CVEN 446

Structural Steel Design

Module 16

Steel Connections I

April 22, 2015

Introduction to Steel Connections

In reviewing classical structural analysis, two types of support
conditions are idealized: pinned and fixed.

The difference between the two support conditions is the

magnitude of the moment that is transferred to the support by
the connection. The pinned connection allows rotation, thus no
moment can develop. The fixed connection prohibits rotation,
thus the connection must be designed for bending moments.
Introduction to Steel Connections
In building frame construction, the AISC-LRFD Specification
recognizes two basic types of connections: partially restrained
and fully restrained.

Type PR - Partially Restrained

A partially restrained connection is insufficiently rigid to hold

the angles between members unchanged. Therefore, the
connection has an intermediate degree of moment capacity. A
special case of a partially restrained connection is the "simple
framing" connection. For this type of connection, it is assumed
that only shear is transmitted through the connection.

A simple framing connecion is used in braced frames.

Introduction to Steel Connections

Type FR - Fully Restrained

A fully restrained connection transmits the calculated

moments and shears. The connection is sufficiently rigid to
provide full continuity and the angles between intersecting
members remain unchanged during rotation (right-angles
remain right-angles). Both moment and shear are transfered
through the connection.

This type of connection is used in moment resisting frames

that have to resist lateral loads (wind, earthquake, etc.).
Introduction to Steel Connections

Type FR

Type PR

Simple
Framing

End Rotation, φ

Bolted Clip Angle Connection

The bolted clip angle connection is one of the simpler beam-to-
column connections to design and construct.
Bolted Clip Angle Connection
This simple connection consists of a single, or pair, of angles
attached to the web of the beam. Since the flanges of the beams
are not connected to the column, it is assumed that the connection
only transfers shear from the beam to the column.

Column
Beam

Bolted Clip Angle Connection

4 3
7
8
2
Vu

6 5

Pu
Bolted Clip Angle Connection - Analysis
1. The shear capacity of the beam web.
Vn = 1.0(0.60) Fy d tw

2. Bolt hole bearing strength for the beam web.

Rn = n (0.75)(2.4) Fu tw dbolt # n (0.75) Fu (1.2) lc tw

3. Shear capacity of the bolts (single shear if one clip angle is

used, double shear for a pair of clip angles)
Rn = n rn

4. Bolt hole bearing strength for the angle.

Rn = n (0.75)(2.4) Fu t dbolt # n (0.75) Fu (1.2) lc t

Bolted Clip Angle Connection - Analysis (cont.)

5. Net section shear capacity of the angle.

Vn = 2[0.75(0.60) Fu (L - ndnet) tangle]

6. Gross section shear capacity of the angle.

Vn = 2[1.0(0.60) Fy L tangle]

7. Shear capacity of the bolts at the clip angle-column

connection (single shear).
Rn = n rn

8. Bolt hole bearing capacity of the column flange.

Rn = n (0.75)(2.4) Fu t dbolt
Bolted Clip Angle Connection
Eccentricity can be ignored except for bolt patterns designated
by ‘E’.
Supporting Member

E E

Eccentricity for Double-Angle Connections

E E E E

E E

Eccentricity for Single-Angle Connections

Bolted Double Clip Angle Connection - Design

1. Based on the required design shear capacity of the

connection, Vu, determine the required number of bolts:
Vu
nreq 
rn
The bolts are in double shear as a pair of clip angles are
used.

2. Determine the required clip angle length using 3" spacing

between bolts and 1-1/2" edge distance:

L = 3(n - 1) + 2(1.5) < T

Bolted Double Clip Angle Connection - Design
3. Determine required thickness of one clip angle based on net
section shear rupture (usually controls):
Vu
tangle 
[0.75(0.60) Fu ( L  n(db  1/ 8"))]2

4. Check gross section shear yielding:

Vn = 2[1.0(0.60) Fy L tangle]

5. Checking bolt hole bearing strength in beam web, angles,
and column flange (or web):

Rn = n (0.75)(2.4) Fu t dbolt # n (0.75) Fu (1.2) lc t

Bolted Double Clip Angle Connection - Design

The lengths of the angle legs are determined by the spacing
considerations shown. The outstanding leg dimension is typically
1/2" longer than the leg attached the column due to the 1/2"
erection clearance.

End of Beam
1/2" Erection
Clearance
1-1/2" Edge
Distance 1-1/2" Edge
(Beam Web Hole) Distance
(Angle Hole)

Column Clip
Angle
Welded Clip Angle Connection

Instead of bolting the clip

angles to the beam flange, Beam
they are often fillet-welded.

This is done in the fabricating

shop and is therefore more
economical.

The clip angles are bolted to

the column in the field during
erection of the building. Column

Single-Plate Shear Tab

The single-plate shear

connection is
comprised of a shear
tab that is fillet welded
to the supporting
member (either a
column of girder web)
and bolted to the
support member
(beam)
Single-Plate Shear Tab
A single-plate shear tab connection is shop-welded to the
column flange anf field-bolted to the beam web. Fillet welds
are used on both sides of the plate.

Vu

Single-Plate Shear Tab

The limits states that must be checked are given as:

1) Gross section shear yielding.

2) Net section shear rupture.

3) Bolt bearing in the shear tab and the beam web.

4) Bolt shear strength (single shear). Consider the effect of

eccentricity on the bolt pattern.

5) Fillet welded shear strength.

Single-Plate Shear Tab

The bolt eccentricity is taken as

zero when the shear tab has no
more than 9 bolts in a single
vertical row with standard
holes.
Vu

e=0

Beam Shear Splice

If a connection between beams is assumed to pinned, then only

shear is transferred:

The actual connection involves splicing the web plate:

Vu
Vu
Beam Shear Splice

The eccentricity on the bolt pattern must be taken into account:

The eccentricity is taken as half

the distance between the two
bolt gage lines.

Typically, a 1/2" erection

clearance is used between the
ends of the beams.
e e

T - Dimension
Any plate that is used to
connect the web of a beam
must fit between the fillets of
the beam section. This
dimension is given as T in the T/2
section property tables. min. T

To provide lateral and

torsional stability of the beam,
the web connection plate
should not be less than T/2.
Coped Beam Flange
It may be necessary to cope
the top flange of a beam so it
doen ot interfer with the flange
of the girder it is connecting
to.

The cope reduces the shear

capacity of the beam section
(both gross and net section).

If the clip angle is bolted,

block shear rupture may also
control.

Unstiffened Beam Seat

An unstiffende beams seat

connection has an angle Column
projecting from the face of the Angle Stabilizes
column. Top Flange

The beam shear is transferred to

the beam shear in the form of
the end reaction.
Beam
This is referred to as an
unstiffened beam seat since the
leg of the angle cantilevers out Flexible Angle
from the column without any
support.
Unstiffened Beam Seat

Vu

1
Ru
3
6
Ru
2
5 4

Alternatively, use fillet welds to

connect angle to column flange.

Unstiffened Beam Seat

The design or analysis of a beam seat connection detail must

consider the following items:

1. The shear capacity of the beam web.

2. Local web yielding and web crippling of the beam.
3. Bending capacity of the angle.
4. Bolt hole bearing capacity of the angle.
5. Bolt shear strength at the angle-column connection.
6. Bolt bearing capacity of the column flange.
(Alternatively, the angle may be fillet-welded to the column.)
Unstiffened Beam Seat
The connection strength is usually controlled by the moment
capacity of the angle leg.

The bending capacity of the outstanding leg of the angle is based on

the development of a plastic hinge:

Mn = Mp
= FyZ
 bt 2 
= 0.90 Fy  
 4 
where

b = length of the angle section (generally taken as 6 or 8 in.)

t = thickness of the angle

Unstiffened Beam Seat

The strength of the angle

1/2"
is controlled by the
formation of a plastic
moment at the critical Critical N
section. Section

The critical section is a e

the end of the fillet of the k
outstanding leg. t
ef
The fillet size is given as
k and varies with the the
angle thickness
Unstiffened Beam Seat
The moment that must be resisted by the outstanding leg is
given as the support reaction times the eccentricity:

e = 1/ 2" + N/2 - k

where k is the thickness of the angle plus the fillet.

The size of the fillet varies for angles depending on the angle
size:

- For the L4x3-1/2 series of angles the fillet is 7/16"

- For the L5x3-1/2 series of angles the fillet is 1/2"

The support reaction is assumed to act at N/2.

Unstiffened Beam Seat - Design

The design of an unstiffened beam seat is an iterative process
since the unknown angle thickness determines the eccentricity.

By equating the required design moment to the moment

capacity of the angle:
 bt 2 
0.90 Fy    Ru e
 4 
Solving for the angle thickness give:
4 Ru e
t req 
0.9 Fy b

The eccenticity must be estimated as it contains the angle

thickness. Iterate until the angle thicknesses converge.
Stiffened Beam Seats
As the magnitude of the end support reaction increases, the required
thickness of an unstiffened beam seat angle exceeds the available
shape sizes.

An alternative is to use a stiffened beam seat:

2 Angles Structural
Tee