PART 1a:

CONNECTION & THE FIRE PROETECTION OF STEEL WORKS

Structural steel connections
Horizontal Connections
 When MAIN beams are connected to the stanchion, these
are aligned to the stanchion’s flange so that it could easily
be connected resulting in smaller bending stresses to the
structures. (refer Beam/Joist)

 NOTE
 The best transfer of load is when beams are seated directly above
the stanchions. However this is not always the possible case. As
such connections are done with the aid of seating/erecting/stool
cleats, web cleats or angle/flange cleats of which the fixing
method (bolt/rivets/welding) must be able to take the load stresses
of shear connections.
Horizontal Connections
Beam To Stanchion (1)

Steel members are connected to each other to

form a useful structure via Bolts(& nuts),
Rivets & Welding.

Choice of method of connection shall

determine its structural property i.e. simple,
semi -rigid or rigid.
Beam To Stanchion
Beam-to-column connections
 These can be designed as simple connection, where the whole
of the load is transmitted to the column through a seating cleat.
(Diagram 1A & 1B)

 This is an expensive method, requiring heavy sections to

overcome deflection problems.

 The usual method employed is the semi-rigid connection,

where the load is transmitted from the beam to the column by
means of top cleats and/or web cleats; for ease of assembly, a
seating cleat on the underside is also included in the connection
detail. (Diagram 2A & 2B)
Beam-to-Column connections: Simple connection

Diagram 1A
Typical section details of Beam-to-Column connections:
Simple connection

Diagram 1B
Beam-to-column connections: Semi-rigid Connection

Diagram 2A
Beam-to-column connections: Semi-rigid connection

Diagram 2B
Beam-to-column connections: Rigid Connection

 A rigid connection, which gives the greatest economy on

section sizes, is made by welding the beam to the column.
 (Diagram 3A & 3B)

 Alternatively, a beam-bearing connection can be used,

which consists of a cap plate fixed to the top of the
column to which the beams can be fixed, either
continuously over the cap plate or with a butt joint.
(Diagram 4)
Beam-to-column connections: Rigid connection

Diagram 3A
Typical section details of Beam-to-column connections:
Rigid connection

Diagram 3B
Typical section details of Beam-to-column
connections: Beam-bearing connection

Diagram 4
Vertical Connections
 Joints in the length of stanchions, are generally termed, Splices.

 These splices are deemed necessary for erection and fabrication

purposes such as to be able to control the working length of a
member/section.

 Usually, logistically allowed & available, stanchions come in

10.5m i.e. about 3 storey height. These connection splices are
usually 300-450mm above the floor level.

 Where the upper stanchion is substantially smaller then the bottom, it
is good(practice) to provide a seating plate and all loose
ends/connections are to be applied with packing plates.
Column splices
 Column splices can be of two types.

 In the bearing type, the faces of the two columns are prepared
to butt against each other and thus transmit the load by physical
bearing. In such cases only a nominal connection needs to be
provided to keep the columns aligned.

 However, if the columns are of different sizes, if the column

carries moment or if continuity is required. In such cases,
HSFG bolts will have to be used and the cost of splice
increases. When connecting columns of different sizes, end
plates or packing plates should be provided.
Vertical Connections

Splicing cleats/plates by
Nuts & Bolts

Splicing cleats/plates by
Welding
Column splices
 These are made at floor levels but above the beam
connections.

 The method used will depend upon the relative column

sections:

 Columns with equal sections

 Columns with unequal sections

Structural steel column splices:
Columns with equal sections
Structural steel column splices:
Columns with unequal sections

Alternative Splices connections

Typical section details of structural steel column splices
Beam-to-beam Connections
 The method used will depend upon the relative depths of
the beams concerned.

 Deep beams receiving small secondary beams can have a

shelf angle connection, whereas other depths will need to
be connected by web cleats.
Typical section details of structural steel
beam-to-beam connections
Typical section details of structural steel
beam-to-beam connections
Fire protection of steelwork
 Although steel is a non-combustible material with negligible
surface spread of flame properties, it does not behave very well
under fire conditions.

 During the initial stages of a fire, the steel will actually gain in
strength but this reduces to normal at a steel temperature range
of 250 to 400°C and continues to decrease until the steel
temperature reaches 550°C when it has lost most of its
strength.

 Since the temperature rise during a fire is rapid, most structural

steelwork will need protection to give it a specific degree of
fire resistance in terms of time.
Fire protection: Concrete Encasement
 Uniform Building By-Laws 1984 specified minimum fire
resistance periods for steel structures and components
according to a building’s purpose group and its top floor height
above ground.

 The traditional method of fire protection is to encase the steel

section with concrete.

 This requires formwork, and will greatly add to the structural

dead load.

 50mm concrete cover will provide up to 4 hours fire protection.

Fire protection: Brickwork
 Whereas the more attractive hollow protection from brickwork
will require at least 100mm thickness to give 4 hours fire
protection and will occupy more space.

 A number of lighter-weight and less bulky sheet materials

based on plasterboard can be used to ‘box’ steel columns and
beams, but because of their porous nature are limited to interior
use.

 They also less practical where more than 2 hours fire protection
is required.
Fire protection to steel columns:
Hollow vs. solid protection
Typical section details of fire protection
to steel columns
Typical section details of fire protection to
steel columns
Typical section details of fire protection
to steel beams
Typical section details of fire protection to
steel beams