Structural Steel Connections

Overview of Connections

Beam End Connections

Beam-to-Girder
Beam-to-Column

Beam End Connections

End Fixity

Simple (Shear) Connections

Moment Connections
- Fully Restrained (FR)
- Partially Restrained (PR)

Other Connection Types

Primary Applications
Connection Basics: Bolt and weld
strength, and other design issues
Design Example

Beam-to-Girder Connections
- usually Simple connections

Beam-to-Column Connections
- Simple or Moment (FR)
- Moment (PR) rarely used

BeamBeam-toto-Girder Connections

Double Angle: Bolted- Bolted

Double Angle: Welded - Bolted

Shear End Plate

Single Plate (Shear Tab)

BeamBeam-toto-Column Connections
Simple ("Pinned") Framing

2 Angles

Double Angle

2 Angles

Double Angle

Flange Seat

Flange Seat

Single Plate

Single Plate (Shear Tab)

BeamBeam-toto-Column Connections
Moment Connections

Bolted Flange Plate

Welded Flange

Moment End Plate

Other Connections

10

11

12

Specification References for Connection Design

2005 AISC Specification:
Chapter J - Design of Connections
Additional References for Connections in
Seismic-Resistant Steel Structures:
2005 AISC Seismic Provisions for Structural
Steel Buildings.
Prequalified Connections for Special and
Intermediate Steel Moment Frames for
Seismic Applications

Connection Basics: Bolt and Weld

Strength and other Design Issues

2005 AISC Specification

Chapter J - Design of Connections

13

Bolt Strength

Examples:
Bolts loaded in tension

Three cases to consider:

1. Bolts loaded in tension
2. Bolts loaded in shear
3. Bolts loaded in shear + tension
For any loading case:
Limit State = Bolt Fracture

Examples:

Bolts loaded in shear

Examples:

Bolts loaded in shear and tension

14

Bolt Strength - Tension

Bolt Strength - Tension

Rn = Fnt Ab

Tension Strength Requirement:

LRFD:

Ru Rn

= 0.75

ASD:

Ra Rn /

= 2.00

Nominal Strength in Tension:

Fnt = nominal tensile stress = 0.75 Fu

A325 Bolt:

Fu = 120 ksi

Fnt = 0.75 x 120 ksi = 90 ksi

A490 Bolt:

Fu = 150 ksi

Fnt = 0.75 x 150 ksi = 113 ksi

Rn = Fnt Ab
Ab = nominal area of bolt (area of unthreaded portion)
Fnt = nominal tensile stress = 0.75 Fu

Example:
Compute the Available Tension Strength of a 7/8" A325 Bolt
Rn = Fnt Ab
7/8 Bolt:

Ab = (.875"/2)2 = 0.601 in2

A325: Fnt = 90 ksi

Rnt = 90 ksi x 0.601 in2 = 54.1 kips

LRFD:

Rn = (0.75) (54.1 kips) = 40.6 kips

ASD:

Rn / = 54.1 kips / 2.00 = 27.1 kips

15

Bolt Strength - Shear

Shear Strength Requirement:
LRFD:

Ru Rn

= 0.75

ASD:

Ra Rn /

= 2.00

Nominal Strength in Shear (per shear plane):

Rn = Fnv Ab
Ab = nominal area of bolt (area of unthreaded portion)
Fnv = nominal shear stress

Nominal Strength in Shear (per shear plane):

Rn = Fnv Ab
Ab = nominal area of bolt (area of unthreaded portion)
Fnv = nominal shear stress
Fnv = 0.40 Fu

threads included in shear plane

Fnv = 0.50 Fu

threads excluded from shear plane

A325-N

Fnv = 0.40 x 120 ksi = 48 ksi

A325-X

Fnv = 0.60 x 120 ksi = 60 ksi

A490-N

Fnv = 0.40 x 150 ksi = 60 ksi

A490-X

Fnv = 0.50 x 150 ksi = 75 ksi

16

Example:
Compute the Available Shear Strength of a 7/8" A325-N Bolt in
Double Shear:
Rn = Fnv Ab
7/8 Bolt:

Ab = (.875"/2)2 = 0.601 in2

A325-N:

Fnv = 48 ksi

Rnt

= 48 ksi x 0.601 in2 x 2 shear planes

= 57.7 kips

LRFD:

Rn = (0.75) (57.7 kips) = 43.3 kips

ASD:

Rn / = 57.7 kips / 2.00 = 28.9 kips

Bolt Strength - Shear + Tension

Tension Strength Requirement:
LRFD:

Ru Rn

= 0.75

ASD:

Ra Rn /

= 2.00

Nominal Strength in Tension:

Rn = F'nt Ab
Ab = nominal area of bolt (area of unthreaded portion)
F'nt = nominal tensile stress modified to include effects of shear

17

Bearing Strength at Bolt Holes

Bearing Strength at Bolt Holes

Limit States:
- Excessive elongation at bolts holes

Excessive hole
elongation

- Tear-out at bolt holes

Tear-out

Bearing Strength at Bolt Holes

Standard holes: Rn = lesser of

Lc

2.4 d t Fu
1.2 Lc t Fu

Lc

18

Welds

Welds
w
Groove weld: Complete joint
penetration (CJP)
w = leg size
Fillet Weld

Groove weld: Partial joint

penetration (PJP)

19

Welds

Welds
Limit State for welds: Fracture

Plug Weld

Welds
Available Strength:
LRFD:

Rn

ASD:

Rn /

Rn = lesser of

FBM ABM

Base metal

Fw Aw

Weld metal

20

21

Connection Elements in Tension

Other Connection Design Issues

Gusset Plate in Tension

Connection Elements in Tension

Connection Elements in Shear
Block Shear Rupture

Check yield of Gusset Plate

Rn = Ag F y

= 0.9 = 1.67
Pu Rn (LRFD)
Pa Rn / (ASD)

Connection Elements in Tension

Connection Elements in Tension

Gusset Plate in Tension

Whitmore Section

Check fracture of Gusset Plate

Rn = Ae Fu

= 0.75

= 2.00

Pu Rn (LRFD)
Pa Rn / (ASD)

22

Connection Elements in Shear

Connection Elements in Shear

Vu

Vu

Check shear yield of connection plate

Rn = Ag (0.6 Fy)

Check shear fracture of connection plate

Rn = Ae (0.6 Fu)

= 0.9 = 1.67

= 0.75 = 2.00

Vu Rn (LRFD)

Vu Rn (LRFD)

Va Rn / (ASD)

Va Rn / (ASD)

Block Shear Rupture

Block Shear Rupture

tension surface of block

P
P
shear surface of block

Rn = Ubs Ant Fu + lesser of

Anv (0.6 Fu)

Agv (0.6 Fy)

Rn = Ubs Ant Fu + lesser of

Anv (0.6 Fu)

Agv (0.6 Fy)

Ant = net area of tension surface of block

LRFD: = 0.75

Pu Rn

Agt = gross area of shear surface of block

ASD:

Pa Rn /

Ant = net area of shear surface of block

= 2.00

23

Block Shear Rupture

tension surface of block

P
shear surface of block
Rn = Ubs Ant Fu + lesser of

Anv (0.6 Fu)

Agv (0.6 Fy)

Ubs = 1

for uniform stress on tension surface

Ubs = 1

for non-uniform stress on tension surface

Example: Beam to Column Shear Connection

Single Plate Connection

Single Plate Connection: Conventional Configuration

Limitations
LT/2
Single row of bolts.

Ref: AISC Manual - Section 10

Two options:
Conventional Configuration
Extended Configuration

2 n 12
a 3.5"
Standard or Short-Slotted Holes
Permitted.
Leh 2 db for plate and for beam
web.
Lev must satisfy Spec. Table J3.4
Plate or beam web must satisfy:
t db/2 + 1/16".

24

LT/2

For standard holes, ignore

eccentricity on bolts for
n9
Size fillet weld with leg size
of 5/8 tp (develops strenght
of either A36 or Gr. 50 plate)

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

W24x76 (A992)

W10x112 (A992)

L = 15"

Check plate for shear

yielding, shear fracture, and
block shear rupture.

Leh=1.75"

Compute Design
Strength of this
Single Plate
Connection

1.5"

Check bolt shear and

bearing.

a=3"

4 @ 3" = 12"

Design

Example: LRFD

1.5"

Single Plate Connection: Conventional Configuration

1/4
1/4

Vu

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

Welds: E70

25

Check Limitations

W24x76: T = 20"
L = 15"
OK
Single Row of Bolts OK

L = 15"

4 @ 3" = 12"

W24x76 (A992)

Vu

1.5"

n=5 OK

Standard Holes OK
W10x112 (A992)

1.5"

W24x76 (A992)

W10x112 (A992)

Welds: E70

Vu

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

1/4
1/4

Standard Holes
Welds: E70

Design Strength: Bolt Shear and Bearing

Leh=1.75"

Bolt Shear

1.5"
W10x112 (A992)

L = 15"

4 @ 3" = 12"

W24x76 (A992)

1/4
1/4

Vu

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

7/8" A325-N single

shear:

rn = 21.6 kips / bolt

(Table 7-1)

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

W24x76 (A992)
L = 15"

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

Plate or beam web

must satisfy:
t db/2 + 1/16"

1.5"

a=3"

db/2 + 1/16" = 1/2"

tp = 3/8" OK

Lev must satisfy Spec.

Table J3.4
Lev = 1.5"
Per Table J3.4:
Lev 1.25" OK

Standard Holes

Check Limitations

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

Leh = 1.75"
2 db = 1.75" OK

4 @ 3" = 12"

OK

Leh 2 db

1.5"

n 9 - ignore
eccentricities

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

1/4
1/4

Leh=1.75"

4 @ 3" = 12"

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

LT/2

2 n 12

a=3"

Leh=1.75"

1.5"

a=3"

L = 15"

Check Limitations

Vu

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

Standard Holes

Standard Holes

Welds: E70

Welds: E70

26

Design Strength: Bolt Shear and Bearing

1.5"

Bolt Bearing on 3/8" Plate

OR
1.2 Lc t Fu =
(0.75) (1.2) [1.5-(15/16/2)] (3/8) (58) =
20. 2 kips controls

Design Strength: Bolt Shear and Bearing

1.2 Lc t Fu =
(0.75) (1.2) [3-15/16] (3/8) (58) =
40.4 kips

L = 15"

Standard Holes
Welds: E70

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

W24x76 (A992)
L = 15"

L = 15"

4 @ 3" = 12"

Vu

Bearing on beam
web does not control
by inspection

1.5"

W24x76: tw = .44"
W24x76 (A992)

4 @ 3" = 12"

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

1.5"

OR

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

Bolt Bearing on W24x76 web

1.5"

2.4 d t Fu =
(0.75)(2.4) (7/8) (3/8) (58) =
34.3 kips controls

Vu

Design Strength: Bolt Shear and Bearing

Bolt Bearing on 3/8" Plate

Lower four bolts:

rn = lesser of:

4 @ 3" = 12"

2.4 d t Fu =
(0.75)(2.4) (7/8) (3/8) (58) =
34.3 kips

W24x76 (A992)

1.5"

Top Bolt: rn = lesser of:

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

Vu

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

Standard Holes

Standard Holes

Welds: E70

Welds: E70

27

Design Strength: Shear Yield of Plate

Remaining bolts:
Bolt Shear Controls
rn = 21.6 kips / bolt

L = 15"

4 @ 3" = 12"

W24x76 (A992)

+4

(21.6k)

Agross = 3/8" x 15" =

5.625 in2

Rn = (0.9) (5.625)
(0.6x36) =

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

Vu

1.5"

109 kips
1.5"

Rn =

20.2k

Vu

Rn = (0.9) (Agross) (0.6Fy)

L = 15"

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

1.5"

Top bolt:
Bearing in 3/8" Plate
Controls
rn = 20.2 kips

4 @ 3" = 12"

Design Strength: Bolt Shear and Bearing

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

= 106.6 kips

Standard Holes
Welds: E70

Design Strength: Block Shear Rupture of Plate

Rn = (0.75) (3.75)x
(0.6x58) =

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

Rn = (0.75) Ubs Ant Fu + lesser of

LP 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

Anv (0.6 Fu)

1.75"

Agv (0.6 Fy)

Ubs = 1
Ant = [ 1.75" - (1") ] (3/8") = 0.469 in2
L = 15"

Anet = 3/8" x (15" - 5x1")

= 3.75 in2

4 @ 3" = 12"

Rn = (0.75) (Anet) (0.6Fu)

1.5"

Design Strength: Shear Fracture of Plate

Vu

13.5"

Agv = (13.5") (3/8") = 5.063 in2

Anv = [ 13.5" - 4(1") ] (3/8") = 3.375 in2

1.5"

97.9 kips

Anv (0.6 Fu) = (3.375) (0.6x58) = 117.5k

Agv (0.6 Fy) = (5.063) (0.6x36) = 109.4k

controls

Rn = (0.75) [ (0.469) (58) + 109.4 ] = 102.5 kips

28

Design Strength: Weld Fracture

a=3"

Leh=1.75"
PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

Double sided fillet weld is

adequate (weld stronger than
plate) if: leg size 5/8 tp

Limit State
Bolt shear and bearing

W24x76 (A992)
4 @ 3" = 12"

5/8 tp = 5/8 x 3/8 = 0.23"

Fillet weld leg size = 1/4"
Weld OK for strength

L = 15"

For Conventional Configuration:

Design Strength

Vu

Weld: OK

1.5"
W10x112 (A992)

106.6k

Shear yield of plate

109k

Shear fracture of plate

97.9k

Block shear rupture of plate

Weld fracture

Minimum weld size (Spec.

Table J2.4): 3/16" OK

Rn

Controls

102.5k
OK

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

1/4
1/4

Welds: E70

Example: LRFD
a=3"

Leh=1.75"

ASD:
Rn / = 97.9k / 1.5 = 65.3 kips
Va 65.3 kips

W10x112 (A992)

L = 15"

4 @ 3" = 12"

Vu 97.9 kips

W24x76 (A992)

1.5"

Rn = 97.9 kips

PL 3/8 x 4 x 15 (A36)

1.5"

Compute Design
Strength of this
Single Plate
Connection

Vu

Rn = 97.9 kips
Rn / = 65.3 kips

1/4
1/4

Bolts: 7/8" A325-N

Welds: E70

29