Design of Connections Simple Bolted

CHAPTER 7 - STEEL CONNECTIONS
TYPES OF CONNECTIONS AND JOINTS

Most structures’ failure occurs at a connection. Accordingly, the American Institute of Steel Construction
(AISC) has placed a lot of emphasis on connections and has brought out separate detailed design
specifications related to connections in the 2005 Steel Design Manual. Steel connections are made by
bolting and welding; riveting is obsolete now. Bolting of steel structures is rapid and requires less skilled
labor. On the other hand, welding is simple and many complex connections with bolts become very
simple when welds are used. But the requirements of skilled workers and inspections make welding
difficult and costly, which can be partially overcome by shop welding instead of field welding. When a
combination is used, welding can be done in the shop and bolting in the field.
Based on the mode of load transfer, the connections are categorized as follows:
1. Simple or axially loaded connection when the resultant of the applied forces passes through the
center of gravity of the connection. Figure a
2. Eccentrically loaded connection when the line of action of the resultant of the forces does not pass
through the center of gravity of the connection. Figure b
Figure a Figure b
The following types of joints are formed by the two connecting members:
1. Lap joint: As shown in Figure 13.1, the line of action of the force in one member and the line of action
of the force in the other connecting member have a gap between them. This causes a bending within the
connection, as shown by the dashed lines. For this reason, the lap joint is used for minor connections
only.
2. Butt joint: This provides a more symmetrical loading, as shown in Figure 13.2, that eliminates the
bending condition.
The connectors (bolts or welds) are subjected to the following types of forces (and stresses):
1. Shear: The forces acting on the splices shown in Figure 13.3 can shear the shank of the bolt. Similarly,
the weld in Figure 13.4 resists the shear.
2. Tension: The hanger-type connection shown in Figures 13.5 and 13.6 imposes tension in bolts and
welds.
3. Shear and tension combination: The column-to-beam connections shown in Figures 13.7 and 13.8
cause both shear and tension in bolts and welds. The welds are weak in shear and are usually assumed
to fail in shear regardless of the direction of the loading.
TWO WAYS THE BOLTED CONNECTION RESIST LOADS:
a. BEARING-TYPE CONNECTION: by bearing & shear

b. SLIP-CRITICAL CONNECTION: by friction
BEARING-TYPE CONNECTION
The design basis of a connection is as follows:
For load and resistance factor design, the resistance factor is f = 0.75, and the design strength is
∅ Rn=0.75 Rn
For allowable strength design, the safety factor is Ω = 2.00, and the allowable strength is
Rn Rn
=
Ω 2.00
The design basis of a connection is as follows:
Rn=Fn A
For bearing-type connections, Fn refers to the nominal unit strength (stress) for the various limit states
or modes of failure and A refers to the relevant area of failure
1. SHEAR: Shearing of the bolt across the plane between the members: In single shear in the lap
joint and in double shear in the butt joint, as shown in Figure 13.11.
π 2
For a single shear ∷ A= d.
4
π 2
For a double shear ∷ A= d .
2
.
2. BEARING: Bearing failure on the contact area between the bolt and the plate, as shown in
Figure 13.12
For bearing ∷ A=d . t
3. TEAR-OUT: Tearing out of the plate from the bolt, as shown in Figure 13.13.
For Tear – out : A=tearing area=2 Lc . t
4. TENSION : Tensile failure of plate as shown in Figure 13.14. This condition has been discussed in
Chapter 9 for tension members. It is not a part of the connection.
SPECIFICATIONS FOR SPACING OF BOLTS AND EDGE DISTANCE

1. Definitions: The following definitions are given with respect to Figure 13.10.
Gage, g: This is the center-to-center distance between two successive lines of bolts,
perpendicular to the axis of a member (perpendicular to the load).
Pitch, p: This is the center-to-center distance between two successive bolts along the axis of
a member (in line with the force).
Edge distance, Le: This is the distance from the center of the outermost bolt to the edge of a
member.
2. Minimum spacing: The minimum center-to-center distance for standard, oversized, and
slotted holes should not be less than 2 2/3 d, but a distance of 3d is preferred; d being
the bolt diameter.
3. Maximum spacing: The maximum spacing of bolts of the painted members or the unpainted
members not subject to corrosion should not exceed 24 times the thickness of thinner
member or 12 in. whichever is less. The maximum spacing for members subject to
corrosion should not exceed 14 times thickness or 7 in. whichever is less.
4. Minimum edge distance: The minimum edge distance in any direction are tabulated by the
AISC. It is generally 13 4 times the bolt diameter for the sheared edges and 11 4 times
the bolt diameter for the rolled or gas cut edges.
5. Maximum edge distance: The maximum edge distance should not exceed 12 times the
thickness of the thinner member or 6 in. whichever is less.
SIMPLE CONNECTION: EXAMPLE
01. Determine the design strength and the allowable strength for bearing type connection
shown in figure below. The steel is A36 (Fy = 36 ksi and Fu = 58 ksi), the bolts are 7/8 in
A325, the holes are standard sizes, and the threads are excluded from the shear plane.
Assume that deformation at bolt holes are a design consideration. Consider plate
yielding and rupture and bolt shear and bearing failure.
EXAMPLE 02. The connection shown in the figure consists of four, grade A490, ¾-in-diameter bolts. The
bolts are snug-tight and threads are excluded from the shear planes. Deformation around the bolt holes
is a design consideration and the bolt spacing is as indicated. The angles and gusset plate are fabricated
from A36 steel. Assuming that the angles and gusset plate are satisfactory, determine the shear force
that may be applied to the bolts in the connection. Consider shear and bearing of bolts limit state.
EXAMPLE 03. The connection shown in the figure a uses 3 ⁄4-inch-diameter Group A bolts with the
threads in the shear plane. Slip is permitted. Both the tension member and the gusset plate are of A36
steel. Determine the strength of the connection.

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CHAPTER 7 - STEEL CONNECTIONS

TYPES OF CONNECTIONS AND JOINTS

a. BEARING-TYPE CONNECTION: by bearing & shear

The design basis of a connection is as follows:

SPECIFICATIONS FOR SPACING OF BOLTS AND EDGE DISTANCE

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