Chapter 7

Connection

Dr Shek Poi Ngian

Senior Lecturer in Faculty of Civil Engineering

Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures

 Introduction
• Connections:
– The location where two or more
elements meet.
– E.g. end plate, column flange, welds and
bolts.

• Joints:
– The zone where two or more members
meet, and includes, in a beam to column
joint for example, the column web
panel.
– E.g. the connection plus the column web
panel.
 Introduction
• Joints & Connections:

– 1. web panel in shear

– 2. connections
– 3. components (end-plate, weld, bolts etc.)
 Introduction
• Joints Configurations:
 Introduction
• Simplified joint models:
– Simple:- the joint may be assumed not to
transmit bending moments

– Continuous:- the behaviour of the joint may

be assumed to have no effect on the analysis

– Semi-continuous:- the behaviour of the joint

needs to be taken into account in the
analysis.
 Introduction

Simple No moment
Construction
beam end
Moment due to
eccentricity of beam
end force
Pinned joint
Sagging
moment
govern the
beam size
 Introduction

Semi continuous Beam end

Construction connection transfer
a portion of moment
to the columns

Semi rigid
Reduced
connections
sagging
moment
 Introduction
Continuous
Construction
Beam design using
hoggi ng moment.

Thejoint
Rigid least
sagging
moment
 Introduction

Simple Semi- continuous Continuous

Construction Construction Construction

Pinned joint Semi rigid

connections
Rigid joint
 Introduction

No moment at
beam end

Reduced
Sagging The least
sagging
moment sagging
moment
govern the moment
beam size
Beam end Beam design using
Moment due to connection transfer
s hoggi ng moment.
eccentricity of beam
- a portion of moment
end force to the columns

Moment distribution in various types of connections

 Introduction
• Types of Joint Model:

– limited to classifications appropriate to elastic

global analysis, as this is the common case for
general frame analysis. Plastic analysis is outside
the scope.
 Types of Connections

• Bolted joints
• Welded joints
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
Types of Connections
 Classification
• Classification of Joints:
– The details of all joints should fulfil the
assumptions made in the relevant design method.

– Joints may be classified by their stiffness and by

their strength.

– A joint may be classified on the basis of

• experimental evidence,
• experience of previous satisfactory performance in
similar cases,
• calculations based on test evidence.
Classification
 Course Outline
• shear connection – in which the connection is resisting shear
deformation in longitudinal direction of both connected
members (planar shear)
• tensile connection – the connection is assigned to resist the
uplift force, e.g. end plate connection.
• brackets – connecting a horizontal member perpendicular to a
vertical member which induces moment.
Failure Mode
 Properties of Bolts
(Adopted from Table 3.1, BS EN 1993-1-8)

Bolt class 4.6 8.8 10.9

Yield strength, fyb(N/mm2) 240 640 900

Ultimate tensile strength,

400 800 1000
fub (N/mm2)
 Bolted Connections
Adopted from Table 3.2, BS EN 1993-1-8
Category* Criteria Remarks
A Fv,EdFv,Rd No pre-loading required.
Bearing type Fv,EdFb,Rd Bolt classes 4.6 and 8.8

B Fv,Ed,serFs,Rd,ser Preloaded 8.8 bolts should be used.

Slip-resistance at Fv,EdFv,Rd Refer to clause 8.2.8.1 for slip
serviceability limit Fv,EdFb,Rd resistance at serviceability.
state
C Fv,EdFs,Rd Preloaded 8.8 bolts should be used.
Slip-resistance at Fv,EdFb,Rd Refer to clause 8.2.8.1 and note to
ultimate limit state Fv,EdNnet,Rd 8.3.2(1) for slip resistance at
serviceability.
D Ft,EdFt,Rd No pre-loading required.
Non-preloaded Ft,EdBp,Rd Bolt classes 4.6 and 8.8

E Ft,EdFt,Rd Preloaded 8.8 bolts should be used.

Preloaded Ft,EdBp,Rd

*CategoryA, B and C are shear connections and category D and E are tension
connections.
 Bolt Spacing
Adopted from Table 3.3, BS EN 1993-1-8
Distances and
spacing
Minimum Maximum
(Refer to
Figure 7.6)
Steel exposed to the Steel not exposed to the
weather or other weather or other
corrosive influences corrosive influences
Edge distance
1.2do 4t + 40 mm
e1
Edge distance
1.2do 4t + 40 mm
e2
The smaller of 14t or 200 The smaller of 14t or 200
Spacing p1 2.2do
mm mm
The smaller of 14t or 200 The smaller of 14t or 200
Spacing p2 2.4do
mm mm
 Bolt Spacing

Distance and spacing of bolt (Adopted from

Figure 3.1, BS EN 1993-1-8)
 Resistance Design of Bolts
adopted from Table 3.4 BS EN 1993-1-8

• Shear resistance of bolt

• Bearing resistance of bolt
• Tension resistance of bolts
• Combined shear and tension
 Shear Resistance of Bolt
BS EN 1993-1-8 pg. 27

 v fub As
Fv , Rd 
M2

v is 0.6 for classes 4.6, 5.6 and 8.8 or 0.5 for

classes 4.8, 5.8, 6.8 and 10.9
As is the tensile stress area of the bolt
fub obtained from Table 3.1, BS EN 1993-1-8
γM2 is partial safety factor (1.25)
Shear Resistance of Bolt
 Shear Resistance of Bolt
Steel Designer Handbook
pg. C302-C304
 Bearing Resistance of Bolt
BS EN 1993-1-8 pg. 27 For end bolts:
e
k1 b f u dt d  1
Fb , Rd  3d o
M2  e 
k1  min 2.8 2  1.7,2.5
 do 
d is the nominal diameter of bolt,
For inner bolts:
 f ub  d 
p1 1

b is the smallest of  d , ,1.0 3d o 4
 fu 
 p2 
k1  min 1.4  1.7,2.5
 do 
 Bearing Resistance of Bolt

Distance and spacing of bolt (Adopted from

Figure 3.1, BS EN 1993-1-8)
Bearing Resistance of Bolt
Bearing Resistance of Bolt
 Tension Resistance of Bolt
BS EN 1993-1-8 pg. 27

k 2 f ub As
Ft , Rd 
M2

k2 = 0.63 for countersunk bolts;

k2 = 0.90 for other types of bolt
Tension Resistance of Bolt
 Tension Resistance of Bolt
Steel Designer Handbook
pg. C302-C304
 Bolted joint example
Description
Calculate the strength of the bolts in the lap
splice shown below assuming the use of M20
Grade 4.6 bolts in 22 mm clearance holes and
Grade S275 plate.
 Bolted joint example
Shear resistance:
Bolts are in single shear, and it is assumed that the shear
plane passes through the threaded portion of the bolts:

v = 0.6, fub = 400 N/mm2, A = As = 245 mm2,

M2= 1.25

Shear resistance per bolt Fv,Rd:

 v f ub A 0.6  400  245

Fv , Rd    47000 N  47.0 kN
M2 1.25
 Bolted joint example
Bearing resistance:

Bearing resistance per bolt Fb,Rd:

k 1b fudt
Fb,Rd 
 M2

From geometry: p1 = 60 mm, e1 = 40 mm, e2

= 40 mm, d0 = 22 mm.

From EN 10025-2, fu of plate (Grade S275, t

> 3 mm) = 430 N/mm2.
 Bolted joint example
e1
For end bolts, d = = (40/66) = 0.61
3d0
p1
For inner bolts, d = = (60/66 – 0.25) = 0.66
3d0
e
For edge bolts, k1 is the smaller of (2.8 2  1.7) or 2.5
d0
(2.8×(40/22) – 1.7) = 3.4.  k1 = 2.5

fub/fu = 400/430 = 0.93

b is the smaller of: d, fub/fu or 1.0

For end bolts b = 0.61, and for inner bolts b = 0.66

 Bolted joint example
Therefore, for end bolts,

k1 b f u dt 2.5  0.61 430  20 16

Fb , Rd    167.9 kN
M2 1.25

And, for inner bolt,

k1 b f u dt 2.5  0.66  430  20 16

Fb , Rd    181.6 kN
M2 1.25

Clearly the resistance of the joint is controlled by the

strength in shear. Therefore, the resistance of the tension
splice as governed by the shear resistance of the bolts = 3 ×
47.0 = 141 kN.
 Group of Fasteners

• Group of fasteners
– The design resistance of a group of fasteners
may be taken as the smaller of:
– Fb,Rd of the individual fasteners, or
–  Fv,Rd of each individual fastener.

– Otherwise the design resistance of a group of

fasteners should be taken as the number of
fasteners multiplied by the smallest design
resistance of any of the individual fasteners.
Group of Fasteners
 Group of Fasteners

• Long Joints:
– Distance Lj > 15d
– Shear resistance Fv,Rd of all the fasteners should
be multiplied by a reduction factor Lf:
 Design for Block Tearing
• Design for block tearing (Veff,i,rd) EC3-1-8
(Cl.3.10.2)

concentric loading
 Design for Block Tearing
• Design for block tearing
– Symmetric bolt group subject to concentric
loading:

– Bolt group subject to eccentric loading:

– Veff,i,rd – design block tearing resistance

– Ant - net area subject to tension
– ynv - net area subject to shear
 Combine Shear and Tension

BS EN 1993-1-8 pg. 27

Fv , Ed Ft , Ed
  1.0
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft ,Rd
 Worked Example 2
• Determine the shear resistances of the bolts in the “simple
joint” end-plate beam to column flange connection.
 Worked Example 2
• Minimum and maximum spacing
and end and edge distances:
– Bolt 20 mm 8.8
– Bolt hole, do = 22mm
– Thickness of end-plate,
tp = 10mm
– Thickness of column
flange, tf,c = 11mm
 Worked Example 2

• Minimum and maximum spacing and end

and edge distances:
Item Minimum Maximum Actual

e1 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 80mm 45mm Ok!

e2 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 80mm 50mm Ok!

p1 2.2do = 48.4mm 14t = 140 <200mm 70mm Ok!

p2 2.4do = 52.8mm 14t = 140 <200mm NA

 Worked Example 2

• Shear resistance of single bolt:

v = 0.6,
fub = 800 N/mm2,
As = 245 mm2,
M2= 1.25
 v fub A 0.6  800  245
Fv , Rd    94100 N  94.1 kN
M2 1.25
 Worked Example 2

• Bearing resistance of single bolt:

k 1b fudt
Fb,Rd 
 M2
e1
For end bolts, d = = (45/66) = 0.68
3d0
fub/fu = 800/430 = 1.86

b is the smaller of: d, fub/fu or 1.0

Thus, b = 0.68
 Worked Example 2

• Bearing resistance of single bolt:

For edge bolts, k1 is the smaller of (2.8 e2  1.7) or 2.5
d0

e2 50
(2.8  1.7)  (2.8  1.7)  4.66
d0 22

k1 = 2.5
 Worked Example 2

• Bearing resistance of single bolt:

k1 b f u dt
Fb , Rd 
M2
2.5  0.68  430  20 10

1.25
 116.96 kN
 Worked Example 2
• Resistance of bolt group:
Fv , Rd  94.1 kN
Fb , Rd  116.96 kN

– As Fb,Rd > Fv,Rd, the resistance of the end plate

bolt group is:

– VRd = nFv,Rd = 6 × 94.1 = 564.6 kN

 Worked Example 3
• Determine the shear resistances of the “simple joint” fin plate
beam to column flange connection.
 Worked Example 3
• Minimum and maximum spacing
and end and edge distances:
– Bolt 20 mm 8.8
– Bolt hole, do = 22mm
– Thickness of fin-plate,
tp = 10mm
– Thickness of beam web,
tw,b = 6 mm
 Worked Example 3

• Minimum and maximum spacing and end

and edge distances
Item Minimum Maximum Actual

e1 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 64mm 45mm Ok!

e2 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 64mm 50mm Ok!

p1 2.2do = 48.4mm 14t = 84 <200mm 70mm Ok!

p2 2.4do = 52.8mm 14t = 84 <200mm NA

 Worked Example 3

• Shear resistance of single bolt:

v = 0.6,
fub = 800 N/mm2,
As = 245 mm2,
M2= 1.25
 v fub A 0.6  800  245
Fv , Rd    94100 N  94.1 kN
M2 1.25
 Worked Example 3

Shear resistance for bolt group:

VRd = nFv,Rd = 3 × 94.1 = 282.3 kN

 Worked Example 3
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
k 1b fudt
Fb,Rd 
 M2
e1
For end bolts, d = = (45/66) = 0.68
3d0
p 1 70 1
For inner bolts,  d  1     0.81
3d o 4 3(22) 4
fub/fu = 800/430 = 1.86

b is the smaller of: d, fub/fu or 1.0

Thus, b = 0.68
 Worked Example 3
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
k 1b fudt
Fb,Rd 
 M2
e1
For end bolts, d = = (45/66) = 0.68
3d0
p 1 70 1
For inner bolts,  d  1     0.81
3d o 4 3(22) 4
fub/fu = 800/430 = 1.86

b is the smaller of: d, fub/fu or 1.0

Thus, b = 0.68
 Worked Example 3
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
k 1b fudt
Fb,Rd 
 M2
e1
For end bolts, d = = (45/66) = 0.68
3d0
p 1 70 1
For inner bolts,  d  1     0.81
3d o 4 3(22) 4
fub/fu = 800/430 = 1.86

b is the smaller of: d, fub/fu or 1.0

Thus, b = 0.68
 Worked Example 3

• Bearing resistance of single bolt:

For edge bolts, k1 is the smaller of (2.8 e2  1.7) or 2.5
d0

e2 50
(2.8  1.7)  (2.8  1.7)  4.66
d0 22

k1 = 2.5
 Worked Example 3

• Bearing resistance of single bolt:

k1 b f u dt
Fb , Rd 
M2
2.5  0.68  430  20 10

1.25
 116.96 kN
 Worked Example 4

• Checking of block tearing resistance:

– Bolt group subject to eccentric loading:
 0.5 Fu Ant

 
  1/ 3 f y Anv 

Veff ,2, Rd  
 M2   M0

 Worked Example 4

• Checking of block tearing resistance:

– S275 steel fin-plate:
• fu = 410 N/mm2
• fy = 275 N/mm2 (t < 16 mm)

• Ant = 10 × 50 = 500 mm2

• Anv = 10 × (70+70+45) = 1850 mm2

• M0 = 1.0
• M2 = 1.25
 Worked Example 4

• Checking of block tearing resistance:

– Block tearing resistance:

 0.5 Fu Ant

 
  1/ 3 f y Anv 

Veff ,2, Rd  
 M2   M0



   
 0.5(430)(500)   1/ 3 (275)(1850) 
  3
  
10
 1.25  1.0
 
 379.7 kN
 Worked Example 5
• Check whether the block tearing resistance of the connection
below can carry the applied force Fr to an angle of
100x100x10 as shown in Figure 6.11. Use steel grade S275.
 Worked Example 5

• Checking of block tearing resistance:

– Assume bolt group subject to eccentric
loading:

 0.5 Fu Ant

 
  1/ 3 f y Anv 

Veff ,2, Rd  
 M2   M0

 Worked Example 5

• Checking of block tearing resistance:

– S275 steel fin-plate:
• fu = 410 N/mm2
• fy = 275 N/mm2 (t < 16 mm)

• Ant = 10 × 50 = 500 mm2

• Anv = 10 × 100 = 1000 mm2

• M0 = 1.0
• M2 = 1.25
 Worked Example 5
• Checking of block tearing resistance:
– Block tearing resistance:

 0.5 Fu Ant

 
  1/ 3 f y Anv 

Veff ,1, Rd  
 M2   M0



 0.5(430)(500)  

 
 1/ 3 (275)(1000) 
  103
  
 1.25  1.0
 
 244.8kN

– Fr = 200 kN < 244.8 kN (Veff,1,Rd)

– the connection block tearing resistance is ok!
 Brackets
• Brackets may be subjected to:
– the moment acts out-of-plane producing tension in the
bolts.
– the moment is in the plane of the connection resulting in a
shear effect in the bolt.
 Brackets
• Bracket Subjected To Out-Of-Plane Moment :
• Fv,Ed = P/n
–P is the acted force (FEd)
–n is the number of bolt in the bracket

• Ft,Ed = Pezmax/ z2

– zmax the distance is from the centre of the bottom
beam flange (zero moment) to the out-most
tension bolt row.
–z is the distance from the zero-moment point to
the centre of each bolt.
–e load eccentricity.
 Brackets

• Bracket Subjected To Out-Of-Plane Moment :

• Combined Shear and Tension check (Table
3.4):
Fv,Ed Ft,Ed
  1 .0
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft,Rd
 Example 6
• Check the adequacy of the connection depicted below in Figure 6.15: Use
M24 bolt and steel grade of S275. The end distance e is taken as 50mm.
 Example 6
• Design force:
• P = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
• = 1.35(210)+1.5(105)
• = 441 kN

• Out-of-plane moment:
• MEd = 441 × 0.2
• = 88.2 kNm

• Use 8 No. 24mm bolts of grade 8.8.

 Example 6
• Minimum and maximum spacing and end
and edge distances
Item Minimum Maximum Actual

e1 1.2do = 31.2mm 4t + 40 = 114.8mm N.A

e2 1.2do = 31.2mm 4t + 40 = 114.8mm 50mm OK!

p1 2.2do = 57.2mm 14t = 261.8 > 100mm Ok!

200mm
p2 2.4do = 62.4mm 14t = 261.8 > N.A
200mm
 Example 6
• Direct Shear Force:
• Fv,Ed = P /n = 441/8 = 55.1kN

• Shear resistance of single bolt:

 v f ub A 0.6  800  353
Fv,Rd    103  135.6kN
M2 1.25
– v = 0.6 for class 8.8 bolts.
– A = As = 353 mm2
 Example 6
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
k1 b f u,p dt p  e1 p1 1 f ub 
Fb,Rd   b  min  ,  , ,1.0
M2  o
3d 3d o 4 f u, p 

p1 1 100 1 fub 800

    1.03   1.86
3d o 4 3  26 4 fu , p 430

– From the figure the end bolts are still considered as

inner bolts at the load plane, thus take b = 1.00
(minimum value)
 Example 6
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
(cont)
 e2 p2 
k1  min  2.8  1.7;1.4  1.7; 2.5
 do do 
e2 50
2.8  1.7  2.8  1.7  3.68
do 26

k1  2.5
 Example 6
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
(cont)
k1 b f u,p dt p
Fb,Rd 
M2
2.5(1.0)(430)(24)(18.7)
 103
1.25
 386kN
 Example 6
• Tension Force Due to Out-of-plane Moment :

Pezmax
Ft,Ed 
 z 2

441 200  375

Ft,Ed 
 2   752  1752  2752  3752  
 
 65.5kN
 Example 6
• Tension Capacity:
k2 fub As 0.9  800  353
Ft,Rd    103
M2 1.25
 203.3kN

• Combed Shear & Tension Check:

Fv , Ed Ft , Ed 55.1 65.5
    0.64  1.0
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft , Rd 135 1.4(203)

 the connection is adequate!

 Brackets
• Bracket Subjects to In-Plane Moment :

z2 Fv
z1

y1
 Brackets
Bracket Subjects to In-Plane Moment :
Fv,Ed = P/n
Permax
Ft,Ed  rmax  y 2
z 2

 
y 2
 z 2 max max

Vector sum:

FR,ED  Fv2,ED  Ft ,2ED  2 Fv , Ed Ft , Ed cos 

 Example 7
• Reconsider example 5 by replacing the connection with the gusset plate
on two faces of the column flanges. Check the adequacy of the
connection. Use steel grade S275.
 Example 7
EN1993-1-8

• Design force:
• P = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
• = 1.35(210)+1.5(105)
• = 441 kN

• Out-of-plane moment:
• MEd = 441 × 0.2
• = 88.2 kNm

• Use 8 No. 24mm bolts of grade 8.8.

 Example 7
EN1993-1-8

• Minimum and maximum spacing 3.5.1

Table 3.3
and end and edge distances
Item Minimum Maximum Actual

e1 1.2do = 31.2mm 4t + 40 = 114.8mm 50mm OK!

e2 1.2do = 31.2mm 4t + 40 = 114.8mm 50mm OK!

p1 2.2do = 57.2mm 14t = 261.8 > 100mm Ok!

200mm
p2 2.4do = 62.4mm 14t = 261.8 > 150mm Ok!
200mm
 Example 7
EN1993-1-8

• Direct Shear Force:

P 441
Fv , Ed    27.6kN
n 28

rmax  y 2  z 2  752  150 2  167.7 mm

• Shear force due to In-plane moment:
Permax
Ft,Ed 
 
y 2
 z 2

441 550 167

  140.5kN
2  8  75    4  50  4 150  
2 2 2
 Example 7
EN1993-1-8

• Vector sum of shear force:

FR,Ed  Fv2, Ed  Ft ,2Ed  2 Fv , Ed Ft , Ed cos 

 75 
 27.6  140.5  2(27.6)(140.5) 
2 2

 168 
 130.5kN
 Example 7
EN1993-1-8
• Shear resistance of single bolt: Table 3.4

 v f ub A
Fv,Rd 
M2
– v = 0.6 for class 8.8 bolts.
– A = As = 353 mm2
0.6  800  353
Fv,Rd  10 3
1.25
 135.6kN  130.5kN

– Shear resistance adequate!

 Example 7
EN1993-1-8
• Bearing resistance of single bolt:
Table 3.4
k1 b f u,p dt p  e1 p1 1 f ub 
Fb,Rd   b  min  ,  , ,1.0
M2  o
3d 3d o 4 f u, p 
e1 50
  0.64
3d o 3  26

p1 1 100 1 fub 800

    1.03   1.86
3d o 4 3  26 4 fu , p 430

– b = 0.64
 Example 7
EN1993-1-8

• Bearing resistance of single bolt: (cont)

Table 3.4
 e p 
k1  min  2.8 2  1.7;1.4 2  1.7; 2.5
 do do 
e2 50
2.8  1.7  2.8  1.7  3.68
do 26
p2 150
1. 4  1 . 7  1. 4  1.7  6.38
do 26

k1  2.5
 Example 5
EN1993-1-8

• Bearing resistance of single bolt: (cont)

Table 3.4

k1 b f u,p dt p
Fb,Rd 
M2
2.5(0.64)(430)(24)(18.7)
 103
1.25
 247 kN  130.5kN

– Bearing resistance is adequate!

 Welded Connections
• Welding:
– A weld is produced by passing a current (between 50 and 400
amperes), through an electrode or filler wire to produce an arc which
completes the path from the power source through the specimen to
earth.
– Therefore the generated heat (from 2800 to 16700ºC) will melt both
the electrode and the parent metal and the plates being welded fuse
together on cooling.
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Design of weld - the simple method is to

be introduced.
4.1(1)
– The provisions apply to weldable
structural steels conforming to the
standards in 4.1 and to material
thickness > 4 mm.

– Type of welds: Fillet welds and butt

welds.
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8
• Fillet welds:
– The angle of intersection should be in the range of 4.3.2.1(1)
60o and 120o.
• < 60o the weld should be considered to be a 4.3.2.1(2)
partial penetration butt weld.
• > 120o the strength of the weld should be 4.3.2.1(3)
determined by testing.
– Fillet welds finishing at the ends or sides of parts
should be returned continuously, full size, around the 4.3.2.1(4)
corner for a distance of a least twice the leg length of
the weld.
120º >  > 60º

Fusion
faces
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Butt Welds:
– A full penetration butt weld is defined as a 4.3.4(1)
weld that has complete penetration and
fusion of weld and parent metal throughout
the thickness of the joint.

4.3.4(2)
– A partial penetration butt weld is defined as
a weld that has joint penetration which is
less than the full thickness of the parent
material. 4.3.4(3)

– Intermittent butt welds should not be used.

 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Design resistance of fillet welds:

– Weld design defined by Leg Length, s
4.5.2(1)
– Effective throat thickness, a = 0.7s
– a  3 mm
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Design resistance of fillet welds:

– Effective length of welds, le 4.5.1(1)
4.5.1(2)
– If le < 30 mm or < 6a (whichever is the
larger), it should not be designed to carry
load.
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Design resistance of fillet welds:

4.5.3.1(1)
– Design resistance, Fw,Rd
– Fw,Ed  Fw,Rd 4.5.3.3(2)
– Fw,Rd = fvw,d × a 4.5.3.3(3)
Eq. 4.4
fu / 3
f vw,d 
 w M 2
– Fw,Ed design value of weld force per unit length (kN/mm)
– Fw,Rd design weld resistance (kN/mm)
– fvw,d design shear strength of weld
Table 4.1
– fu nominal ultimate tensile strength of weaker part.
–  = 0.85 for S275; 0.90 for S355
 Welded Connections
• Design resistance of fillet welds:
fu / 3 430 / 3
f vw,d    233.7 N / mm 2
 w M 2 0.85(1.25)

fu / 3 510 / 3
f vw,d    261.7 N / mm 2
 w M 2 0.9(1.25)
Welded Connections
Design Weld Resistance (S275)
 Welded Connections
EN1993-1-8

• Common Practice:
4.3.2.1(4)
– Weld continues around the corner and
at least twice the length of the weld:
– le= l – s
 Welded Connections
• Common Practice:
– If the connected plate is welded longitudinally:
– l >4t,
• t = thickness of the thinner plate.
 Welded Connections

• Welds Subjected To Axial Force Only

 Example 8
 Determine the weld lengths if only side welding is applied on
the connection depicted in Figure. Use S275 steel.
 Example 8
EN1993-1-8

Design Load: 4.5.3.1(1)

Load, P = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
= 1.35 × 50 + 1.5 × 60 4.5.3.3(2)
= 157.5kN 4.5.3.3(3)
Eq. 4.4

Overall Sizing:
Use 6mm fillet weld (s = 6mm),
a = 0.7 × 6 = 4.2 mm
Fw,Rd = fvw,d × a = 233.4 × 4.2 Table 4.1
= 0.980 kN/mm
Le = P/PL = 157.5 / 0.980
= 160.7 mm
 Example 8
EN1993-1-8

Detail Sizing:
L e1 b

L e1  L e2 a  b

Le1 19.9

160.7 65

Le1 = 49.2mm
Le2 = 160.7 - Le1 = 160.7 – 49.2
= 111.5mm
 Example 8
EN1993-1-8

• Applied Weld Length (no end

turning):
• L1 = Le1 + 2s = 49.2 + 2 × 6
• = 61.2mm Apply 70mm
•
• L2 = Le2 + 2s = 111.5 + 2 × 6
• = 123.6mm Apply 130mm

• Check minimum weld size: 4.5.1(1)

4.5.1(2)
• L1 = 70mm > 30mm Ok!
• > 6a (25.2mm) Ok!
• > 4t (20 mm) Ok! 4.5.2(1)
• a = 4.2 mm > 3 mm Ok!
 Example 9
Determine the weld lengths if only side welding is applied on the
connection as depicted below:
 Example 9
EN1993-1-8

Design Load:
Load, P = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
= 157.5kN

Detail Sizing:
Assume P = Le1 + Le2 + Tw ( Tw is the overall depth of the
angle section)
Take moment at datum A-A:
Pb × b = [Le1 × (a + b)] + [Tw × (a + b)/2]
Le1 = [Pb × b - Tw(a+b)/2]/(a + b)
= [(157.5 × 19.9) – 65(65/2)]/65
= 15.7mm
 Example 9
EN1993-1-8
Le1 = 15.7 mm

Le2 = 157.5 – Tw - Le1 = 157.5 – 65 – 15.7

= 76.8 mm

Applied Weld Length (with end-

turning):
L1 = Le1 + s = 15.7+ 6
= 21.7mm < 30 mm
Apply 30mm

L2 = Le2 + s = 76.8 + 6
= 82.8mm Apply 90mm
 Welded Connections

• WELDS SUBJECTED TO IN-PLANE MOMENT AND OUT-OF-

PLANE MOMENT
– Similar to the bolt design, the stresses to be checked are
the direct stress and stress due to eccentric moment.
– Therefore, the general formula used in both cases are:

FR,Ed  Fv2,Ed  Ft ,2Ed  2 Fv , Ed Ft , Ed cos 

Welded Connections
 Example 10
Determine the
appropriate
weld size for
the connection
shown below:
 Example 10
EN1993-1-8
Design load
Two surface: P = 400/2 = 200kN

Direct shear force:

P 200
Fs    0.323kN / mm
 Le [300  2(160)]
Assumption:
the weld thickness is 1mm to ease the
calculation
consider only one plate.
 Example 10
EN1993-1-8

A = 1(300 + 2 × 160) = 620mm2

y = (2 × 160 × 1 × 80) / 620

= 41.3mm from left

Shear Force Due to In-plane Moment:

 3003 
I y    2 160 150 2   9.45 106 mm 4
 12 

 1603 
I z   2  [  160  80  41.3 ]  300  41.32 
2

 12 
 1.43 106 mm 4
 Example 10
EN1993-1-8

rmax  160  41.32  150 2  191.3mm

Permax
Ft 
 I y   Iz
200  150  80  41.3191.3

 9.45  1.43 106
 0.664kN / mm
 Example 10
EN1993-1-8
Vector Sum:

FR  Fs2  Ft 2  2 Fs Ft cos 
 160  41.3 
 0.3232  0.664 2  2(0.323)(0.664) cos 
 191.3 
 0.90kN / mm

Sizing : 4.5.3.1(1)
PL = F R = 0.90kN/mm 4.5.3.3(2)
0.90 = 233 × 0.7s × 10-3 = 0.163s 4.5.3.3(3)
s = 0.90 / 0.163 = 5.52mm Eq. 4.4
Apply 6mm fillet weld Table 4.1
 Example 11
• Determine whether the connection shown below is
safe to be used.
 Example 11
EN1993-1-8

Design load:
P = 1.35Gk + 1.5Qk
= 1.35 × 80 + 1.5 × 110
= 273kN

Total Weld Length:

Le, f = 173.2 – (2 × 8) = 157.2mm
Le, w = 280 – (2 × 8) = 264mm

Le = 2 [157.2 + 264] = 842.4mm

 Example 11
EN1993-1-8

Direct Shear Force:

P 273
Fs    0.324kN / mm
 Le 842.4

Shear Force Due to Out-of-plane Moment:

Assume the thickness of the weld is
1mm to ease the calculation
 2643 2
Iy  2    157.2  (364 / 2) 
 12 
 13.48 106 mm 4
 Example 11
EN1993-1-8
364
rmax   182mm
2
Permax 273  250 182
Ft  
y I 13.48  10 6

 0.770kN / mm
Vector Sum:

FR  Fs2  Ft 2
 0.324 2  0.770 2
 0.835kN / mm
 Example 11
EN1993-1-8
4.5.3.1(1)
Sizing:
4.5.3.3(2)
PL = FR = 0.835 kN/mm 4.5.3.3(3)
0.835 = 0.163s Eq. 4.4
Table 4.1
s = 0.835 / 0.163
= 5.12 mm

8 mm fillet welds > 5.12 mm is

sufficient.
 Example 12
Design a beam-to-beam connection using flexible end plate
connection for Factored load 90 kN.
– Primary beam 305 × 102 × 33UB S275
– Secondary beam 457 × 191 ×90UB S275.
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

End-plate Sizing:
Gauge, g =100mm;
Plate thickness, tp = 8mm;

Plate length, lp > 0.6Db

lp = 0.6 × 312.7 = 187.62mm
Adopt lp = 220mm (> 0.6Db , ok!)
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

• Max/Min Spacing & End Clearance 3.5.1

– M20 8.8 bolts in standard clearance holes: Table 3.3

Item Minimum Maximum Actual

e1 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 72mm 35mm OK!

e2 1.2do = 26.4mm 4t + 40 = 72mm 35mm OK!

p1 2.2do = 48.4mm 14t = 112 < 75mm Ok!

200mm
p2 2.4do = 52.8mm 14t = 112 < 100mm Ok!
200mm
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

Shear resistance of single bolt:

Table 3.4
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8
Bearing resistance of single bolt:
Table 3.4
k1 b f u,p dt p  e1 p1 1 f ub 
Fb,Rd   b  min  ,  , ,1.0
M2  o
3d 3d o 4 f u, p 
e1 35
  0.53
3d o 3  22

p1 1 75 1 f ub 800
    0.89   1.95
3d o 4 3  22 4 f u , p 410

b = 0.53
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

Bearing resistance of single bolt: (cont)

Table 3.4
 e p 
k1  min 2.8 2  1.7;1.4 2  1.7;2.5
 do do 
e2 35
2.8  1.7  2.8  1.7  2.75
do 22
p2 100
1. 4  1 . 7  1. 4  1.7  4.66
do 22

k1  2.5
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

Bearing resistance of single bolt: (cont)

k1 b f u,p dt p Table 3.4
Fb,Rd 
M2
2.5(0.53)(410)(20)(8)
 10 3
1.25
 69.54kN
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

Shear resistance for bolt group:

Fv,Rd = 94.1 kN
Fb,Rd = 69.5 kN (minimum)
VRd = nFb,Rd = 6 × 69.5 = 417 kN

Shear action:
Fv,Ed = 90 kN < Fv,Rd (417 kN) Ok!
 Example 12
EN1993-1-8

• Capacity of Fillet welds :

4.5.3.1(1)
• Use 6mm fillet welds, s = 6mm
4.5.3.3(2)
• Design strength, fvw,d = 233.4N/mm2
4.5.3.3(3)
• Fvw,Rd = fvw,d a = 233.4 × 0.7s × 10-3
= 0.980kN/mm Eq. 4.4
• Table 4.1
• Effective length of the weld (both sides of the beam
web),
• le = 2(lp – 2s) = 2 (220 – 2 × 6) = 416mm
• Fvw,Rd = Fvw,Rd × le
= 0.980 × 416
= 407.68kN > Fv = 90kN Ok!
 Chapter 7

Connection

Dr Shek Poi Ngian

Senior Lecturer in Faculty of Civil Engineering

Eurocode 3: Design of steel structures