Beam connections

Design of beam connections:

1. We always design FROM ONE SIDE ONLY (take the reaction and
moment of one side to calculate the number of bolts from one side).
2. Always design on the reaction of the smaller element. If we are designing
the connection between secondary and main beam, so use reactions of
secondary beam. If we are designing the connection between main beam
and column, so use reactions of main beam. If we are designing the
connection between secondary beam and column, so use reactions of
secondary beam.
3. Beams are always flushed (their upper flanges are on the same level)
except otherwise indicated.

1- Beam to beam connection:

I- Design of connection between secondary beam and main beam:
a- The secondary beam is simply supported over main beam:
Connection "A": Secondary beams from 2 sides:
R sec
1- n1 =
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.5*w*S
Rl is the least of RD.S. or Rb where tmin is the least of 2tL (2*0.8) or tw of
secondary beam.
R sec
2- n2 =
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.5*w*S

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 Beam connections

Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of tL (0.8) or tw of main

beam. n2 must be even number ( 2 sides)

Connection "B": Secondary beam from 1 side: (Must be simple

connection)
Same design in calculating n1 and n2 as if the secondary beam from 2 sides
because we always design on one side only.

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 Beam connections

b- The secondary beam is continuously supported over main beam:

0.4wS 0.5wS 0.5wS 0.5wS

0.6wS 0.5wS 0.5wS

0.4wS 0.6wS 0.5wS

0.5wS

0.5wS 0.5wS
0.5wS
R=0.4wS R=1.1wS R=wS R=wS

If we have secondary beams with different reactions (0.5wS, 0.6wS) at the

same connection as shown in the above figure, we choose the largest value.
R sec
1- n1 = (Same as before)
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.6*w*S
Rl is the least of RD.S. or Rb where tmin is the least of 2tL (2*0.8) or tw of
secondary beam.

R sec
2- n2 =
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.6*w*S

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 Beam connections

Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of tL (0.8) or tw of main

beam. n2 must be even number ( 2 sides)
T M
3- n3 = Where T = connection and M connection = 0.75Mo
Rl hsec
Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of tupper tie plate (assumed
1cm) or tf of secondary beam. n3 must be even number ( 2 sides)
0.6C M
4- n4 = Where C = connection and M connection = 0.75Mo
Rl hsec
We assume that 40% of the compression is transferred by bearing.
Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of lower tie plate (assumed 1cm)
or tf of secondary beam. n3 must be even number ( 2 sides)

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 Beam connections

Design of upper tie plate:

The plate is subjected to tension so we have to calculate Anet
We have 2 sections as shown:
We have to measure the lengths "L1", "a" and "b" from drawing
L1 ( )

L2 can be calculated by 2 methods:

2b
(1) L2= (a+ ) from drawing ( ) Approximate method
1.1
(Length "b" is decreased by 10% because it is inclined on the direction of
tension)
(2) We can exactly calculate the length using the projection perpendicular
S2 S2
"g" to force + . L2 = a+2g+2
4g 4g

And assume tpl = 1 cm and check as following:

Take smaller of A1 = (L1-4d')*tpl & A2 = (L2-2d')* tpl

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 Beam connections

T
= .....< 1.4 t/cm2
(A1orA 2 )

Design of lower tie plate:

The plate is subjected to compression 0.6C, = zero, so Fc = 1.4t/cm2
0.6C
= .... < 1.4t / cm 2 Where bfl is the flange width of the secondary beam.
b fl * t

Design of connection "C":

Connection C is cantilever so it must be continuous
Using moment and shear diagrams

Q
Q 3
M 1
cant

M1

Q2

Straining actions used in design are:

1- For shear: The greater of Q 2 and Q3
2- For moment: Mconnection = Mcant (not 0.75Mo)
For drawing: Same as secondary beam continuously supported over main
beam.

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 Beam connections

2. Beam to column connection:

I- Design of connection between secondary beam and column:
This connection is designed on the reaction of secondary beam.
R sec
1- n1 = (Same as before)
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.5*w*S
Rl is the least of RD.S. or Rb where tmin is the least of 2tL (2*0.8) or tw of
secondary beam.

R sec
2- n2 =
Rl
Where: Rsec is the reaction of secondary beam from one side only = 0.5*w*S
Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of tL (0.8) or tw of column.
n2 must be even number ( 2 sides)

II- Design of connection between main beam and column:

R main
1- n1 = (Same as before)
Rl
Where: Rmain is the reaction of main beam from one side only
Rl is the least of RD.S. or Rb where tmin is the least of 2tL (2*0.8) or tw of main
beam.

R main
2- n2 =
Rl
Where: Rmain is the reaction of main beam from one side only

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 Beam connections

Rl is the least of RS.S. Or Rb where tmin is the least of tL (0.8) or tf (connected to

flange) of column. n2 must be even number (2 sides).

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80
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40

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 Beam connections

Example:
Design the shown connections using non-
pretensioned M18 grade 5.6. Given that total
dead load (slab + ow) is 0.5t/m2 and live load
is 0.35t/m2. Assume that secondary beam is
IPE 270, main beam is IPE 400 and column
is IPE 600.
Solution:
W = (0.5 + 0.35)1.5 = 1.275 t / m /
π
RSS = * 1.82 * 0.25 * 5 = 3.18 t
4
RDS = 2*3.18 = 6.36 t
Assume e = 2 d, = 0.8
Rb = 0.8 * 3.6 * 1.8 * tmin = 5.18 tmin
Connection A:
• If secondary beam is simply supported over M.B.
R = 0.5 w s = 0.5 * 1.27 * 6 = 3.83 t
n1 : tmin = least of (2 * 0.8) or tw of secondary beam = 0.66 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.66 = 3.42 t < RDS
3.83
n1 = = 1.12 use 2 bolts
3.42
n2 : tmin = least of (0.8) or tw of main beam = 0.86 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.86 = 4.45 t > RSS
3.83
n2 = = 1.2 taken 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18
• If secondary beam is continuously supported over M.B.
R = 0.6 w s = 0.6 * 1.275 * 6 = 4.59 t
4.59
n1 = = 1.34 taken 2 bolts
3.42

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 Beam connections

4.59
n2 = = 1.44 taken 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18

1.275 * 62
M0 = = 5.74 m t
8
M connection = 0.75 * 5.74 * 100 = 430 cm t
430
T=C= = 15.9 t assume t plate = 1 cm
27
n3 and n4 : t min =1 cm or t f of secondary beam = 1.02 cm
R b = 5.18 * 1 = 5.18 t > RSS
15.9
n3 = = 5 bolts taken 6 bolts, 3 each side
3.18
(0.6 *15.9)
n4 = = 3 bolts taken 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18
• Design of tension tie plate:
From drawing:
L1 = 7.1+2*6.8/1.1=19.46 cm
(approximate)
OR L1 = 7.1+2*6.57 +
1.76 2
2* = 20.47 cm
4 * 6.57
(Exact as ECP)
L2 = 24.2 cm
d' = 1.8 + 0.2 = 2cm
A1 = (19.46 - 2*2)*1
= 15.46 cm2
A2 = (24.2 – 4*2)*1
= 16.2 cm2
Take smaller area (critical)
ft = 15.9 / 15.46 = 1.03t/cm2
We may decrease thickness of the plate to be 8mm and recheck

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 Beam connections

• Design of compression tie plate

A = 13.5 * 1 = 13.5 cm2
0.6 *15.9
fc = = 0.71 t / cm2 < 1.4 t / cm2
13.5
We may use plate of thickness 8 mm and recheck

Connection B:
If the secondary beam is simply supported over M.B.
This connection is designed same as before
R= 0.5 w s = 3.83 t
3.83
n1 = = 2 bolts
3.42
3.83
n2 = = 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18
If secondary beam is continuously supported
R = 0.4 w s = 0.4 * 1.275 * 6 = 3.06 t
3.06
n1 = = 2 b0lts
3.42
3.06
n2 = = 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18

Design of connection C
If secondary beam is simply supported over
1.275 t/m'
M.G, This connection must be continuous.
Max. Shear = 4.25 t 3.4 2.55

22
M connection = 1.275 * = 2.55 m t
2
4.25
4.25
n1 = taken 2 bolts
3.42
4.25
n2 = Taken 4 bolts, 2 each side
3.18
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 Beam connections

Design of connection D
I - Secondary beam with column
Assume all beams as simply supported
1.275
R = 0.5 w s = 0.5 * 6 * ( ) = 1.91 t
2
Note that: The beam connected to column carry half weight
n1: t min is the least of (2 * 0.8) or t w secondary = 0.66 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.66 = 3.42 < RDS
1.91
n1 = = 0.5 use 2 bolts
3.42
n2 = tmin is the least of (0.8) or tw of column = 1.2 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.8 = 4.14 t > RSS
1.91
n2 = = 0.46 taken 4 bolts, 2 each side
4.14
II – Main beam with column
R sec = 1.275 * 6 = 7.65 t
n1= t min is the least of (2 * 0.8) or t w 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.65 7.65

main = 0.86 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.86 = 4.45 < RDS
22.95
n1 = = 5.16 bolts, taken 6 bolts 22.95
4.45
We may increase edge distance to be 2.5d and = 1.0
Rb = 1 * 3.6 * 1.8 * 0.86 = 5.57t
n1 = 22.95 / 5.57 = 4.12 taken 5 bolts
n2 = tmin is the least of (0.8) or tf of column = 1.9 cm
Rb = 5.18 * 0.8 = 4.14 t > RSS
22.95
n2 = = 7.2 taken 8 bolts, 4 each side
3.18
Detailed drawing with enlarged scale:
Simple beam: Connection "A"

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Beam connections

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Beam connections

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 Beam connections

Continuous connection: Connection "A" and "C"

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Beam connections

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 Beam connections

Connection of beam with column: Connection "D"

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 Beam connections

Isometric:
(1) IF the main beam is simply supported over column:

Column

S.B.

M.B.

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 Beam connections

(2) IF the main beam is rigidly connected with column:

Column

M.B.

(3) Connection between main beam and secondary beam: (Simple)

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 Beam connections

(4) Connection between main beam and secondary beam: (Continuous)

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