INSTITUTO SUPERIOR TÉCNICO

Departamento de Engenharia Civil,

Arquitectura e Georrecursos

Basic applications of the T-stub model in the design

of bolted connections

Pedro Martins Mendes

March 2015
1. Description of the T-stub model

Consider the basic situation illustrated in

Figure 1, with atension force Ft being
transmitted by a bolted connection (with
two equal rows of bolts).

Thetransverse plates bend in a complex

and three-dimensionalmanner. In civil
engineering applications, it becomes
necessary to use some simplified approach
and, to that end, the so
-called 'equivalent -T
stub' model is considered.

T-stubs are idealized elements that bend

along lines parallel to their web, with a
length given by semi -empirical formulae
that are basedon the actual pattern ofthe
yield lines, thus taking into account the
actual configuration ofthe connection the
(
number of bolt-rows andspacing between
them, the influence of stiffeners, etc.).
Figure 1 [1]

The maximum force that each bolt-row can transmit may be limited by either thestrength of
the bolts, the strength of the plateor a combination of both
.

Thus, three failure modes are to be

considered, depending upon the relative
resistances of the bolts and of the plates.

To start with, consider a situation where

the strength of the connection is governed
by the resistance of the bolts (i.e., the
resistance of the plates is highenough to
have tono limiting effect on the strength
of the connection).

In such a case, at the onset of failure

the
flanges completely separate from each
other (Figure 2).

Denoting the design tension res istance of

each boltby Bt , the design resistance of the
connectionis given byFt,Rd = ∑Bt .
Figure 2 [1]

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An opposite situation is attained when
the bolts have such a high resistance that
the strength of the connectiondepends
only on the bending resistance of the
plates.

In that case, at the onset of failure the

flanges of the -Tstubs yield and do not
separate completely from each other,
with the development of contact forces –
the so called called –near “prying forces”
the edges of the flanges.

These forces generate bending moments

in the flanges and the failure mode
presentsa fully developed plastic
mechanism on the plate, with 2×2 yield
lines on the flanges
–two alongthe bolt-
rows and other two adjacent to the web,
one on each side of .it

Along the yield lines, the

net bending
moment isobtained by:

𝑀pl = 0,25 𝐿eff 𝑡f2 𝑓y / 𝛾𝑀0

where Leff has the meaning of an overall

effective length of the equivalent T
-stub.
Figure 3 [1]

Between these two extreme situations, there is an intermediate case where the bolts attain
their tension resistance along with yielding of the plate butbefore the plastic mechanism with
four yield lineshas developed, so that there some
is contactbetween the platesnear the edges
(i.e., prying forcesare to be considered
). Thus, this failure modecombinesrupture of the bolts
with yielding of the flange along two lines, one on each side of the web and close . to it

The schematic distribution of forces and bending momentson the plate is shown in Figure for
4
each situation.Theexpressions for the corresponding force
Ft (also given in the figure)
are simply
obtained through statics considering the simplified configuration of the failure modes.

The design resistance of the connection is governed by the minimum value among the
resistances for each failure mode, i.e.:

(1) (2) (3)

𝐹𝑡,𝑅𝑑 = min { 𝐹t,Rd ; 𝐹t,Rd ; 𝐹t,Rd }

Consider, now, the following auxiliary factors:

(1)
𝑛 𝐹𝑡,𝑅𝑑 4 𝑀𝑝𝑙
𝛾= (𝑛 and 𝑚 as shown in Figure 3) 𝛽= (3)
=
𝑚 𝐹𝑡,𝑅𝑑 𝑚. ∑𝐵t

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 Failure mode–distribution of forces Bending moment diagram
Thin Mode 1 –complete yielding of the flange
plate /
strong Mpl
bolts Ft

Prying force Prying force Mpl Mpl

Q Q

(1)
Ft / 2 + Q Ft / 2 + Q 𝐹t,Rd (1) 4𝑀pl
2𝑀pl = 𝑚 ⟶ 𝐹t,Rd =
2 𝑚

Mode 2 –yielding of flange with bolt failure

Mpl
Ft

| M| < Mpl
Prying force Prying force
(∑𝐵t /2)𝑚 − 𝑄(𝑛 + 𝑚) = 𝑀pl
Q Q { (2)
𝐹t,Rd + 2𝑄 = ∑𝐵t
2 =Ft / 2 + Q
∑ t /B ∑ t /B
2

(2) 2𝑀pl + 𝑛(∑𝐵t )

⟶ 𝐹t,Rd =
(𝑚 + 𝑛)
Mode 3 –bolt failure with no prying forces

| M| < M pl
Thick Ft
plate /
weak
bolts

(3)
𝐹t,Rd = ∑𝐵t

2 =Ft / 2
∑ t /B 2 = Ft / 2
∑ t /B

Figure 4 - Schematic distribution of forces and bending moments for each failure mode

 and , the diagram shown in Figure 5 is obtained. The diagram shows

Using these two factors,
how the design resistance of a-stubT and the corresponding failure mode depend on the
relation between thestrength of the plate and the strength of the bolts.

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 Figure 5 ʹ Failure modes and design resistance of a T-stub [1]

At failure conditions,the full resistance of the bolt

s is attained only in mode 3; in the other
modes, part of it is consumed in resisting the prying forces. In many practical situations, the
values ofn and m are close and, so, (2)/(1+2) ≈ 0,70. if mode
Thus,
1is the governing mode
(which isa good design choice , considering thedeformation capacity of the connection), only
about 70%, at best, of thetension resistance of the bolts is mobilized
.

For a given connection, the configuration of the equivalent -stub

T flangeis defined bym, n, Leff
and tf. In practice, ht e distancem is generallyevaluated as shown in Figure; the
6 distancen is
taken asemin, subjected ton ≤ 1,25 m [1, 2].

Figure 6 ʹ Geometrical definition of a T-stub flange

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With respect to the total effective length Leff (necessary to getMpl), its evaluation is based on
the actual pattern of yield lines
on the plate. The two distinct types of patterns shown in Figure
7 must be considered, so that Leff is taken as the minimum among the values corresponding to
each pattern.The circle pattern predominateseifis much larger thanm, namely fore > (1,8m).

Figure 7.a ʹ Effective length for a T-stub with one bolt-row [1]

Figure 7.b ʹ Effective length for a T-stub with combining patterns (Leff = є leff) [1]

In the case of multiple bolt -rows, the moment resistance of the connection is evaluated through
∑(Fti,Rd.hi), wherehi is the lever armof the ith bolt-row measured to thecentre of compression
,
which, generally,is taken asthe centre of the compression flangeof the connected member.

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To this end, he
t potential resistance of the outer row (numbered as row 1) is calculated as if the
other rowsdo not exist; for ht e secondrow, the minimum among its potential resistance alone
and the potential resistance ofthe bolt-group made by rows 1 and, 2 minus that of row 1, is
considered. The same procedure is repeatedall forthe other rows in the tensile zone.

In the description above, the resistances of the bolt -rows were labeled simply as “po
because, in a given joint,its actual resistance may be governedsome
by other component of the
joint (as it is often the case withthe column web, in beam-to-column joints). This issue will be
addressed to in the following.

2. Application of the T-stub model to beam-to-column end-plate joints

Beam-to-columnjoints may be either pinned or moment -resisting. Pinnedjoints are widely used
in building frames, with lateral resistance being provided by specific bracing elements. Unbraced
frames impose the use of moment -resisting joints, but there areother situations where this
choice isalso necessary (for instance, in cantilevers or in non-hinged midspan beam splices) or
advantageous (for instance, to control sway in high rise frames).

There are several types of moment -resisting beam-to-column joints. In the case of bolted
connections, end -plates (either flush, extended or unched)
ha are usuallyprovided (Figure8);
often, the joint is designed withstiffening plates along the column web (as in cases b) and c) in
Figure 8) or with backing plates on the column flanges , thus increasingthe strength of the joint.

Figure 8 - Bolted moment-resisting joints with end-plates [1]

For a typical situation, self

-weight and imposed loads generate a bending oment
m on the end
of the beam that is transmitted tothe column by couplingcompression at(or near) the bottom
flange level with tension inhet upper part of the joint
. Thus,if bolted connections are used, the
tension force must be resisted by the upper bolds; regardingcompression
the force, it is usually
assumed to be transmitted by direct bearing of the bottom flange.

Every joint may be regarded as a set of componentsthat, together, must ensure the transmission
1)
of the forcesin play. Thus, the strength of ajoint is simply that of its weakest component .
Figure 9illustrates the set of componentsin the caseof an end-plate beam-to-column joint.

1)
Joints are classified according to their strength and to their flexibility (the inverse of rotational
stiffness). Theflexibility of a joint is the sum ofthe flexibilities of its components.

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 Figure 9 - Components in a beam-to-column end-plate joint [1]

In the design of suchjoint,

a the T-stub model isappropriate to checkcomponents inthe tension
zone. Two distinct basic T-stubs arethen considered: one formed byassociatingthe column
flange and web , with a total length equal to the total effective length
Leff of the bolt pattern in
2)
the tension zone of thejoint , and another T -stub that associates the end -plate and thebeam
flange.

------------------------------/ / / ------------------------------

Consider the bolted end -plate beam-to-column jointshown in Figure 10 . To illustrate the use of
equivalent T-stubs inthe design of joints
, the design resistance two
of components in the tension
zoneof this joint –namelythe unstiffened column flang -plate –are evaluated3).
e and the end

The beam, the column and the end

-plate are of steel grade S235 and, for the partial factors, the
valuesM0=1,0 andM2=1,25are considered .

2)
In fact, more than one -stub
T may have to be considered in design practice
, considering the bolt
-rows
individually and combined in bolt-groups.Besides, there are situations where separate calculations
are mandatory- for instance, in the design of stiffened column flanges according to-1-8, EC3the
groups of bolt-rows on each side of a stiffener should be modelled on separate equivale
nt T-stubs.

3)
When determining the design tension resistance of a basic component represented by an equivalent
T-stub, the resistance of each bolt
-row taken individually and its contribution to the resistance of two
or more adjacent bolt-rows within abolt-group should be considered. These separate calculations are
not shown in this document, withthe bolts in tensionbeing consideredonly in a single group.

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 t = 12

a3 40
70

70
6 M16, cl. 8.8
a3
140 220

IPE220
HEB140

60
a3

30 80 30

Figure 10 - Bolted end-plate joint (column, beam and end-plate ʹ steel grade S235)

Column HEB140 h = 140 mm BeamIPE 220 h = 220mm

b = 140 mm b = 110 mm
tf = 12 mm tf = 9,2mm
tw = 7 mm tw = 5,9mm
r = 12 mm r = 12 mm

End-plate 310 x 140 x 12 mm Bolts M16 As = 157 mm2

a) Column flange in transverse bending

Geometrical dimensions of equivalent -stub

T
(for the bolt-group of the twoupper rows 4))
70
m = (80–7 –2×0,8×12) / 2 = 26,9 mm L eff

n = min {30 ; 1,25×26,9} = 30 mm

Leff = 2 × (0,5p + 2m + 0,625e) = e m m e

= 2× (0,5×70 + 2×26,9 + 0,625×30)
= 215,1 mm
30 80 30

2
Design plastic moment of the -Tstub flange Mpl,Rd= 0,25×215,1×12x0,235/1,0 = 1820 kN.mm

Design tension resistance of each bolt Bt,Rd = 0,9×0,800×157/1,25 = 90,4 kN

Designresistance for failure mode 1 Ft,1,Rd = 4×1820/26,9 = 270,6 kN

Designresistance for failure mode 3 Ft,3,Rd = 4×90,4= 361,7 kN

4)
The twoupper bolt-rows are close enough to compete for the plastic bending resistanceeof plate,
th
so that Leff for the group is less than twice the effective length for each row taken individually as an
end-row. The bottommost bolt -row is assumed to transmit only shear forces
–not considered in the
example-, and so it is not included in themoment-resisting bolt-group.

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FactorFt,1,Rd / Ft,3,Rd  = 270,6/361,7 = 0,75
Factortr = 2(1+2), with  = n/m  = 30/26,9 =>tr = 0,69
T ( tr ≤ ≤ 2failure
Design resistance of-stub =>mode 2) tr Ft,3,Rd = 249,8 kN
𝐹t,Rd = 249,8 + (361,7 − 249,8) × (0,75 − 0,69) ∕ (2,00 − 0,69) = 254,7 kN

b) Extended end-plate in bending

Geometrical dimensions of equivalent T-stub 5)

(for the bolt-group of the upper two bolt-rows) 40

𝑚 = (70– 9,2– 2 × 0,8 × 3√2) / 2 = 27,0 mm 70

40
𝑛 = min {40 ; 1,25 × 27,0} = 33,8 mm
30 80 30
𝐿eff = 140 mm

of the T-stub flange Mpl = 0,25×140×122x0,235/1,0 = 1184kN.mm

Plastic bending moment

Design resistance for failure mode 1 Ft,1,Rd = 4×1184/ 27,0 = 175,4kN

Design resistance for failure mode 3 Ft,3,Rd = 4×(0,9×0,800×157)/1,25 = 361,7 kN

FactorFt,1,Rd / Ft,3,Rd  = 175,4/361,7 =0,48

Factortr = 2(1+2), where = n/m  = 33,8/27,0=> tr = 0,71
T ( ≤tr => failure mode 1)
Design resistance of-stub
𝐹t,Rd = 175,4 kN

c) Conclusion

Considering the results obtained for the column flange and for the end-plate in tension,the
following upper limitis obtained forthe design momentresistanceof the joint (assuming that
there is no co-existing axial force on the beam
):

Mrd ≤min{ 254,7; 175,4} × (220–9,2) × 10-3 = 37,0 kN.m

The evaluation ofMrd taking into account the resistances of all the
joint components is beyond
the scope of this document. The two components considered above cover onlytuations the si
referred to in Figure 9as a), b) and c).

5)
A single T-stub is defined, neglecting the stiffening effects of the beam .web According to EC3-1-8
(6.2.6.5(2)), in extended end
-plates the extension of the end-plate and the portion between the beam
flanges are modelled, in principle, as two separate -stubs;
T such detailed procedure is not shown in
this introductory document, and EC3-1-8 (in 6.2.7.1(8)) enables to treat the whole tension zone of the
end-plate as a single basic component, in the case of beam -to-column joints with only two rows of
bolts, provided thatFt,Rd ≤ 3,8
Bt,Rd.

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3. Application of the T-stub model to a bolted beam splice with end-plates

Consider thesplice jointshown in Figure 11. The twoRHS members being connectedare in steel
grade S23
5, as well as theend-plates, and only axial forces are considered
. For the partial factors,
assume thatM0=1,0 andM2=1,25.

4 M20 cl. 8.8

a6 a6

40 30

80 100
RHS100x100x5,0 RHS100x100x5,0
40 30

pl. 250x160x25 40 35 100 35 40

Figure 11 ʹ Beam splice with end-plates (RHS members and plates in steel S235)

The joint is designed so thatits design resistance is not less than the
cross-section axial
2
resistance of he
t members beingconnected, i.e.(As = 1870 mm for RHS 100x100x5,0):

𝐹t,Rd ≥ 𝑁pl,Rd = 0,235x1870/1,0 = 439 kN

Assume that the joint is subjected to some relevant dynamic loading so that preloaded bolts are
chosen, class
8.8. Thus:

0,9 𝑓ub × 𝐴𝑠 1,25 × 439

4× ≥ 𝑁pl,Rd → 𝐴s ≥ = 190,7 mm2 →
𝛾M2 4 × 0,9 × 0,800

→ 4 M20 class 8.8 ( 𝐴s = 245 mm2 , ∑𝐵t,Rd = 565 kN )

In the following, the evaluation

of the design resistance of this typejoint
of is illustrated usinga
simplified approach, based on an equivalent -stub
T (see reference [3] for a more detailed
procedure). A modified expression for di
stancem in the T-stub is considered, namely [3]:

𝑚 = 𝑏 − 𝑑/2 + 𝑡0

where b is the distance of each bolt-row to the nearest wall of the RHS member,
d is the
diameter of the bolts andt0 is the wall thickness of the RHS.

The dimensions given in Figure for 11 the plates and the configuration of the bolts verify typical
relations for such ajoint (for instance, the spa
cing between the bolts,p, is typicallyaround 4 to
5 timesthe bolt diameter, andthe ratio a/ b, wherea is the distance of the bolt-row to the edge
of the plate,is between 1,0 and 1,25 ). Considerthen the T-stub defined by:

Page10 / 11
 𝑛 = 𝑎 = 40 mm 𝑚 = 𝑏 − 𝑑/2 + 𝑡0 = 35 − 20/2 + 5,0 = 30,0mm
𝑛 2𝛾
𝐿𝑒𝑓𝑓 = 160 mm 𝛾= = 1,33 → = 0,73
𝑚 1 + 2𝛾

Thus, in order to verify the Ft,Rd

condition Ft,Rd ≥Npl,Rd = 439 kN,
the T-stub must present ≥ 0,97 . 565
439
0,73x565=411
This condition forthe factor 
corresponds to the following
minimum value of the plate
thickness:
0,73 0,97 2,00 

4 𝑀𝑝𝑙,𝑅𝑑 30,0 × 565

𝛽= ≥ 0,97 → 𝑀pl,Rd ≥ 0,97 × = 4091 𝑘𝑁. 𝑚𝑚 →
𝑚. ∑𝐵t,Rd 4

4091 × 4
→ 𝑡f ≥ √ = 20,9 mm
160 × 0,235

Consideringtf = 25mm, it follows that = 1,39 and Ft,Rd = 490 kN (>Npl,Rd = 439 kN).

Regarding the welded connection between the RHS members and the
-plates,
end the value for
the throat thicknessof the fillet weldsis defined based on
:

0,360/√3 439
𝑎 ≥ → 𝑎 ≥ 5,3 𝑚𝑚 (𝑎 = 6 mm) 
0,8 × 1,25 4 × 100

References
[1] ESDEP Course WG 11: Connection Design: Static Loading.

[2] EN 1993-1-8:2005,Eurocode 3: Design of steel joints – Part 1-8: Design of joints.

[3] Packer, J.A. et al.

- Design guide for RHS
joints under predominantly static loading. CIDECT
ed., 2009.

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