MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION FEBRUARY 2011
Best Tips of the 21st Century:
Connections
T
TOOLS, TECHNIQUES, MATERIALS, and personnel change
over time. Technology never stands still; tasks and responsibilities
change; and new people continually enter the workforce. Thus
even the unquestioned rules of thumb, the elements of common
knowledge, can usually bear repeating.
MSC regularly recruits experienced and knowledgeable practi-
tioners from across the industry to share their accumulated wisdom
with regard to structural steel fabrication, design and construction.
With the frst decade of this century now complete, we asked AISCs
Heath Mitchell and Matthew Brady to reiterate what they view as
some of the most useful concepts from this 10-year span.
17 Connection Tips That Are Worth Repeating
Heath Mitchell, P.E., is AISCs director of technical assistance. He
joined the AISC Steel Solutions Center in November 2010 and
coordinates all of the answers to technical questions submitted to
AISC through the Steel Solutions Center.
Mitchell previously worked for AISC from 1999 to 2001. Since
then he has been employed by PCS Structural Solutions, Tacoma,
Wash., while maintaining his involvement with AISC as a commit-
tee volunteer. He also has worked part-time on the AISC technical
assistance panel over the last year.
Here are 17 of Mitchells favorite tips on connections, gleaned
from MSC articles published since 2000. The source article is
noted at the end of each tip.
1. Always provide complete load paths (including transfer
forces) where there are axial forces. Keep load paths simple.
(Shneur, 2003)
2. Simplify as much as possible. For example, make column-
base details symmetrical, use the same spacing for expansion
anchors and minimize the number of sizes of slab edge clo-
sures/pour-stops. This expedites the fabrication and erection
process and greatly reduces the number of possible mistakes
and repair costs. (Shneur, 2003)
3. Use single-pass fllet welds where possible. A
3
8-in. fllet weld
requires 44% more material and 100% more labor, but it is
only 20% stronger than a
5
16-in. fllet weld. (Shneur, 2003)
4. Avoid the weld-all-around symbol. It is expensive, and in a
lot of cases its not requiredand sometimes its even prohib-
ited. (Shneur, 2003)
5. Group similar connections rather than have several different
connections. Connections on a project should be as uniform
as possible to save fabrication time and reduce the possibility
of errors. (Drucker, 2004)
6. Avoid overhead welding. The preferred welding positions are
fat and horizontal. Overhead welding is diffcult, costly and
generally yields lower quality welds. For single-pass SMAW
fllet welds, it can take four times as long as welding in the fat
or horizontal position. (Drucker, 2004)
BY HEATH MITCHELL, P.E., AND MATTHEW BRADY, P.E.
{ }
Source Material for Best Tips of the 21st
CenturyPart 1
57 Tips for Reducing Connection Costs,
by Victor Shneur, P.E. (July 2003 MSC)
30 Good Rules for Connection Design,
by Carol Drucker, S.E. (May 2004 MSC)
24 Tips for Simplifying Braced Frame
Connections, by Victor Shneur, P.E.
(May 2006 MSC)
59 Tips & More for Economical Design,
compiled by Geoff Weisenberger
(January 2008 MSC)
In the Moment, by Victor Shneur, P.E.
(June 2009 MSC)
98 Tips for Designing Structural Steel,
by James M. Fisher, P.E., Ph.D., and
Michael A. West, P.E. (September 2010
MSC)
All articles are available as free downloads on
the MSC website, www.modernsteel.com/
backissues.
A collection of some of the decades most useful
concepts gleaned from the pages of MSC.
FEBRUARY 2011 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION
7. Consider fnishing to bear. For connections with high compressive
loads, it could be more economical to fnish the steel to bear and pro-
vide AISCs minimum-required weld size instead of transferring the
compressive force through large fllet or groove welds. When steel is
to be fnished to bear, it must be indicated on the connection detail.
The detail also should call for the beam fanges to be square to the
beam web. In detailing, stiffeners might need to be longer than d-2t
f
for beam overrun in depth and variation in beam-fange thickness. Per
AISC Specifcation Section M, gaps not exceeding
1
16 in. are permitted
in bearing connections. (Drucker, 2004)
8. At beam-to-HSS column moment connections, use direct moment
connections when possible. Moment connections in which the beams
fanges or fange plates are welded directly to the face of the HSS col-
umn are the most economical moment connection to an HSS column.
It is preferred over cut-out plate (doughnut) or throughplate connec-
tions. If the resistance of the direct moment connection is insuffcient,
then a cut-out connection is preferred to an expensive through-plate
connection. The limit states for direct moment connections are given
in the HSS Specifcation in AISCs LRFD Manual of Steel Construction,
3rd Edition. They include effective fange width, and yielding, crip-
pling, and punching shear and buckling of the side walls. The HSS
Specifcation does not include the limit state for yielding of the HSS face
given in equations (5-2) and (5-3) in AISCs HSS Connections Manual.
Based on conversations with AISC, this limit state was omitted due to
limited testing and does not need to be considered. (Drucker, 2004)
9. Dont use fully restrained moment connections to resist torsion.
Typically, a
5
16-in. or
3
8-in. end plate shop-welded to both fanges or
bolted fange angles will provide adequate strength. Note that con-
nection fexibility can be provided by keeping bolts at the end plate
between the fanges, or using snug-tight bolts in the slotted holes in
horizontal legs of fange angles. (Figures 1 and 2 illustrate these con-
nection concepts.) (Shneur, 2009)
10. Shop-weld short cantilevers to the column as shown in Figure 3.
This will make the erection much safer. (Shneur, 2009)
11. At cantilever-to-beam connections, when the bottom fange is
always in compression, use an end-plate connection extended below
the bottom fange as illustrated in Figure 6, on the following page.
In this case, top-fange tensile force will be resisted by a CJP weld or
fange plate, and bottom-fange compressive force will be resisted by
bearing. Any feld connection (CJP weld or fange plate) is eliminated
at the bottom fange. The same concept can be applied to:
Cantilever and backing beam-to-column moment connections
when the bottom fange is always in compression.
Field splices for beams and plate girders when the top fange is
always in compression. (Shneur, 2009)
12. When rolled beams and plate girders need to be feld-spliced, use
end-plate connections described in AISC Steel Design Guide 16, Flush
and Extended Multiple-Row Moment End-Plate Connections, when pos-
sible. (Shneur, 2009)
13. Moment connections to embedded plates in concrete require spe-
cial details because of the different tolerances for steel and concrete.
When designing these connections:
Make embedded plates larger than required for connections to
allow for concrete tolerances.
Size embedded plate thickness conservatively; it may be moved
from the design position, and fange tensile force will not be
applied at the theoretical location. (Shneur, 2009)
Fig. 1: End-Plate
Connection for
Torsion
Fig. 2: Flange-
Angle Connection
for Torsion
Fig. 3: Shop Welded Short Cantilever
Heath Mitchell, P.E., is AISCs
director of technical assistance.
MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION FEBRUARY 2011
Headed studs are preferable to transfer beam
fange tensile force. When large moments
need to be resisted and long anchors/rebars
are required, consider using anchors that are
feld attached to the plates or feld-screwing
anchors into the couplers shop-welded to the
plates. This will make fabrication and installa-
tion easier.
All connection material needs to be feld-
welded to the embedded plates because of
interference with formwork.
Flange-plated connections feld-welded to both
the beam and embedded plate are preferred
because of much tighter tolerances for steel than
for concrete members. (Shneur, 2009)
Fig. 6: Cantilever Moment Connection at
W-Beam when End Moment is not Reversible
(Bottom Flange is Always in Compression)
14. When using a feld-bolted top fange plate, make a note to provide deck
bearing at the fange connection. A -in. shim between plate and fange can
be extended providing support in lieu of a standard deck angle. Figure 7
shows an example with a -in. shim. (Shneur, 2009)
15. Make embedded plates a minimum 6 in. to 8 in. larger than required for
connections as a rule of thumb. Field fxes for embedded plates that are mis-
located are time-consuming and expensive. (Weisenberger, 2008)
16. Maximize work requiring intermittent rather than continuous inspection.
As codes and standards have evolved, the amount of third party inspection
has increased. These inspections are in addition to the quality control work
of the contractors and can impose a signifcant burden on the project. The
types of connections used will affect the amount of third party inspection
work that has to be performed in the feld and the associated costs. Inspec-
tion is covered in Chapter 17 of the International Building Code and in Chap-
ter N of the 2010 AISC Specifcation for Structural Steel Buildings. For a dis-
cussion of inspection terminology and requirements, see Quality Time,
Modern Steel Construction, March 2010 (available at www.modernsteel.
com/backissues). (Fisher and West, 2010)
17. Minimize the need for stiffeners and doubler plates. This greatly reduces
costs (see table). (Fisher and West, 2010)
10 Things to Keep in Mind About Structural Steel Connections
Matthew Brady, P.E., is the newest member of the AISC Steel Solutions Center
team. In addition to providing conceptual studies to decision makers on a wide
variety of building projects looking to utilize structural steel as their framing
system, he also answers incoming technical questions. Prior to joining AISC in
December, Brady worked in Chicago designing buildings at Holabird & Root,
and bridges for Alfred Benesch, as well as working for Lockheed Martin on FAA-
related projects. He also is company commander for the 631st Engineer Support
Company of the Illinois Army National Guard.
Here are 10 key ideas, from MSC articles published over the last 10 years,
each with additional related points, that he recommends keeping in mind. The
source for each is noted in parentheses.
1. Review the member sizes for connection economy:
a. Preferably, a supporting beam should have at least the same depth as the
supported beam. (Shneur, 2003)
b. Dont frame W8 beams into the webs of heavy W-shapes or plate gird-
ers. The thick fanges of the heavier shapes will require excessiveand
sometimes impossiblecopes in the W8. (Shneur, 2003)
c. Favor W12 and W14 sections (especially for typical gravity columns)
whenever possible. The distance between fanges makes web connec-
tions easier. Unless architecturally required, avoid W10 and W8 columns
because they have very limited space between fanges, which makes con-
nections more diffcult. (Shneur, 2003)
d. Consider using heavier member sizes (especially in column sections) to
eliminate reinforcement (stiffeners and doublers). Chapter 3 in AISC
Steel Design Guide 13, Stiffening of Wide-Flange Columns at Moment Con-
nections: Wind and Seismic Applications, provides suggestions and cost com-
parisons. (Shneur, 2003)
Estimated Steel Requirements for Stiffeners
1 pair of fillet welded stiffeners 300 lb
2 pair of fillet welded stiffeners (at top and bottom girder flanges) 600 lb
1 pair of groove welded stiffeners 1,000 lb
2 pair of groove welded stiffeners (at top and bottom girder flanges) 2,000 lb
1 doubler plate 350 lb
Table data for Fisher & West No. 81
Matthew Brady, P.E.,
is an advisor in the
AISC Steel Solutions
Center.
Fig. 7: Deck Bearing at Bolted Flange-Plate
Connection
FEBRUARY 2011 MODERN STEEL CONSTRUCTION
e. Provide adequate fange width at perimeter members. Pro-
vide beams that frame slab openings to support deck and
pour stops, and to weld studs. (Shneur, 2003)
f. Least weight is NOT always least cost! Select member sizes
with suffcient depth to provide reasonable connections. For
example, use a W1626 rather than a W1422, especially if
the member is coped. (Weisenberger, 2008)
g. Do not reinforce beam web penetrations unless absolutely nec-
essary. (Weisenberger)
2. Make embedded plates a minimum 6 in. to 8 in. larger than
required for connections to allow for concrete tolerances. Field
fxes for embedded plates that are misallocated are time and
money consuming. (Shneur, 2003)
3. Use single pass fllet welds where possible:
a. Limit the maximum fllet weld size to
5
16 in. (especially in
the feld). This is the maximum-size weld that can be com-
pleted in a single pass using the shielded-metal arc-welding
(SMAW) process. Smaller, longer welds are preferred over
larger, shorter welds. (Drucker, 2004)
b. Select fllet welds over partial-penetration groove welds
when possible. Select partial-penetration groove welds over
full-penetration groove welds when possible. (Weisenberger,
2008)
c. Larger weld sizes generally require multiple passes and may
require increased levels of inspection and thus add cost.
(Fisher and West, 2010)
4. Avoid the weld-all-around symbol.
a. For column base plates, fllet welds that wrap around the
fange ends (fange toes) and web-to-fange fllets take addi-
tional time because of changing weld positions and may lead
to cracks due to high residual stresses in the welds. Also, these
welds add very little to the strength. (Shneur, 2006)
b. Try to stay with welds on both sides of the web and fanges,
if possible. (Shneur, 2006)
c. Gravity columns to base plates should rarely need welding
all around. Normally welding one side of the web, the out-
side of one fange and the inside of the other fange is suf-
fcient. (Weisenberger, 2008)
5. At bolted fange-plated connections, the fange plate should
not be the same width as the beam fange. Allow at least a -in.
difference on each side of the plate at bolted fange platted
connections. If bolt holes misalign in the fled, there will be
suffcient shelf dimension to place longitudinal fllet welds to
compensate for the missing bolts. (Drucker, 2004)
6. Avoid slotted holes in plates thicker than the bolt diameter.
Slots in thick plates are hard to punch and must be fame-cut,
which is diffcult and costly. Standard holes or oversized holes
are preferred. (Drucker, 2004)
7. Do not over-economize connections:
a. If the overall connection confguration is virtually the same,
reducing the amount of weld or bolt count in a single non-
repetitive connection, by even a large percentage (e.g., in
excess of 25% to 30%), will probably increase the overall
time and expense of the project. Repeating connections
will reduce connection design, detailing, layout, fabrica-
tion, and erection costs due to the reduced learning curve.
(Weisenberger, 2008)
b. Time spent on connection design should be consistent with
time spent on analysis and member design. Remember that the
majority of shop and feld labor is in the connections. Approxi-
mately 30% of the cost of structural steel relates to material
costs. The rest is highly dependent on connection costs. Spend
time thinking through the connections. (Fisher and West,
2010)
8. When showing stiffeners or other plate material, use popular
fat bar sizes and UM plate sizes:
a. (usually
3
16 in., in.,
5
16 in., in.,
5
8 in., in., and 1in. thick-
nesses and widths 1 in. through 6 in., 8 in., 10 in., and 12 in.).
(Weisenberger)
b. Bars make more sense than handling a 96-in. by 20-ft plate
just to cut a few fttings. (Weisenberger, 2008)
c. Also, avoid extremely large and thick angle sizes when deal-
ing with a small amount of fttings. (Weisenberger, 2008)
9. Read ASTM 6:
a. An understanding of steel mill production tolerances will
play a major role in the design and detailing of steel frames
and their connections. Designers should be familiar with
mill tolerances when selecting members and designing con-
nections. Essential parameters are permissible variations in
overall depth, fange tilt, and the position of the web in the
wide-fange shape. Recognizing these allowable variations
from square and true will guide designers to design connec-
tions that are complete and relatively easy to ft up. Allowance
for the variations must be included in the connection design.
This is usually accomplished with gaps for shims, and over-
sized and slotted holes. (Fisher and West, 2010)
b. Always design and detail connections for the tolerances.
At every moment connection, the web and both fanges of
the framing beam are connected to the supporting member.
Disregarding tolerances may make connections unworkable
and lead to costly modifcation. Refer to ASTM A6/A6M/
AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges,
and AWS D1.1 for the allowable mill, fabrication and erec-
tion tolerances. Depending on actual connections, there are
a number of different ways to provide for tolerances. For
example, for directly welded fange-to-plate connections
at column webs, specify connection plates thicker than the
fanges; use slip-critical bolts in oversized holes for fange-
plated connections, etc. (Shneur, 2009)
c. And never forget constructability and clearances for welds
and bolts. For example, when a directly welded moment
connection is made to a column web, locate the bolt group
for the web connection outside of the column fanges. This
simplifes erection and bold pretensioning and reaming, if
required. (Shneur, 2009)
10. Be aware of OSHA Subpart R rules for steel erection. OSHA
1926.756(c)(1) prohibits double connections at columns and/or
beam webs overall column where all the bolts are common to
both connections, unless means is provided to secure the frst
beam erected from falling away when the second beam is erected.
Figures 2-13 through 2-17 in AISC Detailing for Steel Construc-
tion, Third Edition, provide common solutions that conform
to the rule. If staggered connections are used, check that the
T-dimension can accommodate the extra row of bolts. Other
OSHA Subpart R rules are cited in this article and the complete
list is available at www.osha.gov. (Fisher and West, 2010)
