Non-building structural connections

[BMart006]

I'm aware of the typical connections used in structural steel framing for shear and moment connections using various "linking" members such as gussets, shear tabs, flange plates, etc., but for non-building structures, is there any issue with foregoing those standard connection methods for welding members directly to each other and tightly coping members to fit? As an example, having a beam frame to a girder of the same size and fillet welding the beam web directly to the girder web (assuming all of this is shop construction). Thanks.

 

[MotorCity]

I am not aware of any code provisions that prohibit this, but the issue that you may run into is that everything needs to be fabricated and installed near perfect so that there is no gap between the pieces being welded. If the weld ends up bridging the gap, there will be problems. It can be done, but there are a lot of tolerances in fabrication, erection, etc, be careful!

 

[EngineeringEric]

The question I wonder is why? That is a lot of welding and if you are dealing with components like girders and beams, I assume we have loads,we have those connections you mentioned that are simple and require less precision and expensive welds.

Platforms have normal shear tabs or angle connections and are non-building but still structural.

And why weld flanges if you don't need moment transfer?

 

[XR250]

Local fabricators do that here all the time - even on structural stuff (it is always residential, however).