CONNECTION DESIGN IN THE 2005 AISC SPECIFICATION

Cynthia J. Duncan, Director of Specifications,

The American Institute of Steel Construction, Inc., Chicago, IL
ABSTRACT
The American Institute of Steel Constructions Committee on Specifications is
currently developing a new Specification for Structural Steel Buildings,
scheduled to be released in 2005. This document will unify the two design
methods presently used for steel design in the United States, Allowable Stress
Design (ASD) and Load and Resistance Factor Design (LRFD), into one
standard.
In addition to this unification, the entire document is being
reorganized and updated. One area of the specification that continues to
evolve is connection design. The new standard will include several revisions
in the areas of both welded and bolted connection design.
INTRODUCTION
The American Institute Steel Construction (AISC) introduced the first specification for the
design and construction of structural steel buildings in 1923, for the purpose of creating a
standard for the steel industry in the United States. This original document was a mere nine
pages approved by a committee of five, and it has grown to exceed 100 pages, undergoing
numerous revisions based on experience gained over the years and research; both analytical
and test-based. Today, the AISC Committee on Specifications consists of 40 members
currently working on the 2005 Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (1), hereafter
referred to as the 2005 Specification. This new document has a new format unlike any
previous versions, as it will combine both load and resistance factor design (LRFD) and
allowable stress design (ASD) methods into one. More specifically, many of the provisions
have been revised and updated in Chapter J, Design of Connections, since publication of the
most recent AISC specification, the 1999 Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification
for Structural Steel Buildings (2), hereafter referred to as the 1999 Specification. Although
the specification is still in draft form, with two remaining ballots, there are many issues that
can be discussed at this time. Some of the general connection design topics that will be
addressed are compression members with bearing joints, splices in heavy sections, beams
copes and weld access holes, combining bolts and welds, and limitations on bolted and
welded connections. The welding areas that will be revised are effective area and limitations
on effective throat area of groove welds, as well as, effective area, terminations, and strength
of fillet welds. Finally, some of the changes expected for design with bolts and threaded
parts occur in provisions for: the types of fasteners allowed, combined tension and shear
strength, design of slip-critical connections, block shear, and shear lag.
NEW FORMAT AND DESIGN BASIS
Before discussing the new revisions to the connection chapter, it is important to understand
the format of the 2005 Specification. The original 1923 document was based on the
allowable stress design format (ASD), which gives capacities in allowable stresses with the
safety factor incorporated. In 1986, AISC introduced their first load and resistance factor

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

design (LRFD) specification (3). This design method is consistent with what had been used
world wide, as well as for the design of other materials, for example, cold-formed steel and
concrete. Since 1986, there have been two more versions of the LRFD Specification, in
1993 and 1999, and one revision of the ASD Specification in 1989. For various reasons, the
LRFD method of design has not gained in popularity among steel designers. After careful
consideration of the needs of the design community and observing how other standards
developers have handled the dilemma of incorporating two design philosophies into one
standard, AISC has embarked on the development of a combined or single specification,
incorporating both the ASD and LRFD methods. The design capacity will be given in a sideby-side format throughout, which consists of a nominal strength for each limit state, followed
by an LRFD resistance factor and an ASD factor of safety. For example, for calculating
tensile yield strength, the new specification will read:
Pn = FyAg
t = 1.67 (ASD)

t = 0.90 (LRFD)

where the design tensile strength is tPn and the allowable tensile strength is Pn / t. The
safety factors were determined based on a live load-to-dead load ratio of 3, which results in
1.5 as the target effective load factor for the load combination of 1.2D+1.6L. Therefore, in
most cases, the safety factor is calculated as 1.5/ and it is given to 3 significant digits. The
required strength or available strength are based on ASCE 7, Minimum Design Loads for
Buildings and Other Structures (4) factored load combinations for either LRFD or ASD,
depending on the method used. This arrangement will result in greater clarity, uniformity and
efficiency when applying AISC specifications. In the final analysis, the only difference
between the LRFD and ASD method of strength design is on the required strength side.
LRFD is based on factored load combinations given in ASCE 7 and ASD is based on service
load combinations in ASCE 7. Chapter J, Design of Connections, begins by stipulating the
design basis, similar to the above followed by more definitive design provisions as discussed
in the following.
GENERAL REQUIREMENTS
Chapter J of the 2005 Specification contains the majority of the connection design provisions
in that document. The first section entitled General Provisions contains revisions to such
topics as compression members with bearing joints, splices in heavy sections, beam copes
and weld access holes, bolts in combination with welds, and limitations on bolted and welded
connections.
Compression members with bearing joints
The new provision permits that compression members, other than columns, be proportioned
for the less stringent of: 1. an axial tensile force of 50% of the required compressive strength
of the member or 2. the moment and shear resulting from a transverse load equal to 2
percent of the required compressive strength of the member. The application of this
transverse load should be at the splice location exclusive of other loads that act on the
member. The member shall be taken as pinned for the determination of the shears and
moments at the splice. This sub-section begins with a User Note that reminds the designer,
All compression joints should also be proportioned to resist any tension developed by the
load combinations. User Notes are a new feature of the 2005 Specification. They are
non-mandatory and are interspersed throughout the document to offer the designer concise
assistance with using the specification.

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

This provision is required to account for member out-of-straightness and to resist unexpected
lateral loads that may not have been considered in the design. In the past 40 years of the
AISC Specification, the only requirement that has existed required that splice materials and
connectors have a capacity of at least 50% of the required member strength. In the new
provision 1., the stipulation that these elements be designed for a tensile force provides a
more definitive way to address situations where compression on the connection imposes no
force on the connectors. Although this is a simple way to address this issue, it also can be
very conservative. Therefore, provision 2. was added offering an alternative that more
directly addresses the design intent of these provisions. The application of a lateral load of
2% simulates a kink at the splice, which could be caused by slightly out-of-square finished
ends or other construction conditions.
Splices in heavy sections
The special material toughness requirements for splices of heavy sections connected by
complete-joint-penetration groove welds have previously existed in the 1999 Specification.
The 2005 Specification will include clarification of these requirements. Shrinkage of large
welds between elements that are not free to move causes strains in the material adjacent to
the weld that can exceed the yield point strain. As the Commentary to the 2005 Specification
states, "In thick material the weld shrinkage is restrained in the thickness direction, as well as
in the width and length directions, causing triaxial stresses to develop." and this can
prevent the steel from deforming in a ductile manner. Thus, special material toughness
requirements, and carefully prepared weld access holes and copes are required for heavy
tension members to prevent brittle fracture.
For both rolled and built-up shapes, special toughness requirements apply to shapes with
flanges or plates exceeding 2 in. (50 mm), when "used as members subject to primary tensile
forces due to tension or flexure and spliced using complete-joint-penetration groove welds
that fuse through the thickness of the member." The latter phrase was added to clarify the
extent of welding required for these provisions to be applicable. The verbiage in the 1999
Specification explaining how the impact test should be performed is replaced with a
reference to ASTM A6/A6M, Supplementary Requirement S30, Charpy V-Notch Impact Test
for Structural Shapes - Alternate Core Location (5). The impact test must meet a minimum
average value of 20 ft-lbs (27 J) absorbed energy at +70F. The requirements do not apply if
the splices and connections are made by bolting, or if shapes with elements less than 2 in.
thick are welded to a heavy section, or to splices of elements of built-up shapes that are
welded prior to assembling the shape. On the other hand, the provisions do "apply to builtup cross section consisting of plates exceeding 2 in. that are welded with complete-jointpenetration groove welds to the face of other sections."
Beam copes and weld access holes
When splicing hot rolled shapes with a flange thickness exceeding 2 in. (50 mm) and similar
built-up cross sections, special attention must also be paid to the formation of beam copes
and weld access holes. More detailed rules for the size of an access hole are given;
specifically, the height shall be 1 1/2 times the thickness of the material containing the
access hole, most likely the web thickness, but not less than 1 in. (25 mm) nor greater than 2
in. (50 mm). Room for weld backing must also be provided and no arc of the weld access
hole shall have a radius less than 3/8 in.
For built-up shapes the access hole may
terminate perpendicular to the flange as long as the flange-to-web weld is held back at least
the weld size from the edge. The weld access hole details included in the 2005 Specification
are very similar to those in AWS D1.1, Structural Welding Code-Steel (6).

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

Bolts in combinations with welds

The design criteria for bolts in combination with welds in a joint are being completely revised
in 2005. Formerly, only bolts in slip-critical connections were permitted to share load with
welds. In the current draft, the provision reads as follows:
Bolts shall not be considered as sharing the load in combination with welds
except that connections with high-strength bolts installed in standard holes or
short slots transverse to the direction of the load are permitted to be
considered to share the load with longitudinally loaded fillet welds. In such
connections the strength of the bolts shall not be taken as greater than 50% of
the bearing strength of the bolts.
In other words, bolts in standard holes and short slots transverse to the direction of load can
share load with only longitudinally loaded fillet welds, but with a 50% reduction in the bearing
capacity of the bolts. This new provision is based on a recent research paper published in
the AISC Engineering Journal by Kulak and Grondin (7).
Limitations on bolted and welded connections
This section of Chapter J lists under what conditions pretensioned joints, slip-critical joints, or
welds are required. A similar section has existed in the AISC Specification for several
editions. For column splices, the height limitations and the language is being updated and
simplified, such that pretensioned joints, slip-critical joints, or welds are required in column
splices in all multi-story structures over 125 ft (38 m) in height. Formerly, the height limit was
based on the width of the building. The new provision is consistent with the height above
which connections of all beams and girders to columns are required to be pretensioned
joints, slip-critical joints, or welds. The remainder of the list remains unchanged, including
connections where live loads produce impact or reversal of stress and structures carrying
cranes over five-ton capacity.
Minimum strength of connections
A brief section on minimum strength of connections will be deleted. This section, also a
remnant of older versions of the AISC specification, stated a minimum factored load of 10
kips (44 kN) that all connections "providing design strength" should carry (2). The task
committee determined that these minimum loads have no technical basis and had the
potential of giving the designer the false idea that connections with this minimum design load
were adequate for fabrication and construction loads without further analysis.
WELDS
Weld provisions given in AWS D1.1 (6) apply under the 2005 Specification, with the
exception of those modified by the AISC sections listed in the preamble to Section J2. The
intention is for AISC to update their provisions to be consistent with the referenced version of
AWS D1.1. However, due to the different development cycles of the two standards, in some
cases, differences occur.
The most significant revisions to the weld provisions in the 2005 Specification occur in the
following areas: effective area and effective weld sizes for groove welds, and effective area,
terminations, and strength of fillet welds.

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

Groove welds
In line with AWS D1.1, as well as more recent research, the tables for effective throat of
partial-joint-penetration groove welds and effective weld sizes of flare groove welds are being
updated. Table J2.1 shown below has expanded to include more combinations of welding
processes and welding positions for partial-joint-penetration groove welds (new portions are
highlighted). The terminology to describe the effective throat thickness has been revised
from "depth of chamfer" to "depth of groove."
Table J2.1 Effective throat of partial-joint-penetration groove welds.
Welding Process

Welding Position
F (flat), H (horiz.),
V (vert.),
OH (overhead)

Shielded Metal Arc

(SMAW)

All

Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)

Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)

All

Groove Type
(AWS D1.1 Figure 3.3)

Effective Throat

J or U Groove
60 V
Depth of Groove
J or U Groove

Submerged Arc (SAW)

F
60 Bevel or V

Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)

Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)
Shielded Metal Arc
(SMAW)
Gas Metal Arc (GMAW)
Flux Cored Arc (FCAW)

F, H

45 Bevel

All

45 Bevel

V, OH

45 Bevel

Depth of Groove
Depth of Groove
Minus 1/8-in (3mm)
Depth of Groove
Minus 1/8-in (3mm)

The minimum effective throat thickness of a partial-joint-penetration groove weld is tabulated

in the 2005 Specification with numbers identical to the 1999 LRFD Specification, except the
minimum weld thickness is based on the thickness of the thinner part joined. Previously, it
was determined based on the thicker part joined. The new Specification will read "Minimum
weld size is determined by the thinner of the two parts joined." This is again consistent with
AWS D1.1, where when low hydrogen filler metals or processes are applied, the provisions
are based on the thinner part joined. Due to the prevalence of A992 and other high strength
low alloy steels in construction today, the use of low hydrogen filler metals are required.
Effective weld sizes of flare groove welds are being increased based on a March 2003 report
by Packer and Frater (8) as shown in Table J2.2. This table applies when the flare groove
weld is filled flush to the surface of a round bar, a 90 bend in a formed section, or
rectangular tube. For flare groove welds filled less than flush, the values in Table J2.2 apply
minus the greatest perpendicular dimension measured from a line flush to the base metal
surface to the weld surface. Examples of Flare-V-groove and flare-bevel groove welds are
shown in Figure 1.
Effective throats larger than either Table J2.1 or J2.2 can be qualified by tests.
For flare
groove welds the fabricator must establish by qualification the consistent production of such
larger effective throat thicknesses.

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

Table J2.2 Effective weld sizes of flare groove welds.

Welding Process
GMAW and FCAW-G
SMAW and FCAW S
SAW

Flare Bevel Groove

5/8 R
5/16 R
5/16 R

Flare V Groove
3/4 R
5/8 R
1/2 R

General Note: R = radius of joint surface (Can be assumed to be 2t for HSS)

Note 1: For Flare Bevel Groove with R<0.375 use only reinforcing fillet weld on filled flush joint

Figure 1. Examples of Flare V-groove and flare-bevel groove welds.

Fillet welds
The important revisions expected to the fillet weld provisions relate to effective throat, fillet
weld terminations, strength when fillet weld groups are oriented both longitudinally and
transversely to the direction of applied load. Regarding effective throat, historically, an
increase was permitted for submerged arc welding only. This increase has not been found to
be conservative for all process settings. Therefore, the new language allows an increase in
the effective throat using any welding process if consistent penetration beyond the root of the
diagrammatic weld is demonstrated by tests.
In the 1999 Specification, specific criteria for fillet weld terminations were incorporated into
the specification proper. This material has been "tweaked" slightly by revising the language
for terminations where cyclic forces exist. The previous text read, "For connections and
structural elements with cyclic forces, fillet welds shall be returned around the corner for a
distance not less than the smaller of two times the weld size or the width of the part." This is
now only applicable to "double angle connections and structural elements subject to cyclic
forces." Additionally, the special termination for "fillet welds joining transverse stiffeners to
plate girder webs" now only applies to plate girder webs 3/4 in. (19 mm) thick or less - a less
stringent requirement.
A new provision not yet balloted by the committee at the time of this paper, relates to the
strength of fillet welds when fillet weld groups are concentrically loaded and consist of weld
elements that are oriented both longitudinally and transversely to the direction of applied
load. The combined nominal strength of the fillet weld group shall be determined as the
greater of:
Rwl + Rwt or 0.85 Rwl + 1.5 Rwt
where,
Rwl = the total nominal strength of longitudinally loaded fillet welds
Rwt = the total nominal strength of transversely loaded fillet welds
This new provision follows two existing sub-sections that allow higher design capacities
based on the angle of loading with respect to the weld longitudinal axis. Recent research by
Ng et al. (9, 10) has demonstrated that where fillet welds exist in the same weld group that
are oriented both transverse and longitudinal to the direction of applied load, the existing
provisions are unconservative (2).

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

BOLTS AND THREADED PARTS

Similar to design of welds in the AISC Specifications, use of high-strength bolts conforms to
another referenced standard, entitled Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or
A490 Bolts, as approved by the Research Council on Structural Connections, hereafter
referred to as the RCSC Specification (11). For instances where the AISC Specification
differs from this referenced document, the AISC Specification controls. The new revisions
that will appear in the 2005 Specification include an expanded list of bolts or threaded rods
permitted, more liberal use of short-slotted holes, and revised procedures for combined
tension and shear in bearing-type connections and design for shear in slip-critical
connections.
High-strength bolts
Sometimes there is a need for larger diameter (greater than 1 in. (38 mm)) or longer than
usual (greater than 12 diameters) high strength bolts, such as anchor rods for fastening
machine bases. Due to the diameter and length limitations of the more commonly accepted
bolts types, such as high-strength bolts, ASTM A325, A490, and F1852 (twist-off type), the
2005 Specification will permit the use of other specified ASTM bolts or threaded rods. Bolts
or threaded rods conforming to the following ASTM specifications are permitted in this case:
ASTM A354 Gr BC, A354 Gr BD, (Quenched and Tempered Alloy Steel Bolts, Studs, and
Other Externally Threaded Fasteners) or A449 (Quenched and Tempered Steel Bolts and
Studs). For slip-critical connections, it is important that the geometry of these special
fasteners, including the head and nut(s) is equal to or (if larger in diameter) proportional to
that provided by ASTM A325 or A490 bolts. Installation must comply with the RCSC
Specification with modifications as necessary to account for the increased diameter and/or
length to provide the design pretension.
Size and use of holes
In addition to permitting other ASTM bolt types, the new specification will relax the
requirements for hole types permitted. Previously, only standard holes were allowed in
member-to-member connections without the approval of the engineer of record (EOR). It is
proposed that additionally short-slotted holes oriented transverse to the direction of load may
also be used routinely without any special approval. This is in response to what is common
practice in the fabrication industry. Short-slotted holes oriented parallel to the load,
oversized holes, or long-slotted holes still require EOR approval.
Combined tension and shear in bearing-type connections
Research has demonstrated that the strength of bearing fasteners subject to combined shear
and tension can be closely represented by an ellipse (12). Previous versions of the AISC
Specification have employed a straight-line representation of the ellipse as shown in Figure
2. In the 2005 Specification, the actual equation for the sloped portion of the approximation
is being given in the provisions, with the more exact elliptical equations given in the
commentary. The provisions read as follows:
The available tensile strength of a bolt subjected to combined tension and
shear shall be determined as Rn or Rn / where = 0.75 (LRFD), = 2.00
(ASD), Rn = FntAb, and Fn t = nominal tensile strength per unit area modified
to include the effects of shearing stress, ksi (MPa) defined as
F
Fnt ' = 1.3Fnt nt fv Fnt (LRFD)
Fnv

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

Fnt ' = 1.3Fnt

Fnt
fv Fnt
Fnv

Equation for the sloped line:

ft

Ft

fv
+
= 1.3
Fv

ft fv

+
= 1.3
Ft Fv

(LRFD)

(ASD)

ft
A

(ASD)
Pt. A = Ft or Ft /
Pt. B = Fv or Fv /

fv

Figure 2. Straight-Line Representation of Elliptical Solution.

High-strength bolts in slip-critical connections

One contentious issue in the current draft of the 2005 Specification is how to handle slip
resistance of slip-critical connections. The 1999 Specification gave two procedures for
calculating slip resistance: one method using factored loads and the other based on service
loads. For consistency with the format of the unified specification, only one procedure is
being proposed that is purported to give substantially the same results for ASD and LRFD.
This proposed procedure provides resistance to slip at service loads or resistance to slip at
factored loads with a reliability appropriate for serviceability criteria. The draft criteria can be
summarized as follows:
The design slip resistance Rn and the allowable slip resistance Rn/ shall be determined as:
= 1.00
= 1.40
Rn = 1.13 hscTbNs
where:

hsc
Tb

= mean slip coefficient for Class A (0.35) or B (0.50) surfaces, as applicable, or

as established by tests
= hole factor based on the hole type (standard, oversize, etc.)
= minimum fastener tension, kips (kN)

AFFECTED ELEMENTS OF MEMBERS AND CONNECTING ELEMENTS

This section of Chapter J is applicable to elements of members at connections and

connecting elements, including strength of elements in tension, in shear, and block shear
rupture strength. The latter has gone through numerous revisions in the more recent
versions of the AISC specification and the design procedure is being revised yet another time
in the 2005 Specification, based on the latest research. The new provisions are based on
one equation instead of two as given in the 1999 Specification. The nominal strength,
Rn = 0.6FyAgv + UbsFuAnt
where:
Ubs = 1 when tension stress is uniform; 0.5 when tension stress is nonuniform
Agv = gross area subject to shear, in.2 (mm2)
Ant = net area subject to tension, in.2 (mm2)

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

Anv = net area subject to shear, in.2 (mm2)

and 0.6FyAgv 0.6FyAnv
For a more detailed discussion of this limit state and its history, see Reference (13).
CONCLUSION

The 2005 Specification will not reach final approval until later in 2004, therefore the material
discussed in this paper is for information only and should not be applied until the final
document is announced. When that happens, the revised provisions in Chapter J for bolted
and welded connection design will be another step forward for the steel design and
fabrication industry in the United States. The AISC Committee on Specifications will
continue to work toward the goals of their mission statement:
Develop the practice-oriented specification for structural steel buildings that provides for
life safety
economical building systems
predictable behavior and response
efficient use
Based on new information from the areas of research and industry practice, the 2005
Specification for Structural Steel Buildings will allow for continued safe, as well as
economical and efficient steel building designs.
REFERENCES

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)
(5)

(6)
(7)
(8)
(9)

(10)

AISC, (2004). Specification for Structural Steel Buildings, Draft dated March 2004,
American Institute of Steel Construction, Chicago, IL.
AISC, (1999). Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel
Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction, December 27, Chicago, IL.
AISC, (1986). Load and Resistance Factor Design Specification for Structural Steel
Buildings, American Institute of Steel Construction, September 1, Chicago, IL.
ASCE, (2002). Minimum Design Loads for Buildings and Other Structures, ASCE 7,
American Society of Civil Engineers, Reston, Virginia.
ASTM, (2002), Standard Specification for General Requirements for Rolled
Structural Steel Bars, Plates, Shapes, and Sheet Piling, ASTM A6/A6M-02,
American Society of Testing Materials, West Conshohocken, Pennsylvania.
AWS, (2002). Structural Welding Code -Steel, American Welding Society, AWS
D1.1/D1.1M:2002, Miami, Florida.
Kulak, G.L. and Grondin, G.Y. (2003). Strength of Joints that Combine Bolts and
Welds, Engineering Journal, AISC, 4th Quarter.
Packer, J.A and Frater, G.S., (2003). "The Effective Throat of Flare Bevel and Flare
V Groove Welds," Final Report to AISC and STI, March.
Ng, A.K.F., Deng, K., Grondin, G.Y., and Driver, R.G., (2004). Behavior of
Transverse Fillet Welds: Experimental Program, Engineering Journal, AISC, 2nd
Quarter.
Ng., A.K.F., Driver, R.G., Grondin, G.Y., (2004). Behavior of Transverse Fillet
Welds: Parametric and Reliability Analyses, Engineering Journal, AISC, 2nd
Quarter.

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004

(11)
(12)
(13)

10

RCSC, (2002). Specification for Structural Joints Using ASTM A325 or A490 Bolts,
Research Council on Structural Connections, Chicago, IL.
Kulak, G.L., Fisher, J.W., and Struik, J.H.A., (1987). Guide to Design Criteria for
Bolted and Riveted Joints, 2nd Edition, John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY.
Geschwindner, L., (2004). Evolution of Shear Lag and Block Shear Provisions in the
AISC Specification, Proceedings of the Connections in Steel Structures V
Conference, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.

Connections in Steel Structures V - Amsterdam - June 3-4, 2004