.png)
The Column to Beam connection brief is intended for use to design connection where the column is interrupted by a continuous beam. This connection can also be used to design a beam-over-column cap plate type connection, or for a column supported by a beam.
The Column to Beam connection is based on a eaves type moment connection and so is subject to the rules and restrictions for an eaves connection as presented in the SCI Green Books. The connection design is therefore limited to open section column and beams.
A typical layout of the Column to Beam connection is shown below.
The general layout of the General area of the property grid is shown below.
.png)
Filter properties - selects the part of the connection set up to filter the property grid display. The filter options can also be selected using the .png){kind=small}
icons.
Title - Input the title for the connection currently being viewed
Cap Beam Type Joint - select the type of joint. The column can be bottom, top or Bottom and Top
Load Case Title - input the title of the currently viewed load case
Bolted or Welded - select whether the connection is a bolted end plate or fully welded connection
A typical layout of the Forces section of the property grid is shown below.
.png)
Column Moment - the moment in the column at the connection in the current loadcase
Column Shear - The shear force in the column at the connection in the current loadcase
Column Axial - the axial force in the column at the connection in the current loadcase.
Haunch End Moment - The factored end moments at the position of the end of the haunch in the current loadcase
Print Case - sets the current load case to print or excludes it from printing
The forces input are the forces to be considered for the current loadcase. For connection design, which is based on the ultimate limit state, the input forces will be factored. To look at a different set of ultimate loads, further loadcases can be added by click on the .png){kind=small}
icon.
The general layout of the Beam Forces section of the property grid is shown below.
.png)
The inputs in the beam forces section are:
Beam Moment - the moment in the beam, at the joint under consideration, in the current loadcase. This input is only required for design to the Eurocodes.
Beam Shear - the shear force in the beam in the current loadcase. This input is required for both the British Standard and Eurocode designs
Beam Axial - the axial force in the beam in the current loadcase. This input is only required for design to the Eurocodes.
The column properties area allows the column section to defined along with the projection 'style' and the projection beyond the connection, which influences the forces in the column and so can affect the column design. The general Column Properties area is shown below.
.png)
The current column properties and section are displayed in the Column Properties area. These are:
Column Section - indicates the current column section type and size along with the column steel grade
Haunch Section as Col - determines whether the haunch is cut from the same section as the column
Haunch length - the length of the haunch
Haunch depth - the depth of the haunch as measured from the top of the top flange to the underside of the flange of the haunch
The Column section type, section size and steel grade can be amended by expanding the Column Section area. This is done by clicking on the arrow to the left of the Column Section row. The additional inputs are shown below.
.png)
Each property can be amended by selecting each row. For the Steel Grade, Section Type and Section rows, this will activate a drop down indicator, which can be selected to expand the drop down to allow the required property to be selected.
The cell depth input controls the beam depth for castellated or cellular beams. Using the mouse pointer, clicking in the right hand part of this row will allow the cellular beam depth by be manually input. This option is not used for Column Sections.
The beam properties area allows the beam section type, section size and rafter slope to be input for a stand-alone joint design. Where a haunch is present, the haunch properties can also be defined. The general Beam Properties area is shown below.
.png)
Beam section - indicates the currently selected beam section.
Beam end style - for a sloping beam with one end stopping over the column, defines the end style for the beam.
Beam slope - indicates the beam slope
Beam projection left - indicates the length of the beam to the left. A value of 9999 takes the beam to be infinitely long
Beam projection right - indicates the length of the beam to the right. A value of 9999 takes the beam to be infinitely long
The beam projection is used to determine the extend of the beam web which can be used to resist the axial force in the column.
The section properties of the beam can be selected by expanding the Beam Section area. This produces additional inputs, similar to the Column Section input area. The additional inputs are shown below. To ensure that the beam web is checked for the correct shear force, it is necessary to ensure that both the column axial and the beam shear force are input.
.png)
For the Steel Grade, Section Type and Section rows, this will activate a drop down indicator, which can be selected to expand the drop down to allow the required property to be selected. The cell depth, which represents the depth of a cellular or castellated beam section, is amended by inputting the required depth value in the right hand column of the Cell Depth row.
The beam slope input controls the pitch or slope of the rather. The input value is in degrees. The default value is zero, which gives a horizontal beam.
The section type and size from which a haunch is made can be taken to be that for the beam, or, alternatively, the haunch can be cut from a different section. To use the same section as the beam, the Haunch Section as Beam drop down should be set to "Yes". For a haunch cut from a difference section, setting the Haunch Section as Beam drop down to "No" will display an additional Haunch drop down which can be expanded to allow the set-up of the haunch section grade, type and section size. This area works the same as the Beam Section area.
User defined steel section can be added from the Section Type drop down option, by selecting the "BuiltUp & ASB" option. This will display additional rows. To input the dimensions of a user-defined section, select the Built-Up option and input the required dimensions in the addition rows.
The Bolt Details and Horizontal centres areas controls the set up of the bolt grade, diameter and bolt hole size, along with the bolt horizontal centres for the bolt columns. It is also possible to define differing bolt horizontal centres for bolts in the extended part of the end plate.
The basic layout of the Bolt Details and Horz C/C area is shown below.
.png)
Bolt Details - the bolt grade and bolt diameter
Bolt Cross Inner - the cross centres of the inner bolt column
Bolt Cross Outer - the cross centres of the outer column of bolts
Extended EP Bolts - the current setting for the bolts in the extended end plate
The Bolt properties such as bolt grade, bolt diameter and type can be set by expanding the bolt details area. This is done by clicking on the arrow to the left of the Bolt Details row. The expanded bolt details area is shown below.
.png)
Bolt Grade - the grade of bolts can be selected by expanding the Bolt Grade row. This will reveal a drop down from which the required bolt grade can be selected
Bolt Diameter - the bolt diameters are selected from the drop down. All bolts in a connection must be the same diameter.
Hole diameter - diameter of the bolt holes. The diameters are selected from the drop down
Slip factor - select the required slip resistance factor for bolt
Where the end plate extends beyond the left or right flanges of the connection, the bolts can be arranged such that rows of bolts occur outside beyond the left or right column flange. This can be useful for increasing the lever arm of the bolts and so increasing the potential moment resistance of the connection. See the Bolt Rows section for details on setting the bolt row positions. Where bolts occur in the extended end plate, it is possible to determine different numbers of bolt in the row and different bolts spacings to apply to the bolts in the extended end plate using the Extended EP Bolts row. Selecting the Extended EP Bolts row provides the following options.
As per main bolts - the number of bolts per row and horizontal centres are defined as per the main bolts (See Bolt Cross Inner and Bolt Cross Outer rows)
Top & Bottom Row Special Bolt c/c - set the number and centres of the top and bottom bolts in the extended end plate. Uses the same centres and bolt numbers for both top and bottom bolts
Top row only Special Bolt c/c - set the number and centres of the top bolts in the extended end plate only
Bottom Row Only Special Bolt c/c - set the number and centres of the bottom bolts in the extended end plate only
Note: Since this connection is based on the eaves type connection, some of the options refer to the top and bottom flanges. These are the flanges of the column, which is this connection are the left and right column flanges.
When the top and/or bottom extended end plate options are selected, two additional rows are displayed. These control the centres of the bolt columns in the extended end plate. The centres define the spacings of the inner and outer bolts. To create four bolts per row, both the inner and outer bolt centres need to be defined. To create only 2 bolts per row in the extended end plate, either the inner or outer bolt centre input can be used.
The number of rows of bolts in a connection is defined in the Bolt Rows input area. In any moment connection, due to the underlying component model from the SCI Green Books, the minimum number of bolts rows is two, with one bolt row in the connection zone and 1 row of bolts in the tension zone. Within the Masterseries Connection module, this requires a moment connection to have 1 row of upper bolts and 1 row of lower bolts.
The default layout of the Bolt Rows area is shown below.
.png)
Each of the Upper and Lower Bolt rows are expandable. Within each area, the bolt row spacing and properties of any bolt row horizontal stiffener as well as the stiffener type can be defined. The expanded bolt rows are is shown below.
.png)
Bolt row - the number of the bolt row. The bolt row detail also indicates the bolt spacing
C/C - input for the bolt row centres to control the bolt row spacing
Stiffener Thick - the thickness of the any bolt row stiffeners. A thickness of zero means there will not be a stiffener associated with that bolt row
Stiffener Type - the type of stiffener can be selected from the drop down.
Weld size - specifies the weld size for the bolt row stiffener. A zero weld thickness gives a default weld size.
For bolt row 1, the bolt row c/c value defines the distance from the top of the end plate to the centre of bolt row 1. Subsequent bolt row spacings are then measured from the bolt row above to the current bolt row, measured from bolt centre to bolt centre. This means that the position of the upper bolts is defined from the top edge of the end plate, while the position of the lower bolts are defined from the bottom of the end plate. Therefore, if the end plate size is amended, this can potentially alter the positions of the bolt rows. Extending the end plates will, therefore, alter the bolt positions.
Additional bolt rows can be added can be added by clicking on the Add => and selecting the .png){kind=small}
icon. To remove a bolt row, either expand the required row and set the bolt row c/c to zero, or, alternatively, select the required bolt row and click on the icon and select the Remove option.
Note: Where bolt rows occur in the extended end plate, the bolt row associated with each row will be placed above the corresponding bolt row.
The End Plate area controls the dimensional parameters of the end plate, including the end plate thickness, plate width and the top and bottom projections of the end plate. The grade of the end plate can also be defined.
The layout of the default End Plate area is shown below.
.png)
Dimensions - displays the current end plate thickness. The default end plate thickness is 20mm
Projection - displays the current end plate top and bottom projections. The default projections are 20mm
Plate Grade - displays the current steel grade for the end plate. The default is controlled by the default library settings.
Both the Dimensions and Projection areas are expandable, to allow additional inputs. The expanded Dimensions area is shown below.
.png)
Thickness - the end plate thickness can be manually entered by selecting the Thickness row and typing in the required value.
Width - a user input width dimension can be entered by selecting the width input and typing in the required dimension. A value of zero gives a default width based on the connected parts dimensions
The expanded Projection area is shown below.
.png)
The top and/or bottom projection can be entered manually by clicking on the relevant input area and entering the required dimension. The default value is 20mm. The software will permit a projection dimension down to a value of zero, with the end plate being flush with the top and/or bottom of the rafter.
Note: it is not permitted within the software to stop the end plate below the top of the upper flange (or above the underside of the bottom flange). To do so would induce stress concentrations within the flange, welds and endplates, stresses which are not checked as part of the SCI Green Book design.
The steel grade of the end plate can be selected by clicking on the Plate Grade row and selecting the required grade from the drop down. The available grades are determined by the selected input grades in the Masterseries Customization area. Additional steel grades can be input for use in both Masterframe and the steel design modules. For details, refer to the Masterframe manual.
The Weld area provides options to control the weld size and type for the connection flanges, web and haunch. The layout of the default area is shown below. The default sizing for welds is based on dimensional rules, determined by the thickness of the elements connected.
.png)
Each row can be expanded to display additional inputs. The additional rows displayed are controlled by the Weld settings in the Design Options area - see the Options Menu section for more details on the available options.
With Partial Penetration butt welds selected in the Weld Type, the expanded options are as shown below.
.png)
If the weld type has been set to Deep penetration fillet welds, then the displayed options are
.png)
To set a weld as a full penetration butt weld, use the drop down and set to "Yes". This will close the fillet weld options for the particular weld selected. The label for the weld in the graphics pane will also change to indicate a full penetration butt weld for the appropriate weld.
To input the weld size and/or the depth of any partial penetration preparation/deep fillet penetration, input the required values in the input areas.
The Main Stiffeners area controls the addition of stiffeners to the beam, in line with the left and right flanges of the column, as well as backing plate stiffeners to the bolted beam flange and the end of haunch stiffener.
The default settings for the Main stiffeners area is not to provide any stiffeners. Thus the four areas are by default reported as 'None'. The default layout of the Main Stiffeners area is shown below.
.png)
To add a stiffener in any of the four zones, the required area is expanded by clicking on the arrow to the left of the required row.
The Right main stiffener allow the addition of a full or part width stiffener at the position of the right flange of the connection. The stiffener may be full or partial depth. The stiffener is used to increase the tension or compression resistance of the beam web and/or beam flange. The expanded Right stiffener are is shown below.
.png)
Thickness - input the thickness of the top stiffener
Weld Size - input the weld size. A value of zero means the software will choose a default size based on the connected parts thickness.
Stiffener type - the type of stiffener is chosen from the drop.
The Left stiffener inputs are the same as those for the right stiffener and are accessed by expanding the required area.
The Back Plate area provides options to include flange backing plates to enhance the bending capacity of the beam flanges, to give an increased Mode 1 capacity, as outlined in the SCI Green Books. The default Back Plate area is shown below.
.png)
Thickness - input the required thickness of the backing plates
Offset - the position of the top of the backing plate relative to the top edge of the endplate
Vertical Length - the overall length of the backing plate.
The End of Haunch area controls the stiffener located at the end of the haunch and enhances the capacity of the column web. The Eurocode requires that, if the transverse forces from the haunch flange exceeds 10% of the shear capacity of the section, then web stiffeners must be provided to the member. The default layout of the End of Haunch area is shown below.
.png)
Thickness - the thickness of the beam web stiffener at the end of the haunch
Weld Size - the size of the end of haunch weld. A value of zero means a default weld size will be used based on the plate thickness
When any of the main stiffeners are added to a connection, the graphics display will update to reflect the stiffener(s) that have been added. In addition a summary of the stiffeners thickness and weld sizes (if user defined) will be added to the summary line in the Main Stiffeners display area.
The Column Shear Stiffener area provides options to add a range of stiffeners to the column web to enhance the shear capacity of the column. These can be in the form of supplementary web plates or diagonal stiffeners. The default layout of the Column Shear Stiffener area is shown below.
.png)
To add a beam web shear stiffener, expand the Shear Stiffener area by clicking on the arrow to the left of the row. This expands the area, which is shown below.
.png)
Thickness - input the thickness of the diagonal or web plates
Weld size - input the weld size. A value of zero means a default weld size will be used based on the plate thickness.
The stiffener type can be selected by expanding the Stiffener Type drop down.
To add a web stiffener plate, select the Single Web Double Plate option from the drop down list. This will add an additional two rows, which allow for the input of the offset of the web stiffener above the end plate and the overall depth of the web plates. Double web plates do not increase the shear resistance beyond that additional resistance of a single plate and the increased web tension and web compression capacity is limited to a 100% increase in capacity.
The Gusset Stiffeners area provides parameters which control the dimensions of any gusset stiffeners provided at the bolt rows, on the column and/or beam side of the connection. It also provides options to control the position of the last stiffener below the last "left" bolt or above the last "right" bolt row. In addition, the Gusset Stiffeners input provides mechanisms to control vertical gusset stiffeners in an extended endplate.
The default layout of the Gusset Stiffeners are is shown below.
.png)
To control the dimensions of the gusset stiffeners associated with any bolts row on the column side of the connection, the Beam row can be expanded by clicking on the arrow at the left of the row. This reveals two additional inputs, which control the Length and Depth (i.e. width) of the gusset stiffeners. The dimensions of the beam stiffeners is controlled in the same manner. The length is measured perpendicular to the beam flange while the depth is measured perpendicular to the column or beam web. In both cases, these inputs only control the dimensions of the gusset stiffener. To add or remove a gusset stiffener, see the Bolt Rows area. Within the Column and Beam gusset stiffeners area, a value of zero will use a default stiffener size.
The Last Stiff T & B area controls the position of the last stiffener. The default value is 45 millimetres. To modify the vertical position of the last stiffener, expand the Last Stiff T & B row and input the required value. Note this input area only controls the position of the stiffeners located after the final top and/or bottom bolt row. The spacings between bolt rows is controlled by the bolt centres input in the Bolt Rows input area.
The Extended End Plate area is used to add vertical gusset stiffeners between the beam the extended end plate. To expand this area, click on the arrow at the left of the Extended End Plate row. The default layout of this area is shown below.
.png)
Thickness Top - the thickness of the top gusset stiffener
Thickness Bottom - the thickness of the bottom gusset stiffener
Length at beam flange - the horizontal projection of the top and bottom extended end plate gusset stiffeners
Length at end of plate - the height of the gusset at the connection with the end plate
Weld size bottom - the weld size for the bottom gusset stiffener
Weld size top - the weld size for the top gusset stiffener
Extended end plate gusset stiffeners can only be added where there is an extended end plate. Therefore, it is necessary to define the end plate projection. Where the projection is less than the defined plate gusset height, the gusset will be automatically stopped at the end of the end plate and the calculation based on the actual gusset stiffener height.
Where bolt rows occur in the extended end plate, the bolt row stiffener associated with each row will be placed "above" the corresponding bolt row.