6.

0 Connections
6.1 Introduction
Connections determine how the forces (moment and axial load) being transferred between
two structural members. The terms rigid-connections (continuous design), semi-rigid
connections (semi-continuous design) and simple connections (simple design) are therefore
indicate the degree of moment transferred between members. The rigid connection and simple
connection are the idealized assumptions that indicating full-moment transfer and zeromoment transfer; the semi-rigid connection is in actual condition which stand in between. The
Figure 6-1 shows the difference between the effects of connection types to the force
distribution in a structure.
Simple
Construction

Semi-continuous
Construction

Pinned joint

Semi rigid
connections

Continuous
Construction

Rigid joint

No moment at
beam end

Sagging
moment
govern the
beam size
Moment due to
eccentricity of beamend force (based on BS
5950)

Reduced
sagging
moment
Beam end connection
transfers a portion of
moment to the
columns

The least
sagging
moment
Beam design using
hogging moment.

Figure 6-1 Moment distribution in various type of connections

Recall the concept of effective length in previous chapter (see also Table 25 BS 5950), the
single-bolt connecting two truss member is considered pin-jointed; double-bolts is consider
semi-rigid. In this sense, the rigid connection may be gained if appropriate amount of bolt
assigned to the connection. Normally welding is assumed rigid connection. The Figure 6-2
shows some example of the connection types mentioned above, and the Figure 6-3 shows the
moment rotation characteristic of several types of connections.

Web cleat and end

bearing (simple
construction)
Secondary beam-main beam connection
(web cleat) (assumed as pin connection)

Web cleat (assumed to be

simple construction)

Flush end plate (simple

semi-continuous)

Fin plate (assumed to be

simple construction, could
be semi-continuous)

Beam splice (mandatory to

be continuous design)

Extended end plate (prior

for semi-continuous)

Column splice (continuous)

Welded (continuous)

Portal frame eave connection (continuous)

Figure 6-2 Various types of connection

Figure 6-3 Moment rotation characteristic

In this chapter, we will focus on joints in simple design. In simple design, joints between
members should be capable to transmit the calculated forces and should also capable of
accepting the resulting rotation. No significant moment that adversely affects members of the
structures taken into account. Bolting and welding are concerned as the major connection
medium. Three common types of connections covered are:
- shear connection in which the connection is resisting shear deformation in
longitudinal direction of both connected members (planar shear)
- tensile connection the connection is assigned to resist the uplift force, e.g. end plate
connection.
- brackets connecting a horizontal member perpendicularly to a vertical member
which inducing moment.

Single shear

Double shear
Lapped joint

Face-connected joint

Figure 6-4 Various connections

6.2 Bolting
A bolt may be subjects to plane shear and tension. Some of the possible failure modes are
shown in Figure 6-5 below.

Bearing

Crushed

Plate failure

Bolt yielded

Tore off

Frictional loss

Figure 6-5 Various failure mode of bolt

Significantly the failure may occur at the connected plate, bolt itself and the nut. Therefore, a
bolt should be checked its resistance to all these kind of failure. A summary of items to be
checked for bolt design is provided below:
About the plate or connected part
- bolt spacing (maximum spacing and minimum spacing);
- edge distance (maximum and minimum);
- packing thickness and number of plies;
- bolt holes effect on shear capacity;
- block shear failure which occurs when a group of bolts are used; and
- bearing capacity
About the bolt itself
- shear capacity affected by the thickness and number of plies;
- bearing capacity; and
- tension capacity

6.2.1 Bolt Spacing and Edge Distances

Oversize hole

Fitted hole

Slotted hole

* The standard
dimensions of
holes are listed in
Table 33

Standard clearance hole

d = nominal diameter of bolt

Minimum bolts spacing in unstiffened plates

2.5d
Maximum bolts spacing in unstiffened plates
Distance between two lines of adjacent bolts

Normally:

14t
Stress direction

t
t = thickness of the thinner plate
*These plates are not stiffened by web or outstand

Connection exposed to corrosive influences:

The lesser of 16t and 200mm

*Any direction

Edge and End Distances

Oversize hole

Standard clearance hole

Edge
Minimum edge or end distance (for unstiffened plates):
Quality of cut
For a rolled, machine flame cut, sawn or planed edge or end
For a sheared or hand flame cut edge or end

Edge and end distance

1.25D
1.40D

NOTE D is the diameter of a standard clearance hole for a bolt of the relevant nominal diameter

Maximum edge or end distance (for unstiffened plates):

e < 11te

normally

e < 40mm + 4te where the parts are exposed to corrosive influences
Figure 6-6 Bolts spacing (adapted from cl. 6.2)

6.2.2 Capacity of Plate or Connected Part

6.2.2.1 Shear Capacity
No reduction of shear capacity if
Av.net > 0.85Av/ Ke
where
Av.net is the net area after deducting bolt holes;
Ke
is the effective net area coefficient (see cl. 3.4.3)
If Av.net < 0.85Av/ Ke, the shear capacity is 0.7pyKeAv.net
6.2.2.2 Block Shear Capacity of the Connected Part
A group of bolt holes may induce shear failure which depicted in Figure 6-7:

Failure on the shear

face of bolt group

Tensile rupture on
tension face of bolt
group

Figure 6-7 Block shear failure of bolt group

To prevent it, checking must be done to ensure the reaction Fr at the connected part less than
block shear capacity Pr where,
Pr = 0.6pyt [Lv + Ke(Lt kDt)]
where
Dt
is the hole size for the tension face, generally the hole diameter, but for slotted
hole the dimension perpendicular to the direction of load transfer should be
used;
k
is a coefficient with values as follows:
- for a single line of bolts:
k = 0.5;
- for a two line of bolts:
k = 2.5
Lt
is the length of the tension face
Lv
is the length of shear face
t
is the thickness

Figure 6-8 Effective shear area (Figure 22)

6.2.2.3 Bearing Capacity of the Connected Part (cl. 6.3.3.3)

Bearing capacity of the plate or any connected part is indicated by:
Pbs = kbsdtpbs but
Pbs < 0.5kbsetpbs
where
is bearing strength of the connected part, (460N/mm2 for steel grade S 275, and
pbs
550N/mm2 for grade S 355)
kbs
- for bolts in standard clearance holes:
1.0;
- for bolts in oversized holes:
0.7;
- for bolts in short slotted holes:
0.7;
- for bolts in long slotted holes:
0.5;
- for bolts in kidney-shaped slots:
0.5
6.2.2.4 Moment Capacity of the Connected Part (cl. 6.3.4.2)
If the connected part is designed assuming double curvature bending, its moment capacity per
unit width should be taken as
Mc = pytp2/6
where
is the thickness of the connected part.
tp

Figure 6-9 Double curvature bending at outstand

6.2.3 Bolts Capacity

Two design methods are allowed in BS 5950-1:2000, they are simple method and more exact
method. The simple method is commonly used, and it will be introduced in this chapter. To
apply simple method, the cross-centre spacing of the bolt lines should not exceed 55% of the
flange width or end plate width:

Figure 6-10 Maximum cross-centres of bolt lines for the simple method

6.2.3.1 Shear Capacity (cl. 6.3.2)

The shear capacity of the whole connection is determined by the lesser of shear capacity of
the bolt itself and the shear capacity of the connected members.
The shear capacities of a bolt in different cases are depicted in the Figure 6-11 below:

A=A

A = At

*At may be obtained from the appropriate bolt specification; if it is

not defined, At is taken as the area at the bottom of the threads
Packing
*The number of plies is preferably less than four
tpa < d/3 ,

Ps = psAs

tpa < 4d/3

Long joint

9d
d/3 < tpa < 4d/3, Ps = psAs
8d 3dt
pa

Lj > 500mm,

5500 L j
5000

Ps = psAs

Figure 6-11 Shear capacity of bolt in various conditions

6.2.3.2 Bearing Capacity (cl. 6.3.3)

Since the failure of connection may occurs on bolts or the connected part, the capacity of
concerned connection is taken as the lesser of the bolt plate bearing capacity and bolt bearing
capacity Pbb
Pbb = dtppbb
where,
8

pbb
tp

is the bearing strength of the bolt, obtained from Table 31, (460N/mm2 for bolt
grade 4.6; 1000N/mm2 for bolt grade 8.8 and 1300N/mm2 for bolt grade 10.9);
is the thickness of the connected part, or, if the bolts are countersunk, the
thickness of the part minus half the depth of countersinking.

6.2.3.3 Tension Capacity

The tension capacity of a bolt may be determined by either simple method or more exact
method. The simple method provides:
Pnom = 0.8ptAt
where
pt
is the tension strength of the bolt (240N/mm2 for bolt grade 4.6; 560N/mm2 for bolt
grade 8.8 and 700N/mm2 for bolt grade 10.9)

6.2.4 Bracket
Brackets may be connected to either the web or the flange of the column using bolts, welds or
a combination of the two. It may be fabricated from offcuts of rolled sections, or from plates
appropriately shaped and welded together. The connection may be subjects to:
- the moment acts out-of-plane producing tension in the bolts;
- the moment is in the plane of the connection resulting in a shear effect in the bolts

a) Face connected-moment (out of plane)

b) Lapped-torsional moment (in plane)

Figure 6-12

6.2.4.1 Bracket Subjects to Out-of-plane Moment

A single bolt in a bracket subjects to out-of-plane moment (faced connected bracket) is
necessary to be checked its adequacy in resisting the direct shear stress and tensile stress due
to moment.
The direct shear stress Fs of the bolt may be obtained by:
Fs = P/n
where
P
is the acted force (see Figure 6-9);
n
is the number of bolt in the bracket
The shear stress due to moment:
Ft = Peymax/ y 2
where
9

ymax
y

is the distance from the zero-moment point to the centre of furthest bolt, which
labeled as d in Figure 6-9 a);
is the distance from the zero-moment point to centre of each bolt.

The effect due combination of shear and tension also should be checked through satisfying the
following expression (for simple method) (cl. 6.3.4.4):
Fs
F
t 1 .4
Ps Pnom

6.2.5 Worked Example for Face-Connected Bracket

Check the adequacy of the connection depicted below in Figure 6.13:
Design force
200 G = 210kN
k
Qk = 105kN

P = 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk
= 1.4 210 + 1.6 105

154.3

480

457

3 @ 100

= 462kN

Out-of-plane moment
M = 462 0.2

20

= 92.4 kNm
Figure 6-13

Try 8 no. 20mm bolts (grade 8.8)

Direct Shear Force
= P/n = 462/8
Fs
= 57.8kN
Shear Capacity of Connection
For 20mm bolts (grade 8.8), ps = 375N/mm2 and As = 245mm2
Ps
= psAs = 375 245 10-3
= 91.9kN > Fs = 57.8kN
Shear Capacity of the Connected Part
Assume standard clearance hole used, therefore, kbs = 1.0 and d = 22
Pbs
= kbsdtpbs = 1.0 22 20 460 10-3
= 202.4kN > Fs = 57.8kN

Ok

cl. 6.3.2.1
Table 30
Ok

Tension Force Due to Out-of-plane Moment

Determine the zero-moment point, overall depth d = 480, d/7 = 68.57mm from cl. 6.3.3.3
bottom, use 70mm

10

Tension force
Ft = Peymax/ y 2

Bolt tension

100
100

100

462 0.2 320 10 3

20 2 120 2 220 2 320 2 2

= 89.3 kN

20
70

Figure 6-14
Tension Capacity
Pnom = 0.8ptAt = 0.8 560 10-3 303
= 135.74kN > Ft = 98.9kN

Ok

Combination Check
Fs
F
57.8
98.9

= 1.23 < 1.4

t =
Ps Pnom 114 135.74

Ok

Comments
Bolts satisfactory

cl. 6.3.4.2

cl. 6.3.4.4

Bracket Subjects to In-plane Moment

Similar to the design of face-connected bracket, the bolts in a bracket subject to in-plane
moment (lapped bracket) is required to check its adequacy on resisting direct shear. The
moment due to eccentricity is also converted into shear onto the bolt. Therefore, these shear
vectors are sum together in force analysis.
e

P
A

Ft

rmax
y2
y1

Fs

FR

o
x1

Figure 6-14 The vector sum of shear stress

Formula of Fs is similar to the calculation of lapped bracket. For shear stress due to moment,
Ft = Permax/( x 2 + y 2 )
where

11

rmax

x max y max , is the distance from the centroid of bolt group to the centre
2

of outset bolt, which subject to greatest stress

The vector sum of shear force is gained by using trigonometry formula:
FR =

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

6.2.6 Worked Example for Lapped Bracket

Reconsider the previous case, now replace the connection to be the gusset plate on two faces
of the column flanges, which as depicted in Figure 6-16 below. Check the adequacy of the
connection below:
Use 8 no. 24mm bolts (grade 8.8) on
550

462kN

each face

Direct Shear Force

100

Fs

100

= P/n = 462/(8 2)
= 28.9kN

100

75

75

Figure 6-15

Shear Force Due to In-plane Moment

x max y max =
2

rmax

Ft

= 167.71mm
= Permax/( x 2 +

75 2 150 2

= 462 550 167.71 / [(8 752) 2 + (4 502 + 4 1502) 2]

= 147.0kN
Vector sum of shear force
FR

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

= 28.9 2 146.95 2 2 28.9 146.9575 / 167.71

= 162.0kN

Shear Capacity of Connection

For 24mm bolts (grade 8.8), ps = 375N/mm2 and As = 353mm2
Ps
= psAs = 375 353 10-3
= 132.4kN > Fs = 162.0kN
Shear Capacity of the Connected Part
Assume standard clearance hole used, therefore, kbs = 1.0 and d = 26
= kbsdtpbs = 1.0 26 20 460 10-3
Pbs

cl. 6.3.2.1
Table 30
Ok

cl. 6.3.3.3

12

= 239.2kN > Fs = 162.0kN

Ok

Comments
Bolts satisfactory

6.2.6 Worked Example of Web Cleats

Design a beam-to-column connection using web cleats. The beam is 457 191 90UB S275
and the column is 203 203 86UC S275. Factored reaction at the beam end is 402.85kN.

Fv = 402.85kN (factored)

Figure 6-16

Sizing
Gauge, g = 134.4mm
Try angle cleat 90 90 10L
Length of cleat, lc > 0.6Db = 0.6 467.4 = 280.44mm,
Adopt lc = 290mm
Bolt
Adopt M20 grade 8.8 bolts in standard clearance holes
= 20mm
db
= 22mm
Db
Minimum bolt spacing
= 2.5db = 2.5 20 = 50mm
Maximum bolt spacing
= 14tmin = 14 10 = 140mm
Minimum edge distance
= 1.25Dh = 1.25 22 = 27.5mm (for rolled edge)
= 1.40Dh = 1.40 22 = 30.8mm (for cut edge)
Maximum edge distance
= 11tmin = 11 10 = 110mm

= 1.0 since thickness of both web splice and flange splice are less than 16mm

Table 33
cl. 6.2.1.1
cl. 6.2.1.2
Table 29
cl. 6.2.2.5
Table 9
Table 12

Adopt
Bolts spacing = 50mm
Edge distance = 30mm for the rolled edge and 35mm for the cut edge
Shear capacity of bolt group connecting cleats to web of supported beam

13

Basic requirement: FR < 2Ps due to bolts are double shear

Force on the outermost bolt
= Fv / (number of bolts) = 402.85 / 6
Shear force per bolt, Fs
= 67.14kN
Shear force per bolt due to eccentric moment,
Ft
= Permax/( x 2 + y 2 )
rmax

x max y max =
2

60 2 125 2

= 138.65mm
Ft
= 402.85 60 138.65 / [2(3 602 + (252 + 752 + 1252))]
= 51.28kN
Vector sum
FR

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

= 67.14 2 51.28 2 2 67.14 51.2860 / 138.65

= 100.58kN
Bolt shear capacity
As = At = 245mm2, ps = 375N/mm2
Capacity of a single bolt = 2Ps = 2psAs = 2 375 245 10-3 = 183.75kN
2Ps > FR = 100.58kN
OK
Shear and Bearing Capacity of Cleat Connected to Supported Beam
For shear
Force to be resisted by each cleat
F
= Fv / 2 = 402.85 / 2
= 201.43kN

Shear capacity of a single angle cleat,

Av
= 0.9Anet = 0.9 tc (lc 6Dh) = 0.9 10 (320 6 22)
= 1692mm2
Pv
= 0.6pyAv = 0.6 275 1692 10-3
= 279.18kN > F

cl. 4.2.3
OK

For bearing
Force to be resisted by each cleat
F
= FR / 2 = 100.58 / 2 = 50.29kN
Bearing capacity, Pbs
kbs = 1.0, db = 22mm and e = 30mm
Pbs
= kbsdbtcpbs = 1.0 22 10 460 10-3
= 101.2kN
0.5 kbsetcpbs = 0.5 1.0 30 10 460 10-3 = 69kN < Pbs
Therefore Pbs = 69kN > F = 50.29kN
Shear and Bearing Capacity of the Supported Beam
For shear (Block shear capacity)
Ke
= 1.2 for steel grade S275
k
= 0.5 for single line of bolts
Pr
= 0.6pytb [Lv + Ke(Lt kDt)]
= 0.6 275 11.4 [250 + 1.2 (60 0.5 22)] 10-3
= 580.85kN > Fv = 402.85kN

cl. 6.3.3.3

OK

cl. 3.4.3
cl. 6.2.4

OK

14

For bearing
kbs = 1.0, db = 22mm and e = 50mm
Pbs
= kbsdbtbpbs = 1.0 22 11.4 460 10-3
= 115.37kN
0.5 kbsetbpbs = 0.5 1.0 50 11.4 460 10-3 = 131.1kN < Pbs
Therefore Pbs = 115.37kN > FR = 100.58kN

cl. 6.3.3.3

OK

Shear Capacity of Bolt Group Connecting Cleats to Supporting Column

Force to be resisted for each top row bolt, F = 402.85 / 6 = 67.14kN
Shear capacity of a single bolt for the top row bolts
Due to bolt shank failure,
Ps
= ps As = 375 245 10-3 = 91.9kN > F = 67.14kN
OK

Due to end tearing

Pbs
= 0.5 kbsetcpbs = 0.5 1.0 30 10 460 10-3
= 69.0kN > F = 67.14kN

cl. 6.3.2.1

cl. 6.3.3.3
OK

Shear Bearing Capacity of Cleats Connected to Supporting Column

For shear
Force to be resisted by each cleat, F = Fv / 2 = 201.43kN
Shear capacity of a single angle cleat,
Av
= 0.9Anet = 0.9 tc (lc 4Dh) = 0.9 10 (320 4 22)
= 2088mm2
Pv
= 0.6pyAv = 0.6 275 2088 10-3
= 344.52kN > F = 201.43kN

OK

For Bearing
Force to be resisted by each bolt, F = Fv / 12 = 402.85/12 = 33.57kN
Pbs
= kbsdbtcpbs = 1.0 22 10 460 10-3
= 101.2kN
0.5 kbsetcpbs = 0.5 1.0 30 10 460 10-3 = 69.0kN < Pbs
Therefore Pbs = 69.0kN > F = 33.57kN

OK

cl. 6.3.2.1

cl. 6.3.3.3

Shear Bearing Capacity of Connected Column Flange

It need not be checked since the thickness is more than the web cleats.

6.3 Welding
A weld is produced by passing a current (between 50 and 400 amperes), through an electrode
or filler wire to produce an arc which complete the path from the power source through the
specimen to earth. Therefore the generated heat (from 2800 to 16700C) will melt both the
electrode and the parent metal and the plates being welded fuse together on cooling. The
Figure 6-18 shows some types of welding.

Butt weld

Fillet weld

Deep penetration fillet weld

Figure 6-17 Various types of weld

15

There are two design methods allowed which are the simple method and directional method.
The simple method is to be introduced since it involves shorter procedure. Generally, the
design of weld involves only the calculation of vector sums the design stresses as in the bolt
design, assigning appropriate amount of welding material and fulfilling some rules stated in
BS 5950.

6.3.1 Weld Strength

The longitudinal shear capacity PL per unit length of weld is taken as:
PL = pwa
where
pw
a

is the design strength of fillet welds (Table 37), which often taken as
220N/mm2
is the throat size of a fillet weld (see Figure 6-19 below)

Figure 6-18 Effective throat size of a plain fillet weld

Since the effective throat size is not allowed to be more that 0.7s, (where s is the smaller leg
for a plain fillet weld or the smaller fusion face for any other case), and the design strength pw
= 220N/mm2 for steel S275 in all electrode classes, the formula of shear capacity PL per unit
length could be rearranged, so:
PL = pwa = 220 0.7s
= 0.154s kN/mm

16

6.3.2 Rules in Weld Design

6.3.2.1 Effective Length (cl. 6.8.2)
* Le is taken as the
length over which
the fillet is full size

Le = L 2s
s

* If Le < 4s or
40mm, the weld
should not be used
to carry load
s

s
Figure 6-19 Effective length
* In case where the
end return (which
is taken as
minimum 2s) exist,
the Le is taken as
Le = L s
* L > Tw

Figure 6-20 At the end of member

t = thickness of the thinner part jointed

L > 4t
Figure 6-21 Le for a lapped joint

6.3.2.2 Angle of Intersection of a Fillet Weld (cl. 6.8.1)

120 > > 60

Fusion faces
Figure 6-22 Limitation of intersection angle for a fillet weld

17

6.3.3 Simple Design

6.3.3.1 For Welds Subject to Axial Force Only
For welds which are parallel to force direction. The weld length may be divided in proportion
of distance from weld to the centroid, see Figure 6-24
Assume P = Le1 + Le2
Moment at point A:
Pb = Le1 (a + b)

Le1

Therefore,
L
Le1
b
;
e1
ab
P
Le1 Le 2
and
Le 2
a

a b Le1 Le 2

a
P

Le2

Figure 6-23 Proportion of weld length in parallel of force direction

For welds which are perpendicular to the direction of force, the stress is assumed distributed
uniformly over the weld length.

6.3.4 Worked Example for Welds Subject to Axial Load

6.3.4.1 Welds Parallel to Force Direction
Determine the weld lengths if only side welding applied on the connection depicted below:
Le1

43.9

Gk = 50kN
Qk = 60kN

21.1
65

65 50 8L

Le2
Figure 6-24

Loading
P
= 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk = 1.4 50 + 1.6 60
= 166kN
Overall Sizing
Try 6mm fillet weld, s = 6mm
PL
= 0.154s = 0.154 6
= 0.924kN/mm
Le
= P/PL = 166 / 0.924
= 180mm
Detail Sizing
Le1
b

Le1 Le 2 a b
Le1 21.1

180
65

18

Le1

= 58.43mm

Le2

= 180 - Le1 = 180 58.43

= 121.57mm

Applied Weld Length

Since no end turning,
L1
= Le1 + 2s = 58.43 + 2 6
= 70.43mm
L2

Apply 75mm

= Le2 + 2s = 121.57 + 2 6
= 133.57mm

Apply 135mm

6.3.4.2 Welds in Both Parallel and Perpendicular to Force Direction

Determine the weld lengths if only side welding applied on the connection depicted below:
Le1

43.9

Gk = 50kN
Qk = 60kN

21.1
65

65 50 8L

Le2
Figure 6-25

Detail Sizing
Le1 Tw / 2
b

, where Tw is the overall depth of the angle section

Le1 Le 2
ab
Le1 65 / 2 21.1

180
65
Le1
= 27.2mm
Le2

= 180 Tw - Le1 = 180 65 - 27.2

= 87.8mm

Applied Weld Length

Since no end turning,
L1
= Le1 + s = 27.2 + 6
= 33.2mm
Since 33.2mm is less than Tw, applied L1 should be at least equal to Tw, therefore
L1
= 65mm
Apply 65mm
L2

= Le2 + s = 87.8 + 6
= 93.8mm

Apply 95mm

19

6.3.4.3 For Welds Subject to In-plane Moment and Out-of-plane Moment

Similar to bolt design, the stresses to be checked are the direct stress and stress due to
eccentric moment. Therefore, the general formulas used in both cases are:
Fs = P/ Le
Ft = Permax/( I x +
FR =

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

e
P

A
rmax

rmax

Ft

Fs

o
y

FR

Figure 6-26 The vector summation of shear stress

20

6.3.5 Worked Example for Lapped Joint (In-plane Moment)

Determine the appropriate weld size for the connection shown below:
150
200kN

A
rmax

rmax

300

Ft

Fs
x

Welded at back face

160

FR

Figure 6-27

Direct Shear Force

Fs
= P/ Le = 200 / [2 (300 + 160)]

= 0.217kN/mm
Shear Force Due to In-plane Moment
Assume the thickness of weld is 1mm to ease the calculation
300 3

Ix
= 2
160 150 2 = 11.7 106mm3
12

Iy
rmax
Ft

160 3
= 2
300 80 2 = 4.52 106mm3

12

= 80 2 150 2
= 170mm
= Permax/( I x +

= 200 150 170 / [(11.7 + 4.52) 106]

= 0.314kN/mm
Vector Sum
FR

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

= 0.217 2 0.314 2 2 0.217 0.314 80 / 170

= 0.458kN/mm
Sizing
PL = FR = 0.458kN/mm
0.458 = 0.154s
s
= 0.458 / 0.154
= 2.97mm

Apply 4mm fillet weld , Grade 35

21

6.3.6 Worked Example (In-plane Moment) (2 Flanges and 3 Welded Lines)

Determine the appropriate weld size for the connection shown below:
150

400kN

y
A

rmax

rmax

300

Fs
x

Ft

FR

C.L.

No welding at back face

160

Plates on both flanges

Plan view
Figure 6-28

Direct Shear Force

Consider one plate only
Fs
= P/ Le = 200 / (300 + 2 160)

= 0.323kN/mm
Centroid
Assuming weld thickness is 1mm, consider only one plate
A = 300 + 2 160
y

= 620mm2
= (2 160 1 80) / 620
= 41.29mm from left

Shear Force Due to In-plane Moment

Consider only one plate,

300 3
Ix
=
2 160 150 2 = 9.45 106mm3

12
Iy
rmax
Ft

160 3
= 2
300 41.29 2 = 1.19 106mm3
12

= 160 41.29 150 2

= 191.29mm
= Permax/( I x + I y )
= 200 (150 + 80 41.29) 191.29 / [(9.45 + 1.19) 106]
2

22

= 0.679kN/mm
Vector Sum
FR

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

= 0.3232 0.6792 2 0.323 0.679 160 41.29 / 191.29

= 0.915kN/mm
Sizing
PL = FR = 0.915kN/mm
0.915 = 0.154s
s
= 0.915 / 0.154
= 5.94mm

Apply 6mm fillet weld , Grade 35

23

6.3.7 Worked Example for Face Joint (Out-of-plane Moment)

Determine whether the connection shown below is safe to be used.
Gk = 80kN
Qk = 110kN

364

8mm
grade 35
welding

173.2

280

250

Offcut of 356 171 67UB

Figure 6-29

Loading
P
= 1.4Gk + 1.6Qk = 1.4 80 + 1.6 110
= 288kN
Total Weld Length
= 173.2 2 8
Le, f
= 157.2mm
Le, w = 280 2 8
= 264mm
Le
= 2 [157.2 + 264]
= 842.4mm

Direct Shear Force

Fs
= P/ Le = 288 / 842.4

= 0.342kN/mm
Shear Force Due to Out-of-plane Moment
Assume the thickness of weld is 1mm to ease the calculation
264 3
2
Ix
= 2
157.2 364 / 2 = 13.48 106mm3

12
rmax = 364 / 2
= 182mm
Ft
= Permax/( I x + I y )

= 288 250 182 / 13.48 106]

= 0.972kN/mm
Vector Sum
FR

Fs Ft 2 Fs Ft cos
2

= 0.342 2 0.972 2 0
= 1.031kN/mm
24

Sizing
PL = FR = 1.031 kN/mm
1.031 = 0.154s
s
= 1.031 / 0.154
= 6.691mm < 8mm

8mm fillet weld is adequate!

6.3.8 Worked Example for Connection Combined Welding and Bolting

(Flexible End Plate)
Design a beam-to-beam connection using flexible end plate. The supported beam is 305 102
33UB S275 and the supporting beam is 457 191 90UB S275. Factored reaction at the
supported beam end is 79.37kN.
e1 =
e2 =

Fv = 79.37kN (factored)
(see worked example in 3.4)

Figure 6-30

Sizing
Gauge, g adopted as 100mm; plate thickness, tp = 8mm; and,
plate length, lp > 0.6Db = 0.6 312.7 = 187.62mm
Adopt lp = 220mm

Use M20 grade 8.8 bolts in standard clearance holes

db
= 20mm
Db
= 22mm
Minimum bolt spacing
= 2.5db = 2.5 20 = 50mm
Maximum bolt spacing
= 14tp = 14 8 = 112mm
Minimum edge distance
= 1.25Dh = 1.25 22 = 27.5mm
Maximum edge distance
= 11tp = 11 8 1.0 = 88mm
Adopt
Bolts spacing = 75mm and edge distances = 35mm

Table 33
cl. 6.2.1.1
cl. 6.2.1.2
Table 29
cl. 6.2.2.5

Shear Capacity of Bolt Group

Shear force to be resisted = Fv = 79.37kN

25

Bolt shear capacity

Capacity of a single bolt itself,
As = At = 245mm2, ps = 375N/mm2
Ps = psAs = 375 245 10-3 = 91.88kN
6Ps = 551.25kN > FR = 79.37kN
The top pair of bolts may subject bearing failure
Pbs
= 0.5 kbsetppbs = 0.5 1.0 35 8 460 10-3
= 64.4kN > Fv / 6 = 13.23kN

cl. 6.3.2.1

cl. 6.3.3.3
OK

Shear and Bearing Capacity of End Plate

For shear
Force to be resisted, F = 79.37kN

Shear capacity of a single angle cleat,

Av
= 0.9Anet = 0.9 tp (lp 3Dh) = 0.9 8 (220 3 22)
= 1108.8mm2
Pv
= 0.6pyAv = 0.6 275 1108.8 10-3
= 182.95kN > Fv = 79.37kN

OK

For Bearing
Force to be resisted by each bolt, F = Fv / 6 = 13.23kN
Pbs
= kbsdbtPpbs = 1.0 22 8 460 10-3
= 80.96kN
0.5 kbsetppbs = 0.5 1.0 35 8 460 10-3 = 64.4kN < Pbs
Therefore Pbs = 64.4kN > F = 13.23kN

OK

cl. 6.3.2.1

cl. 6.3.3.3

Shear Capacity of the Supported Beam Web at the End Plate

Force to be resisted = Fv = 79.37kN
Pvb

= 0.6pyAv = 0.6pytblp = 0.6 275 6.6 220 10-3

= 239.58kN > Fv = 79.37kN

OK

Capacity of Fillet welds Connecting End Plate to Supported Beam Web

Try 6mm fillet welds, s = 6mm
Design strength (assumed electrode classification 35), pw = 220N/mm2
PL
= pwa = 220 0.7s = 220 0.7 6 10-3
= 0.924N/mm

Effective length of the weld (both side of the beam web),

lw
= 2(lp 2s) = 2 (220 2 6) = 416mm
Pweld

= PL lw = 0.924 416
= 384.38kN > Fv = 79.37kN

OK

26

Problems
1. Two pieces of steel plates which subjects to ultimate axial load 200kN is to be connected
to each other (as shown in Figure 6-32). Determine the number of bolt, bolt size, edge
distances of the plate and spacing between bolts.

210mm

8mm thick grade S 275 steel plates

Figure 6-31

2. A double-C-channel member which resisting 820kN ultimate tensile force is composed of

two sections which are connected end-to-end (see Figure 6-33). Both top and bottom faces
of the channel are covered by a piece of 10 162 steel plate. The gap within the double-C
is filled by another piece of 10 198 plate.
a.
Determine the number of bolts needed for this system.
b.
Check the adequacy of the C-channels in resisting the bolt bearing.
c.
Check the adequacy of the plates.
10 162

10 198
P = 820kN

203 76 23.82 C
Figure 6-32

27

3. Determine bolt size for the case below.

300
120kN

100
100

20mm thick gusset plates at each flanges

100

50

50

Figure 6-33

4. Determine bolt size for the case below.

250

380

5 @ 60

P = 300kN

12 no. 24 bolts

Figure 6-34

5. Design a splice for 533 210 82UB. Ultimate moment and shear force at the point of
connection are 30kNm and 175kN. The formula Ft = Permax/( x 2 + y 2 ) could be
replaced by Ft = Mrmax/( x 2 +

) in this case, where M is the design moment.

Figure 6-35

6. Determine the leg size of the connection which shown in Figure 6-37 below.

28

20
12mm thick
gusset plate
P = 90kN
60 30 6L

60
65
Figure 6-36

7. Determine the leg size of the connection which shown in Figure 6-38 below.
300
500kN

300

2 no. 20mm
thick plates
125

125

Welded at back face

Elevation view

Plan view

Figure 6-37

8. Determine the leg size of the connection which shown in Figure 6-39 below.
250
208.7

348.3

364

P = 350kN

Offcut of 533 210 82UB

Figure 6-38

9.

Design the fin plate which depicted in the Figure 6-40 below:

29

Fv = 450kN (factored)

Figure 6-39 Fin plate

10. Design a beam-to-column connection using web cleats. The beam is 533 210 92UB
S275 and the column is 254 254 89UC S275. Factored reaction at the beam end is
700kN.
11. Design a beam-to-beam connection using flexible end plate. The supported beam is 533
210 92UB S275 and the supporting beam is 610 229 140UB S275. Factored reaction
at the supported beam end is 600kN.

References
1. L. J. Morris, D. R. Plum (1988), Structural Steelwork Design to BS 5950, Longman
Scientific & Technical, UK.
2. BSI (2000), BS 5950-1:2000 Guide to Amendments, SCI, UK.
3. D. A. Nerthercot (1991), Limit States Design of Structural Steelwork (Second
Edition), Chapman & Hall, London.
4. SCI/BCSA, Joints in Simple Construction Volume 1: Design Methods Second
Edition

30