Tension Member Connections

Three methods of connecting steel members: Rivets Bolts Welds

Advantages of Welding
Materials saving (often no connecting members necessary) Quieter than impact wrenches normally used for bolts More forgiving when dimensions dont match Forms rigid joints Simpler detailing

Advantages of Bolts
Does not require as highly skilled workers Requires less equipment Reduced risk of fire Better quality control

Types of Connections by Bolt Action

Bolts
Available Bolts
A307 Non-high strength bolts A325 - High strength bolts A490 Strengths given in Table J3.2 (p. 16.1-61)

Bolt Holes (Sizes in Table J3.3) p.

Standard Oversized Short-slotted Long-slotted

16.1-62

Connection types
Bearing Slip-critical

Spacing, Edge, and End Distances

Minimums
Center to center 2 2/3 x bolt diameter, preferably 3 x bolt diameter Edge distance Table J3.4 For maximum bearing Strength (pitch): (J3.10) Center to center 3 x bolt diameter Edge (end) distance p. 7-35, Table 7-13

Spacing, Edge and End Distances

Maximums
Center to Center (pitch) 24 x thickness of thinner part 12 Edge distance 12 x thickness of part 6

Bolt Shear Strength

J3.6FnAb
Table J3.2 Fn Table J3.2 Ab Area of bolt

Tabulated on page 7-33, Table 7-10

Bearing Strength at Bolt Holes

J3.10 Rn
0.75 Rn given by equations J3-2

Tabulated on page 7-34,35

Analysis of Tension Connection Example (p. 15 notes)

Two A36 steel plate tension members have been connected with a lap splice using diameter A307 bolts, arranged as shown. Find the allowable service live load. Also find required distances a and b. Assume service live load is two times dead load. Plate edges are likely to be sheared.

Analysis of Tension Connection Example (p. 15 notes)

3/8 in.
P P

3/8 in. a 3 in. a b

10 in.
P P

Boted Tension Connection Design Procedure

p. 15 -16 notes

Bolt Design Example p. 16 notes

Design a pair of splice plates to connect the two parts of the channel tension member shown. The forces in the member are 110 kips live load and 69.7 kips dead load. The bolts in the surrounding joints are 1 diameter A325N. All steel is A36. Slip is not critical.

Bolt Design Example p. 16 notes

Block Shear Rupture

J4.3 Equations J4-3a and J4-3b

Welded Tension Connections

Two primary types of welds:

LRFD Specification for Welds

p. 16.1-52

Effective throat thickness = 0.707 x l Where l = weld size or leg size

Limitations on Fillet Welds

Minimum weld size Table J2.4 Maximum weld size: along edge of material < thick = thickness of material along edge of material > thick = material thickness - 1/16 Minimum length
Greater than 4 x weld size and, If longitudinal filet welds are used alone in end connections of flat bar tension members length perpendicular distance between them (p. 16.1-234)

Limitations on Fillet Welds

Intermittent fillet weld segments must be at least 4 times the weld size and 1 Lap joints require a lap of at least 5 times the thickness of the thinner part joined, but not less than 1 in. (p. 16.1-235) Returns are required when practicable at the ends of fillet welds. The must be at least 2 times the weld size and usually not more than 4 times the weld size.

Design Strength of Welds

Table J2.5 p. 16.1-57

Fillet welds (shear on effective area):

FwAw (0.75)(0.60FEXX )( Aw)

Where: Aw = Area of weld = throat thickness x length FEXX= Weld metal designation (FE70 = 70 ksi)
Welded connection design procedure p. 22 notes

Weld Design Example p. 22 notes

An L 6 x 4x is stressed in tension by a 50 kip live load and a 40 kip dead load. At the truss panel point the angle member is attached to a 5/8 thick gusset plate. The 4 leg of the angle is outstanding. Check the angle for tension strength and design the welded connection of the angle to the plate. Assume all material is A36 steel and that the loading will be static.

Weld Design Example p. 22 notes