Steel Connection Design

This section contains information on how to define and perform calculations for steel
connections.

The code calculations of steel connections run in two stages:

1. definition of geometry of a connection (a connection type) and its parameters.

It is possible to create connection:

o within the structure (by selected bars in the structure)

o defined manually (a stand-alone connection).

To define a new connection you can choose one of connection types from toolbar in the
right side (this toolbar is available when the icon is pressed). Appropriate parameters
for the selected connection type can be defined in the Connection Definition dialog.

A defined connection will be added to the list of connections in the Inspector pane. To
return to the definition of connection parameters, double click this connection in
Inspector pane.

If the connection is defined you can change the type of connection (this toolbar is
available when the icon is pressed). The connection can also be copied.

2. calculation of the defined connection for selected parameters and load cases.

It is possible to design connections:

o from a structure (to start connection calculations select the icon to open
Connection Calculations dialog)
o perform manual calculations of the connection (to start connection calculations
select the icon to open Manual Connection Verification dialog).

Connection Definition
Use this option to select the connection type and specify its parameters.

Access the option from the Connections layout or after clicking on the toolbar.

Note: In Robot, the following codes are available, allowing you to calculate steel structure
connections: Eurocode (ENV 1993-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005/AC:2009) , French steel
code CM66 and Polish steel code PN-90/B-03200. The national versions of the Eurocode 3 code
for steel connections: French (NF-EN 1993-1-8:2005/NA:2007/AC:2009) and Polish (PN-EN
1993-1-8:2006/AC:2009) are available.

The screen is divided into 2 basic parts: the Inspector pane used for management of defined
connections and the graphical viewer, which consists of several tabs:

Scheme (a schematic drawing of a connection)

3D View (the view of a defined connection with a possibility of rotation, zoom, pan)
Structure (the view of a whole structure)
Results (a calculation note with results of connection calculations; available only after
performing calculations).

The following connection types are available in Robot by clicking (New Connection):

beam-beam connection
frame knee connection
column-beam connection
column-beam (two-sided) connection
column base - column connection: fixed
column base - column connection: pinned
column base - column connection: concrete base
beam splice connection
column splice connection
, , , - angle connection
pipe connection.
, , - connection with a gusset plate: for a single bar, internal node, and truss
chord node.

The following parameters can be defined for subsequent connection types:

frame knee, beam-beam, and column-beam connection (table designation: KNEE):

o bar section parameters
o base parameters
o stiffener parameters
o anchorage parameters
o concrete, weld and wedge parameters
column-base connection (table designations: fixed base - FIX, pinned base - PINN,
concrete base - CONC):
o bar section parameters
o reinforcement parameters
 o screw parameters
o stiffener and plate parameters
o depth of concrete base
angle connection (table designation: ANG):
o bar section parameters
o angle parameters
o bolt parameters
o cut dimensions, distances, etc.
pipe connection (table designation: PIP):
o connection type (unilateral, bilateral)
o parameters of adjoining bars (crosses)
o bracket parameters
o weld parameters
connection - gusset (table designation: BLA):
o connection type (welded, bolted) and its parameters
o bar parameters etc.

Note: If a connection is defined, you can click (Connection Type Change) to change the type
of connection:

change to a pinned support

change to a fixed support
change to concrete support
change to beam-to-beam connection
change to frame knee connection
change to beam-to-column connection
change to column-beam (two-sided) connection
change to beam splice connection
change to column splice connection
change to angle connection
change to pipe connection
change to connection with a gusset plate (single bar)
change to connection with a gusset plate (internal node)
change to connection with a gusset plate (truss chord node)

You can save a defined and calculated connection to a file of the following formats:

DXF
DWG
STP
WRL
 ANF
SAT
PEP

Connection Definition - Eurocode 3

At present, Eurocode 3 (ENV 1993-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005/AC:2009) allows design of
the following connection types:

Connection: pinned, fixed, or concrete column base

Beam-beam connection
Frame knee connection
Beam-principal beam connection
Beam-column connection
Column-beam connection and column-beam connection (two-sided)
Connection: pinned column base (European Code EN 1993-1-8:2005)
Connection: fixed column base (European Code EN 1993-1-8:2005)
Angle connections
Connection: tube (tube truss node)
Connection: tube truss node (Eurocode3:2005)
Gusset plate Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-8:2005)
Gusset plate (single bar)
Gusset plate (internal node or truss chord node)
Splice connections ( EN 1993-1-8/2005/AC:2009 and PN-90/B-03200)