StructEngII Connections 276-327

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
Olli Ilveskoski 30.08.2006 rev2 10.01.2007

276
CONNECTIONS
Opiskelija perehtyy liitosten suunnitteluun.
ks ESDEP oppimisymprist: http://www.terasrakenneyhdistys.fi
suomenkielinen versio
CONNECTION DESIGN: STATIC LOADING
Lecture 11.1.1 : Connections in Buildings
Lecture 11.1.2 : Introduction to Connection Design
Lecture 11.2.1 : Generalities on Welded Connections
Lecture 11.2.2 : Welded Connections - Basis for Weld Calculation
Lecture 11.2.3 : Welded Connections - Applications of Fillet Weld Calculation
Lecture 11.3.1 : Connections with Non-Preloaded Bolts
Lecture 11.3.2 : Connections with Preloaded Bolts
Lecture 11.3.3 : Particular Aspects in Bolted Connections
Lecture 11.4.1 : Analysis of Connections I: Basic Determination of Forces
Lecture 11.4.2 : Analysis of Connections: Distribution of Forces in Groups of Bolts
and Welds
Lecture 11.4.3 : Analysis of Connections: Transfer of Direct Tension or Compression
and Shear
Lecture 11.4.4 : Analysis of Connections: Resistance to Moment by Combined
Tension and Compression
Lecture 11.5 : Simple Connections for Buildings
Lecture 11.6 : Moment Connections for Continuous Framing
Lecture 11.7 : Partial Strength Connections for Semi-Continuous Framing
Lecture 11.8 : Splices in Buildings

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
277
Workgroup Contents
Lecture 11.1.1 : Connections in Buildings
Top
1. INTRODUCTION
2. COMPONENTS OF CONNECTIONS
3. TYPES OF CONNECTIONS
3.1 Column Splices (Figure 8)
3.2 Column Bases (Figure 9)
3.3 Simple Beam-to-Column Connections (Figure 10)
3.4 Moment Resisting Beam-to-Column Connections (Figure11)
3.5 Simple Beam-to-Beam Connections (Figure 12)
3.6 Moment Resisting Beam-to-Beam Connections (Figure13)
3.7 Horizontal Bracing Connections (Figure 14)
3.8 Vertical Bracing Connections (Figure 15)
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMY
5. CONCLUDING SUMMARY
6. ADDITIONAL READING

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
278
Previous | Next | Contents
ESDEP WG 11
Lecture 11.1.1 Connections in Buildings
OBJECTIVE/SCOPE
To identify the ways in which structural connections are made in steel buildings, to
discuss the importance of a proper choice of connection type on both overall
structural behaviour and economics and to present the basic principles of connection
design.
PRE-REQUISITES
Lecture 1B.5.1: Introduction to Design of Simple Industrial Buildings
Lecture 1B.7.1: Introduction to Design of Multi-Storey Buildings
Lecture 3.1.1: General Fabrication of Steel Structures I
Lecture 3.5: Fabrication/Erection of Buildings
RELATED LECTURES
Lecture 11.1.2: Introduction to Connection Design
Lectures 11.2: Welded Connections
Lectures 11.3: Bolted Connections
Lecture 11.4: Analysis of Connections
Lecture 11.5: Simple Connections for Buildings
Lecture 11.6: Moment Connections for Continuous Framing
Lecture 11.7: Partial Strength Connections for Semi-Continuous Framing
Lecture 11.8: Splices
Lectures 13: Tubular Structures

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
279
SUMMARY
The need for various forms of structural connections in steel buildings is established
and their basic forms are identified. Methods of making connections are discussed
within the context of transferring local forces between components, ensuring
consistency of overall structural behaviour and the practical aspects of fabrication
and erection. The basic principles of connection design are thus established.
1. INTRODUCTION
Steel frame buildings consist of a number of different types of structural elements,
each of which has to be properly attached to the neighbouring parts of the structure.
This will involve the use of several forms of connection. The main classes of
connection are:
i) Where a change of direction occurs, e.g. beam-to-column connections, beam-to-
beam connections and connections between different members in trusses.
ii) To ensure manageable sizes of steelwork for transportation and erection e.g.
columns are normally spliced every two or three storeys.
iii) Where a change of component occurs, including connection of the steelwork to
other parts of the building, e.g. column bases, connections to concrete cores and
connections with walls, floors and roofs.
Figure 1 gives examples of connections within the context of a multi-storey frame.
Connections are important parts of every steel structure. The mechanical properties
of the connections are of great influence on the strength, stiffness and stability of the
whole structure.
The number and the complexity of the connections have a decisive influence on the
time that is necessary for the statical analysis and the production of drawings.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
280
Production of connections, i.e. cutting, drilling and welding of main members, plates,
cleats and stiffeners, consumes much of the work content in the fabrication shop.
The ease with which the site connections can actually be made is a key factor in
erection.
Thus the selection, design and detailing of the connections in a building frame has a
very significant influence on costs.
2. COMPONENTS OF CONNECTIONS
Connections in steel structures are normally made using welds and/or bolts.
Welds
Although various forms of structural welds are possible, fillet welding of the type
illustrated in Figure 2a is normally to be preferred to butt welding as shown in Figure
2b, since it requires only simple preparation of the parts to be joined, can usually be
accomplished with relatively simple equipment and does not require special skills of
the welder.
Although welding may be conducted on site, it tends to be expensive for the
following reasons:
Temporary platforms with safe access have to be provided.
Work can be delayed unless welds are protected from the weather.
Electric current has to be supplied to the working point.
Temporary bolts and cleats are still needed to hold members together.
Cost of inspection.
The longer erection period means that the client cannot take over the
building as quickly.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
281
Site joints are, therefore, normally made using bolts.
Bolts
Depending on the shape of the connection and the location of the bolts, they are
loaded in tension, in shear or in combined tension and shear, see Figures 3 and 4.
To accommodate some mismatch in hole distances and bolt diameters, holes are
normally drilled 2mm in diameter greater than the bolt diameter (clearance holes).
Where displacements due to these clearances are not acceptable, the bolts may be
preloaded to prevent slip. For statically loaded structures, such as buildings,
preloaded bolts should normally be avoided. The special treatment of the contact
surfaces to obtain a high and reliable value for the slip factor and the procedures to
achieve the design preload are expensive.
Other Parts
In addition to bolts and welds, other parts are often also necessary to transfer
forces, e.g. plates and angle cleats. Figure 5 shows some examples in beam-to-
column connections.
Potentially weak areas may occur in connections. In the beam-to-column connection
in Figure 6 such areas may be the column flange and the column web. The
transmission of high localised forces in the column may cause local yielding and local
buckling. These failure modes may be decisive for the moment resistance of a

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
282
connection. For example, the moment resistance of the connection shown in Figure 6
is lower than the full plastic moment of the beam.
If necessary, the moment resistance can be increased by strengthening the relevant
weak areas of the connections, see Figure 7.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
283
3. TYPES OF CONNECTIONS
For buildings designed to resist essentially static loading, including wind loads, it will
normally be sufficient to design connections to resist forces that primarily act in one
direction only. However, in seismic zones large load reversals may occur. This load
reversal will normally require a different approach to the design of the load-resisting
structure, leading to different forms of connection.
For multi-storey buildings the connections between the main structural elements
may conveniently be classified as:
Beam-to-beam connections
Beam-to-column connections
Column splices
Column bases
Bracing connections.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
284
This list does not, of course, include connections between the main framework and
other parts of the structure, e.g. beams to floors, attachment of the cladding, etc.
Despite the different geometrical configurations and detailed structural requirements
of the five different types, certain general functional requirements must always be
addressed:
The connections should be strong enough to transmit the design loads. To
this end, they should be arranged to transmit internal forces from one
member to another along smooth load paths so as to avoid severe stress
concentrations.
They must posses the intended degree of flexibility or rigidity.
The connecting elements (plates or cleats) should be arranged such that,
as far as possible, they are self-positioning, accessible for fixing (in the
shop and on site), and capable of providing a 'good fit'.
Thus the design of any steelwork connection must simultaneously satisfy the needs
of structural adequacy, an appropriate type of behaviour and practical engineering.
Clearly it will often be possible that different arrangements satisfy each of these
needs to differing degrees. A certain amount of judgement and experience in
deciding the relative importance of the different design criteria is required to decide
which requirement should be given the greatest emphasis in a given situation. Of
course, the designer does not have a completely free choice as he must always
ensure that the connection is able to transmit the required level of loads. His choice
in this respect relates to the exact arrangement selected and, perhaps, to the extent
to which a more easily fabricated connection might provide more strength than is
actually required.
In this respect also the workshop should have an influence on the design. Its
capabilities and equipment should be taken into consideration when detailing
connections. Therefore, the detailing work should be undertaken in consultation with
the workshop.
Connections involving tubular members require special care as the arrangements
used for open sections may not simply be adapted. The main factor is, of course, the
limited access that prevents the use of bolts with nuts inside the tube. In cases
where the connections may be made wholly by welding, e.g. shop fabrication of
trusses, the solution is clear. However, site joints need particular attention,
especially if the clean lines which are often a factor in selecting a tubular
configuration are to be preserved. More information is provided in the Lectures in
group 13.
In order to give an impression of the wide variety of possible designs, the following
descriptions include figures to provide examples of the connection types mentioned
above.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
285
3.1 Column Splices (Figure 8)
8.1 and 8.2: These are welded splices. Where there are different thicknesses of the
plates, cheaper fillet welds can be used. It should be recalled that welding may not
be the most appropriate connection means for site connections.
8.3: Bolted splice. The vertical forces may be assumed to be transmitted by bearing
and/or through the plates. The plates also serve to transmit bending moments and
shear forces. Where there is unequal thickness of the flanges/webs, intermediate
plates are necessary.
8.4: A frequently used splice connection. Due to the welding in the workshop, the
plates may not be perfectly flat. Normally no subsequent machining is necessary to
flatten these plates.
8.5: Sometimes it is easier to make the beam continuous. To transmit the forces and
for stability reasons, it is necessary to stiffen the beam between the column flanges.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
286
3.2 Column Bases (Figure 9)
9.1 and 9.2: Thick base plates need no stiffening. Normally this is the cheapest
solution.
9.3: Thinner base plate with stiffeners as used in old designs.
3.3 Simple Beam-to-Column Connections (Figure 10)
10.1: Connection with fin plates welded to the column. The beam is connected single
sided.
10.2: Bolted connection with angle cleats. Cleats may be welded to either member
as an alternative.
10.3: Connection with thin flexible endplates welded to the beam.
10.4: Bolted connection with angle cleats. The horizontal angle cleat provides extra
bearing resistance.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
287
10.5: For a thick wall of a tube, the plates can be welded directly to the wall without
making a sleeve in the tube to have a continuous plate. For more details involving
tubes, see Lectures 13.
10.6: The stiffness depends largely on the thickness of the end plate on the column
and the thickness of the flange of the beam. The stiffening plates may be omitted in
many cases.
3.4 Moment Resisting Beam-to-Column Connections (Figure 11)
11.1: Fully welded connection.
11.2: Bolted knee - connection.
11.3: Knee-connection with welded end plates.
11.4: Welded T-connection.
11.5: Bolted T-connection.
11.6: Bolted end plate connection. It is assumed that another beam is connected on
the other side of the web.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
288
3.5 Simple Beam-to-Beam Connections (Figure 12)
12.1: Depending on the geometry and the applied forces, stiffeners may or may not
be necessary. This connection has the advantage of cheap fabrication but the
disadvantage that its total construction height is higher than that of the other
designs in Figure 12.
12.2: In this connection there is no need to make a cope as in the connection 12.3.
Therefore it is also a cheap design to fabricate.
12.3: The top flanges are at the same height. The cope makes this design more
costly than the design of 12.2.
12.4: The beam to be connected is higher than the main beam. This design is rather
cheap to fabricate. The hinge will be located where the plate is welded to the web.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
289
3.6 Moment Resisting Beam-to-Beam Connections (Figure 13)
13.1: This design is comparable to the design of 12.1. Of course stiffeners should be
omitted where possible.
13.2: The tensile force in the top flange is transmitted via the flange plate that
crosses the web of the main beam through a sleeve. On the compression side, small
compression parts may be necessary to introduce the compression force.
13.3: In this design also a cope of the beam is necessary, as in 12.3.
13.4: Both beams have the same height.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
290
3.7 Horizontal Bracing Connections (Figure 14)
14.1, 14.2, 14.3: The gusset plates on the top flanges may be a problem when metal
roof or floor decking is used.
14.4, 14.5, 14.6: The channel section in Figure 14.4 is needed as a chord for the
horizontal truss.
3.8 Vertical Bracing Connections (Figure 15)
15.1, 15.2, 15.3, 15.4: Various possibilities for the connections of bracings.
4. REQUIREMENTS FOR ECONOMY
As already indicated, there are a great number of requirements to be met when
designing connections. The requirements relating to structural behaviour are
examined further in other Lectures 11. The basic requirements for economy are
discussed further below.
The costs for a steel structure can be divided into costs for material and costs for
labour as follows:

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
291
Material 20 - 40%
Calculation }
Drawings }
Fabrication } 60 - 80%
Protection }
Erection. }
From this division of costs it can be concluded that a saving of labour costs has
potentially more influence on the overall costs of steel structures than saving on
material.
An influencing factor is the relation between cost per kg steel and cost per man hour.
In the past decades the price of steel has increased considerably less than the price
of labour. This trend, together with developments in fabrication technology, means
that structural designs that were optimal 10 years ago may not be competitive now.
A major part of labour costs has a direct relation to the design and fabrication of
connections. It is often better in design to save labour at the expense of material.
This fact can be illustrated with some simple examples. To estimate the costs, the
following assumptions are made:
the costs for 1cm
3
of weld is equivalent to 0,7 kg of steel.
the costs for fabrication of stiffening plates are equal to the welding costs.
the costs per hole are equivalent to 2 kg of steel.
In Figure 16 a beam in a braced frame is given. The basis is a design with simple
connections to transmit shear force only. When the "hinges" are replaced by moment
connection as in [B] and [C], then for the beam an IPE 140 can be selected instead
of an IPE 180. However, due to the extra costs for the connections, the alternatives
[B] and [C] are more expensive, especially [B]. The difference with [C] which uses
backing plates to strengthen the column flanges is less. When the same exercise is
carried out for a beam with greater span, e.g. 10m, it is found that alternative C is
the cheapest.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
292
The balance between moment resistance in the connection and in the beam is
discussed further in Lecture 11.7 on semi-continuous design.
Another example is the base plates illustrated in Figure 9. It can easily be shown that
the thick base plate without stiffeners is the cheapest in nearly all cases.
For the example with the beam-column connections, it should be mentioned that the
alternative A has no welds. This may mean that the flow of material in the
fabricator's shop is simpler as no stop is needed at the welding station.
Some other aspects which facilitiate economy in design are:
limit the number of bolt diameters, bolt lengths and bolt grades as far as
possible. Use for instance standard M20 bolts in grade 8.8 (ultimate
strength 800 N/mm
2
and proof strength 640 N/mm
2
), see also Lecture
11.3.
Ensure good access so that welds can be made easily.
Minimise situations where precise fitting is required.
Achieve repetition of standard details.
Provide ease of access for site bolting.
Provide means for supporting the self weight of the piece quickly, so that
the crane can be released.
Achieve ease of adjustment for alignment.
Consider maintenance where necessary.
For more information on these aspects, reference is made to the Lectures in group 3,
on fabrication and Lectures in group 4A on corrosion.
Connections are required when a change of component occurs, at
changes in framing directions, and to ensure manageable member sizes.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
293
Connections must satisfy the requirements of structural behaviour. They
should be strong enough to transmit the design loads and at the same
time have the intended degree of flexibility or rigidity.
Connection design has a major influence on the costs of real structures.
Two types of fasteners are used for connections - welds and bolts.
Normally welding is applied in the fabrication shop and bolts are used for
erection.
When detailing connections, thought should be given to fabrication
practicalities and erection sequence and method.
1. Boston, R.M. and Pask, J.W. 'Structural Fasteners and their Applications',
BCSA 1978.
Drawings of bolts of all kinds and photographs of fixings procedures, plus
examples of connection design.
2. Interfaces: Connections between Steel and other Materials, Ove Arup and
Partners. Edited by R. G. Ogden, 1994.
3. Hogan, T.J. and Firkins, A., 'Standardized structural connections',
Australian Institute of Steel Construction, 1981, 3rd Ed, 1985.
Presents design models and resistance tables for the main connection types.
4. Blodgett, O.W., 'Design of welded structures', James F Lincoln Arc
Welding Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 1972.
Informative and well illustrated reference manual covering all aspects of
welded design and construction.
5. Ballio, G. and Mazzolani, F.M., 'Theory and design of steel structures',
Chapman and Hall, London, 1983.
Comprehensive text on theory and design of steel structures. Deals
extensively with connections. A detailed treatment of combined loads on fillet
welds is of particular interest.
6. Draft for Development DD ENV 1993-1-1: 1992 Eurocode 3: Design of
Steel Structures, Part 1, General Rules and Rules for Buildings.
Chapter 6 presents rules covering the design of individual items of
connections, e.g. bolts, welds, hole edge distances, etc. Annex J deals in
more detail with the design of bolted and welded beam-to-column
connections.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
294
7. Essentials of Eurocode 3, Design Manual for Structures in Buildings,
ECCS Publication 65, 1991.
8. Bijlaard, F.S.K. et al, Structural Properties of Semi-Rigid Joints in Steel
Frames, IABSE Publications, 1989.
Explains how flexibility arises in beam-to-column connections and presents
methods for assessing stiffness and strength properties.
9. Joints in simple construction, Volume 1: Design methods,
SCI/BCSA Publication 205, 2nd Ed, 1993.
Provides design models and some background for the most popular types of:
beams to columns, beam to beam, column splice and column base.
10. Joints in Simple Construction, Volume 2: Practical Applications, SCI/BCSA
Pub 206, 1st Ed, 1992.
Expands on the more practical aspects of connection design; provides tables
to facilitate connection design in a "look-up" basis.
11. Owens, G. W. and Cheal, B. D., Structural Steelwork Connections, 1st Ed,
1989.
Comprehensive coverage of many aspects of connection behaviour and design.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
295
ESDEP WG 11
CONNECTIONS DESIGN: STATIC LOADING
Lecture 11.2.2: Welded Connections - Basis for Weld Calculation
OBJECTIVE/SCOPE:
To present the general methods for conducting calculations to determine the
strength of butt and fillet welds.
PREREQUISITES:
Lectures 1B.5: Introduction to Design of Buildings
Lecture 2.1: Characteristics of Iron-Carbon Alloys
Lecture 2.3: Engineering Properties of Steels
Lecture 3.2: Erection
Lecture 3.5: Fabrication/Erection of Buildings
Lecture 3.6: Inspection/Quality Assurance
Lecture 11.2.1: Generalities on Welded Connections
RELATED LECTURES:
Lecture 2.4: Steel Grades and Qualities
Lecture 2.6: The Weldability of Structural Steels
Lecture 3.3: Principles of Welding
Lecture 3.4: Welding Processes
Lectures 11.4: Analysis of Connections
SUMMARY:
The bases for the calculation of weld strength are set out. A large part of the lecture
deals with the actual stress distribution and the deformability of fillet and butt welds.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
296
Some experimental results are presented to show the relevance of the design
formulae.
NOTATION
a throat thickness of weld [mm]
F external force [N]
F
normal force perpendicular to the plane of the throat area of the weld [N]
F
shear force in the plane of the throat area transverse to the weld axis [N]
F
//
shear force in the plane of the throat area parallel to the weld axis [N]
f
u
nominal ultimate tensile stress of parent metal [MPa]
f
vw
design shear strength of weld [MPa]
L
j
length of lap joint [mm]
L
w
length of weld (in long joint) [m]
l length of weld [mm]
w
correlation factor
LW
reduction factor for long weld
MW
partial safety factor for welds
1
normal stress perpendicular to the plane of the throat area of the weld [MPa]
2
normal stress parallel to the axis of the weld [MPa]
eq
equivalent stress [MPa]
1
shear stress in the plane of the throat area transverse to the weld axis [MPa]
2
shear stress in the plane of the throat area parallel to the weld axis [MPa]
1. INTRODUCTION
The purpose of this lecture is to present the basis for weld strength calculation
according to Eurocode 3 [1], to discuss the assumptions on which the methods are
based and to examine the general methods used to determine stresses in welds. In
practice, weld calculations are principally concerned with fillet welds since these

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
297
account for approximately 80% of all structural welds. For this reason the lecture
concentrates on fillet welds and gives less attention to other weld types (butt, slot,
plug).
For weld design, three fundamental assumptions are made [2]:
The welds are homogeneous and isotropic elements.
The parts connected by the welds are rigid and their deformations are
negligible.
Only nominal stresses due to external loads are considered. Effects of
residual stresses, stress concentrations and shape of the welds are
neglected in static design.
These assumptions lead to a uniform stress distribution in the weld, whereas
variation of stress and strain are observed along the weld. In fact, stress
concentrations and residual stresses can reach the yield stress locally. However, the
ductility of the material leads to a redistribution of stresses along the weld length,
producing an appreciable reduction of stress magnitude. The redistribution also
occurs when the weld is subject to the action of external loads. According to the
theory of plasticity, the final stress distribution will be optimum when the yield stress
is reached over the full length of the weld.
Eurocode 3 [1] specifies that the filler metal shall have mechanical properties (yield
strength, ultimate tensile strength, elongation at failure and minimum Charpy V-
notch energy value) equal to, or better than, the corresponding properties of the
parent material. Therefore, for weld calculation and design, the strength of the
parent material is normally taken as the reference strength.
Although fillet welds are the more important case, butt welds are treated first since
the design requirements are simpler.
2. BUTT WELD CALCULATION
Providing the welding process has been correctly carried out, the butt weld filler
metal may be considered as parent metal. Hence, to determine the resistance of the
joint, the calculation is based on the throat area, i.e. the penetration area.
Depending on the penetration, two kinds of butt welds are defined: full and partial
penetration welds.
2.1 Full Penetration Butt Welds
For a full penetration butt weld, calculation is not necessary because the filler metal
strength is at least as high as the parent metal strength of the weaker part joined
and the throat thickness of the weld is equal to the thickness of the plate, see Figure
1. Thus the butt weld may effectively be regarded simply as replacing the parent
material.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
298
2.2 Partial Penetration Butt Welds
For a partial penetration butt weld, the throat thickness considered in the design is
the depth of preparation, slightly reduced. According to Eurocode 3 [1], the throat
thickness must be taken as the depth of the butt preparation minus 2mm, where the
preparation is the depth of the bevel, see Figure 2. However, if appropriate
procedure trials have been made, the throat thickness can be taken as equal to the
preparation.
A partial penetration tee-butt joint with superimposed fillet welds may be considered
as a full penetration butt weld, if the total throat thickness is greater than the
material thickness and the gap dimension meets certain conditions (Figure 3).

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
299
2.3 Stress Distribution in Butt Welds
As already pointed out, in weld calculation a uniform stress distribution along the
weld length is assumed. In the ultimate state a plastic redistribution of stresses
makes this assumption more or less true. In the elastic stage, which is of interest in
fatigue design, the stresses are not uniformly distributed, especially not when the
filler metal yield point is much higher than that of the parent metal. For example,
consider a bar loaded by an axial tensile force as shown in Figure 4. The bar will
elongate and, due to the Poisson's ratio effect, its initial width will decrease. This
lateral contraction is uniform if the bar is homogeneous. But near the weld line,
which has a different yield point, the lateral contraction is less than in the parent
metal. This effect causes a varying stress distribution along the weld (Figure 4), in
which the tensile stress at the centre is greater than the average stress.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
300
It is good engineering practice to avoid high stress concentrations occurring at sharp
re-entrant corners in joints connecting different cross-sections. Avoiding stress
concentrations is especially important if the connection will be subject to fatigue
loads. To reduce the stress concentration, a gradual transition from one section to
the other is recommended (Figure 5). These aspects are also discussed in the lecture
on fatigue design and in Lecture 3.5 and Lecture 3.6 concerning fabrication and
erection of steel structures.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
301
3. FILLET WELD CALCULATION
3.1 Assumptions
The assumptions adopted for fillet weld calculations according to Eurocode 3 [1]
concern mechanical and geometric characteristics. As already pointed out, the
mechanical properties of the filler metal shall be compatible with the parent material
properties. The throat area of a fillet weld considered in the calculation is shown in
Figure 6. This throat area is the product of the throat thickness and the effective
length of the weld. Generally, the effective length of a fillet weld is equal to the
overall length of the full size fillet, including end returns, if the fillet weld is
continuous. For long welds and intermittent welds, the effective length may be
reduced.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
302
Fillet welds required to carry loads are normally produced with a throat thickness of
at least 4mm. Welds with effective lengths shorter than 40mm or 6 times the throat
thickness, whichever is larger, should be ignored for transmission of forces.
3.2 Basic Method
The basic method for the design of fillet welds is described here. It is given in
Eurocode 3, Annex M [1] as an alternative design method.
The load acting on the fillet weld is resolved into load components parallel and
transverse to the longitudinal axis of the weld and normal and transverse to the plan
of its throat (see Figure 6). The corresponding stresses are calculated:
1
= F
/al is the normal stress perpendicular to the plane of the throat area.
1
= F
/al is the shear stress in the plane of the throat area, transverse to the weld
axis.
2
= F
//
/al is the shear stress in the plane of the throat area, parallel to the weld
axis.
2
is the normal stress parallel to the weld axis.
The normal stress
2
is not considered because the cross-section of the weld is very
small and has negligible strength in comparison with the strength of the throat area
subjected to the shear stress component
2
.
Application of the von Mises criterion to these stress components gives the
equivalent stress
eq
in the throat area of the weld:
eq
= [
1
2
+ 3(
1
2
+
2
2
)] (1)
Eurocode 3, Annex M [1] specifies that the fillet weld will be adequate if both the
following conditions are satisfied:
eq
f
u
/(
w
Mw
) (2)
and
1
f
u
/
Mw
where
f
u
is the nominal ultimate tensile strength of the weaker part joined.
Mw
is the partial safety factor for welds (= 1,25).
The value of the correlation factor
w
should be taken as follows:

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
303
EN10025 Steel Grade Ultimate tensile strength f
u
Correlation factor
w
S235
S275
S355
360 N/mm
2
430 N/mm
2
510 N/mm
2
0,8
0,85
0,9
For intermediate values of f
u
the value of
w
may be determined by linear
interpolation.
3.3 Mean Stress Method
Eurocode 3 gives, in the main text, a simplified design formula which does not
require determination of the stress components in the weld. The formula is based on
the mean stress method which considers the weld strength as being equal to the
shear strength, independent of the direction of the force acting on it. Since the weld
is weakest in pure shear the mean stress method always gives results on the safe
side.
The fillet welds must satisfy:
F/a1 f
vw
= f
u
/[3.
w
Mw
](3)
where
F is the external force acting on the weld.
f
vw
is the design shear strength of the weld.
3.4 Long welds
Figure 7 indicates the stress distribution for long welds in a lap joint. The distribution
is analogous to that observed in long riveted or bolted joints (see Lectures 11.3).
Large stresses occur at the ends of the connection. In the ultimate state, just before
failure, the plastic deformation near the ends contributes to a more uniform shear
stress in the welds. However, if the connection is long the stress redistribution will
not be fully uniform.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
304
Eurocode 3 specifies that the design resistance for a long weld in a lap joint shall be
multiplied by a reduction factor
lw
to allow for the effects of non-uniform stress
distribution. If the lap joint is longer than 150a
LW
= 1,2 - 1
where
L
j
is the overall length of the lap in the direction of the force transfer.
For fillet welds longer than 1,7 metres connecting transverse stiffeners in plated
members
LW
= 1,1 -
but 0,6
LW
1,0
where
L
w
is the length of the weld (in metres)
4. SLOT AND PLUG WELD CALCULATION
The strength of slot and plug welds is calculated with the mean stress method as for
fillet welds. In the calculation, the effective area of the slot or plug weld is taken as
the area of the slot or hole.
The basis for calculating the strength of welds is given.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
305
It is noted that residual stresses and stress concentrations are neglected
since there is a considerable stress redistribution in the ultimate state. For
long welds in lap joints, however, a non-uniform stress distribution is taken
into consideration.
Generally, butt welds require no calculations for design. Calculation is only
required in the case of partial penetration welds.
Following Eurocode 3, a mean stress method as well as an alternative
method (Annex M) are given for fillet weld design. The mean stress
method does not require calculation of individual stress comments in the
welds but generally leads to more conservative results.
6. REFERENCES
[1] Eurocode 3: "Design of steel structures": ENV 1993-1-1: Part 1: General rules
and rules for buildings, CEN, 1992.
[2] Bresler, B., Lim, T. Y., Scalzi, J. B., Design of steel structures, 2nd Edition, 1968.
1. Owens, G. W. and Cheal, B. D., Structural Steelwork Connections, 1st
Edition, 1989.
2. Bludgett, O.W., 'Design of welded structures', James F Lincoln Arc
Welding Foundation, Cleveland, Ohio, USA, 1972.
Informative and well illustrated reference manual covering all aspects of welded
design and construction.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
306
Lecture 11.3.1 : Connections with Non-Preloaded Bolts
Top
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PRINCIPLE OF LOAD TRANSMISSION
3. DIMENSIONS OF THE BOLTS
4. BOLT GRADES
5. DIAMETER OF THE HOLES
6. NOMINAL AND STRESS SECTIONS OF
7. SHEAR RESISTANCE
7.1 Normal Joints
7.2 Long Joints
8. BEARING RESISTANCE
9. TENSION RESISTANCE
10. BOLTS SUBJECT TO SHEAR AND TENSION
11. SPACING REQUIREMENTS
11.1 Basis
11.2 Connections of plates
11.2.1 Minimum end distance
11.2.2 Minimum edge distance
11.3.3 Maximum end and edge distances
11.2.4 Minimum spacing
11.2.5 Maximum spacing in compression members
11.2.6 Maximum spacing in tension members
11.3 Angles Connected by One Leg

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
307
12. REFERENCES

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
308
ESDEP WG 11
Lecture 11.3.1: Connections with Non-Preloaded Bolts
OBJECTIVE
To present the basic ideas of the design of connections using ordinary (non-
preloaded) bolts.
PREREQUISITES
Lecture 1B.1: Process of Design
Lecture 2.4: Steel Grades and Qualities
Lectures 3.2: Erection
RELATED LECTURES
Lectures 11.3: Other lectures on the Design of Bolted Connections
Lectures 11.4: Analysis of Connections
Lecture 12.6: Fatigue Behaviour of Bolted Connections
SUMMARY
This lecture presents the geometrical and mechanical properties of ordinary bolts and
describes their behaviour in shear, tension or combined shear and tension.
The effects of the position of the bolts in a connection and of their dimensions on the
potential failure modes are also discussed.
NOTATION
A Area of the shank - nominal area [mm
2
]
A
s
Stress area [mm
2
]
d Nominal diameter of the bolt (shank) [mm]

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
309
d
o
Nominal diameter of the hole [mm]
d
s
Diameter of the stress area (A
s
) [mm]
e
1
End distance [mm]
e
2
Edge distance [mm]
F Applied load [N]
F
v
Shear force [N]
F
v,Rd
Design shear resistance of a bolt [N]
F
t
Tensile force [N]
F
t,Rd
Design tension resistance of a bolt [N]
F
b.Rd
Design bearing resistance [N]
f
u
Ultimate tensile strength of a steel element [MP
a
]
f
u,b
Nominal ultimate stress of the bolt material [MP
a
]
f
y,b
Nominal yield stress of the bolt material [MP
a
]
p
1
, p
2
Pitches [mm]
t Plate thickness [mm]
Mb
Partial safety factor for the bolt [-]
1. INTRODUCTION
The resistance of a bolted connection is normally determined on the basis of the
resistance of the individual fasteners and the connected parts.
Linear-elastic analysis is most frequently used in the design of the connection.
Alternatively non-linear analysis of the connection may be employed, provided that it
takes account of the load-deformation characteristics of all the components of the
connection. Further information about analysis of connections is given in Lectures
11.4.
The present lecture concentrates on the most common type of bolt, the non-
preloaded bolt, often called an "ordinary bolt". It is popular because of its low cost
both to buy and to install. Connections made with this type of bolt are often referred
to as "bearing-type" so as to distinguish them from the slip resistant connections
that employ preloaded bolts.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
310
Where a joint loaded in shear is subject to impact or significant vibration, welding or
bolts with locking devices, preloaded bolts or other types of bolt which effectively
prevent movement should be used.
Where slip is not acceptable in a joint subject to reversal of shear load (or for any
other reason), preloaded bolts in a slip-resistant connection, fitted bolts, injection
bolts or other bolts with the same effect should be used, see Lectures 11.3.2 and
11.3.3.
For wind and/or stability bracing, bolts in bearing-type connections may normally be
used.
2. PRINCIPLE OF LOAD TRANSMISSION
In structural connections, bolts are used to transfer loads from one plate to another.
The following figures give some examples where bolts are used, loaded by:
a. Shear force (Figure 1)

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
311
The load is transmitted into and out of the bolts by bearing on the connected plates.
The forces in the bolts are transmitted by transverse shear.
b. Tension force (Figure 2, only M)
In the case of moment loading (M) only, the tension part of the load is transmitted
by axial tension in the bolt.
c. Combined tension and shear force (Figure 2, M and V)
In the case of combined moment (M) and transverse loading (V), the bolts may be
required to transmit a combination of transverse shear and axial tension.
In Figure 3, the bolts A transmit transverse shear, while the bolts B transmit a
combination of shear and tension or shear and compression.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
312
Bolts that are not preloaded to a predetermined preload, may be called "non-
preloaded bolts" or "ordinary bolts". In case of a shear connection (Figure 1), these
bolts are also called "bearing type" bolts.
The principal action on a bolt in a splice joint of the type shown in Figure 4 is
shearing on its cross-sectional plane caused by bearing between opposing plates in
the joint. The elastic distribution of these bearing stresses and the stresses produced
in the bolt are complex. However, for fully developed plastic conditions, the
distribution of shear stress is effectively uniform so that the shear strength is the
product of the cross-section area of the bolt in the shear plane and the shear
strength of the material.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
313
If threads are excluded from the shear plane, the shank area may be used.
Otherwise the stress area of the threaded portion should be used. In modern
detailing practice it is common to use the smaller area and not to contrive to exclude
the threads from the shear plane.
3. DIMENSIONS OF THE BOLTS
Hexagon headed bolts and nuts are available in a range of sizes up to about 68 mm
shank diameter.
The bolt sizes are indicated by the designation M followed by a number multiplied by
another number, for example, M 20 x 60, where the diameter of the shank is 20 mm
and the length of the shank + the threaded part is 60 mm. The M stands for metric.
The length of the bolt should be such that, after allowing for tolerances, the threaded
shank will protrude not less than one thread beyond the nut after tightening and at
least one full thread (in addition to the thread run-out) will remain clear between the
nut and the unthreaded part of the shank.
4. BOLT GRADES
Bolts and nuts are available in steels of minimum tensile strengths up to about 1370
MPa.
The grade of the bolts is indicated by two numbers. The most common grades are
4.6, 5.6, 6.5, 6.8, 8.8 and 10.9.
According to Eurocode 3 (2), the design yield stress f
yb
and the design ultimate
stress f
ub
of the usual bolts are as given in Table 1.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
314
Table 1: Mechanical properties of bolts
Grade 4.6 5.6 6.5 6.8 8.8 10.9
f
yb
(MPa)
f
ub
(MPa)
240
400
300
500
300
600
480
600
640
800
900
1000
The design yield stress f
yb
can be derived from the grade by multiplying the first
number by the second number times 10. The design ultimate stress f
ub
is the first
number times 100 (stresses in MPa).
Bolts of grade 8.8 are used most frequently.
5. DIAMETER OF THE HOLES
Because of the tolerances in the positioning of holes and the tolerances of the bolt
diameter (d) and the hole diameter (d
b
), a clearance is necessary (Figure 4).
For bearing-type connections, this clearance may cause slip of the plates when they
are loaded.
In the case of alternating loading, this movement may occur at each loading
reversal. Normally, such movement is not permitted.
Except for fitted bolts or where low-clearance or oversize holes are specified, the
nominal clearance in standard holes shall be:
1mm for M12 and M14 bolts
2mm for M16 to M24 bolts
3mm for M27 and larger bolts.
Holes with smaller clearances than standard holes may be specified.
Holes with 2mm nominal clearance may also be specified for M12 and M14 bolts,
provided that the design meets the following requirements:
for bolts of strength grade 4.8, 5.8, 6.8 or 10.9, the design shear
resistance F
v,Rd
is taken as 0,85 times the value given in formulae (3) to
(5).
the design shear resistance F
v,Rd
(reduced as above if applicable) is not
less than the design bearing resistance F
b,Rd
.
Holes will be formed by drilling or punching. Punching holes in steelwork is much
faster than drilling but some cracking may appear in the material and therefore, in
some cases, holes will not be punched full size but must be punched 2mm diameter
less than full size and then reamed. New punching machines which operate at high

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
315
speeds induce less distortion in the material, and it is expected that more punching
will be allowed in the future.
If there is no specification, punching is allowed for material up to 25mm in thickness
provided that the hole diameter is not less than the thickness of the material.
Burrs should be removed from holes before assembly except that, where holes are
drilled in one operation through parts clamped together which would not otherwise
be separated after drilling, they need to be separated to remove the burrs.
6. NOMINAL AND STRESS SECTIONS OF A BOLT
Bolts in structural steelwork must comply with ISO 898/1 (1).
Figure 5 defines the various diameters of such bolts. the area of the shank that is
used in design formulae is called the shank area A :
A = d
2
/4 (1)
the area of the threaded part that is used in design formulae is called the stress area
A
s
:
A
s
= d
s
2
/4 (2)
The stress diameter d
s
is somewhat larger than the diameter of the core, because of
the fact that a rupture plane always includes at least one thread.
d
s
is the mean value between the core diameter (d
c
) and the flank diameter (d
f
) of
the thread; the flank diameter is the mean value between the core diameter and the
nominal diameter (d):
d
f
=
d
s
=

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
316
The value of A
s
for common bolt diameters is given in Table 2.
Table 2: Stress area of bolts
Nominal diameter
d
b
(mm)
Nominal area
A
(mm
2
)
Stress area
A
s
(mm
2
)
8
10
12
14
16
18
20
22
24
27
30
50,3
78,5
113
154
201
254
314
380
452
573
707
36,6
58,0
84,3
115
157
192
245
303
353
459
561
7. SHEAR RESISTANCE
7.1 Normal Joints
Shearing tests on bolts have shown the shear strength to be about 60% of the
tensile strength. The effective shear strength of bolts in joints is reduced by
secondary bending actions caused by uneven bearing of the plates and by bending of
the bolt due to excessive hole clearance. The reduction increases with the length of
the bolt for a given diameter. It is particularly significant in lap joints with a single
bolt, where the loading tends to straighten out the joint and rotate the bolt as shown
in Figure 6, causing both shear and tension in the bolt and local bending stresses
under the head and the nut. The reduction in shear resistance of a single fastener
may be about 10%. Increasing the length of the joint, i.e. the number of bolts,
reduces the bending and hence the loss of shear resistance.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
317
The local bending stresses under the head and the nut in the single bolted
connection of Figure 6 may give poor performance in the case of fatigue loading.
The design shear resistance of a bolt (F
v.Rd
) in normal conditions, per shear plane, is:
(a) For the shear plane passing through the threaded portion of the bolt:
F
v,Rd
= 0,6f
ub
A
s
/
Mb
(3)
for strength grades 4.6, 5.6 and 8.8
F
v,Rd
= 0,5f
ub
A
s
/
Mb
(4)
for strength grades 4.8, 5.8, 6.8 and 10.9
The coefficient 0,5 is the result of a statistical evaluation based on a very large
number of test results. It appears that bolts of these grades are less ductile and that
the rupture occurs suddenly.
(b) For the shear plane passing through the unthreaded portion of the bolt:
F
v,Rd
= 0,6f
ub
A/
Mb
(5)
7.2 Long Joints
The distribution of load between the bolts in a joint when the hole clearance has
been taken up depends on the length, the relative cross-sectional areas of the joined
plates, the bolt pitch and the shear deformation capacity of the bolts and their
immediately surrounding plate (fastener flexibility).
Figure 7 shows the distribution of loads between the bolts in a long joint. The loads
transferred through the outer bolts (1 and 9 in the Figure) are greater than those

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
318
through bolts towards the centre of the joint. If the total area of the cover plates
exceeds that of the centre plate the distribution will not be symmetrical, and bolt 1
will transfer more load than any other.
When the fasteners yield, their flexibility increases causing a more uniform sharing of
the load (the broken line in Figure 7). However, for long steelwork joints of normal
proportions this behaviour will be insufficient to produce an equal load distribution.
This the end-bolts will reach their deformation limit and so fail before the remaining
ones have been fully loaded. This will result in progressive failure at an average
shear value per bolt below the single-bolt shear resistance. Tests have confirmed
that joint length, rather than the number of bolts, is the dominant parameter [3].
Where the distance L
j
between the centres of the end fasteners in a joint, measured
in the direction of the transfer of force (see Figure 8), is more than 15d, (where d is
the nominal diameter of the bolts) the design shear resistance of all the fasteners
shall be reduced by multiplying it by a reduction factor
Lf
, given by:
Lf
= 1 -
but
Lf
1,0 and
Lf
0,75.
This provision does not apply where there is a uniform distribution of force transfer
over the length of the joint, e.g. the transfer of shear force from the web of a section
to the flange.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
319
8. BEARING RESISTANCE
Yielding due to pressure between the bolt shank and plate material may result in
excessive deformation of the plate around the bolt hole and possibly some distortion
of the bolt.
The area resisting the bearing pressure is assumed to be the product of the plate
thickness and the nominal bolt diameter.
The distance (e
1
) of the bolt from the end of the plate must be sufficient to provide
adequate resistance to the shearing-out mode of failure shown in Figure 9, which is
governed by the area of the shear path.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
320
The presence of threads in the grip does not significantly affect the bearing
resistance but will cause some increase of the deformation.
If the shear resistance is greater than the bearing resistance of the plates, one of the
failure modes shown in Figure 9 will occur. In this case, the deformation capacity of
the connection is very large. The joint has a "ductile" behaviour.
In the other case, when the failure is due to the shearing of the bolts, the
deformation capacity of the connection is very small and the joint has a "brittle"
behaviour.
The design bearing resistance of a bolt [4] is given by:
F
b.Rd
= 2,5f
u
dt/
Mb
(6)
where is the smallest of:
or 1,0

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
321
This reduction coefficient is necessary, because when the end distance is short, the
capacity of deformation is small.
If the net section of the member is small, net section rupture may govern the failure
load of the connection (Figure 9).
Equation (6) for the design bearing resistance applies only where the edge distance
e
2
is not less than 1,5 d
o
and the spacing p
2
(Figure 12) measured transverse to the
load direction is at least 3,0 d
o
.
If e
2
is reduced to 1,2 d
o
and/or p
2
is reduced to 2,4 d
o
, then the bearing resistance
F
b.Rd
should be reduced to 2/3 of the value given by Equation (6). For intermediate
values 1,2 d
o
< e
2
1,5 d
o
and/or 2,4 d
o
3 d
o
the value of F
b.Rd
may be determined
by linear interpolation.
9. TENSION RESISTANCE
Axial tension resistance of a bolt is based on the stress area A
s
and is given by:
F
t
= f
u,b
. A
s
As a result of statistical evaluation based on a very large number of tests, the
following formula should be adopted:
F
t
= 0,9 . f
u,b
. A
s
The design tension resistance of a bolt is given by:
F
t.Rd
= 0,9f
ub
A
s
/
Mb
(7)

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
322
Generally, when the line of action of the applied force is eccentric to the axis of the
bolt, additional tension will be induced in the bolt by prying action.
This action is most easily illustrated in terms of the Tee stub, loaded by a tension
force 2F shown in Figure 10. In the bending of the flanges of the Tee, the bolts act
as a pivot point so that there is a compressive reaction (Q) between the outer edges
of the flanges, which is defined as the Prying Force. The tension induced in the bolts,
for equilibrium, is thus F
b
= F + Q.
The prying ratio, Q/F, depends upon the geometry and stiffness of the connected
parts and the bolt stiffness. An estimate of the prying ratio, taking full account of all
the parameters, goes beyond the scope of this lecture. It will be treated in Lecture
11.4.
10. BOLTS SUBJECT TO SHEAR AND TENSION
Bolts may be subject to combined shear and tension stresses (Figure 3). Two forces
are then acting in the shear plane; F
v
(shear) and F
t
(tension).
The interaction between the two forces has been investigated in tests [5] and from
the results it has been found that bolts subject to shear and tensile force must
satisfy the following bi-linear relationship.
1,0

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
323
Thus the full tensile resistance is available for values of shear up to almost 30% of
the shear capacity F
v.Rd
as shown in Figure 11. This feature is useful when
considering situations such as that shown in Figure 2 (M and V) or for bolts B in
Figure 3.
The design resistances F
v,Rd
and F
t,Rd
for shear and tension through the threaded
position are restricted to bolts manufactured in conformity with the ISO Standard [1,
6]. For other items with cut threads, such as holding-down bolts or tie rods
fabricated from round steel bars where the threads are cut by the steelwork
fabricator and not by a specialist bolt manufacturer, the relevant values should be
reduced by multiplying them by a factor of 0,85.
Due to the particular form of the head of a countersunk bolt (see Figure 12) the
design tension and bearing resistance of such a bolt have to be reduced.
11. SPACING REQUIREMENTS
11.1 Basis
The positioning of holes for bolts should be such as to prevent corrosion and local
buckling and to facilitate the installation of the bolts.
The positioning of the holes shall also be in conformity with the limits of validity for
the rules used to determine the design resistances of the bolts with reference to
Eurocode 3 (2).

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
324
11.2 Connections of plates
11.2.1 Minimum end distance
The end distance e
1
from the centre of a fastener hole to the adjacent end of any
part, measured in the direction of load transfer (see Figure 12a), should not be less
than 1,2 d
o
, where d
o
is the hole diameter.
The end distance should be increased if necessary to provide adequate bearing
resistance, see Section 8.
11.2.2 Minimum edge distance
The edge distance e
2
from the centre of a fastener hole to the adjacent edge of any
part, measured at right angles to the direction of load transfer (see Figure 13a),
should normally be not less than 1,5 d
o
.
The edge distance may be reduced to not less than 1,2 d
o
provided that the design
bearing resistance is reduced accordingly as given in Section 8.
11.3.3 Maximum end and edge distances
Where the members are exposed to the weather or other corrosive influences, the
maximum end or edge distance should not exceed 40 mm + 4t, where t is the
thickness of the thinner outer connected part.

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
325
In other cases the end or edge distance should not exceed 12t or 150 mm,
whichever is the larger.
The edge distance should also not exceed the maximum to satisfy local buckling
requirements for an outstanding element. This requirement does not apply to
fasteners interconnecting the components of back-to-back tension members. The
end distance is not affected by this requirement.
11.2.4 Minimum spacing
The spacing p
1
between centres of fasteners in the direction of load (see Figure 13b)
should not be less than 2,2 d
o
. This spacing should be increased if necessary to
provide adequate bearing resistance, see Section 8.
The spacing p
2
between rows of fasteners, measured perpendicular to the direction
of load, (see Figure 13b), should normally be not less than 3,0 d
o
. This spacing may
be reduced to 2,4 d
o
if the design bearing resistance is reduced accordingly, see
Section 8.
11.2.5 Maximum spacing in compression members
The spacing p
1
of the fasteners in each row and the spacing p
2
between rows of
fasteners, should not exceed the lesser of 14t or 200 mm. Adjacent rows of fasteners
may be symmetrically staggered, see Figure 13b.
The centre-to-centre spacing of fasteners should also not exceed the maximum to
satisfy local buckling requirements for an internal element.
11.2.6 Maximum spacing in tension members
In tension members the centre-to-centre spacing p
1,i
of fasteners in inner rows may
be twice that given in Section 10.2.5 for compression in members, provided that the
spacing p
1,o
in the outer row along each edge does not exceed that given in Section
10.2.5, see Figure 13c.
Both of these values may be multiplied by 1,5 in members not exposed to the
weather or other corrosive influences.
11.3 Angles Connected by One Leg
In the case of unsymmetrical or unsymmetrically connected members such as angles
connected by one leg, the eccentricity of fasteners in end connections and the effects
of the spacing and edge determine the design resistance.
Angles connected by a single row of bolts in one leg, see Figure 14, may be treated
as concentrically loaded and the design ultimate resistance of the net section
determined as follows:

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
326
with 1 bolt: N
u,Rd
= 2,0(e
2
- 0,5d
o
)tf
u
/
M
2
with 2 bolts: N
u,Rd
=
3
A
net
f
u
/
M
2
with 3 or more bolts: N
u,Rd
=
3
A
net
f
u
/
M
2
where
2
and
3
are reduction factors dependant on the pitch p
1
as given in Table 3.
For intermediate values of p
1
the value of may be determined by linear
interpolation,
and A
net
is the net section area of the angle. For an unequal-leg angle connected by
its smaller leg, A
net
should be taken as equal to the net section area of an equivalent
equal-leg angle of leg size equal to that of the smaller leg.
Table 3 - reduction factors
2
and
3
Pitch p
1
2,5 d
o
5,0 d
o

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA
327
2 bolts
2
3 bolts or more
3
0,4
0,5
0,7
0,7
To design a bolt, it is necessary to always verify which plane is concerned,
the shank or the threaded part.
The shear resistance of a bolt is less when the ratio between yield
strength and ultimate tensile strength is larger.
The bearing resistance of the connected plates depends on the distance
between bolts and on the distance between a bolt and the edge or the end
of the plates.
The tension resistance of a bolt decreases when the line of action of the
applied force is eccentric.
The presence of axial tension reduces the shear resistance and vice
versa.
When angles are connected by one leg, bending occurs in the profile, and
the section must be reduced.
12. REFERENCES
[1] ISO 898/1 - International Standard Mechanical Properties of Fasteners.
Part 1: Bolts, screws and studs.
[2] DD ENV 1993-1-1: 1992, Eurocode 3 "Design of Steel Structures".
Part 1: General Rules and Rules for Buildings.
[3] Kulak, G. L., Fisher, J. W. and Struik, J. H., A Guide to Design Criteria for Bolted
and Riveted Joints, 2nd ed, 1987, Wiley.
[4] European Recommendations for Bolted Connections in Structural Steelwork.
ECCS publication - Document No. 38.
[5] Shakir-Khalil, H and Ho, C. M., Black Bolts under Combined Tension and Shear,
The Structural Engineer, 57B, No 4 (1979).
[6] ISO 898/2 - International Standard Mechanical Properties of Fasteners.
Part 2: Nuts with Specified Proof Load Values.

StructEngII Connections 276-327

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

StructEngII Connections 276-327

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

StructEngII Connections 276-327

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

RAKENNUSTEKNIIKKA

Olli Ilveskoski 30.08.2006 rev2 10.01.2007

You might also like