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In this chapter four types of simple beam end connections are addressed.
(a) Double angle cleats shown in Figure 1.1(a)
(b) Single angle cleat shown in Figure 1.1(b)
(c) Flexible end plate shown in Figure 1.1(c)
(d) Fin plate shown in Figure 1.1(d)
(a) (b)
(c)
(d)
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
NOMENCLATURE
The nomenclature used in this chapter is:
Limit State Loading condition of beams, columns, connecting elements, bolts and welds
beyond which they no longer fulfil the design criteria.
ULS Forces Ultimate limit state internal forces due to factored loads to be transmitted by
the connection.
Yielding Limit state resulting from yielding of a section when its average stress reaches
Fy .
Rupture Limit state resulting from rupture of a section when its average stress reaches
Fu.
Gross Area Steel area that is not reduced to account for bolt holes.
Net Area Steel area reduced to account for bolt holes.
X direction Parallel to the length of the supported beam.
Y direction Perpendicular to the length of the supported beam, in the plane of its web.
Connecting element
Any one of a single cleat angle, double cleat angles, end plate or fin plate
Web The web of the supported beam.
Clip Angle that is used to transfer shear loads from a supported beam web (bolted
to one angle leg) to a supporting beam web or column (bolted to the other leg
of the angle).
End plate A flexible plate that is perpendicular and welded to the end of the web of the
supported beam. It transfers shear from the supported beam web to the web of
a supporting beam or the flange of a supporting column through bolts that are
positioned on either side of the supported beam web.
Fin plate A plate that is welded at one edge to the supporting beam web or column and
is bolted to the web of the supported beam on its side.
Notch A cut out of the supported beam’s flange(s). Made so that the supported beam
fits into the supporting beam depth. Notches can be found in the top and/ or
bottom flanges.
Notch Depth Notch depth, hn, is measured from the outside flange surface in millimetres.
Max Notch Length
Maximum length of notch before instability of the supported beam’s web
occurs.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
Connected to thickness tS
The thickness of the supporting web or flange.
Plate dimensions
Flexible end plate, or fin plate, having the following dimensions: height x width
x thickness, or h x w x t
No. Bolt Rows
Number of bolts in the direction of the depth of the supported beam.
No. Bolt Lines
Number of bolt lines along to the length of the supported member.
Weld Size Refers to the fillet weld leg size that is required to connect the flexible end
plate to the supported beam or the fin plate to the supporting member
(measured in mm).
Vu Ultimate shear force in kiloNewtons (kN) to be transmitted by the connection.
Fu Ultimate axial force in kiloNewtons (kN) to be transmitted by the connection.
Vr Shear force capacity of the connection measured in kiloNewtons (kN).
Assumes no axial force.
Fr Axial force capacity of the connection measured in kiloNewtons (kN).
Assumes no shear force.
Vu/Vr Shear force unity check (unit less). Can be independent or interact with the
axial force unity check. Numbers below 1.0 are deemed safe, while numbers
above 1.0 are unsafe.
Fu/Fr Axial force unity check (unit less). Can be independent or interact with the
shear force unity check. Numbers below 1.0 are deemed safe, while numbers
above 1.0 are unsafe.
N/A Not applicable.
Connection ID
Refers to the connection’s name or identification
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
LIMIT STATES
In general, the following limit states are possible in a simple connection:
• Local resistance of the supported beam.
• Resistance of the connecting element supported beam side.
• Resistance of bolts in the connection.
• Resistance of the connecting element supporting member side.
• Local resistance of the supporting member.
The lowest resistance from all the limit states controls, and is the resistance capacity of the
simple connection.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
STANDARDIZATION
Due to the large number of permutations and combinations that are possible, and due to the
large number of parameters that can be varied, some standardization is required to make
the problem tractable. The standard parameters used follow established norms of
engineering and fabrication practice. The following parameters have been standardized in
the simple connections. This standardization is recommended by the Southern African
Institute of Steel Construction.
Notch Depth Both the top and bottom notches are 35mm deep (measured from the outer
surface of the flange).
Angle Cleat Angle cleats are 90x90x8L for a single line of bolts, and 150x90x8L for two
lines of bolts
Clearance Distance
Between the supported and supporting members x is 10mm
Location of the top of the connecting element from the top of flange
hn is 35mm
Edge Distance
a is 35mm for M20 and 45mm for M24 bolts
Gauge g (spacing between bolt lines) is 50mm for both M20 and M24 bolts
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
EXAMPLE SET 1
Problem Statement—Adapted from The Green Book (2012) (cf eGreenBook)
A typical secondary to primary beam joint is made up of a simple connection. Consider a
406x178x67 secondary Universal Beam that is to be connected via a simple connection to a
supporting member’s web that is 10mm thick. In each line four rows of Grade 8.8, M20
bolts are used. Calculate the shear capacity of the connection when:
a. Two angle cleats are used with one line of bolts
b. A single angle cleat is used with one line of bolts
c. A flexible end plate 8mm thick is used
d. A fin plate 8mm thick is used, and
e. A single cleat with two bolt lines is used.
Notes:
To connect the beam, a notch in the top flange of the beam is required.
Ignore the supporting member’s limit states.
Solution
This problem is solved in The Green Book via hand calculations. The solution and results
are summarized here and compared to the results obtained using the digital multi-
dimensional table, i.e. The Tool. The results of all simple connections considered will then
be compared and discussed.
a. Capacity of a simple connection made up of two angle cleats with one line of bolts
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The interested reader is referred to the eGreenBook, or to The GreenBook (2012) for
details of the calculations and the symbols used. All equation numbers refer to these two
references.
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts.
= .
The shear capacity of a single Grade 8.8 M20 bolt is:
The shear resistance, Vr, of the bolt group:
= =
+
Check Cleat: Resistance of Cleat Connected to Supported Beam
= . . = !
Equation 7:10
$+%
Equation 7:11
$+%
Equation 7:12
! = " − − & ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+- = %
! $'
Bearing on cleat: Equation 7.16
% = = %%
+
Equation 7.18
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
$+%
= " − 4 − & 3 ' + . () + * − +,-3 = %
Equation 7.27
$+%
! = " − 4 − & 3 ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+-3 '
= %
! $'
Bearing on web: Equation 7.30
% = = %!
+
Equation 7.32
= * − 4+3 ' =
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting cleats to supporting element: Not
required.
Check Cleat: Resistance of cleats connected to supporting element: Not required.
Check Supporting Element: Local resistance of supporting element: Not required.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The maximum resistance the simple double cleat connection can resist is the minimum of
= !
Bolt bearing on the beam web controls
the Checks:
=
%
where Z is the section modulus of the notched beam
The maximum notch size is:
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The double cleat simple connection can also be solved using the Simple Connections multi-
dimensional digital table as shown in Figure 1.2.
Figure 1.2: Solving the double cleat Example 1(a) using the Simple Connections Tool.
1
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
b. Capacity of a simple connection made up of a single angle cleat with one line of bolts
The difference between this example and the previous one is that there is only one angle
cleat here. Where possible, the results from Example 1(a) will be utilized.
Resistance is in single shear versus double shear computed in Example 1(a):
= =
Where 510kN was computed in Example 1(a).
where , , ! , % , , were calculated in Example 1(a) Check Cleat.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
= !
same:
= = !
Resistance of 4 bolts in single shear:
The maximum resistance the simple single cleat connection can resist is the minimum of the
=
Shear of bolts connecting cleat to beam web controls
Checks:
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The single cleat simple connection can also be solved using the Simple
Connections multi-dimensional digital table as shown in Figure 1.3.
Figure 1.3: Solving the single cleat Example 1(b) using the Simple Connections Tool.
2
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
Check Weld: Shear resistance of weld between end plate and beam.
Assume 6mm weld (E70XX electrodes with xu=480MPa): Shear resistance = 0.914kN/mm
Length of each weld, lp = 2(35)+3(70) = 280mm
=
The shear resistance of the weld, Vr:
= 3 6 . =
Shear in beam web: Equation 7.50
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting flexible plate to supporting element
Unlike in the cleated simple connection, here the shear in the bolts on the supporting
element side have to be checked, as no bolt shear check has been performed:
From Equation 7.41
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
6 − $+%
Equation 7.52:
6 − $+%
Equation 7.53:
The maximum resistance the simple flexible end plate connection can resist is the minimum
=
Shear resistance of the welding controls
of the Checks:
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38:
= − 4 =
where Z is the section modulus of the notched beam (i.e. section modulus of the I
=
beam minus the top flange).
Thus the maximum notch size is:
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The flexible end plate simple connection can also be solved using the Simple
Connections multi-dimensional digital table as shown in Figure 1.4.
Figure 1.4: Solving the flexible end plate Example 1(c) using the Simple Connections Tool.
3
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
= !
also the same:
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting fin plate to supported beam
The bolts in the group behave in the same way as in the single clip connection of Example
=
1(b):
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The fin plate is the same thickness as the single clip of Example 1(b), and behaves in the
= !
same way:
Check Weld: Shear resistance of weld between end plate and supporting element.
Assume 6mm weld (E70XX electrodes with xu=480MPa): Shear resistance = 0.914kN/mm
Length of each weld, lp = 2(35)+3(70) = 280mm
=
Shear resistance of the bolt group controls
The maximum resistance the fin plate connection can resist is the minimum of the Checks:
= − 4 = − = !5
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The fin plate in the simple connection can also be solved using the Simple
Connections multi-dimensional digital table as shown in Figure 1.5.
Figure 1.5: Solving the fin plate Example 1(d) using the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
e. Capacity of a simple connection using a single angle cleat with two lines of bolts
The difference between this example and Example 1(b) is that there are two lines of bolts in
the single angle cleat. Where possible, the results from Example 1(b) will be utilized.
*
− +,
Compute the bolt group property:
9 = + = %
4
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
*
+ ! +!
+ ! * − +,
= + :; +
< +;
< =
9
9
! = 5
! !
Bearing on single cleat: Equation 7.19
*
+ +! * +
+ − ,
% = ! $' /:; +
< +;
< = %
9
9
) '
Bearing depending on edge and end distance: Equation 7.21:
= =
!
*
+ +!
; +
<
9
= = 5
*
+ ! * − +,+
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
= !
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting single cleat to supporting element
= = !
Resistance of 4 bolts in single shear (same as in Example 1(b)):
The maximum resistance the simple single cleat connection can resist is the minimum of the
= !
Shear of bolts connecting cleat to beam web controls
Checks:
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The single cleat simple connection with two lines of bolts can be solved using the Simple
Connections multi-dimensional digital table as shown in Figure 1.6.
Figure 1.6: Solving the single cleat with two lines of bolts Example 1(e) using the
Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
The controlling limit state is: “Clip angle shear on gross area” 5
The maximum notch length is: 311.1mm
These results are the same or conservative compared to the hand calculations above.
Summary of Results
The capacities and the controlling limit states of the simple connections calculated in this
example are summarized in Table 1.1. Table 1.1 allows for a quick comparison of the simple
connections studied.
Table 1.1: Comparison of the shear capacities of the various simple connections in Example
1.
Example Simple Connection Type Shear Controlling Limit State
Capacity
Vr (kN)
1(a) Double Cleat—Single bolt 388 Bolt bearing on the beam web
row
1(b) Single Cleat—Single bolt 255 Bolt shear between cleat and web
row
1(c) Flexible end plate 512 Weld between end plate and beam
1(d) Fin plate 255 Bolt shear between fin plate and
web
1(e) Single Cleat—Double bolt 316 Bolt shear between cleat and web
row
Discussion
Table 1.1 shows that the flexible end plate (Example 1(c)) produces the largest shear
capacity of 512kN. The double cleat connection (Example 1(a)) also produces a high
capacity of 388kN. However, it is not double the shear capacity of a single angle cleat
(Example 1(a): 255kN). The reason why the single and the double cleat shear capacities are
not related is because the limit state changes (from bolt shear for the single cleat to bolt
bearing for the double cleat). Introducing two bolt lines in a single cleat (Example 1(e)),
does not double the capacity of the single bolt line connection of Example 1(b). The reason
5
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
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SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS
why the capacity does not double is that although the limit state remains the same (bolt
shear), the bolts respond in a group, and the group’s characteristic is not a simple doubling
if the number of bolts are doubled. It must be pointed out that by introducing two bolt rows
in the single clip the size of the angle has to be increased from a 90x90x8L to a 150x90x8L to
accommodate the bolts.
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