Connections form an important part of

any structure and are designed more

conservatively than members.
Connections account for more than half
the cost of structural steelwork and so
their design and detailing are of primary
importance for the economy of the
structure.
The type of connection designed has an
influence on member design and so
must be decided even prior to the
design of the structural system and
design of members.
 The connections provided in steel
structures can be classified as
1) Riveted
2) Bolted
3) Welded connections.
Riveted connections were once very
popular and are still used in some cases
but are gradually replaced by bolted
connections.
This is due to the low strength of rivets,
higher installation costs and the inherent
inefficiency of the connection.
 Welded connections have the
advantage that no holes need to be
drilled in the member and consequently
have higher efficiencies.
A special type of bolted connection
using High Strength Friction Grip (HSFG)
bolts has been found to perform better
under such conditions than the
conventional black bolts used to resist
predominantly static loading.
Bolted connections are also easy to
inspect and replace.
 The choice of using a particular type of
connection is entirely that of the designer
and he should take his decision based on a
good understanding of the connection
behaviour, economy and speed of
construction.
Ease of fabrication and erection should be
considered in the design of connections.
Attention should be paid to clearances
necessary for field erection, tolerances,
tightening of fasteners, welding procedures,
subsequent inspection, surface treatment
and maintenance.
 Method of joining together pieces of
metal by inserting ductile metal pins
called rivets.
These rivets are pinned into holes of
pieces to be connected and forming a
head at the end of the rivet to prevent
each metal piece from coming out.
 Rivet holes are made in the structural
members that are to be connected by
drilling.
Size of the rivet hole is kept slightly more(1.5-
2mm) than the size of rivet.
A red hot rivet is inserted which has a shop
made head on one side and the length is
slightly more than the thickness of the
members to be connected.
Holding the red hot rivet at shop head end,
hammering is done.
It helps the rivet to completely fill up the
rivet hole.
This may be done at workshops or at fields.
 Disadvantages
Associated with high noise pollution
Needs heating the rivet to red hot
Inspection of connection is a skilled work
Removing is costly
Labor cost is high
 Bolt is a metal pin with a head formed at
one end and shank threaded at the
other in order to receive a nut.
i)Unfinished (black) bolts
ii) finished (Turned) bolts
iii) high strength friction grip(HSFG) bolt
 Welding consists of joining two pieces of
metal by establishing a metallurgical
bond between them.
The elements to be connected are
brought closer and the metal is melted
by means of electric arc or
oxyacetylene flame along with weld rod
which adds metal to joint.
 Welded structures are lighter
Welding process is quicker
100% efficiency in the joint where as in
bolted connection a maximum of 70-80%
Noise produced is comparatively less
Good aesthetic appearance
Welded connection is airtight and
watertight.
Joints are rigid
No problem in mismatching of holes
Alterations can be easily made
 Due to uneven heating and cooling,
members are likely to distort
Inspection of welded joints is difficult
and expensive. It needs non-destructive
testing.
Highly skilled persons are required
Proper welding in field conditions is
difficult
Welded joints are over rigid.
 Types of welded joints
Butt weld : Also known as groove weld
Fillet weld: Weld of approximately
triangular cross-section joining two
surfaces approx. at right angles to each
other in lap joint, tee joint, corner joint.
Slot weld and Plug weld