1. Steel Connections
Program to calculate steel structures connections according to EC3 and DIN18800

2. Theoretic Analysis Overview
The program Steel Connections calculates and designs connections in steel frames. The analysis and the dimensioning is based upon either EC3 or DIN
The theoretic basis of the program covers the following types of joints:
Nominally pinned joints
Rigid joints
Semi-Rigid joints
Full strength joints
Partial strength joints
The program classifies the beam to column joints by their stiffness in:
rigid
semi rigid and
nominally pinned joints.
Steel Connections

3. Method of global analysis Classification criterion
Analysis Techniques
Type of joint model
Method of global analysis
Classification criterion
Used connections
Simple
All
Stiffness
Nominally pinned
Strength
Continuous
Elastic
Rigid
Rigid Plastic
Full strength
Elastic - Plastic
Semi continuous
Semi Rigid
Partial strength
Elastic Plastic
Steel Connections

4. Connection Classification
By Stiffness
Rigid
Semi-rigid
Nominally pinned
By Strength
Full-Strength
Partial-Strength
Nominally pinned
Steel Connections

5. Rotational Stiffness (Sj)
The rotational stiffness of the joint is being determined from the flexibilities of its basic components each represented by its elastic stiffness coefficient ki.
Ki is the stiffness coefficient for basic joint component i
and
The results related with rotational stiffness and all the ki coefficients (where ever needed) appear in the output forms of the program.
Steel Connections

6. Classification by Stiffness
Zone 2: Semi -rigid M 
Boundary 1
Zone 1: Rigid
Zone 3: Nominally pinned
Boundary 2
M-Φ Diagram
A beam-to-column joint may be classified as rigid, nominally pinned or semi-rigid according to its stiffness, by determining it’s initial rotational stiffness Sj,ini
Steel Connections

7. Classification by Strength
A beam-to-column joint may be classified as full-strength, nominally pinned or partial strength by comparing its moment resistance with the moment resistances of the members that it joins.
Full Strength: Mj,Rd> Mpl,Rd,b
Partial Strength: Mj,Rd< Mpl,Rd,b
Nominally Pinned: Mj,Rd < 0.25 Mpl,Rd,b
Steel connection computes Mpl,Rd of beam, and informs the user for the connection classification according to strength.
Steel Connections

8. Connection Resistance - Basic Components (1)
The strength of the connection is being calculated using the strength of the connections components which are named “Basic Components”.
For the beam to column moment connection
Strength of welded joints
The strength of the connection is being calculated using the following "basic components":
The strength of the column web panel in shear (Vwp,Rd)
The strength of the column web in compression (Fc,wc,Rd)
The strength of the column web in tension (Ft,wc,Rd)
The strength of the column flange in bending (Ft,fc,Rd)
The strength of the beam flange and web in compression (Fc,fb,Rd)
The strength of the beam web in tension (Ft,wb,Rd)
The lever arm (z)
The strength of the welds.
Strength of bolted connections
The strength of the connection is being calculated using the previous plus the following "basic components":
The strength of the end plate in bending (Ft,ep,Rd)
The strength of the bolts in tension, in shear and in bearing
The lever arm (z).
Steel Connections

9. Connection Resistance - Basic Components (3)
For the Beam to Column connection with angle cleats
Bolt's resistance in Shear
Cleat's resistance in Bearing
Strength of Cleat in Shear
Strength of Cleat in Rupture
Strength of Beam in Shear
Strength of Beam in Moment
Column's Web in Bearing
For the Foundation Connection
Anchor's Resistance in Tension
Anchors Resistance in Shear
Resist. of Footing Pl. in Bearing
Concrete Resistance in Compression
Column's Resistance in Compression
Footing Plate Resistance in Tension
Resistance of The Welds
Steel Connections

10. Connection Resistance - Basic Components (4)
For the Beam Splice Connection
Bolt's Resistance in Shear
Bolt's Resistance in Bearing
Strength of Bolts in Shear
Strength of flange Plate in Tension
Strength of web Plate in Shear
Welds Resistance of Flange Plate
Strength of plate in rupture
Strength of beam in rupture
For the Tube Splice Connection
Effective Length per Bolt
Resistance in Compression
Resistance in Tension
Resist. of Compressioned Bolt in Shear
Resist. of Tensioned Bolt in Shear
Resistance of Bolt in Bearing
Welds Stresses
Steel Connections

11. Connection Resistance - Basic Components (5)
For the Truss joint connection with Plate
Bolt's resistance in Shear
Member's Resistance in Bearing
Member's Resistance in Rupture
Member's Resistance in Axial
Plate's Resistance in Bearing
Plate's Resistance in Moment
Plate's Resistance in Axial
Plate's Resistance in Shear
Weld's Resistance in Moment
Weld's Resistance in Axial
Weld's Resistance in Shear
For the K or N type joint
Resistance in Chord Face Failure
Resistance in Brace Failure
Resistance of Chord in Shear
Resistance in Punching Shear
Resistance in Chord's Web Stability
Resistance of Chord in Shear NoRd
Steel Connections

12. Equivalent T-stub – Bolted joints
In bolted joints the flange of an equivalent T-stub may be used to model the resistance of the following basic components:
column flange in bending
end-plate in bending
flange cleat in bending
Steel Connections

13. Failure modes of actual components and equivalent T-stub flanges
The “Actual component” the “Equivalent T-stub” the “Force diagram” and the “Moment diagram” are presented for three different failure modes.
Steel Connections

14. Note:
It is important to state that this program cannot be used to check the strength of the members of a steel frame.
The program only checks the member’s components very near to the connection and it assumes that a member’s check is already been done.
Steel Connections

15. The Program
Steel Connections

16. Main Menu Command Menu Main window Current state messages
Warning Messages
Steel Connections

17. Support programs
Steel Connections

18. Graphic section’s representation
Ser – Manager
Manipulate all program’s section properties
(change values or add-create user defined sections)
Section
Database
Sections list
Graphic section’s representation
Required Data
Steel Connections

19. DXF output Simple step generation of dxf files for every connection.
Scales database
The program can be used undependably from Steel Connections
Steel Connections

20. Pre-solved connections library (DIN 18800)
Is a very useful feature for searching for a connection that satisfies specific criteria
Multiple search criteria
Results presentation
Graphic connection representation
Steel Connections

21. Reading Nodes from a SOFiSTiK Database
Select analysis nodes, from a SOFiSTiK database, to import in Steel Connections.
The selected nodes will be regarded as connections in the program.
The selection is made graphically.
Steel Connections

22. Translate Nodes to Connections
The Program tries to automatically define the members that take part in the connection for each node selected.
If the user wishes to manually change or declare the members that take part in the connection he must simply right click on the desired member and select it from the popup menu.
Steel Connections

23. Reading Loads from a SOFiSTiK Database
Import loads from SOFiSTiK database
Steel Connections

24. Optimization Compute maximum or optional strength Input loads from
(Automatic optimum calculation for the
“Beam to column moment connection”)
Compute maximum
or optional strength
Input loads from
SOFiSTiK databases
Results representation. Both list and graphical
Manipulation of possible allowed reinforcements
Design restrictions regarding bolts (number of rows, type or quality)
Steel Connections

25. Connection selection Graphic view Button selection and details
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26. Analysis
Steel Connections

27. Supported Connection Types
Beam to column bolted connection.
Flush or extended end plate configuration
Beam to column
welded connection
Beam to column connection with angle cleats
Beam to beam connection by angle cleats
Beam splice connection
Truss joint with plate
K or N type joints
Apex connection by flush or extended end plate
Tube splice
connection
Foundation connection
with or without shear elements
Steel Connections

28. Graphic representation
Data Input
Interactive
Preview Window
Simplified “Input Data” forms
Graphic representation
of all geometric data
Steel Connections

29. Bolts calculations Independent Fully user customized data manipulation
bolt distances
Automatic bolt
layout generation
Steel Connections

30. Graphic representations where ever needed
Graphic Results Layout
Graphic representations where ever needed
Representation of most common used results, according to connection’s elements checks
Ability to handle multiple analysis results, at the same time, for comparison
Steel Connections

31. Connection Classification According to Stiffness
Zone 1 Boundary
Design Moment-Rotation
Characteristic
M-Φ diagram
Zone 3 Boundary
Initial rotational stiffness of the joint
Steel Connections

32. Full Results Printout Ability to produce fully
customizable result files.
The files can be stored for use in later time, or either modified with a simple text editor.
The user have access to all the program’s strength results.
According to the design code used for the analysis (EC3 or DIN18800) the connection’s "basic components“ strength is presented as well as all the calculations needed by the design code.
Steel Connections

33. (Beam to column moment connection)
Example
(Beam to column moment connection)
Dimensioning of the basic components that form the connections on top left corner of the structure.
The structure was already solved by SOFiSTiK programs.
There is no restriction regarding the analysis type (eg: elastic, elastoplastic, serviceability, ultimate strength)
Steel Connections

34. 1. Select connection type
2. Add nodes from SOFiSTiK database
Steel Connections

35. 3. Check selected nodes
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36. Every kind of loads can be applied to Steel Connections.
4. Add SOFiSTiK loadcases
Presentation of nodes/loadcases
Every kind of loads can be applied to Steel Connections.
There is no restriction regarding analysis type (e.g. serviceability, ultimate strength, elastic, elastoplastic)
Steel Connections

37. 5. Bolt layout
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38. Errors regarding strength of basic component's strength.
6. Results overview
dbl click for more info
Errors regarding strength of basic component's strength.
The designed connection is not sufficient.
Steel Connections

39. 7. Results evaluation
for every node-loadcase
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40. 8. Automatic correction of connection - Optimization
Steel Connections

41. 1 1 2 1 9. Optimization results overview Optimization results
Transfer selected result to
Steel Connections for further processing 1 1 2 1
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42. 10. Optimized connection’s results overview
No error ratios.
Optimum design –> Ratios close to 1
Steel Connections