Bolted joints of rolled and welded steel I sections

INDEX

• Implemented design codes for bolted joints
  • Steel code
  • Bolt series
• Types of implemented bolted connections
• Design options
• Prestressed and non-prestressed bolted connections
• Bolted connection design
• General properties
• Non-deformable bar ends
• Rotational stiffnesses at element ends
• Design criteria for prestressed bolted connections
• Joint consultation
• Baseplates designed using the Joints II module
• Bolted joints report
• Bolted joints drawings
• CYPECAD and CYPE 3D modules

Implemented design codes for bolted joints

Steel code

The following codes have been implemented in CYPECAD, CYPE 3D and Integrated 3D structures of CYPECAD for the design of bolted joints:

• ABNT NBR 8800 (Brazil)
• ABNT NBR 8800:2008 (Brazil)
• ANSI/AISC 360-05 (LRFD) (USA - International)
• ANSI/AISC 360-10 (LRFD) (USA - International)
• CTE DB SE-A (Spain)
• EAE (Spain)
• Eurocode 3 EN 1993-1-8:2005 (General Document)
• Eurocode 3 NF EN 1993-1-8/NA:2007-07 (With National Application Document for France)
• Eurocode 3 NP EN 1993-1-8:2005/NA:2010 (With National Application Document for Portugal)
• Eurocode 3 UNI EN 1993-1-8:2005 (General Document adapted to Italy)
• IS 800:2007 (India)
• NTC: 14-01-2008 (Italy)

The corrections carried out by the European Committee for Standardization on Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-8:2005 / AC:2009) have also been implemented.

Bolt series

The available bolt series, depends on the steel code used for the design. These are indicated in the table below:

Steel codes	Prestressed bolt series	Ordinary bolt series
ABNT NBR 8800 (Brazil) ABNT NBR 8800:2008 (Brazil)	ASTM A307 ASTM A325 ASTM A490 ASTM A325 M ASTM A490 M ISO 4016	ASTM A325 ASTM A490 ASTM A325 M ASTM A490 M
ANSI/AISC 360-05 (LRFD) (USA - International) ANSI/AISC 360-10 (LRFD) (USA - International)	ASTM A307 ASTM A325 ASTM A490 ASTM A325 M ASTM A490 M
CTE DB SE-A (Spain) EAE (Spain) Eurocode 3 EN 1993-1-8:2005 (General Document) Eurocode 3 NF EN 1993-1-8/NA:2007-07 (With NAD for France) Eurocode 3 NP EN 1993-1-8:2005/NA:2010 (With NAD for Portugal) Eurocode 3 UNI EN 1993-1-8:2005 (General Document adapted to Italy) NTC: 14-01-2008 (Italy)	ISO 7411 ISO 7412 EN 14399-3, HR System EN 14399-4, HV System	ISO 4014 ISO 4017
IS 800:2007 (India)	ISO 7411 ISO 7412

 

Types of implemented bolted connections

Column to beam bolted moment connection using front plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection using front plate with simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam moment connection using front plate with two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (at last span of column)
Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (at last span of column)
Column to beam bolted moment connection using front plate (continuous column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection using front plate with simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (continuous column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection using front plate with two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (continuous column)
Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate (continuous column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (continuous column)	Column to beam bolted moment connection with haunch using front plate and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (continuous column)
Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates (at last span of column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (at last span of column)
Column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates (at last span of column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (at last span of column)
Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates (continuous column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (continuous column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection using front plates and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (continuous column)
Column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates (continuous column)	Column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (continuous column)	column to two beam bolted moment connection with haunches using front plates and two simply connected orthogonal beams using lateral plates (continuous column)
Column to beam bolted simple connection using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam bolted connection using lateral plate with simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Column to beam bolted simple connection using lateral plate (continuous column)
Column to beam bolted simple connection using lateral plate and simply connected orthogonal beam using lateral plate (continuous column)	Beam to column web bolted simple connection using lateral plate (at last span of column)	Beam to column web bolted simple connection using lateral plate (continuous column)
Two beam to column web bolted simple connection using lateral plates (at last span of column)	Two beam to column web bolted simple connection using lateral plates (continuous column)	Continuous beam supported by column using simple lateral plate connection (beam web perpendicular to column web)
Bolted ridge connection using front plates	Bolted ridge connection with haunches using front plates	Beam to beam bolted simple connection using lateral plate
Beam to beam bolted simple connection using lateral plates	Beam to beam (same section) splice connection using front plates

⁽¹⁾ Joints with continuous columns can only be introduced in CYPE 3D and in Integrated 3D structures of CYPECAD. In CYPECAD, only columns in transition or ends of columns can have this joint.

Design options

The design options for welded and bolted connections may be configured in the Options menu (Joints > Options). This dialogue box can be accessed via the following menu options:

• In CYPECAD and its Integrated 3D structures:
  • Beam Definition tab > Job > Joint analysis options
  • Results tab > Joints > Joint analysis options
• In CYPE 3D:
  • Joints > Options

This dialogue box contains three tabs:

• Non-prestressed bolts
  Contains the design options for non-prestressed bolts (Bolt series code, Bolt steel class and Available diameters). Options selected here will only affect bolted connection design.
• Prestressed bolts
  Contains the design options for prestressed bolts (Bolt series code, Bolt steel class, Available diameters and Friction surface class). Additionally, the type of friction surface must be indicated to check the bolt for slipping. Within this dialogue, the program also defines the properties of the selected surface in accordance with the article of the selected code. Options selected here will only affect bolted connection design.
• Stiffeners
  Contains two option groups which configure the layout of the stiffeners:
• Stiffeners at haunch ends
  Contains two options which when activated force the program to always provide stiffeners, one in column to beam connections and the other in ridge connections. Affects welded connections designed with the Joints I module and bolted connections designed with the Joints II module.
  
  Regardless of whether this option is activated or not, the program always provides stiffeners at the ends of the haunches if the design requires their presence.
• Stiffeners for beams fixed to the column web
  Activates the trimming of stiffeners for beams fixed to column webs. It only affects welded connections designed with the Joints III module and bolted connections using the Joints IV module (the other modules do not contemplate connections consisting of beams fixed to column webs).
  
  This option does not imply changes in the structural check but only takes into account aspects related to the aesthetics and with the number of trimming operations undertaken in the fabrication process. Upon activating the trimming option, it will be carried out if the following conditions are met:
• The smallest side of the trim has to be greater than 10mm.
• The angle formed between the inclined side of the trim and the plane perpendicular to the web has to be greater than 15 degrees.

Prestressed and non-prestressed bolted connections

CYPECAD, CYPE 3D and Integrated 3D structures of CYPECAD allow bolted connections to be designed using prestressed or non-prestressed bolts. This option is located in the Analysis menu (Analysis > Analyse) or in the joints design dialogue box (Joints > Analyse).

When the structure is analysed taking into account seismic effects, the program either recommends or imposes the use of prestressed bolts depending on the selected seismic code.  If the code states the use of prestressed bolts is obligatory, the program selects this option and does not allow for it to be deactivated. If the seismic code does not state it is compulsory to use prestressed bolts, the program reminds the user it is advisable to use these as is recommended by Eurocode 8.

When bolted connections are used, the program also indicates the friction surface class to be used in case that selected by the user in the design options is not adequate.

If the warnings are not taken into account by the user, it is possible for the prestressed bolted connection to not be designed by the program. In this case, when the user consults the joints after the analysis, the program indicates as errors the reasons why the design has not been carried out.

Bolted connection design

General properties

If during the analysis process of the structure, nodes are detected whose configuration is adjusted to those types resolved by the program, they will be designed and detail drawings, 3D views, code check reports and take-off of these designs will be provided.

The program designs the dimensions of the plates and stiffeners, the optimum number and layout of the bolts and the throat thicknesses of the welds required for the correct stress transmission in the connection.

The program designs the bolted connections using a front plate or a lateral plate:

• Moment connections using front plate. This type of solution is used by the program for fixed connections between beams and columns, for element splices and ridge beam connections.
• Simple connections using lateral plates. This type of solution is used by the program for pinned connections between beams and column webs or flanges, and webs of other beams (secondary beams).
• Simple connections using front plates. This type of solution is used by the program for beams supported at column ends forming a pinned connection.

Non-deformable bar ends

When welded or bolted connections are designed, or when the structure is analysed together with the joints, the program carries out, at each node of the job, the spatial layout of the bars and its fixity conditions in such a way that, for steel bars, the dimensions of the nodes are established and generates the rigid ends in which the portions of the bars are considered to not deform due to them being contained within the node.

Rotational stiffnesses at element ends

The program allows for fixity coefficients xy and xz or rotational stiffnesses to be assigned to bar ends (bars or set of aligned bars forming one element). Defining the rotational stiffness allows for the joints to be modelled and whereby their stiffness to rotate is fundamental to bear into account, as is in the case of bolted connections.

For each bolted connection that is designed, the program analyses (for all the acting force combinations) the rotational stiffness of the end of each fixed element and suggests a value with which the structure is to be reanalysed. The proposed stiffness will be the smallest amongst those calculated at each element end, which corresponds to the one with the greatest positive or negative moment.

After the analysis and for elements fixed to the bolted connections, if the user has not defined the rotational stiffness or if the introduced value differs in more than 20% from that proposed by the program, a warning is emitted. This is also displayed as a warning in the report at the end of the analysis or in the option Show error messages in the Analysis menu.

Using the Rotational stiffnesses option in the Joints menu, the user can manage and substitute the values that were introduced instead of those proposed by the program (at the ends of elements with moment bolted connections provided by the program). This option activates a dialogue box with two possibilities:

• Check the assigned rotational stiffness values
  Displays the element ends whose rotational stiffnesses are adjusted to those proposed by the program in green; whilst those with a stiffness differing in more than 20% to that proposed by the program are shown in red.
  
  By placing the cursor over one of these element ends, the program displays a tag with the messages associated to that end and highlights in blue all the element ends of the structure that follow the same behaviour, moment-rotation diagram and assigned rotational stiffness.
  
  By selecting the end of the desired element, a dialogue box is displayed containing information on the type of fixity assigned to the end of the element and the rotational stiffness value proposed by the program, as well as the behaviour graph of the connection expressed by a moment-rotation curve.
  
  In this dialogue box, the original values can be maintained or modified. If they are modified, all the elements of the same type will be affected (those highlighted in blue when an end was selected). This dialogue box also contains a help button ( icon) in which the criteria followed by the program to obtain the rotational stiffness proposed by the user is thoroughly explained.
• Assign the proposed rotational stiffness value to all the elements
  Automatically assigns the rotational stiffness values proposed by the program to all the following element ends (only at element ends fixed with bolted connections).
• Those whose introduced rotational stiffness differs in more than 20% to that proposed.
• Those for which the user has not indicated any rotational stiffness.

The program then allows to consult the element ends in the same way as is done using the Check the assigned rotational stiffness values option.

After assigning the rotational stiffnesses proposed by the program to the desired element ends, the structure must be reanalysed so the new force distribution due to the change in the rotational stiffnesses can be taken into account. The program emits a warning of this situation. 

Design criteria for prestressed bolted connections

The shear check in the transverse section of the bolts is substituted for an Ultimate Limit State (U.L.S.) slip check in the case of prestressed bolted connections and the tension and slip interaction is analysed.

When the user activates seismic action for the analysis of the structure, the fixed prestressed bolted connections are designed for Failure Mode 1, i.e., failure will occur due to plastic failure of the front plate of the connection and not due to bolt failure. Therefore, when the seismic action is taken into account, bolts are designed using greater diameters to guarantee enough rotation capacity.

Joint consultation

Following the analysis, the joints that have been designed by the program can be consulted.

CYPE 3D and CYPECAD place different coloured circles at the nodes to indicate whether or not all the connections of the node have been designed, if there are only a few that have been designed or if the node does not contain any designed connections.

If the cursor is brought close to a node in which there are connections that have been designed, an information window will appear indicating the types of connections designed for that node. By clicking on the node a dialogue box with three tabs is displayed containing the following information:

• The construction details of the resolved connections
• A report of the checks and take-off of the resolved connections
• Real 3D views of the connections. It is possible to visualise a 3D view of each connection designed by the program with an isometric or conical perspective. The elements making up the joint (columns, beams, stiffeners, welds, bolts and plates) are drawn in different colours. Prestressed bolts and non-prestressed bolts are also represented in two colours to differentiate between them. The user may also freely rotate and amplify the 3D view. These characteristics greatly help the user to understand the assembly of the joint. The 3D view of the joints can be visualised by selecting the 3D view tab that appears in the bottom part of the window that is activated upon consulting the joint.

If the cursor is brought close to a node in which there are no designed connections, but belongs to one of the connections recognised by the program, a window appears informing of the causes that have prevented that joint from being designed.

Even if the user license has not acquired the joints modules, the program allows the user to activate the joint design process. Once the process has concluded, the user can see the 3D views of the joints that could be resolved with the non-acquired modules, even though neither the joint details, check reports nor take-off reports are displayed. When the cursor is placed over one of these nodes, a warning appears indicating the non-acquired modules used to design the joint.

Baseplates designed using the Joints II module

The Joints II, Bolted, Warehouses with rolled and welded steel I sections moduledesigns baseplates on footings, pile caps and slabs.

The Joints II module also designs the baseplate connection points of integrated 3D structures, if these are located on footings, pile caps, slabs, shear walls, walls, concrete columns or beams (in the case of these last four elements, they are designed if no other steel beams or steel bars of the integrated 3D structures connect at that node).

The properties of the designed baseplates include:

• Baseplate types: Baseplates for rolled steel and welded I sections are designed.
• Welds: Includes the analysis and design of the welds between the plate, stiffeners, column and bolts.
• Automatic match: Automatically matches all the baseplates of a job (bearing in mind the section type, forces and exterior fixities). This way, and without the user having to intervene, the number of different types of baseplates is reduced, hence obtaining more uniform results.
• 3D View with highlighted elements and welds: It is possible to obtain a 3D view on screen whereby the baseplate, column, stiffeners, bolts, factory welds and insitu welds are displayed in different colours, in a similar manner as to how joints are represented between I sections. This has been incorporated to help the user understand how the support is to be assembled.
• Baseplate layout: A layout diagram of the baseplate is generated in which the details of the designed welds and stiffeners are displayed. This layout diagram can be included in the job drawings.
• Takeoff and code check reports: Takeoff and code check reports are generated of baseplates that have been resolved. These are integrated with the rest of joints that have been designed.

More information on baseplate design can be found in the Baseplate section of CYPE 3D.

• Baseplates designed using the Joints I, Joints II, Joints III and Joints IV modules
• Baseplates designed using the baseplates module
• Design options for baseplates
• Baseplate checks

Bolted joints report

CYPE 3D and CYPECAD generate a joints report with the following data:

• Welded connection specifications
• Code
• Materials
• Construction layout
• Checks
• Bolted connection specifications
• Code
• Materials
• Construction layout (includes conditions and possible fastening methods of prestressed bolts)
• Checks
• References and symbols
• Baseplate checks
• Relationship of the designed joints
• Calculations
• Construction detail of each type of joint
• Description of the components of each type of joint
• Check results of each type of connection
• Weld, plate and bolt take-off for each connection type
• Complete take-off of welds, plates and bolts of the designed joints

Bolted joints drawings

The construction details of the joints designed by the program can form part of the drawings of the structure. The Joints drawings include the following elements:

• Construction detail of the joint
• Schedule with specifications of the welds in steel structures
• Code
• Materials
• Construction layout
• Fastening procedure of prestressed bolts
• Checks
• Reference and symbols table
• Complete take-off of welds, plates and bolts of the designed joints

CYPECAD and CYPE 3D modules

CYPE 3D modules:

• Timber sections
• Aluminium and generic sections

CYPECAD modules:

• Steel columns
• Steel beams
• Joist floor slabs (generic concrete joists)
• Joist floor slabs (in-situ, precast and steel)
• Timber joist floor slabs
• Waffle slabs
• Flat slabs
• Punching shear verification (Also operates as an independent program)
• Composite slabs
• Hollow core slabs
• Post-tensioned concrete slabs for buildings
• Shear walls
• Reinforced concrete walls
• Plane stress walls
• Stairs
• Mat foundations and foundation beams
• Concrete block walls
• Interaction of the structure with the construction elements
• Automatic job introduction: DXF, DWG and CAD/BIM models
• Collective protection systems
  

Modules common to CYPECAD and CYPE 3D:

• Concrete columns
• Composite steel and concrete columns
• Concrete beams
• Timber sections
• Pile caps (includes strap and tie beams)
• Baseplates
• Footings (pad and strip) (includes strap and tie beams)
• Advanced design of surface foundations
• Fire resistance check
• Parallel analysis with two multiprocessors
• Parallel analysis with up to eight processors
• Joints I. Welded. Warehouses with rolled and welded steel I sections
• Joints II. Bolted. Warehouses with rolled and welded steel I sections
• Joints III. Welded. Building frames with rolled and welded steel I sections
• Joints IV. Bolted. Building frames with rolled and welded steel I sections
• Joints V. Flat trusses with hollow structural sections
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