𝗧𝗛𝗨𝗠𝗕 𝗥𝗨𝗟𝗘𝗦 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗗𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗦𝗧𝗘𝗘𝗟 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝘂𝗰𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 : Simplifying Complex Designs - Part V ⚡

📌 While the intricacies of structural engineering involve complex calculations and advanced
software, there are certain thumb rules that engineers use to provide quick estimates and
initial design guidelines. (Source: structuraldetailer web)

👍 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘𝗦 (𝗦𝗶𝘇𝗲 & 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀)

✔ The Base-Plate thickness should not be less than the column flange thickness for axially
loaded columns. Base-Plates that must resist significant bending-moments will be thicker.
Assume bolt diameter x 1.75

✔ The Base-Plate size should be the column size + 200 mm – rounded up to the nearest
standard size

✔ The Base-Plate holes should be the bolt-diameter + 5 mm.

✔ The minimum Edge-Distance for bolts should not be less than 2 x the bolt-diameter. For
Base-Plates that must resist significant bending-moments, assume bolt-diameter x 2.5

👍 𝗕𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗦𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦 (𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 & 𝗧𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀)

✔ The beam splice should not be located at the point of maximum deflection.

✔ The splice flange-plate thickness should not be less than the beam flange thickness.

✔ The splice web-plate thickness should not be less than the beam web thickness

👍 𝗖𝗢𝗟𝗨𝗠𝗡 𝗖𝗔𝗣 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗔𝗦𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦

✔ The cap and base plate thicknesses should not be less than 1.5 x the column flange thickness
and the bolts should be located as close to the flanges as practical.

✔ The column ends should be faced for bearing to provide full contact with the plates

👍 𝗙𝗟𝗔𝗡𝗚𝗘 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗪𝗘𝗕-𝗣𝗟𝗔𝗧𝗘 𝗦𝗣𝗟𝗜𝗖𝗘𝗦

✔ The splice flange-plate thickness should be at least as thick as the column flange

✔ The splice web-plate thickness should be at least as thick as the column web

✔ Ideally, the column ends should be faced for bearing, ensuring full contact between the
abutting column ends.

✔ If the column ends are not faced, then the splice-plates and bolts must be designed to
transmit the full column load. If the column is likely to go into tension – slip-resistant bolts
would need to be used.

🧐 𝗖𝗢𝗡𝗖𝗟𝗨𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡 ⚠

Rules-of-Thumb are often dismissed as the lazy man's route to design, but it's worth
remembering that in ancient times. The experienced draftsman or engineer will still apply
these ‘rules’ which will enable him or her to be able to set-out an entire structure and assign
member sizes and connection details simply ‘By-Eye’ and final calculations will probably
confirm, or be fairly close to, his or her. Further to it one must remember that thumb rules
never provide exact sizes, but you can use them for preliminary sizing.