Example 1: Full Strength W24 x 55 Beam to W14 x 145 Column

Design a full strength T-stub connection between a W24 x 55 beam and a

W14 x 145 column. Use A572-50 steel for the beam, column, and all connection
components. Assume a service moment of 3500 k-in. The beam length is 24-0
cc of supporting columns.
Step 1: Find the Required Flange Force
Designing the connection as full strength according to the 1997 LRFD Seismic provisions;
1.1F y e Z x
P reqd = ---------------------d beam
F y e = Ry F y
where
Ry = 1.1 for A572-50 steel
1.21F y Z x
P reqd = ----------------------d beam
( 1.21 )( 50 ksi )( 134 in 3 )
P reqd = -------------------------------------------------------------( 23.57 in )
P reqd = 343.95 kip
Step 2: Select a Bolt Size and Grade
Find the required slip resistance:
M service
P slip,reqd = ------------------d beam
k-in- = 148.49 kip
P slip,reqd = 3500
-----------------------23.57 in

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Shear Bolts:
Size/Grade
7/8" A325-X

Shear
Capacity
kip
27.1 /bolt

# Reqd
14

Slip
Capacity
142.8 kip

Reqd
Length
18-3/8" + SB

7/8" A490-X

33.9

kip

1" A325-X

35.3

kip

/bolt

12

151.2 kip

15-3/4" + SB

/bolt

1" A490-X

44.2

kip

10

134.0 kip

15" + SB

/bolt

132.0 kip

12" + SB

Tension Bolts:
Find the required factored bolt strength assuming a 40% prying and 8 tension bolts.
1.40P reqd
B n,reqd = -----------------------n tb
( 1.40 )( 343.95 kip )
B n,reqd = ------------------------------------------------8
B n,reqd = 60.2 kip
Use 8, 1A490 tension bolts, B n = 66.6 kip

For ease of construction, the same grade and size of bolts should be used
for shear and tension. Use A490-X bolt for shear. Eight shear bolts would be sufficient for the shear resistance but 10 are required for the required slip resistance.
Step 3: Layout the Shear Bolts
Use 10, 1A490-X shear bolts. Use the maximum gage, gs, that is permitted
by the beam flange. Bf = 7.005 in. The required edge distance is 1.25 for 1
diameter bolts.
gs = 7.005 ( 2 )( 1.25 ) 4.5

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Use a bolt spacing of 3db = 3. The stem layout will be similar to that shown
below.

4 @ 3"

7"

4 1/2"

1 1/16" dia. (typ)

1 1/2"

Assuming a beam set-back of 2, a beam with a depth of roughly 19 will be

required.
Step 4: Layout the Tension Bolts
Find the minimum center distance for a W14 x 145 column.

scenter

For a W14 x 145, k1 = 1

min s center = 2 ( k1 + d b )

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min S center = 2 ( 1 + 1 ) = 4
Check wrench clearance:
min s center = 2 ( clearance ) + t w,col
Assume a wrench diameter of 3.5 for larger tools. (LRFD Table 8-5)
min s center = 2 ( 1.75 ) + 0.68 = 4.18
Use 5 center spacing to allow extra clearance: WT-stub = 14.0
14"
1 1/2"

3"

3"

5"

1 1/2"

gt

Bf

1 1/16" dia. (typ)

Step 5: Find the Minimum Stem Thickness

Rn,stem = f F u A stem,net
P reqd
t s,min = ----------------------------------------------f F u [Weff 2d h,eff ]
Find the effective stem width, Weff
Weff = s sb ( n sb 2 )tan ( eff ) + gs WT-stub
Weff = ( 3 )( 10 2 )tan ( 30) + 4.5 14.0
Weff = 18.36 14.0

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Weff = 14.0
Solve for ts,min:
343.95 kip
t s,min = --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 0.75 )( 65 ksi )[( 14.0 ) ( 2 )( 1.125 )]
t s,min = 0.60
Check for ts,min based on bearing failure:
P reqd
t s,min = --------------------------------f 2.4n sb F u d b
343.95 kip
t s,min = -------------------------------------------------------------------------( 0.75 )( 2.4 )( 10 )( 65 ksi )( 1 )
t s,min = 0.29 O.K.
Step 6: Find the Minimum Bf and tf for the T-stub Flange
Find the required flange width, Bf,reqd
f B Treqd 1 +
n
b
reqd = ------------------------------------------ 2d b
Treqd
2WT-stub
p = -------------------n tb

d
= 1 -----h
p

2 )( 14.0 ) = 3.5
p = (--------------------------8

= 1 1.0625
--------------------- = 0.696
3.50

Find Treqd
P reqd
Treqd = -----------n tb

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343.95 kip- = 43.0 kip

Treqd = --------------------------8
Solve for breqd:
66.6 kip 43.0 kip1.696
b
=

---------------------------------------------------------------( 2 )( 1 )
reqd
43.0 kip

0.696
b
reqd = 2.675
gt,reqd = 2 ( b
reqd + t s,min ) = 2 ( 2.675 + 0.60 ) = 6.55
B f,reqd = g t,reqd + 4d b = 6.55 + ( 4 )( 1 ) = 10.55

Find the range for tf

t f,max =

t f,max =

4T reqd b
reqd
-------------------------------b pF y ( 1 + )

( 4 )( 43.0 kip )( 2.675 )

----------------------------------------------------------------------------( 0.90 )( 3.50 )( 50 ksi )( 1.696 )
t f,max = 1.312

t f,min =

t f,min =

( Treqd )[8d b b
reqd db ( 2d b + b
reqd )]
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------b 3.75db pF y

( 43.0 kip ){( 8 )( 1 )( 2.675 ) ( 1 )[( 2 )( 1 ) + ( 2.675 )]}

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 0.90 )( 3.75 )( 1 )( 3.50 )( 50 ksi )
t f,min = 1.103

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Step 7: Select a Trial Section for the T-stub

Try a W18 x 130 Bf = 11.16

ts = 0.67

tf = 1.20

k1 = 13/16
dbeam =19.25

Check the flange capacity:

use gt = 6.50
t
t s,eff = k1 + ---s
2
t s,eff = 0.8125 + 0.67
-------------- = 1.148
2

b = 1
---( gt t s,eff )
2

a = 1
---( B f gt ) 1.25b
2

b = 1
---( 6.5 1.148 )
2

a = 1
---( 11.16 6.5 ) 1.25b
2

b = 2.676

a = 2.33 3.345 = 2.33

d
b= b -----b
2

d
a= a + -----b
2

b= 2.676 1
------ = 2.176
2

a= 2.33 + 1
------ = 2.83
2

Rn,flange = n tb Tn

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d
b 2a -----bpF y t 2f
4

T1 = ----------------------------------------------4a
b d b ( a+ b
)
( 0.90 ) ( 2 )( 2.83 ) 1
------ ( 3.5 )( 50 ksi )( 1.20 )2
4
T1 = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 4 )( 2.83 )( 2.176 ) ( 1 )( 2.83 + 2.176 )
T1 = 62.52 kip/bolt

f B n a b pF y t 2f
+ ------------------------T2 = ---------------)
a+ b 4 ( a+ b
( 66.6 kip )( 2.83 ) + (-------------------------------------------------------------------------0.90 )( 3.5 )( 50ksi )( 1.20 )2
T2 = --------------------------------------------( 2.83 + 2.176 )
( 4 )( 2.83 + 2.176 )
T2 = 48.97 kip/bolt

T3 = f B n
T3 = 66.6 kip/bolt
T2 governs since its smallest,
Rn,flange = n tb T2
Rn,flange = ( 8 bolts )( 48.97 kip/bolt )
Rn,flange = 391.76 kip O.K.

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The actual level of prying in the flange can be calculated as

B n T2
48.97
- = 66.6
Prying = ------------------------------------------------------T2
48.97
Prying = 36.0%
Although this check is not actually required, it is interesting to check our initial prying estimate of 40%.

Check the stem capacity:

Net section fracture,
Rn = f F u A stem,net
A stem,net = ( Weff 2d h,eff )t s
A stem,net = [14.0 ( 2 )( 1.125 )]( 0.67 ) = 7.87 in 2
Rn,stem = ( 0.75 )( 65 ksi )( 7.87 in 2 ) = 383.78 kip O.K.
Bearing failure,
Rn,bearing = br nsb 2.4F u d b t

From EQ 9-19

Rn,bearing = ( 0.75 )( 10 )( 2.4 )( 65 ksi )( 1 )( 0.67 )

Rn,bearing = 783.9 kip O.K.

Check ts,max to insure a balanced T-stub failure. If the capacity of the stem is
less than the capacity of the flange, then a more desirable stem fracture will precede a tension bolt fracture. In this design, T2 governed the capacity of the
flange, which indicates a tension bolt fracture instead of the development of a
flange mechanism. Its important to recognize, however, that even when T1 gov-

367

erns the flange capacity that a bolt fracture will likely occur at the load predicted
by T2.
y F y A stem,net < Rn,flange
( 0.90 )( 50 ksi )[14.0 ( 2 )( 1.125 )]( 0.67 ) < Rn,flange
354.26 kip < 391.76 kip O.K.

Check Block Shear Failure:

From EQ 9-20,
Rn,stem = f [F u ( g s d h,eff )t s + 1.15F eff ( L sb + L e )t s ]
where
F eff = ( 1 CL )F y + CL F u
CL = 0.95 0.047 ( L sb + L e )
and
n 2
sb
L sb = s s b ----------------
2
2
---------------- = 12
Lsb = ( 3 )10
2
Le = 1.5d b = ( 1.5 )( 3 ) = 1.5
Solving,
CL = 0.95 0.047 ( 12 + 1.5 ) = 0.316
F eff = ( 1 0.316 )( 50 ksi ) + ( 0.316 )( 65 ksi ) = 54.7 ksi

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Substituting into the capacity equation,

Rn,stem = ( 0.75 )[( 65 ksi )( 4.5 1.125 )( 0.67 ) +
+ ( 1.15 )( 54.7 ksi )( 12 + 1.5 )( 0.67 )]
Rn,stem = 537.0 kip O.K.
Check the beam capacity:
Bearing failure of the beam flange,
Rn,bearing = br nsb 2.4F u d b t

From EQ 9-19

Rn,bearing = ( 0.75 )( 10 )( 2.4 )( 65 ksi )( 1 )( 0.505 )

Rn,bearing = 590.9 kip O.K.
The provisions of Section B.10 of the LRFD code will not be checked.
Step 8: Design the Shear Connection
Section 9.2c of the Seismic Provisions states that the shear connection from
the beam to the column must be able to withstand the application of 1.1 Ry Fy Zx in
the opposite sense at each end of the beam. From this, the required shear force
can be written as,
( 2 )( 1.1R y F y Z x )
V reqd = ---------------------------------------L beam
For our beam,

2 )( 1.21 )( 50 ksi )( 134 in 3 )

V reqd = (---------------------------------------------------------------------( 288 )
V reqd = 56.3 kip
The longest single shear plate that will fit between the flanges of the top and
bottom T-stubs can be determined by,

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L plate,max dbeam B f,T-stub

Lplate,max 23.57 11.16 12.41
Select a single plate shear connection from Table 9-10 of Volume II of the
LRFD. Using 4, 1 diameter A490-N bolts, a plate 5/16 thick would be sufficient
with a capacity, Rn, of 61.1 kip. The set back of 2 for our T-stub connection,
however, leads to a plate that is wider than the assumptions made in the calculations for Table 9-10. As a result, a 3/8 plate thickness will be used (Rn = 73.2
kip)
Figures of the connection and T-stub details are shown below.

Continuity Plates as Required

1" dia A490 Tension Bolts (typ)

1" dia A490-X Shear Bolts (typ)

12" x 5" x 3/8" Plate with

1" dia A490-N Shear Bolts

5/16"

W24 x 55

T-stubs cut from W18 x 130

(see detail)

W14 x 145

Connection Detail

370

3-1/2"

4 @ 3"

7"

4-1/2"

1-1/16" dia (typ)

1-1/2"

17"

14"
1-1/2"

3"

5"

3"

1-1/2"

6-1/2"

11-1/8"

11/16"

1-1/16" dia (typ)

1-3/16"

T-stub Detail

The bolt sizes required are shown in the table below. They were determined
using a design guide in the Structural Bolting Handbook (SSTC, 1996).
Bolt Location
Column Flange to T-stub Flange

Grip
2.29"

Size
1"-8 x 4"

T-stem to Beam Flange

1.18"

1"-8 x 2-3/4"

Shear Tab to Beam Web

0.77"

1"-8 x 2-1/2"

Step 9: Compute the Initial Stiffness

Compute the flange stiffness:
12n tb EI ( a
a + 3b
b )
K i,flange = --------------------------------------------------------3
bb ( 4a
a + 3b

)
b
where,
pt 3
I = -------f12

371

From EQ 9-38

3.5 )( 1.20 )3- = 0.504 in 4

I = (------------------------------------12

12EI
a = 1 + ------------------2
Gpt f a
4
( 12 )( 29000 ksi )( 0.504 in ) a = 1 + ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 11200 ksi )( 3.5 )( 1.20 )( 2.83 )2

a = 1.466

12EI
b = 1 + ------------------2
Gpt f b
( 12 )( 29000 ksi )( 0.504 in 4 ) b = 1 + ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 11200 ksi )( 3.5 )( 1.20 )( 2.176 )2
b = 1.787
Solving for Ki,flange ,
( 12 )( 8 )( 29000 ksi )( 0.504 in 4 )[( 2.83 )( 1.466 ) + ( 3 )( 2.176 )( 1.787 )]
K i,flange = -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 2.176 )3 ( 1.787 )[( 4 )( 2.83 )( 1.466 ) + ( 3 )( 2.176 )( 1.787 )]
3

k-in - = 42,644.9 kip/in

K i,flange = 22,189,636
------------------------------------------520.336 in 4
Compute the stem stiffness:

372

t s E ( WT-stub Wbeam )2
K i,stem = ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

W
beam
Lstem ( WT-stub Wbeam) + Wbeam ln -----------------
WT-stub
where,
L stem = ( L T-stub k )
L stem = ( 17 1.875 ) = 15.125
( 0.67 )( 29000 ksi )( 14 7 )2
K i,stem = -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------7-
( 15.125 ) ( 14 7 ) + ( 7 )ln
-------
14
K i ,stem = 29,305.2 kip/in
Compute the slip stiffness:
P slip
K i,slip = ---------slip

From EQ 9-40

where,
Pslip = the connection slip load, P slip = nsb ( 0.70F u )( 0.75A b )
slip = 0.0076 (determined statistically)
= 1.0 for A325 bolts and 0.88 for A490 bolts
= coefficient of friction on the faying surface
P slip = ( 10 )( 0.88 )[( 0.70 )( 150 ksi )][( 0.75 )( 0.785 in )]( 0.33 )
2

P slip = 179.5 kip

Solving for Ki,slip,
kip = 23,621.3 kip/in
K i,slip = 179.5
-----------------------0.0076

373

Combine the component stiffnesses:

1
1
1 + ----------1 -
- + -------------
K i,T-stub,Ten = ---------------K i,flange K i,stem K i,slip

From EQ 9-36

1
1
1
1
K i,T-stub,Ten = -------------------------------------- + -------------------------------------- + -------------------------------------- [
42,644.9 kip/in 29,305.2 kip/in 23,621.3 kip/in
K i,T-stub,Ten = 10,009.2 kip/in

1
1
1 -
K i,T-stub,Comp = -------------+ ----------
K i,stem K i,slip

1
1
1
K i,T-stub,Comp = -------------------------------------- + --------------------------------------
29,305.2 kip/in 23,621.3 kip/in
K i-T-stub,Comp = 13,079.0 kip/in
Compute the connection rotational stiffness:
2
dbeamK i,T-stub,Ten K i,T-stub,Comp
K i,Conn = --------------------------------------------------------------------K i,T-stub,Ten + K i,T-stub,Comp

23.57 )2 ( 10,009.2 kip/in )( 13,079.0 kip/in -)

K i,Conn = (----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------( 10,009.2 kip/in + 13,079.0 kip/in )
K i,Conn = 3,150,000 k-in/rad
The T-stub force-deformation response and connection moment-rotation
response are shown in the figures below. The initial stiffnesses calculated above
are plotted and compared to the full monotonic responses as predicted by a computer implementation of the stiffness model outlined in Chapter 7. The ultimate
rotation is 0.041 radians, but because the connection is full strength, significant
plastic rotation can be expected from the beam. The plastic rotation at failure
would be 0.037 radians.

374

600

500

Load (kip)

400

300

200

100
Full Monotonic Stiffness Model
Initial Stiffness Estimate
0
0.00

0.10

0.20

0.30

0.40

0.50

0.60

0.70

Deformation (in)

T-stub Force-Deformation Response

14000

12000

Moment (k-in)

10000

8000

6000

4000

2000
Full Monotonic Stiffness Model
Initial Stiffness Estimate
0
0

10

15

20

25

30
3

Rotation (rad x 10 )

Connection Moment-Rotation Curve

375

35

40

45

The initial stiffness of the connection can be compared to the beam stiffness
for evaluation as FR, PR, or simple.
K beam = EI
-----L
( 29000 ksi )( 1350 in ) = 135,937 k-in/rad
K beam = ---------------------------------------------------------288
4

The ratio of the connection stiffness to the beam stiffness can be examined
as
K i,Conn
k-in/rad- = 23.17 .
= 3,150,000
---------------------------------------------- = --------------K beam
135,937 k-in/rad
From this, it is clear that the connection can be considered initially rigid.

376