.96
2.00
-7.78
2.54
-7.35
3.44
-6.08
5.01
-1.91
6.54
3.94
6.25
6.73
4.33
7.55
3.05
7.86
2.31
8.01
1.85
8.08
1.54
8.04
2.06
7.72
3.23
7.32
4.24
6.87
5.09
12.55
71.18
72.28
9.999999 deg

Pw c
(in-k)
57.7
51.4
46.1
42.2
36.5
28.5
20.8
13.4
7.7
9.5
16.0
23.6
31.5
39.5
47.6
53.0
56.1
60.4
65.8
707.4