Simple Connections ETOOLKIT

SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS

INTRODUCTION
Simple beam end connections are the most common connection type used in steel structures.
The aim of this connection type is to transfer shear force, usually in the direction of gravity.
Some simple connections can also transmit axial loads. Care must be taken not to make this
connection rotationally stiff so as to avoid transferring flexure. Simple connections connect
beams to beams, and beams to columns. The simple connections in the eToolkit utilize a
group of bolts to transmit the forces from one main member to another.
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)
Figure 2.1: Simple beam end connection examples:

(a) double angle cleat; (b) single angle cleat; (c) flexible end plate; (d) fin plate.
1/27
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.
2/27
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
3/27
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.
The specific limit states in the simple connections are:

Bolt Shear
Controlled by shear rupture of the bolt in the threaded part of the shank.
Bearing Strength
Controlled by failure in bearing at bolt holes of the beam web or connecting element,
whichever is the smaller. The direction and location of bolt loads matters since edge
bolt holes in bearing have lower capacity than interior bolt holes in bearing.
Shear on Gross Area
Controlled by shear yielding of the gross section of the beam web or connecting
element adjacent to the bolt holes.
Shear on Net Area
Controlled by shear rupture of the net section of the beam web or connecting element
through the bolt holes.
Block Shear on Gross Area
Controlled by tear-out of a block of steel with two or more bolts. The side of the
block that is in shear fails by shear yielding at the gross section adjacent to the bolt
holes while the perpendicular section ruptures in tension through the bolt holes.
Block Shear on Net Area
Controlled by tear-out of a block of steel with two or more bolts. The side of the
block that is in shear fails by shear rupture through the bolt holes while the
perpendicular section ruptures in tension through the bolt holes.
4/27
Tension on Gross Area

Controlled by tension yielding of the gross section of the beam web or connecting
element adjacent to the bolt holes.
Tension on Net Area
Controlled by tension rupture of the net section of the beam web or connecting
element through the bolt holes.
5/27
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
Spacing s is 70mm for M20 and 90mm for M24 bolts

The eccentricity of the first line of bolts from the face of the support
e is 55mm for both M20 and M24 bolts
Connection Too Deep
Connections are not allowed to extend past the clear depth of the web of the
supported beam.
Connection Not Deep Enough
To provide torsional restraint connections have to extend past half the depth of
the supported beam.
Welds E70xx welding rods assumed for all fillet welds
6/27
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
7/27
Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via two angle cleats 90x90x8L

One line of 4 Grade 8.8 M20 bolts.
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
% = = %%

+

= ) ' = !

Bearing depending on edge and end stance: Equation 7:17

Equation 7.18
= * − + ' = !!

Resistance is:
8/27
= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

Check Supported Beam: Resistance of Supported Beam in Connection

Shear in beam web: Equation 7.24
= . *2−2 +3 . = %

Block failure: Equation 7.26
$+%
= " − 4 − & 3 ' + . () + * − +,-3 = %

Equation 7.27
$+%
! = " − 4 − & 3 ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+-3 '

= %

! $'
Bearing on web: Equation 7.30
% = = %!

+

= ) 3 ' = !

Edge distance controlling: Equation 7.31

Equation 7.32
= * − 4+3 ' =

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

Resistance is:
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.
9/27
The maximum resistance the simple double cleat connection can resist is the minimum of
= !
Bolt bearing on the beam web controls
the Checks:
The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = %

Notch Length Calculation

= %
where Z is the section modulus of the notched beam
The maximum notch size is:
10/27
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.
The results from the Simple Connections Tool show that:

The shear capacity Vr is: 388kN.
The controlling limit state is: “Bearing Strength Capacity Y Direction in Web” 1
1
The limit state is obtained by placing the mouse over the shear capacity Vr result in the Simple Connections Tool.
11/27
The maximum notch length is: 252mm

These results are the same or conservative compared to the hand calculations above.
b. Capacity of a simple connection made up of a single angle cleat with one line of bolts
Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via one angle cleat 90x90x8L

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.
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts.

Resistance is in single shear versus double shear computed in Example 1(a):
= =

Where 510kN was computed in Example 1(a).
= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

Resistance of the single cleat is given by:
where , , ! , % , , were calculated in Example 1(a) Check Cleat.
12/27

Since the supported beam remains the same as in Example 1(a), the resistance is also the
= !

same:
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting cleat to supporting element
= = !

Resistance of 4 bolts in single shear:
Check Cleat: Resistance of cleats connected to supporting element. Not required.

Check Supporting Element: Local resistance of supporting element. Not required.
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:
The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = !5


Thus the maximum notch size is: = !5

where Z is the section modulus of the notched beam
13/27
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.

The controlling limit state is: “Bolt Shear” 2
2
14/27
The maximum notch length is: 374.4mm

c. Capacity of a simple connection made up of a flexible end plate
Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via a flexible end plate

Use 4 Grade 8.8 M20 bolts.
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
15/27
= =

From SANS0162: Clause 13.10(c) = *!+ $ ' = 5

! = ) ' =

and
= ./0 * , , ! + =

Resistance is:
Check Plate: Resistance of flexible end plate connected to supported beam
= . 6 . = . *. 5+ *+. *!+ = !

Equation 7.51
6 − $+%
Equation 7.52:
= 7 − 8 6 ' + . () + * − +,-6 = %!

6 − $+%
Equation 7.53:
! = 7 − 8 6 ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+-6

= !

Equation 7.45: % = ! $ ' =

Equation 7.46: = ) ' = !!

= ./0* , , ! , % , + = !

Resistance of the end plate is given by:
The maximum resistance the simple flexible end plate connection can resist is the minimum
=
Shear resistance of the welding controls
of the Checks:
16/27

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:
17/27
The flexible end plate simple connection can also be solved using the Simple
Figure 1.4: Solving the flexible end plate Example 1(c) using the Simple Connections Tool.

The controlling limit state is: “Yielding of beam web” 3
3
18/27

The result produced by the Simple Connections Tool is 1.6% greater than the hand
calculation. The reason for this discrepancy is that the hand calculation assumes a 6mm
weld size and then computes that the limit state is shear resistance of the welding. In the
Simple Connections Tool, the weld is sized to develop other limit states (in this case
“yielding of beam web”). Please note that the weld size is standardized.
d. Capacity of a simple connection using a fin plate
Beam: 406x178x67UB connected via a fin plate 8mm thick


Since the supported beam remains the same as in Example 1(a) and (b), the resistance is
= !

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):
Check Fin Plate: Resistance of fin plate connected to supporting beam
19/27
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
The shear resistance of the weld, Vr: = *. 5%+* + =

=
Shear resistance of the bolt group controls
The maximum resistance the fin plate connection can resist is the minimum of the Checks:
. 5*! %%+!

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38:
= − 4 = − = !5

Thus the maximum notch size is: = !5
20/27
The fin plate in the simple connection can also be solved using the Simple
Figure 1.5: Solving the fin plate Example 1(d) using the Simple Connections Tool.

21/27
The controlling limit state is: “Bolt Shear” 4

The maximum notch length is: 374mm
e. Capacity of a simple connection using a single angle cleat with two lines of bolts
Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via a single angle cleat 150x90x8L

Two lines of 4 Grade 8.8 M20 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.
Check Bolts: Shear resistance of two rows of bolts.
* − +,
Compute the bolt group property:
9 = + = %

Resistance is in single shear as in Example 1(b):
4
22/27

* + ! +! + ! * − +,
= + :; + < +; < =

9 9
Equation 7.10 = . . = !

Equation 7.13 = ( − − . *$ + %+- ' + . () + * − +,- =

! = (2 − − . *$ + %+- ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+-

Equation 7.14
! = 5

! !
Bearing on single cleat: Equation 7.19

* + +! * +
+ − ,
% = ! $' /:; + < +; < = %

9 9
) '
Bearing depending on edge and end distance: Equation 7.21:
= =

!
* + +!
; + <
9
9 *2 − − ! + '

Equation 7.22
= = 5

* + ! * − +,+

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

Resistance is:

Since the supported beam remains the same as in Example 1(b), the resistance is also the
same:
23/27
= !

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)):
Check Cleat: Resistance of cleats connected to supporting element. Not required.
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:
The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = ! %


Thus the maximum notch size is: = ! %
24/27
The single cleat simple connection with two lines of bolts can be solved using the Simple
Figure 1.6: Solving the single cleat with two lines of bolts Example 1(e) using the
Simple Connections Tool.

25/27
The controlling limit state is: “Clip angle shear on gross area” 5
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
26/27
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.
27/27

Simple Connections ETOOLKIT

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Simple Connections ETOOLKIT

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS

SIMPLE BEAM END CONNECTIONS

Figure 2.1: Simple beam end connection examples:

The specific limit states in the simple connections are:

Tension on Gross Area

Spacing s is 70mm for M20 and 90mm for M24 bolts

Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via two angle cleats 90x90x8L

 =  " − −  &  ' + . () + * − +,-  = %%

 =   )  ' = !

 =  * −  + ' = !!

= ./0 *  ,  , ! , % ,  ,  + = !

Check Supported Beam: Resistance of Supported Beam in Connection

 = . *2−2 +3 .  = % 

Block failure: Equation 7.26

 =   ) 3 ' = !

= ./0 *  ,  , ! , % ,  ,  + = !

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38:  = − 4 = %

The results from the Simple Connections Tool show that:

The maximum notch length is: 252mm

Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via one angle cleat 90x90x8L

Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts.

Check Cleat: Resistance of Cleat Connected to Supported Beam

= ./0 *  ,  , ! , % ,  ,  + = !

Check Supported Beam: Resistance of Supported Beam in Connection

Check Bolts: Shear resistance of bolts connecting cleat to supporting element

Check Cleat: Resistance of cleats connected to supporting element. Not required.

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38:  = − 4 = !5

Thus the maximum notch size is:  = !5

The results from the Simple Connections Tool show that:

The maximum notch length is: 374.4mm

c. Capacity of a simple connection made up of a flexible end plate

Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via a flexible end plate

Check Supported Beam: Resistance of Supported Beam in Connection

 =  = 

From SANS0162: Clause 13.10(c)  = *!+  $  ' =  5

! =  )  ' = 

= ./0 *  ,  , ! + = 

Check Plate: Resistance of flexible end plate connected to supported beam

 = .  6 .  = . *. 5+ *+. *!+ = !

 =  7 − 8 6 ' + . () + * − +,-6  = %!

! =  7 − 8 6 ' + . () + * − +, − * − . +*$ + %+-6 

Equation 7.45: % = !  $ ' = 

Equation 7.46:  =  ) ' = !!

= ./0*  ,  , ! , % ,  + = !

Check Supporting Element: Local resistance of supporting element. Not required.

Notch Length Calculation

The results from the Simple Connections Tool show that:

The maximum notch length is: 187.6mm

d. Capacity of a simple connection using a fin plate

Beam: 406x178x67UB connected via a fin plate 8mm thick

Check Supported Beam: Resistance of Supported Beam in Connection

Check Fin Plate: Resistance of fin plate connected to supporting beam

The shear resistance of the weld, Vr: = *. 5%+* + = 

Check Supporting Element: Local resistance of supporting element. Not required.

Notch Length Calculation

 . 5*! %%+!

Thus the maximum notch size is:  = !5

The results from the Simple Connections Tool show that:

The controlling limit state is: “Bolt Shear” 4

Beam: 406x171x67UB connected via a single angle cleat 150x90x8L

Check Bolts: Shear resistance of two rows of bolts.

Resistance is in single shear as in Example 1(b):

Equation 7.10  = .   .  = !

Equation 7.13  = ( − − . *$ + %+- ' + . () + * − +,-  = 

= " − − & ' + . () + * − +,- = %%

= ) ' = !

= * − + ' = !!

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

= . *2−2 +3 . = %

= ) 3 ' = !

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = %

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = !5

Thus the maximum notch size is: = !5

= =

From SANS0162: Clause 13.10(c) = *!+ $ ' = 5

! = ) ' =

= ./0 * , , ! + =

= . 6 . = . . 5+ +. *!+ = !

= 7 − 8 6 ' + . () + * − +,-6 = %!

! = 7 − 8 6 ' + . () + − +, − − . +*$ + %+-6

Equation 7.45: % = ! $ ' =

Equation 7.46: = ) ' = !!

= ./0* , , ! , % , + = !

The shear resistance of the weld, Vr: = . 5%+ + =

. 5*! %%+!

Thus the maximum notch size is: = !5

Equation 7.10 = . . = !

Equation 7.13 = ( − − . $ + %+- ' + . () + − +,- =

! = (2 − − . $ + %+- ' + . () + − +, − − . +$ + %+-

9 *2 − − ! + '

= ./0 * , , ! , % , , + = !

The maximum top notch length, ln , is given by Equation 7.38: = − 4 = ! %

Thus the maximum notch size is: = ! %