14 Connections

14.1 General
Connections may be designed on the basis of a realistic assumption of the distribution of internal
forces, provided that they are in equilibrium with the externally applied loads. The connection
behaviour should be consistent with the assumptions made in determining the forces around
the building frame. The analysis of the forces on the connections, which can be either elastic or
plastic, should be carried out using factored forces and moments, noting the following.
a) The centroidal axes of the connected members should meet at a point; otherwise the effect
of the eccentricity of the connection should be taken into account in the design of the
members and their connections.
b) In columns, splice connections between rolled I- or H-sections may be assumed to be in
direct bearing when the ends of the sections are cut square using a good quality saw in
proper working order. It must be emphasised that direct bearing does not necessitate the
machining or end milling of the column and that full contact over the whole column is not
essential (see BS 5950- 2:200139, and the National Structural Steelwork Specification40).
In other situations, the bolts, welds and splice plates should be designed to carry all the
forces at the splice position.
c) In bolted moment connections, the simple force distribution shown in Fig. 22 may be
used. More sophisticated models are included in the SCI/BCSA publication41 for moment
connection design.
d) As far as possible only one diameter and grade of bolts should be used on a project. Bolts
should generally be of 8.8 grade and not less than 12mm in diameter and weld sizes
should not be less than 5mm.
e) The local ability of the connected members to transfer the applied forces should be
checked and stiffeners provided where necessary.
f) Bolts should generally be sherardized, spun galvanized or otherwise treated to be
compatible with the paint protection system for the steel frame.
g) Where dissimilar metals are likely to be in contact in a moist environment, suitable
isolators such as neoprene washers and sleeves should be incorporated to prevent
bimetallic corrosion.
h) Locking devices or high-strength friction-grip bolts should be incorporated in connections
subjected to vibration impact, or when slip of the connections, which could lead to
increased or excessive deflection, is unacceptable.

It is particularly important to check the connection on site.

Critically loaded welded connections should be tested using non-destructive methods
such as ultrasonic tests to BS EN 1714:199842 for butt welds and magnetic particle inspection to
BS EN ISO 9934-1:200143 for fillet welds.

IStructE/ICE Manual for the design of steelwork building structures 3rd edition 75