IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

A beam-end notch will be necessary when connecting a beam directly to the web of the supporting beam
– the connection itself may be any of the bolted connections including: an end-plate, fin-plate or a bolted
cleat.

Welded beam-to-beam connections will also need to be notched, but the method will be different from
that of a bolted connection and will be discussed separately under Welded Connections.

If the incoming beam is smaller than the supporting beam then only the top flange will need to be
notched, if the beam is equal to, or larger, then the top and bottom flanges will need to be notched

Notches may be applied to Beam-to-Beam and Beam-to-Column Web connections

Beam to Beam Connections

Calculating the Notch Depth

The notch depth must be greater than (hw1) which is the sum of the supporting beam flange thickness and
the root radius (tf + r1). As this value will differ widely, often by less than a millimetre, it makes sense to
standardize the depth.

Standardizing the depth carries many advantages, it enables the Standardizing of the connection as a
whole, in doing so, simplifying the detailing, fabrication and erection of the beam. The BCSA and SCI in
compliance with Eurocode 3, recommend the notch depth be standardized at 50 mm – but this will only
work for beams greater than approximately 250 mm - and less than approximately 900 mm in depth. See
Table 1 – Notch Depth (n2)
Calculating the Notch Length for unequal beam connection

The Notch length (n1) is calculated from the following:

0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal Clearance + c1). (c1) is the
clearance between the toe of the beam flange and the inside face of the notch.

Some suggest (c1) should be standardized at 10 mm, which is fine for most medium size beams, but with
larger beams and those with a wide flange this may present some erection difficulties. Another method to
calculate the value for (c1) is slightly more complicated, but will work for all beams however large or
small.

c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

Applying this method will see the value for (c1) increase as the supporting beam becomes larger – this
will be found to accord with suggested notch lengths given in the steel tables.

A final note on the notch length:

The calculation method above will determine the notch length measured from the end of the end-plate or
cleat. Most fabricators will prefer the notch length be detailed from the end of the beam web – in which
case, the thickness of the end-plate or Cleat Protrusion should be taken into account and deducted.
Beam to Column Web Connections

When connecting a beam to the web of a column, the width of the notched section is determined by the
straight section of the web between the flange root (hw). From there, it’s a matter of establishing the
incoming beam flange width.

The gauge should be one of the recommended options, enabling the use of a Standard End Plate.

The length of the notch (n1) is calculated in the same way as for a beam-to-beam connection.
IN SUMMARY

ON NOTCH DEPTH n2
 Calculate for hw1 = (tf + r1). Then if it falls in the range below as shown in the table the chose
the depth of the notch n2 from the table below (supporting beam

But if not in the about table range then proceeds as soon below;
 Eurocode recommended the depth of the notch to be standardized to 50mm and this will work for
a beam with 250mm < depth < 900mm

ON NOTCH LENGTH n1
 Notch length = 0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal
Clearance + c1).
 Where the nominal clearance read from the table

 c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

A beam-end notch will be necessary when connecting a beam directly to the web of the supporting beam
– the connection itself may be any of the bolted connections including: an end-plate, fin-plate or a bolted
cleat.

Welded beam-to-beam connections will also need to be notched, but the method will be different from
that of a bolted connection and will be discussed separately under Welded Connections.

If the incoming beam is smaller than the supporting beam then only the top flange will need to be
notched, if the beam is equal to, or larger, then the top and bottom flanges will need to be notched

Notches may be applied to Beam-to-Beam and Beam-to-Column Web connections

Beam to Beam Connections

Calculating the Notch Depth

The notch depth must be greater than (hw1) which is the sum of the supporting beam flange thickness and
the root radius (tf + r1). As this value will differ widely, often by less than a millimetre, it makes sense to
standardize the depth.

Standardizing the depth carries many advantages, it enables the Standardizing of the connection as a
whole, in doing so, simplifying the detailing, fabrication and erection of the beam. The BCSA and SCI in
compliance with Eurocode 3, recommend the notch depth be standardized at 50 mm – but this will only
work for beams greater than approximately 250 mm - and less than approximately 900 mm in depth. See
Table 1 – Notch Depth (n2)
Calculating the Notch Length for unequal beam connection

The Notch length (n1) is calculated from the following:

0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal Clearance + c1). (c1) is the
clearance between the toe of the beam flange and the inside face of the notch.

Some suggest (c1) should be standardized at 10 mm, which is fine for most medium size beams, but with
larger beams and those with a wide flange this may present some erection difficulties. Another method to
calculate the value for (c1) is slightly more complicated, but will work for all beams however large or
small.

c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

Applying this method will see the value for (c1) increase as the supporting beam becomes larger – this
will be found to accord with suggested notch lengths given in the steel tables.

A final note on the notch length:

The calculation method above will determine the notch length measured from the end of the end-plate or
cleat. Most fabricators will prefer the notch length be detailed from the end of the beam web – in which
case, the thickness of the end-plate or Cleat Protrusion should be taken into account and deducted.
Beam to Column Web Connections

When connecting a beam to the web of a column, the width of the notched section is determined by the
straight section of the web between the flange root (hw). From there, it’s a matter of establishing the
incoming beam flange width.

The gauge should be one of the recommended options, enabling the use of a Standard End Plate.

The length of the notch (n1) is calculated in the same way as for a beam-to-beam connection.
IN SUMMARY

ON NOTCH DEPTH n2
 Calculate for hw1 = (tf + r1). Then if it falls in the range below as shown in the table the chose
the depth of the notch n2 from the table below (supporting beam

But if not in the about table range then proceeds as soon below;
 Eurocode recommended the depth of the notch to be standardized to 50mm and this will work for
a beam with 250mm < depth < 900mm

ON NOTCH LENGTH n1
 Notch length = 0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal
Clearance + c1).
 Where the nominal clearance read from the table

 c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

A beam-end notch will be necessary when connecting a beam directly to the web of the supporting beam
– the connection itself may be any of the bolted connections including: an end-plate, fin-plate or a bolted
cleat.

Welded beam-to-beam connections will also need to be notched, but the method will be different from
that of a bolted connection and will be discussed separately under Welded Connections.

If the incoming beam is smaller than the supporting beam then only the top flange will need to be
notched, if the beam is equal to, or larger, then the top and bottom flanges will need to be notched

Notches may be applied to Beam-to-Beam and Beam-to-Column Web connections

Beam to Beam Connections

Calculating the Notch Depth

The notch depth must be greater than (hw1) which is the sum of the supporting beam flange thickness and
the root radius (tf + r1). As this value will differ widely, often by less than a millimetre, it makes sense to
standardize the depth.

Standardizing the depth carries many advantages, it enables the Standardizing of the connection as a
whole, in doing so, simplifying the detailing, fabrication and erection of the beam. The BCSA and SCI in
compliance with Eurocode 3, recommend the notch depth be standardized at 50 mm – but this will only
work for beams greater than approximately 250 mm - and less than approximately 900 mm in depth. See
Table 1 – Notch Depth (n2)
Calculating the Notch Length for unequal beam connection

The Notch length (n1) is calculated from the following:

0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal Clearance + c1). (c1) is the
clearance between the toe of the beam flange and the inside face of the notch.

Some suggest (c1) should be standardized at 10 mm, which is fine for most medium size beams, but with
larger beams and those with a wide flange this may present some erection difficulties. Another method to
calculate the value for (c1) is slightly more complicated, but will work for all beams however large or
small.

c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

Applying this method will see the value for (c1) increase as the supporting beam becomes larger – this
will be found to accord with suggested notch lengths given in the steel tables.

A final note on the notch length:

The calculation method above will determine the notch length measured from the end of the end-plate or
cleat. Most fabricators will prefer the notch length be detailed from the end of the beam web – in which
case, the thickness of the end-plate or Cleat Protrusion should be taken into account and deducted.
Beam to Column Web Connections

When connecting a beam to the web of a column, the width of the notched section is determined by the
straight section of the web between the flange root (hw). From there, it’s a matter of establishing the
incoming beam flange width.

The gauge should be one of the recommended options, enabling the use of a Standard End Plate.

The length of the notch (n1) is calculated in the same way as for a beam-to-beam connection.
IN SUMMARY

ON NOTCH DEPTH n2
 Calculate for hw1 = (tf + r1). Then if it falls in the range below as shown in the table the chose
the depth of the notch n2 from the table below (supporting beam

But if not in the about table range then proceeds as soon below;
 Eurocode recommended the depth of the notch to be standardized to 50mm and this will work for
a beam with 250mm < depth < 900mm

ON NOTCH LENGTH n1
 Notch length = 0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal
Clearance + c1).
 Where the nominal clearance read from the table

 c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

A beam-end notch will be necessary when connecting a beam directly to the web of the supporting beam
– the connection itself may be any of the bolted connections including: an end-plate, fin-plate or a bolted
cleat.

Welded beam-to-beam connections will also need to be notched, but the method will be different from
that of a bolted connection and will be discussed separately under Welded Connections.

If the incoming beam is smaller than the supporting beam then only the top flange will need to be
notched, if the beam is equal to, or larger, then the top and bottom flanges will need to be notched

Notches may be applied to Beam-to-Beam and Beam-to-Column Web connections

Beam to Beam Connections

Calculating the Notch Depth

The notch depth must be greater than (hw1) which is the sum of the supporting beam flange thickness and
the root radius (tf + r1). As this value will differ widely, often by less than a millimetre, it makes sense to
standardize the depth.

Standardizing the depth carries many advantages, it enables the Standardizing of the connection as a
whole, in doing so, simplifying the detailing, fabrication and erection of the beam. The BCSA and SCI in
compliance with Eurocode 3, recommend the notch depth be standardized at 50 mm – but this will only
work for beams greater than approximately 250 mm - and less than approximately 900 mm in depth. See
Table 1 – Notch Depth (n2)
Calculating the Notch Length for unequal beam connection

The Notch length (n1) is calculated from the following:

0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal Clearance + c1). (c1) is the
clearance between the toe of the beam flange and the inside face of the notch.

Some suggest (c1) should be standardized at 10 mm, which is fine for most medium size beams, but with
larger beams and those with a wide flange this may present some erection difficulties. Another method to
calculate the value for (c1) is slightly more complicated, but will work for all beams however large or
small.

c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

Applying this method will see the value for (c1) increase as the supporting beam becomes larger – this
will be found to accord with suggested notch lengths given in the steel tables.

A final note on the notch length:

The calculation method above will determine the notch length measured from the end of the end-plate or
cleat. Most fabricators will prefer the notch length be detailed from the end of the beam web – in which
case, the thickness of the end-plate or Cleat Protrusion should be taken into account and deducted.
Beam to Column Web Connections

When connecting a beam to the web of a column, the width of the notched section is determined by the
straight section of the web between the flange root (hw). From there, it’s a matter of establishing the
incoming beam flange width.

The gauge should be one of the recommended options, enabling the use of a Standard End Plate.

The length of the notch (n1) is calculated in the same way as for a beam-to-beam connection.
IN SUMMARY

ON NOTCH DEPTH n2
 Calculate for hw1 = (tf + r1). Then if it falls in the range below as shown in the table the chose
the depth of the notch n2 from the table below (supporting beam

But if not in the about table range then proceeds as soon below;
 Eurocode recommended the depth of the notch to be standardized to 50mm and this will work for
a beam with 250mm < depth < 900mm

ON NOTCH LENGTH n1
 Notch length = 0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal
Clearance + c1).
 Where the nominal clearance read from the table

 c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE

A beam-end notch will be necessary when connecting a beam directly to the web of the supporting beam
– the connection itself may be any of the bolted connections including: an end-plate, fin-plate or a bolted
cleat.

Welded beam-to-beam connections will also need to be notched, but the method will be different from
that of a bolted connection and will be discussed separately under Welded Connections.

If the incoming beam is smaller than the supporting beam then only the top flange will need to be
notched, if the beam is equal to, or larger, then the top and bottom flanges will need to be notched

Notches may be applied to Beam-to-Beam and Beam-to-Column Web connections

Beam to Beam Connections

Calculating the Notch Depth

The notch depth must be greater than (hw1) which is the sum of the supporting beam flange thickness and
the root radius (tf + r1). As this value will differ widely, often by less than a millimetre, it makes sense to
standardize the depth.

Standardizing the depth carries many advantages, it enables the Standardizing of the connection as a
whole, in doing so, simplifying the detailing, fabrication and erection of the beam. The BCSA and SCI in
compliance with Eurocode 3, recommend the notch depth be standardized at 50 mm – but this will only
work for beams greater than approximately 250 mm - and less than approximately 900 mm in depth. See
Table 1 – Notch Depth (n2)
Calculating the Notch Length for unequal beam connection

The Notch length (n1) is calculated from the following:

0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal Clearance + c1). (c1) is the
clearance between the toe of the beam flange and the inside face of the notch.

Some suggest (c1) should be standardized at 10 mm, which is fine for most medium size beams, but with
larger beams and those with a wide flange this may present some erection difficulties. Another method to
calculate the value for (c1) is slightly more complicated, but will work for all beams however large or
small.

c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.

Applying this method will see the value for (c1) increase as the supporting beam becomes larger – this
will be found to accord with suggested notch lengths given in the steel tables.

A final note on the notch length:

The calculation method above will determine the notch length measured from the end of the end-plate or
cleat. Most fabricators will prefer the notch length be detailed from the end of the beam web – in which
case, the thickness of the end-plate or Cleat Protrusion should be taken into account and deducted.
Beam to Column Web Connections

When connecting a beam to the web of a column, the width of the notched section is determined by the
straight section of the web between the flange root (hw). From there, it’s a matter of establishing the
incoming beam flange width.

The gauge should be one of the recommended options, enabling the use of a Standard End Plate.

The length of the notch (n1) is calculated in the same way as for a beam-to-beam connection.
IN SUMMARY

ON NOTCH DEPTH n2
 Calculate for hw1 = (tf + r1). Then if it falls in the range below as shown in the table the chose
the depth of the notch n2 from the table below (supporting beam

But if not in the about table range then proceeds as soon below;
 Eurocode recommended the depth of the notch to be standardized to 50mm and this will work for
a beam with 250mm < depth < 900mm

ON NOTCH LENGTH n1
 Notch length = 0.5 x the beam flange width – (0.5 x the beam web thickness + the Nominal
Clearance + c1).
 Where the nominal clearance read from the table

 c1 = (0.4 x b) + 7 – where b = the supporting beam flange width.