Connection

Introduction

General definition:
Connections or joints are used to transfer the forces supported by
a structural member to other parts of the structure or to the
supports.
EN 1993-1-8 definitions;
Connection consists of fasteners such as bolts, pin, rivets or weld
and the local member elements connected by these fasteners
A joint consists of the zone in which the members are connected
and includes the connection as well as the portions of the
member or members at the joint needed to facilitate the action
being transferred.
The arrangement of a joint is usually chosen to suit
The type of action (force and/or moment)
The type of member such as tension or compression member,
beam or beam-column being connected.

Types of connections

For buildings designed to resist essentially static loading,

including wind loads, it will normally be sufficient to design
connections to resist forces that primarily act in one
direction only
1.Connection between
1
members of roof truss
2

3.Beam to column

6
5

2.Truss to column

4.Column to base
5.Splice joint beam to beam

6.Splice joint column to

column

Joints configurations

Single sided beam to column connection

Double sided beam to column connection

Beam to beam joints

Beam slices

Braced connection

Column base

Other type of connection commonly

used for design recommendation

Three connections type used in the present design

recommendations to connect a beam to a column or a
beam to a beam
1. Header plate connections

Main component: a steel plate, a filled weld on both

2. Fin plate connections

Main component: a fin plate, a filled weld on both sides

of the plate and a single or double vertical bolt line.

3. Web cleat connections

Characteristic by two web cleats and three single or

double vertical bolt lines (two on the supporting

4. Other simple connections

Other type of beam to column connections are considered as

hinges.
Nowadays EC3 part 1-8 classified them as semi-rigid

Bolts connection

Bolt mainly used in connection to resist shear on the

surface of plates and tensile force along the axis of the
bolts.

Bolt dia

Bolt
head

Shank

Thread
(tensile
area)

Bolt may transfer loads by shear and bearing, by friction

plates and clamped together or by tension
The use of bolts often facilitates the assembly of a
structure, as only very simple tools are required.

Shear and bearing joint

Preloaded friction-grip joint

Tension joint

Bolt type

Two classes of bolt: normal bolts and high strength bolts

(preload bolts)
Only non-preload cover
Their design geometrical and mechanical characteristic are
Table 1 : Bolts area
given in Table below:
d (mm)

10

12

14 16 18 20 22 24

27

30

A (mm2)

50

78

11
3

15
4

57
3

70
7

20
1

25
4

31
4

38
0

45
2

As (mm2)
36 58 84 11 15 19 24 30 35 45 56
Table 2 : Nominal values of5the 7
yield2strength
5
3fyb and
3 the
9
1
ultimate tensile strength fub for bolts (Table 3.1 EC3-1-8)
Bolt class
4.6
4.8
5.6
5.8 6.8
8.8
10.
9
fyb (N/mm2)

240

320

300

400

480

640

900

fub (N/mm2)

400

400

500

500

600

800

100
0

Common bolt :
Black hexagon bolt which is usually specified in two
strength grades:
Grade 4.6 ( mild steel ) , yield stress 240N/mm2
Grade 8.8 ( high strength steel ) yield stress 640
N/mm2
HSFG bolt (high strength friction grip)
Specified in Grade 8.8 and grade 10.9
Current bolt development:
Blind bolt fastener:

Lindapter Hollobolt

Ultra Twist bolt

Flowdrill

Bolt :Geometric consideration

Hole size
for bolts ups to and including diameters of 24mm, the
clearance should be 2mm and above 24 mm should be 3 mm.
Table 11 in EN 1090-2 gives nominal clearances for bolts and
pin (mm)
Normal clearance holes, as given for ordinary bolts, are
usually used for preloaded bolting assemblies but it is
permissible to use oversize, short or long slotted holes,
provided standard hardened washers are used over the holes
in the outer plies and not just under turn part.
The assessment of the slip resistance is affected when
oversize or slotted holes are used. The constant ks (Table 3.6
EC3-1-8), which is 1.0 for bolts in clearance holes, is educed
to 0.85-0.63 depending on the length slotted hole and its
orientation to the direction of load transfer.

Table 3 : Nominal clearances for bolts and pins (mm) (Extract from Table
11 of EN 1090-2)

Nominal bolt or pin diameter d

(mm)
Normal round holes

12

14

16

18

20

22

24

27
and
over

bc

Oversize round holes

Short slotted holes (on the length)

10

Long slotted holes (on the length)

1,5 d

For application such as towers and masts the nominal clearance for normal round
holes shall be reduced by 0,5 mm unless otherwise specified.
a

For coated fasteners, 1 mm nominal clearance can be increased by the coating

thickness of the fastener.
b

Bolts with nominal diameter 12 and 14 mm, or countersunk bolts may also be
used in 2 mm clearance holes under conditions given in EN 1993-1-8.
c

For bolts in slotted holes the nominal clearance across the width shall be the same

Spacing of fasteners, end and edge distance

The maximum spacing requirement is to ensure that the section
of plate between bolts does not buckle when it is in compression.
The requirement for minimum spacing is to ensure that local
crushing in the wake of a bolt does not affect any adjacent bolt.
Lifting of the edges are prevented by specifying a maximum edge
distance. Specifying minimum edge distance may prevent edge
splitting or tearing.
Spacing requirement is covered fully in Clause 3.5 of EN 19931-8 .
Minimum bolt spacing and edge and end distances are as below,
where do is the fastener (bolt) hole diameter. These values are
defined in Table 6.4 or in Table 3.3 of EC3-1-8.
Minimum spacing of bolts in the direction of load transfer
p1=2.2do
Minimum end distance in the direction of load transfer
e1=1.2do

Table 4 : Minimum and maximum spacing, end and edge distance

(Table 3.3 of EC3-1-8)
Maximum

Distance and
spacing, See
figure 1

1) 2) 3)

Structures made of steels according to EN

10025 except steel acc. to EN 10025-5
Minimum
Steel exposed to
the weather or
other corrosive
influence

Steel not exposed

to the weather or
other corrosive
influence

Structures made
of steels
according to EN
10025-5
Steel upon
unprotected
The larger of 18t
or 125 mm

End distance e1

1,2do

4t + 40 mm

Edge distance e2

1,2do

4t + 40 mm

Spacing p1

2,2do

The smaller of 14t

or 200 mm

The smaller of 14t

or 200 mm

The smaller of
14tmin or 175 mm

Spacing p2

2,4do

The smaller of 14t

or 200 mm

The smaller of 14t

or 200 mm

The smaller of
14tmin or 175 mm

1)

2)

3)

Maximum values for spacing, edge and end distance are unlimited, except in the following
cases:

For compression members in order to avoid local buckling and to prevent corrosion in
exposed members and

For exposed tension members to prevent corrosion

The local buckling resistance of the plate in compression between the fasteners should be
calculated according to EN 1993-1-1 as column-like buckling by using 0.6p i as buckling
length. Local buckling between fasteners need to be checked if p 1/t is smaller the 9. The
edge distance should not exceed the maximum to satisfy local buckling requirements for an
outstand element in the compression members, see EN1993-1-1. the end distance is not
effected by this requirement
t is the thickness of the thinner outer connected part

Figure 1 : Symbols for end and edge distance and

spacing of fasteners (Figure3.1 of EC3-1-8)

Principle of load transmission

Shear
In this case the load is transmitted into and out of the
bolts by bearing on the connected plates. The forces in
the bolts are transmitted by transverse shear

Tension force
In the case of moment loading (M) only, the tension part
of the load is transmitted by axial tension in the bolt

Combined tension and shear force

In the case of combined moment (M) and transverse
loading (V), the bolts may be required to transmit a
combination of transverse shear and axial tension.
In Figure below, the bolts A transmit transverse shear,
while the bolts B transmit a combination of shear and
tension or shear and compression
Bolts that are not preloaded
to a predetermined preload,
may be called "nonpreloaded bolts" or
"ordinary bolts". In case of
a shear connection (in
Figure)these bolts are also
called "bearing type" bolts

Spliced joint
The principal action on a bolt in a splice joint of the type
shown in Figure is shearing on its cross-sectional plane
caused by bearing between opposing plates in the joint.
The elastic distribution of these bearing stresses and
the stresses produced in the bolt are complex. However,
for fully developed plastic conditions, the distribution of
shear stress is effectively uniform so that the shear
strength is the product of the cross-section area of the
bolt in the shear plane and the shear strength of the
material

Modes of failure
a) Bolt shear
b)Plate shear or
tear-out
c) Bolt bearing
d)Plate bearing
e) Bolt tension failure
f) Tension on net
section

Design resistance of bolt

BS EN 1993-1-8 assign bolted connections to one of five

categories:
Category A: Bearing-type
No preloading is required and the resistance is the less of
the design shear or bearing resistance
Category B: Slip resistant at serviceability limit state
Preloading is sufficient to ensure that slip does not occur
under serviceability loading but at the ultimate limit state
the bolt acts as a category A bearing type
Category C: Slip resistance at ultimate limit state
The design slip resistance should be greater than the
design ultimate shear load.
Category D: Non-preload bolts loaded in tension, which are not
suitable in connections where the tensile loading fluctuates.
Category E: Preloaded bolts loaded in tension, which require
controlling tightening.

Non-preloaded structural bolting assemblies have to resist

force in shear and bring or tension, or combination of these
Shear
The resistance Fv of a bolt in shear depends on the shear
strength of bolt ( of tensile strength fub) and the area A of
the bolt in a particular shear plane (either gross area or
tensile stress area through the threads A s , as appropriate)
EC3-1-8 requires the design shear force Fv,Ed to be limited
by
Fv , Ed Fv , Rd

The shear resistance per shear plane , Fv,Rd, is given by

Fv , Rd

v f ub A
M2

( Table 3.4 EC3-1-8)

Where the shear plane passes through the threaded portion of the
bolt ( A is the tensile area of the bolt As)
For class 4.6, 5.6 and 8.8
v = 0,6
For class 4.8, 5.8and 6.8 and 10.9
v = 0,5
Where the shear plane passes through the unthreaded portion of
the bolt ( A is the gross section of the bolt)
v = 0,6

In preloaded shear connection, shear force is resist by

friction until the slip occurs. The slip resistance, Fs,Rd is
given by:
k s n
(Clause 3.9.1 of EC3Fs , Rd
Fp , C

M3

1-8)

Where ;
ks is given in Table 5 ( Table 3.6 of EC3-1-8)
n is the number of friction surfaces.
is the slip factor which may obtained from tests conducted
in
accordance with standard from Table 18 of BS EN
1090-2 or
Table 3.7 of EC3-1-8 (reproduced here as
Table 6)
Fp,C is the preloading force, which for class 8.8 and 10.9 bolts
with
controlled tightening, My be taken as 0.7 fub As
Table 5 : Values of ks (Table 3.6 of EC3-1-8)
Description
Bolts in normal holes
Bolts in either oversized holes or short slotted holes with the axis of the slot
perpendicular to the direction of load transfer

ks
1,0
0,85

Bolts in long slotted holes with the axis of the slot perpendicular to the direction of
load transfer.

0,7

Bolts in short slotted holes with the axis of the slot parallel to the direction of load
transfer.

0,76

Bolts in long slotted holes with the axis of the slot parallel to the direction of load

0,63

Table 6: slip factors (Extract from Table 18 of

EN1090-2)
Surface treatment
Cla
ss

Slip
factor

Surface blasted with shot or grit with loose rust

removed, not pitted

0,50

Surface blasted with shot or grit

a) spray-metallized with a aluminium or zinc based
product;
b) With alkali-zinc silicate paint with a thickness of 50
m to 80 m

0,40

Surface cleaned by wire-brushing or flame cleaning,

with loose rust removed

0,30

Surface as rolled

0,20

Bearing
Controlled by either deformation of the bolt or the
bearing resistance of the plates or section through which
the bolt pass, and is a function of the position of the bolt
holes.
i.e. end, edge and pitch distances
For bearing the resistance is given by
k f dt
Fb , Rd 1 b u
(Table 3.4 of EC3-1M2
8)
Where b is the smallest of d , fub/fu or 1.0
fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the connected
parts and ( with reference to Figure 1):

 In the direction of load transfer,

e1
3d 0

for end bolts

p1
0.25
3d 0

for inner bolts

Where b is the smallest of d ; fub/fu ; 1.0

Perpendicular to the direction of load transfer k1, is

e2
the smaller
2.8 of:
1.7 or 2.5
for edge bolts
d0

p
1.4 2 1.7 or 2.5
for inner bolts
d0

Verification
for the situation in which bearing failure occurs in the
bolt rather than the plate
Fb, Ed Fb , Rd

f u dt
M2

for situation in which bearing failure of the plate ( where

a bolt bears against part of the surface of bolt hole
through the plate)
k f dt
Fb , Ed Fb , Rd

M2

Tension
The resistance of a bolt in tension depends on the tensile
strength fub of the bolt and the minimum cross-sectional
area of the threaded length of the bolt, the design force is
limited to

Ft , Ed Ft , Rd

The designktension
resistance , Ft,Rd of bolt is given in EC3-12 f ub As
Ft , Rd
8 Table 3.4 as;
M2

where ;
As is the tensile area of bolt
k2 = 0.9 (Except for countersunk bolts, where k2 = 0.63

Combination shear and tension

Non- preloaded bolt which are subjected to both tension
and shear should satisfy the following relationship;
Fv , Ed
f t , Ed

1.0
(Table 3.4 of EC3-1Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft , Rd
8)
This expression allows a bolt fully loaded in tension to
also resist shear forces up to approximately 30% of the
design resistance
Preloaded bolts in friction grip connections that are also
subjected to externally applied tension should satisfy
(Clause 3.9.2)
k s n ( Fp ,C 0.8 Ft , Ed , ser
For category
Fs , RD , ser B connection (slip resistance at SLS)
M 3, ser
k s n ( Fp ,C 0.8 Ft , Ed )
For a Fcategory

C connection ( slip resistance at ULS)

s , RD
M3

Packing and long joints

Special provision are made when using oversize or
slotted holes or countersunk bolts.
Where bolts transmit load in shear and bearing and pass
through packing of total thickness tp

Figure 4 : Fasteners through

packing

9d
8d 3t p

But p 1.0

 Provisions are also given for

injection bolts ( Clause 3.6.2 of EN3-1-8)
bolts groups in bearing( Clause 3.7 of EN3-1-8)
Long joints ( Clause 3.8 of EN 1993-1-8)
For long joints, the design resistance of all fasteners
should be reduced by multiplying by the reduction factor
Lf

Lf 1

L j 15d
200d

but 0.75 Lf 1.0

Example 6.1 : Bolt in single shear

Problem : Calculate the strength of the bolts in the lap slice

shown below assuming the use of M20 Grade 4.6 bolts in 22
mm clearance holes and Grade S275 plate.

Solution:
1) Shear resistance
Bolts are in single shear and it is assumed that the shear
plane passes through the threaded portion of the bolts:
v=0.6
fub = 400 N/mm2
Table 3.1 of EC3-1-8/ISO
898
A=As = 245 mm2
M2=1.25
Shear resistance per bolt, Fv,Rd:
Fv , Rd

v f ub A 0.6 400 245

47040 N 47.0 kN
M2
1.25

2) Bearing resistance
Bearing resistance per bolt , Fb,Rd:
k f dt
Fb , Rd 1 b u
M2
From geometry : p1 = 60 mm, e1 = 40 mm, e2 = 40 mm, do =
22 mm
From EN10025-2, fu of plate (Grade S275, t>3 mm) = 410
N/mm2.
e1
40
d

For end bolts,

3d 0

66

0.606

p1
60
0.25
0.25 0.66
3d 0
66

For inner bolts,

2.8

e2
1.7
d0

For edge bolts, k1 is the smaller of

2.8

40

1.7 3.4 k1 2.5

22

or 2.5

fub/fu = 400/410 = 0.98

b is the smallest of d ; fub/fu ; 1.0
For end bolts b = 0.61 and the inner bolts b = 0.66
Therefore for end bolts,
Fb , Rd

k1 b f u dt 2.5 0.61 410 20 16

160.1 kN
M2
1.25

And, for inner bolt

Fb , Rd

k1 b f u dt 2.5 0.66 410 20 16

173.1 kN
M2
1.25

Clearly the resistance of the joint is controlled by the

strength in
shear. Therefore, the resistance of the
tension splice as governed by the shear resistance of the
bolts = 3 x 47.0 = 141 kN.

Example 6.2: Bolt in double shear

Problem : Calculate the strength of the bolts in the lap slice

shown below assuming the use of M20 Grade 4.6 bolts in 22
mm clearance holes and Grade S275 plate

Solution:
1) Shear resistance
Bolts are in double shear and it is assumed that two shear
plane passes through the threaded portion of the bolts:
v=0.6
fub = 400 N/mm2
A=As = 245 mm2
M2=1.25
Shear resistance per bolt, Fv,Rd:
Fv , Rd

v f ub A 0.6 2 400 245

94.0 kN
M2
1.25

2) Bearing resistance
Bearing resistance per bolt , Fb,Rd:
k f dt
Fb , Rd 1 b u
M2
From geometry : p1 = 60 mm, e1 = 40 mm, e2 = 40 mm, do
= 22 mm
From EN10025-2, fu of plate (Grade S275, t>3 mm) = 410
e
40
N/mm2.
1
0.606
d

3d 0

66

p
60
For end bolts,
d 1 0.25
0.25 0.66
3d 0

For inner bolts,

66

2.8

e2
1.7
d0

For edge bolts, k1 is the smaller of

2 .8

40

1.7 3.4 k1 2.5

22

or 2.5

fub/fu = 400/410 = 0.98

b is the smaller of : d ; fub/fu ; 1.0
For end bolts b = 0.61 and the inner bolts b = 0.66
Therefore for end bolts,
Fb , Rd

k1 b f u dt 2.5 0.61 410 20 16

160.1 kN
M2
1.25

And, for inner bolt

Fb , Rd

k1 b f u dt 2.5 0.66 410 20 16

173.1 kN
M2
1.25

Clearly the resistance of the joints is controlled by the

strength in shear. Therefore, the resistance of the tension
splice as govern by the shear resistance of the bolts = 3 x
94.0 = 282 kN.

Verify the connection in Figure below is adequate

Splice plate 95 x 50

Given:
2 Nos 100 x 65 x 8
Bolt 20 mm dia Grade 4.6
Bolt holes 22 mm dia
Steel Grade S275

Permanent load (tension) = 85 kN

Variable load (tension) = 95 kN

Eccentric connection (bracket

connetions)

Generally these types of connections are used to resist

applied moment and shear. Usually these kinds of
connection are commonly used when the applied load is not
located in the column axis

There are two principle types of eccentrically loaded

connection
Moment in plane of
connection ( direct shear
and torsion)

Moment at 90o to plane of

connection (Direct shear
and tension)

Moment in plane of connection (direct shear and

torsion)
Suppose force in each bolt due
P
to moment is F1, F2, F3,Fn with
e
the distance of r1,r2,r3rn
respectively.
y

Therefore :
Applied moment Mi = Pe

-y

-z

Resistance Moment of bolts

Mr = F1r1+F2r2+F3r3
But F1 r1, F2 r2 or F1 = kr1, F2
= kr2 k F1 F2 ......... Fn
r1

r2

F2

F1 r2
r1

rn

The bolt size is then determined from the maximum

load on bolt

Example 6.3: Shear and Torsion

Problem: Determine the suitable bolt size
155m
m

3@100m
m

P=100k
N

200kN

2@70m
m

Solution:
P 100
1) Load due to shear,
Fv , Ed
12.5 kN
n

Ft , Ed
2) Load due to moment,

P.e.r1
z2 y2

r 70 2 150 2 165.53 mm

z
y

3@100m
m

8 70 2 39200

4 150 2 4 50 2 100000

Ft , Ed

2@70m
m

100 155 165.53

18.43 kN
139200

3) Resultant load
Fr , Ed

v , Ed

Ft , Ed 2 Fv ,ed Ft , Ed cos
2

70

12.5 2 18.43 2 2 12.5 18.43

165
.
53

26.28 kN

4) Try bolt 16mm dia grade 4.6

F A 0.6 400 157
Shear resistance per bolt,
f v , Rd v ub
30.1 kN
M2

1.25

fv,Rd >fr,Ed, ok
5) Other checking if necessary
Limit shear force, Fv,Rd = 30.1 12.5 kN
k f dt
Limit bearing strength,
Fb , Rd 1 b u
M2

ok

Moment at 90o to the plane of connection (Bolt in shear

and tension)
For this kind of connection there are several checks need to
be carried out to ensure the adequacy of the connection
Tension resistance (Table 3.4 of EC3-1-8)
k 2 f u b As
Ft , Ed Ft , Rd
M2
where : k2=0,63 for countershank bolt, otherwise
k2=0,9.
f A
Fv , Ed Fv , Rd

ub

Shear resistance per

M 2shear plane (Table 3.4 of EC31-8)
Fv , Ed
Ft , Ed
shear and
1.0tension (Table 3.4 of EC3-1-8)
Combined
F
1 .4 F
v , Rd

t , Rd

Method of analysis
Approximate analysis (assumption)
Centre of rotation is assumed at the bottom bolt of
group
The tension force vary linearly
The applied shear is distributed equally to each bolt

Note: For more accurate method analysis, the applied moment is assumed resisted
by the bolt in tension as well as by an area the bottom of the bracket in compression.
The area approximately covers about h/7 from the bottom of the bracket

Example 6.4: Eccentricity connection ( Bolt in shear and tension)

Problem: Determine the suitable bolt size

Solution:
1) Force due to direct shear
Fv , Ed

P 138

13.8 kN
n 10

2) Force due to moment

Ft , Ed

P.e. y1
138 300 400

27.6 kN
2 y 2 2(100 2 ) 2( 200 2 ) 2(300 2 ) 2( 400 2 )

Try bolt 20 mm dia. Grade 4.6

3) Carry out the verification
Ft , Rd

k 2 f u b As 0.9 400 245

70.5 kN
M2
1.25

Fv , Rd

v f u b A 0.6 400 245

47 kN
M2
1.25

ok

i)

Ft,Ed < Ft,Rd i.e. 27.6 kN < 70.5 kN

ii)

Fv,Ed < Fv,Rd i.e. 13.8 kN < 47 kN ok

iii)

Fv , Ed
Fv , Rd

Ft , Ed
1.4 Ft , Rd

13.8
27.6

0.3 0.28 0.58 1.0

47 1.4 70.5

ok

Material properties of bolt

Welds connection
2. Welds
Welding is essential in the fabrication of steel structures
Good design leads to cost effective fabrications that can
be made to required standards by the use of coordinated
specifications, which provide means for quantitative
control of weld quality
Advantages : Neat, More efficient, No holes to be punched
or drilled etc
In EC3 various type of weld are considered: filled welds,
filled welds all around, butt welds, plug welds and flare
groove welds

Figure 2 :Typical fillet weld

configurations for (a) T-Joints, (b)

Figure 3 : Typical butt weld

configurations

Welds connection
(clause 4 EN 1993-1-8)
2. Welds
Design information is provided for welds covering material
thicknesses in excess of 4 mm.
For structural hollow sections this limit is reduced to 2.5 mm
(specific guidance being provided in Section 7 of EN 19931-8.
** for thinner materials, reference should normally be made to
part 1.3 of the code.

Welds: Geometric considerations

Fillet Welds
Effective throats
The usual geometrical restrictions that the included angle
be between 60o and 120o. The throat thickness of fillet
welds is given in Table 6.7

Table 6.7 : Throat thickness of fillet welds

Angle between fusion faces Factor ( to be applied to leg
(degrees)
length)
60 to 90
91 to 100
101 to 106
107 to 113
114 to 120

0.7
0.65
0.6
0.55
0.5

Welds: Geometric considerations

Fillet Welds
Effective throats thickness
Figure 4.3 (EN 1993-1-8) indicates how the effective weld
thickness should be measured; this should not be less than 3 mm.

Welds: Geometric considerations

Fillet Welds

Welds: Geometric considerations

Fillet Welds

Effective length (fillet welds)

The effective length of a fillet weld is the actual length less
twice the throat thickness to allow for the starting and
stopping of the weld.
Should not be less than 30mm or less than six times the
throat thickness (then it can be considered as load carrying)
When a fillet welds terminates at the end or edge of a plate
it should be returned continuously round the corner for a
distance of twice the leg length.
Intermittent filled welds are laid in short length with gaps
between as specified in EC3-1-8 Figure 4.1.
Seldom use because of corrosion problem and the
possibility of dynamic load which may cause failure due
to fatigue or brittle fracture

Design strength of Weld

In this study only Filled welded is considered.

Other important detail in design strength
In fillet welded joints which are subjected to
compression forces should not be assume, unless
provision is made to ensure it, that the parent metal
surfaces are in bearing contact
Should design to carry the whole of the load.
Single-sided fillet welds should not be used in cases
where there is a moment about the longitudinal axis
Ideally should not be used to transmit tension

Design of fillet weld

There are three type consider in design welded connection

Direct shear
Shear an torsion
Shear and bending
Two methods are permitted for the design of fillet welds:
Directional method
Forces transmitted by unit length of weld
Simplified method
Only longitudinal shear is considered

Directional method
Normal and shear stresses of the form in Figure 6.19
( Figure 4.5 of EC3-1-8) are assumed, in which :
is the normal stress perpendicular to the throat
is the normal stress parallel to the axis of the throat
is the shear stress perpendicular to the axis of the
weld
is the shear stress parallel to the axis of the weld

is assumed not to influence the design resistance, while

, and must satisfy the pair of conditions given by
equation
[2+3(2+ 2)]0.5
where:
fu is the nominal ultimate strength of the weaker part
joined ( see Table 6.8)
w is a factor (between 0.8 and 1.0) depending on the steel
type (see Table 4.1 of EN 1993-1-8)

Table 6.8 : Design resistance of fillet weld (Extract from

Table 4.1 of En 1993-1-8 and Table 7 of EN10025-2)

Steel Grade

S 235
S 275
S 355

Thickness of

Ultimate

the Jointed part

strength , fu

weaker (mm)

(N/mm2)

tp 3

360

3 tp 100

360

tp 3

430

3 tp 100

410

tp 3

510

3 tp 100

470

Correlation
factor w

0,8
0,85
0,9

Simplified method
At all points along its length, the resultant of all forces per
unit length transmitted by the weld (Fw,ed) must not exceed
the design weld resistance per unit length (Fw,Rd), where
this is simply the product of the design shear strength fvw,d
and the throat thickness,
F
a.f a
w , Rd

vw.d

The value of fvw,d should be

f u /taken
3 as f u

f vw.d

w M 2

w M 2 3

Where :
fu and w are defined in section 6.5.2.1 ( or 4.5.3.2(6)
of EC3-1-8)

Example 6.5: Design resistance of

fillet weld ( simplified method)
Problem: Calculate the design strength of fillet weld if the
thickness of the part used is 10 mm thick and the steel
grade used s355 (EN 10025).
fu
Solution:
f vw.d
The design shear strength of fillet weld, w M 2 3
f vw.d

470
0.90 1.25 3

241 N / mm 2

Example 6.6: Welded connection (Direct shear)

Problem:
A 150 x 20 mm thick tie in Grade S275 steel carrying
factored load of 400 kN require a splice within its length.
Design a suitable arrangement using single sided cover
plate and fillet weld.
Cover
plate
400 kN

400
kN

Solution:
Cover plate used should be less than 150 mm. Given F w,Ed =
400 kN. Try cover plate 100 x 20 mm and try size 8 mm
weld
Throat thickness, a = 0.7s = 0.7 x 8 = 5.6 mm

1) Design shear strength of weld:

From Table 6.8, fu = 410 N/mm2 and w = 0.85

f vw.d

410

0.85 1.25 3

223 N / mm 2

2) The design resistance of the weld per unit length (i.e. per
mm run)
Fw,Rd = fvw,d.a = 223 x 5.6 = 1248 N/mm = 1.25 kN/mm

3) Total resistance
Minimum length required = 400/1.25 = 320 mm
The required length = 320 + (2 x 8) + (2 x 8) = 352 mm
( let say 360 mm)
Total resistance of weld = 1.25 x 360 = 450 kN (>400 kN)
ok
Duplicate
400 kN

the same
size at
the other
side.

Example 6.7: Welded connection (direct shear)

2 nos 65 x 50 x 6
mm
P = 500
kN

65 mm

Problem :
Design fillet welds for direct shear connection. Use steel
grade S275.

50 mm

yt=43.9
mm
yb=21.1
mm
50 mm

Solution :
Load for 1 angle section, Fw,Ed = 500/2 = 250 kN
Try size 8 mm fillet weld
Throat thickness, a = 0.7s = 0.7 x 8 = 5.6 mm
1) Design shear strength of weld:
From Table 6.8 fu = 410 N/mm2 and w = 0.85
f vw.d

410
0.85 1.25 3

223 N / mm 2

2) The design resistance of the weld pe unit length ( i.e per

mm run)
Fw,Rd = fvw,d.a = 223 x 5.6 = 1248 N/mm = 1.25 kN/mm
minimum length required = 250/1.25 = 200 mm

3) The weld length may be arranged in two ways

i. Balanced the weld on each sides:
Length : 200 x 43.9/65 = 135 mm
Add 2s = 16 mm ;
required length = 135 + 16 = 151 mm, say = 155 mm
The other side length = 200 135 = 65 mm
Add 2s = 16 mm;
required length = 65 + 16 = 81 mm, say = 85 mm

85
mm
155
mm

65 mm

65 mm

ii. Weld placed across the end of angle

Total required length of weld = 200 mm
L1

L2

50
mm
120
mm

Taking moment about L2;

ML2 = (L1 x 65) + (65 x 32.5) = 200 x 21.1
L1 = 32.4 mm + 2s = 48.4 mm, say = 50 mm
L2 = (200 65 32.4 ) + 2s = 118.6 mm,
say = 120 mm

Eccentric connection of weld

Shear and torsion
Load acted at the plane of
weld group

Shear and bending

Load acted perpendicular
to weld group

P
P

Shear and torsion

Example 6.8: Eccentric connection

(Shear and Torsion)
Problem:
Determine the size of the fillet weld. Use steel Grade S275
and Electrode E35. Design a critical position, A.

Note: For structural use of steel minimum size of 6 mm is

normally used

Shear and bending

Load 90o to the plane of weld group , i.e. Bracket
connection

Many assumptions made to analyse the force. There two

method assumption used in design weld connection of
shear and bending.
P
i) Assumed rotation
Fs occurs at x-x per mm length
Direct shear, Weld effective length
FT

Due to moment ,

My P.e. y

per mm length
I
I
2

Resultant,

Fw, Ed Fs FT

Weld size will then be determined

2)

Assumed rotation occur at x1-x1

Weld at flange to resist moment
Weld at web to resist shear
Fs

Direct shear,

P
2D

Determine weld size at web

(Pw=0.75pw)
P.e
FT

BD

Due to moment,
Determine weld size at flange

Example 6.9: Welded connection

(Shear and bending
Problem:
determine the suitable size of weld