Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)

CSIR-SERC, Chennai, INDIA. 21-23 December 2016

READY RECKONER FOR BRACKET AND COLUMN SPLICES

Vanapalli Naveen Kumar1, A.Satyaveni2, Venkat Lute3
Department of Civil Engineering, GVP College of Engineering, Visakhapatnam-530048.
Connections are used to join elements of a structure together at a point. Connections are critical components of steel structures
as they have the potential for greater variability in behaviour and strength. General eccentric connections i.e.., beam supported
over a bracket connected to a column is considered. In the present paper Bracket connections and column splice connections
are designed. In Bracket connections depth, breadth of weld and eccentricity of load are varied for various weld sizes and
design weld strengths are calculated. The ultimate axial, moment and shear capacity of Indian standard rolled sections are
used for the design of column splice i.e., dimensions of splice plate and number of bolts. The design of the connections is
done according to IS: 800 (2007).
KEY WORDS: Design strength, In-plane bending, Out of plane bending, splice design

INTRODUCTION:
The design is done according to IS: 800 (2007) Ref [1].
For the ease in design calculations MATLAB program has
been written.
General eccentric connections i.e.., beam supported over a
bracket connected to a column is considered. Welded
joints are often subjected to loads which are eccentric, so
for the present study weld connections of different weld
sizes are considered. Bracket connections are of two kinds
depending upon the plane of transfer of the forces. For first
type of bracket connection the twisting moments are in the
plane of the weld and is subjected to direct shear and
torsion. The centre of gravity of weld lies in the plane of
the line of action of the applied load in this connection.
The other type of bracket connection has the moment in
the plane perpendicular to the weld. The centre of gravity
of weld lies in the plane perpendicular to the plane of
action of the applied load. In this study both types are
considered. Design strength of the weld is calculated by
varying the breadth, depth and eccentricity of the weld for
various weld sizes.
If the length of the column is more than the length of the
column section available, a number of pieces are jointed
to furnish the full length of the column. A joint when
provided in the length of a member is called a splice.
Splices are designed as short columns.
For axial compressive loads splice plates are provided in
only flanges. For axial compressive including shear and
moment splice plates are provided on flanges and web. In
the present study both the conditions are considered.
In many joint configurations used in practice, in-plane or
out-of-plane eccentricity is unavoidable, creating more
complex stress conditions in the joint than concentrically
loaded joints where the welds are generally subjected to
shear in only one direction. Design methods that account
for load eccentricity on welded joints have been developed
for both in-plane and out-of-plane eccentricity. A larger
experimental program was later conducted by Ref [2]
Beaulieu and Picard and included a total of 24 fillet
welded plate connections loaded eccentrically out-of-
plane. The main variables investigated in this study
included the weld size, the load eccentricity and the
bearing width. All specimens were fabricated from ASTM
A36 steel, and the welds were made with AWS E70XX
electrodes. Weld failure, plate rupture and plate buckling
were the various failure modes observed in the
experimental program.
Splices are connections between two structural elements
within their length, to form a single and longer element.
Splices between parts of columns are necessary to keep
individual column lengths within manageable dimensions
or to provide an opportunity to change the section serial
size. Ref [4] AnaM.GirãoCoelho had studied the following
parameters for splices (i) splice location and rotational
stiffness, (ii) change in the column section serial size and
(iii) column end-restraints stiffness coefficients. Simple
relationships are developed for use as a basic stiffness
design criterion for column splices.
Ref [3] J. Lindner had studied old and new solutions for
contact splices in columns. If a contact splice is placed
inside the length of a column these initial additional
imperfections will have an influence on the buckling
behaviour and thus the load carrying capacity of the
column. Report on theoretical investigations on the

1
P.G Student, vanapallinaveen57@gmail.com
2 P.G Student, satyavenistructures@gmail.com
3 Associate Professor, lutevenkat@gmail.com
 Vanapalli Naveen Kumar, et al.

member behaviour and on the design of a splice and its The following are the models considered for splice design.
fastenings is given. Also full scale tests on different types The first model has been designed for only axial
of splices are referred to. The test results are compared to
ultimate load calculations and respective design methods
are proposed. Especially for contact splices in columns
arranged directly one on top of the other the stability
behaviour for a splice at mid span is examined and leads
to a special buckling curve.
MODELLING:
The following are the models considered for the present
study. Design strengths of the weld for various
configurations have been evaluated for different weld
sizes. Ultimate tensile strength of weld has been taken as
410mPa i.e.., the yield strength of steel is 250MPa. The
depth (d), breadth (b) and eccentricity (e1) of bracket plate
for bracket connection type I had varied from 200mm to
400mm at an interval of 50mm, 100mm to 200mm at an
interval of 25mm and 40mm to 240mm at an interval of
40mm respectively.

Fig-2 Bracket connection type II (Out of plane bending)

compressive loads i.e.., splice plates are provided only for
flanges. The design strength of the Indian standard
sections are obtained and are used in the calculation of
splice design. The yield strength of steel is considered as
250 Mpa. The design calculations has been done by
varying the bolt diameter and grade of bolts. The details
have been found out for different grades of bolts. Column
splice design had been obtained for the design capacities
(axial compressive, moment and shear) of the Indian
standard sections. . The arrangement of bolts had been
considered as four bolts in a row.

Fig-1 Bracket connection type I (In-plane bending)

Design strengths of the weld have been evaluated for
different weld sizes. Ultimate tensile strength of weld has
been taken as 410 mPa i.e.., the yield strength of steel is
250 mPa. The depth and eccentricity of bracket plate for
bracket connection type II had varied from 200mm to
400mm at an interval of 50mm and 40mm to 240mm at an
interval of 40mm respectively.
Column splices:

Fig-3 Column splice provided for flange

The second model has been designed for axial
compression along with bending and shear i.e.., splice
plates are provided for both flange and web. The axial,
bending and shear design capacities of the Indian standard
sections are found out and are used in the design
Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)
calculation of splice plates. The ultimate and yield
strength of steel are considered as 410 MPa and 250 MPa.
The details have been found out for different grades of
bolts. The results presented in the paper for 5.6 grade of
all diameter bolts.
Fig-4 Column splice provided for both flange and web
RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS:
Eccentric connections: In the bracket connection type I
i.e.., In-plane bending, depth, breadth and eccentricity of
weld are varied. Depth of weld is varied from 200mm to
400mm at an interval of 50mm. Width of lap of bracket is
Fig-5 Design chart of in-plane bracket for depth of weld D=200mm for s=8mm
varied from 100mm to 200mm with an interval of 25mm.
Eccentricity is varied from 40mm to 240mm at an interval
of 40mm. Load carrying capacities of the weld is found for
different weld sizes for different depth, breadth and
eccentricity of plate. The following charts provided are for
weld size of 8mm.
In the bracket connection type II i.e.., Out of plane bending
depth and eccentricity of weld are varied. Depth of weld
is varied from 200mm to 400mm at an interval of 50mm.
Eccentricity is varied from 40mm to 240mm at an interval
of 40mm. Load carrying capacities of the weld is found for
respective values of different weld sizes. The present chart
provided is for 8mm weld size.
Column splices: For axial compressive loads including
shear and moment (i.e.., splices are provided for both
flanges and web) splice design and its connection details
to the member using bolting are calculated for the ultimate
load and moment carrying capaity of the specified section
and shear is claculated by dividing the ultimate moment
capactiy of the section by average height of
column(considered as 3mts). For axial compressive loads
(i.e.., splices are provided only for flanges) splices design
and its connection details to the member using bolting is
calculated for the load carrying capaity of the specified
section for different lengths.All dimensions are in mm.
where ‘D’ is diameter of bolt and ‘G’ is grade of bolt. The
strength of bolt is taken as minimum of shear and bearing
strength of bolt . It is advisable to provide splice plates on
web also in case of only axial loads. It is observed that
changing grade of bolt is better in most of the cases than
changing diameter of bolts for reducing the length of
splice in case of long joints The number of bolts provided
in the table are on each side of the splice (joint) out of the
total joint. Length of splice provided is the total length
required for joint. The no of bolts required should be
rounded off to 4 bolts in a row when provided from the
table.
 Vanapalli Naveen Kumar, et al.

Fig-6 Design chart of in-plane bracket for depth of weld D=250mm for s=8mm

Fig-7 Design weld capacity for out of plane eccentricity

Table-1 Splicing Design for Axial and B.M of ISHB Sections for D=30mm, G=5.6

Flange splice design Web splice design

ISHB
@Kg/m Thickness Breadth Length No. Of Thickness Breadth Length No. Of
(mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts (mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts
150@27.1 10 150 350 4 6 110 200 2
150@30.6 10 150 350 4 6 110 200 2
150@34.6 11 150 350 4 6 110 200 2
200@37.3 11 200 500 6 6 160 200 2
200@40.0 12 200 500 6 6 160 200 2
225@43.1 12 225 500 6 6 180 200 2
225@46.8 13 225 500 6 6 180 200 2
250@51.0 13 250 500 8 6 210 200 2
250@54.7 14 250 500 8 6 210 200 2
300@58.8 15 250 500 8 6 250 200 2
300@63.0 15 250 500 8 6 250 200 2
350@67.4 17 250 500 8 6 300 200 2
350@72.4 17 250 650 10 6 300 200 2
400@77.4 19 250 650 10 6 340 200 2
400@82.2 19 250 650 10 6 340 200 2
450@87.2 21 250 650 10 6 390 200 2
450@92.5 21 250 650 12 6 390 200 2
Structural Engineering Convention (SEC-2016)

Table-2 Splicing Design for Axial and B.M of ISHB Sections for D=12mm, G=5.6
Flange splice design Web splice design
ISHB
@Kg/m Thickness Breadth Length No. Of Thickness Breadth Length No. Of
(mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts (mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts
150@27.1 10 150 380 18 6 110 80 2
150@30.6 10 150 380 20 6 110 80 2
150@34.6 11 150 380 20 6 110 80 2
200@37.3 11 200 500 28 6 160 80 2
200@40.0 12 200 500 28 6 160 80 2
225@43.1 12 225 560 32 6 180 80 2
225@46.8 13 225 620 34 6 180 80 2
250@51.0 13 250 680 40 6 210 200 3
250@54.7 14 250 680 40 6 210 200 3
300@58.8 15 250 740 44 6 250 200 3
300@63.0 15 250 800 46 6 250 200 3
350@67.4 17 250 860 50 6 300 140 4
350@72.4 17 250 860 52 6 300 140 4
400@77.4 19 250 920 56 6 340 200 5
400@82.2 19 250 980 58 6 340 200 5
450@87.2 21 250 1040 62 6 390 200 6
450@92.5 21 250 1040 64 6 390 200 6

Table-3 Splice Design for only Axial of ISHB for D=12, G=5.6

Length Breadth Length

Thickness of Thickness of
ISHB of No. of of
Web Plate
@kg/m Column of Bolts Plate Plate
(mm) (mm)
(mm) (mm) (mm)

400@82.2 10.6 1.5 6 30 250 560

400@82.2 10.6 2.5 6 28 250 500
400@82.2 10.6 3.5 6 26 250 500
400@82.2 10.6 4.5 6 24 250 440
400@82.2 10.6 5.5 6 20 250 380
400@82.2 10.6 6.5 6 18 250 380
400@82.2 10.6 7.5 6 16 250 320
400@82.2 10.6 8.5 6 14 250 320
400@82.2 10.6 9.5 6 12 250 260
400@82.2 10.6 10.5 6 10 250 260
400@82.2 10.6 11.5 6 10 250 260
400@82.2 10.6 12.5 6 8 250 200
400@82.2 10.6 13.5 6 8 250 200
 Vanapalli Naveen Kumar, et al.

Table-4 Splicing Design for Axial and B.M of ISHB Sections for D=16mm, G=5.6

Flange splice design Web splice design

ISHB
@Kg/m Thickness Breadth Length No. of Thickness Breadth Length No. of
(mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts (mm) (mm) (mm) Bolts
150@27.1 10 150 350 10 6 110 110 2
150@30.6 10 150 350 12 6 110 110 2
150@34.6 11 150 350 12 6 110 110 2
200@37.3 11 200 430 16 6 160 110 2
200@40.0 12 200 430 16 6 160 110 2
225@43.1 12 225 510 18 6 180 110 2
225@46.8 13 225 510 20 6 180 110 2
250@51.0 13 250 590 22 6 210 110 2
250@54.7 14 250 590 24 6 210 110 2
300@58.8 15 250 670 26 6 250 110 2
300@63.0 15 250 670 26 6 250 110 2
350@67.4 17 250 670 28 6 300 270 3
350@72.4 17 250 750 30 6 300 270 3
400@77.4 19 250 750 32 6 340 270 3
400@82.2 19 250 830 34 6 340 270 3
450@87.2 21 250 830 36 6 390 190 4
450@92.5 21 250 830 36 6 390 190 4

Conclusion: Since less amount of work has been [4]. Ana M. Girao Coelho, et.al, Journal of
contributed in this area an attempt has been made to obtain Constructional Steel Research 66 (2010)
1261_1277, “Stability design criteria for steel
design aids for bracket connections and splice design
column splices.”
according to IS: 800 for Indian standard sections. Design
aids had been prepared by varying different parameters for
different weld sizes. The Design strength of connection
had reduced with increase in eccentricity.

References:

[1]. IS: 800(2007), GENERAL CONSTRUCTION

IN STEEL — CODE OF PRACTICE.
[2]. M.Dumas, Beaulieu and Picard, “5th Structural
Specialty Conference of the Canadian Society for
Civil Engineering”, June 2-5, 2004, pp ST-152-
1-10.
[3]. J. Lindner, Journal of Constructional Steel
Research 64 (2008) 833–844, “Old and new
solutions for contact splices in columns.”