F -T o ols F -T o ols

PD PD

!
W

W
O

O
N

N
Y

Y
U

U
B

B
to

to
k

k
lic

lic
ww

ww
om

om
C

C
w c w c
.p
d f- x e. .p
d f- x e.
chang chang

transverse element given by beoi
JO
&RVBUJPO
,
5IJT
JM-
lustrates the concept that where the philosophy of designing
the welds in HSS connections to resist specific branch or
plate loads is used, the effective weld lengths to be used can
be taken as the effective widths of the connected elements
considering the limit state of “local yielding due to uneven
load distribution.” This effective length of transverse welds
(Le) and transverse elements (beoi) dates back to research by
Rolloos (1969); Wardenier et al. (1981); and Davies and
Packer (1982). Attached elements (and welds) longitudinal
(or parallel) to the axis of a square or rectangular HSS can
be assumed to be fully effective; hence, the full weld length
is used in Example 2.2.
In AISC Specification
4FDUJPO
,F
XFME
FGGFDUJWF

lengths, Le, are specified for welds to T-, Y-, cross- and
HBQQFE
,DPOOFDUJPOT
XIJDI
BSF
EFàOFE
JO
4FDUJPO


of this Design Guide. These are simplified design recom-
mendations that are generally more conservative than the
foregoing beoi method, which was based on transverse plates
oriented at a branch angle of 90° to the HSS main (chord)
NFNCFS
5IF
SFDPNNFOEBUJPOT
PG
4FDUJPO
,F
UBLF
JOUP

account the influence of the branch angle that was observed
in experimental research on welds in HSS truss connections
(Frater and Packer, 1992a, 1992b; Packer, 1995; Packer and
Cassidy, 1995). Design Example 8.5 in this Design Guide
demonstrates the effective weld length calculation for a
,DPOOFDUJPO
No effective weld lengths are given in the AISC Specifica-
tion
GPS
PWFSMBQQFE
,DPOOFDUJPOT
XJUI
TRVBSF
PS
SFDUBOHV-
lar members, but one can adopt the effective widths, beoi and
beov
JO
4FDUJPO
,E
GPS
USBOTWFSTF
XFMET
JO
TVDI
DPOOFD-
tions. For square or rectangular HSS-to-HSS moment con-
nections, one can similarly adopt the beoi terms for effective
widths of transverse welds, as given for transverse elements
JO
4FDUJPOT
,C D
BOE
,D D
BT
UIFTF
SFQSFTFOU
UIF

influence of local yielding due to uneven load distribution.
Example 2.3 shows a calculation for a transverse weld to a
square HSS.

2.5 WELDED JOINT DESIGN EXAMPLES

Example 2.1—Skewed Fillet Welds

Given:
Using the geometry illustrated in Figure 2-2, with B  20 and tp  ' in., determine the design strength (LRFD) and allowable
strength (ASD) per unit length in shear for welds with size, w  ¼ in., and 70-ksi filler metal. Also determine the adjustment to
the weld size required for the left weld to account for the root opening that occurs due to the skew angle.

Solution:
For the right weld, the dihedral angle is 90° – 20°  70°. From Table 2-1, the weld size factor is 1.23. Thus, the equivalent weld
size, weq, is:

weq = ( weld-size factor ( w) )

= 1.23 (4 in. )
= 0.308 in.

From AISC Specification Table J2.5, the nominal strength of the right weld per inch is:
Rn = Fw Aw (Spec. Eq. I2-3)

0.308 in. 
= 42.0 ksi  
 2 
= 9.15 kips/in.

For the left weld, the dihedral angle is 90° + 20°  110°. From Table 2-1, the weld size factor is 0.863. Thus, the equivalent
weld size, weq, is:

weq = ( weld-size factor ( w) )

= 0.863 (4 in. )
= 0.216 in.

10 / HOLLOW STRUCTURAL SECTION CONNECTIONS / AISC DESIGN GUIDE 24