J-1

CHAPTER J
DESIGN OF CONNECTIONS

INTRODUCTION

Chapter J of the Specification addresses the design and checking of connections. The chapters primary focus is
the design of welded and bolted connections. Design requirements for fillers, splices, column bases, concentrated
forces, anchors rods, and other threaded parts are also covered. Special requirements for connections subject to
fatigue are not covered in this chapter.

J-2

Example J.1 Fillet Weld in Longitudinal Shear

Given:

An in.18-in. wide plate is fillet welded to a a-in. plate. Assume that the plates are ASTM
A572 grade 50 and have been properly sized. Assume F
EXX
=70 ksi. Note that plates would
normally be specified as ASTM A36, but F
y
=50 ksi plate has been used here to demonstrate
requirements for long welds.

Size the welds for the loads shown.







Solution:

Determine the maximum weld size

Because the overlapping plate is in., the maximum fillet weld size that can be used without
special notation (built out to obtain full-throat thickness as required in AISC Specification
Section J 2.2b) is a x-in. fillet weld. A x-in. fillet weld can be deposited in the flat or
horizontal position in a single pass (true up to c-in).



Determine the required strength
LRFD ASD



P
u
=1.2(33 kips) +1.6(100 kips) =200 kips P
a
=33 kips +100 kips =133 kips



Determine the length of weld required
LRFD ASD


The design strength per inch of a x-in.
fillet weld is

R
n
=1.392 (3) =4.17 kips/ in.

200 kips
= =48 in.
4.17 kips/in.
u
n
P
R

or 24 in. of weld on each side
The allowable strength per inch of a x-in.
fillet weld is

R
n
/=0.928 (3) =2.78 kips/ in.

133 kips
= =48 in.
2.78 kips/in.
a
n
P
R

or 24 in. of weld on each side.



Manual
Part 8
J-3


Check the weld for length to weld size ratio

24 in.
= 128 100,
0.188 in.
l
w
= >

Therefore Specification Equation J 2-1 must be applied, and the length of weld increased, since
the resulting will reduce the available strength below the required strength.

Try a weld length of 27 in.

The new length to weld size ratio is 27 in. /0.188 in. =144

For this ratio

=1.2-0.002(l/w) M 1.0; 1.2- 0.002(144) =0.912

Recheck the weld at its reduced strength








Specification
Eqn. J2-1

LRFD ASD


( ) ( ) =(0.912) 4.17 kips/in. 54 in.
=205 kips > =200 kips
n
u
R
P

o.k.


Therefore, use 27 in. of weld on each side

( ) ( ) =(0.912) 2.78 kips/in. 54 in.
=137 kips > =133 kips
n
a
R
P

o.k.


Therefore, use 27 in. of weld on each side


J-4

Example J.2 Fillet Weld Loaded at an Angle

Given:

Design a fillet weld at the edge of a gusset plate to carry a force of 50 kips due to dead load
and a force of 150 kips due to live load, at an angle of 60 degrees relative to the weld. Assume
the beam and the gusset plate thickness and length have been properly sized.






Solution:

Calculate the required strength



LRFD ASD



P
u
=1.2(50 kips) +1.6(150 kips) =300 kips

P
a
=50 kips +150 kips =200 kips

Assume a c-in. fillet weld is used on each side.

The shear strength of a c-in. fillet weld is


LRFD ASD

5(1.392) =6.96 kip/in.

And for two sides
2(6.96 kip/in.) =13.9 kip/in.
5(0.928) =4.64 kip/in.

And for two sides
2(4.64 kip/in.) =9.28 kip/in.


Because the angle of the force relative to the axis of the weld is 60 degrees, the strength of the
weld can be increased as follows:

k
w
=
( )
1.5
0.60 1.0 +0.50 sin
EXX
F
=
( )
1.5
0.60(70) 1.0 +0.50 (0.866)
=1.40






J-5

Find the increased strength and the required length of weld
LRFD ASD

Calculate the increased strength.
13.9 kip/in.(1.40) =19.5 kip/in.

Determine the required length of weld.
300 kips/19.5 kip/in. =15.4 in.

Use 16 in. o.k.
Calculate the increased capacity.
9.280 kip/in.(1.40) =13.0 kip/in.

Determine the required length of weld.
200 kips/13.0 kip/in. =15.4 in.

Use 16 in. o.k.


J-6

Example J.3 Combined Tension and Shear in Bearing Type Connections


Given:

A -in. diameter, ASTM A325-N bolt is subjected to a tension force of 3.5 kips due to dead
load and 12 kips due to live load, and a shear force of 1.33 kips due to dead load and 4 kips
due to live load.

Check the combined stresses according to the Equations J3-3a and J3-3b.

Solution:



Calculate the required tensile and shear strength

LRFD ASD

Tension =1.2(3.5) +1.6(12.0) =23.4 kips
Shear =1.2(1.33) +1.6(4.00) =8.00 kips

Calculate f
v

8.00/0.442 =18.1 ksi F
nv


Check combined tension and shear.
F
nt
=1.3
nt
nt v nt
nv
F
F f F
F

F
nt
=90 ksi, F
nv
=48 ksi
F
nt
=
90
1.3(90) (18.1)
0.75(48)

=71.7 <90

R
n
=F
nt
A
b
=71.7(0.442) =31.7 kips

For combined tension and shear
=0.75

Design tensile strength

R
n
=0.75(31.7) =23.8 kips > 23.4 kips o.k.

Tension =3.5 +12.0 =15.5 kips
Shear =1.33 +4.00 =5.33 kips

Calculate f
v

5.33/0.442 =12.1 ksi F
nv
/

Check combined tension and shear.
F
nt
=1.3
nt
nt v nt
nv
F
F f F
F

F
nt
=90 ksi, F
nv
=48 ksi
F
nt
=
2.00(90)
1.3(90) (12.1)
48

=71.6 <90

R
n
=F
nt
A
b
=71.6(0.442) =31.6 kips

For combined tension and shear
=2.00

Allowable tensile strength

R
n
/=31.6/2.00 =15.8 kips > 15.5 kips o.k.







Eq. J 3-3a
and J3-3b





Table J3.2

Section J 3.6


J-7


Example J.4 Slip-Critical Connection with Short Slotted Holes
High-strength bolts in slip-critical connections are permitted to be designed to prevent slip either as a
serviceability limit state or as a strength limit state. The most common design case is design for slip as a
serviceability limit state. The design of slip as a strength limit state should only be applied when bolt slip can
result in a connection geometry that will increase the required strength beyond that of a strength limit state, such
as bearing or bolt shear. Such considerations occur only when oversized holes or slots parallel to the load are
used, and when the slipped geometry increases the demand on the connection. Examples include the case of
ponding in flat-roofed long span trusses, or the case of shallow, short lateral bracing.

Given:
Select the number of -in. ASTM A325 slip-critical bolts with a Class A faying surface that
are required to support the loads shown when the connection plates have short slots transverse
to the load. Select the number of bolts required for slip resistance only.

Assume that the connected pieces have short slots transverse to the load. Use a mean slip
coefficient of 0.35, which corresponds to a Class A surface.





Solution:

Calculate the required strength


LRFD ASD



P
u
=1.2(17 kips) +1.6(51 kips) =102 kips P
a
=17 kips +51 kips =68 kips


For standard holes or slots transverse to the direction of the load, a connection can be
designed on the basis of the serviceability limit state. For the serviceability limit state:

=1.00 =1.50
Find R
n
, where:

=0.35 for Class A surface
D
u
=1.13
h
sc
=0.85 (short slotted holes)
T
b
=28 kips
N
s
=2, number of slip planes

R
n
=D
u
h
sc
T
b
N

R
n
=0.35(1.13)(0.85)(28)(2) =18.8 kips/bolt



Specification
Section J 3.8




Table J3.1



Eqn.J3-4

J-8



Determine the required number of bolts.
LRFD ASD



102 kips/1.00(18.8 kips/bolt) =5.42 bolts

18.8 kips/bolt
68 kips/
1.50
=5.42 bolts

Manual
Table 7-3
Use 6 bolts o.k. Use 6 bolts o.k.

Given:

Repeat the problem with the same loads, but assuming that the connected pieces have long
slotted holes in the direction of the load and that the deformed geometry of the connection
would result in a critical load increase.




Solution:

P
u
=102 kips and P
a
=68 kips per the first solution

For this connection, the designer has determined that oversized holes or slots parallel to the
direction of the load will result in a deformed geometry of the connection that creates a critical
load case. Therefore, the connection is designed to prevent slip at the required strength level.

=0.85 =1.76

In addition, h
sc
will change because we now have long slotted holes.

Find R
n


=0.35 for Class A surface
D
u
=1.13
h
sc
=0.70 (long slotted holes)
T
b
=28 kips
N
s
=2, number of slip planes

R
n
=D
u
h
sc
T
b
N
s

R
n
=0.35(1.13)(0.70)(28)(2) =15.5 kips/bolt









Specification
Section J 3.8








Table J3.1



Specification
Eqn. J3-4
J-9



Determine the required number of bolts
LRFD ASD


102 kips
=7.73 bolts
0.85(15.5 kips/bolt)

Use 8 bolts o.k.
68 kips (1.76)
15.5 kips/bolt
=7.63 bolts
Use 8 bolts o.k.
Manual
Table 7-4
J-10

Example J.5 Combined Tension and Shear in a Slip-Critical Connection.
Because the pretension of a bolt in a slip-critical connection is used to create the clamping force that produces the
shear strength of the connection, the available shear strength must be reduced for any load that produces tension in
the connection.

Given:

The slip-critical bolt group shown below is subjected to tension and shear. This connection is designed for slip as
a serviceability limit state. Use -in. diameter ASTM A325 slip-critical class A bolts in standard holes. This
example shows the design for bolt slip resistance only, and assumes that the beams and plates are adequate to
transmit loads in a rigid fashion.




Solution:

The fastener pretension for a -in. diameter ASTM A325 bolt is 28 kips

D
u
=1.13 per Specification Section J3.8.
N
b
=number of bolts carrying the applied tension.
Specification
Table J3.1


Determine the tension on bolts, check tension on the bolts and find k
s
LRFD ASD

P
u
=1.2(10 kips)+1.6(30kips) =60 kips

By geometry,

T
u
=
4
5
60 kips
8 bolts



=6 kips/bolt
V
u
=
3
5
60 kips
8 bolts



=4.5 kips/bolt

Check bolt tension

R
n
= 29.8 kips/bolt >6 kips/bolt o.k.


P
a
=10 kips +30kips =40 kips

By geometry,

T
a
=
4
5
40 kips
8 bolts



=4 kips/bolt
V
a
=
3
5
40 kips
8 bolts



=3 kips/bolt

Check bolt tension

R
n
/= 19.9 kips/bolt >4 kips/bolt o.k.














Manual
Table 7-2

J-11


Combined tension and shear factor
k
s
=1
u
u b b
T
D T N
=
6 kips
1
1.13(28 kips)(1)

=0.810

Combined tension and shear factor
k
s
=
1.5
1
a
u b b
T
D T N
=

1.5 4 kips
1
1.13(28 kips)(1)

=0.810


Eqn. J3-5a
and J3-5b


Multiply the available shear strength of the bolts by the reduction factor k
s

LRFD ASD

R
n
=11.1 kips/bolt

R
n
/ =7.38 kips/bolt Manual
Table 7-3

Modify the slip resistance by k
s
and check bolt shear
LRFD ASD

k
s
R
n
=(0.810)(11.1 kips/bolt)

=8.99 kips/bolt>4.50 kips/bolt o.k.
(0.810)(7.38 kips/bolt)
s n
k R
=

=5.98 kips/bolt >3.00 kips/bolt o.k.


J-12


Example J.6 Bearing Strength of a Pin in a Drilled Hole

Given:

A 1-in. diameter pin is placed in a drilled hole in a 12-in. thick steel plate.

Determine the available bearing strength of the pinned connection.


Material Properties:
Plate ASTM A36 F
y
= 36 ksi F
u
= 58 ksi

Solution:

Calculate the projected bearing area

( ) ( )
2
1 1
2 2
1 in. 1 in. 1 in.
pb p
A dt = = =


Calculate nominal bearing strength

( ) ( )
1
2
1.8 1.8 36 ksi 1 in. 97.2 kips
n y pb
R F A = = =


Specification
Eqn. J7-1

Calculate the available bearing strength
LRFD ASD

=0.75 =2.00

( ) 0.75 97.2 kips 72.9 kips
n
R = =
97.2 kips
/ 48.6 kips
2.00
n
R = =

Specification
Section J 7

J-13

Example J.7 Base Plate Bearing on Concrete

Given:

A W1296 column bears on a 24 in. 24 in. concrete pedestal. The space between the base
plate and the concrete pedestal is grouted. Design the base plate to support the following loads
in axial compression:
P
D
= 115 kips
P
L
= 345 kips



Material Properties:

Column W1296 ASTM A992 F
y
= 50 ksi F
u
= 65 ksi
Base Plate ASTM A36 F
y
= 36 ksi F
u
= 58 ksi
Concrete Pedestal f
c
= 3 ksi
Grout f
c
= 4 ksi


Geometric Properties:

Column W1296 d = 12.7 in. b
f
= 12.2 in. t
f
= 0.900 in. t
w
= 0.550 in.

Manual
Table 1-1

Solution:

Calculate the required strength
LRFD ASD


( ) ( ) 1.2 115 kips 1.6 345 kips 690 kips
u
P = + =

115 kips 345 kips 460 kips
a
P = + =

A
ped
= (24 in.)(24 in.) =576 in.
2

A
col
= (12.7 in.)(12.2 in.) =155 in.
2


Since the pedestal area is larger than the column footprint area, but less than less than 4 times
column footprint area, the concrete bearing area will be the geometrically similar area of the
pedestal to the base plate.

J-14


Calculate the base plate area

LRFD ASD


c
=0.60
( ) 1
0.85 '
u
req
c c
P
A
f
=

( ) ( )
2
690 kips
451 in.
0.6 0.85 3 ksi
= =

c
=2.50
( ) 1
0.85 '
a c
req
c
P
A
f

=

( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2
460 kips 2.50
451 in.
0.85 3 ksi
= =
Specification
Section J 8

Note: The strength of the grout has conservatively been neglected, as its strength is greater
than that of the concrete pedestal.


Try a 22 in.22 in. base plate

Check base plate dimensions

Verify ( ) 2 3 in. N d + and ( ) 2 3 in.
f
B b +

( ) ( ) 2 3 in. 12.7 in. 2 3 in. 18.7 in. 22 in. d + = + = < o.k.

( ) ( ) 2 3 in. 12.2 in. 2 3 in. 18.2 in. 22 in.
f
b + = + = < o.k.

Base plate area, ( ) ( ) = = =
2
1
22 in. 22 in. 484 in. A NB > 451 in.
2
o.k.




Table 14-2

Note: A square base plate with a square anchor rod pattern will be used to minimize the chance
for field and shop problems.


Calculate the geometrically similar concrete bearing area

Since the pedestal is square and the base plate is a concentrically located square, the full
pedestal area is also the geometrically similar area. Therefore,

( ) ( )
2
2
24 in. 24 in. 576 in. A = =


Verify the concrete bearing strength

LRFD ASD


c
=0.60

2
1
1
0.85 '
c p c c
A
P f A
A
=

( ) ( ) ( )
2
2
2
576 in.
0.6 0.85 3 ksi 484 in.
484 in.
=

808 kips 690 kips = > o.k.

c
=2.50

1 2
1
0.85 '
/
c
p c
c
f A A
P
A
=

( ) ( ) ( )
2
2
2
0.85 3 ksi 484 in.
576 in.

2.5 484 in.
=

539 kips 460 kips = > o.k.
Specification
Section J 8
Specification
Eqn. J8-2

J-15

Note: It is permitted to take
c
= 0.65 per ACI 318-02
Also note that as the area of the base plate approaches the area of concrete, the modifying
ratio,
2
1
,
A
A
approaches unity and Specification Eqn. J 8-2 converges to Specification Eqn. J 8-1.


Calculate required base plate thickness

( ) 22 in. 0.95 12.7 in. 0.95
4.97 in.
2 2
N d
m

= = =

( )
0.8 22 in. 0.8 12.2 in.
6.12 in.
2 2
f
B b
n

= = =

( ) ( ) 12.7 in. 12.2 in.
' 3.11 in.
4 4
f
db
n = = =
Manual
Part 14

LRFD ASD

Calculate required base plate thickness

( )
2
4
f u
f c p
db P
X
d b P
=
+


( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2
4 12.7 in. 12.2 in. 690 kips

12.7 in. 12.2 in. 808 kips
=
+


0.854 =

2
1
1 1
X
X
=
+


2 0.854

1 1 0.854
=
+


1.34 1, use 1. = > =


Calculate required base plate thickness

( )
2
4
f a c
f p
db P
X
d b P

=
+


( ) ( ) ( )
( ) ( )
2
4 12.7 in. 12.2 in. 460 kips

12.7 in. 12.2 in. 539 kips
=
+


0.853 =

2
1
1 1
X
X
=
+


2 0.853

1 1 0.853
=
+


1.34 1, use 1. = > =

Note: can always be conservatively taken as being equal to 1

( ) ( ) ' 1 3.11 in. 3.11 in. n = =

( ) ( ) max , , ' max 4.97 in.,6.12 in.,3.11 in. 6.12 in. l m n n = = =








J-16

LRFD ASD


( ) ( )
690 kips
1.43 ksi
22 in. 22 in.
u
pu
P
f
BN
= = =

( )
( )
( )
( )
=
=
=
2
0.9
2 1.43 ksi
6.12 in.
0.9 36 ksi
1.82 in.
pu
p req
y
f
t l
F

( ) ( )
460 kips
0.95 ksi
22 in. 22 in.
a
pa
P
f
BN
= = =

( )
( )
( )
( )
=
=
=
3.33
3.33 0.950 ksi
6.12 in.
36 ksi
1.82 in.
pa
p req
y
f
t l
F



Use a 2 in. thick base plate.