Rigorous moment connection design

[dbest69er]

Hi, I was just wondering what's a good way to do a complete, rigorous moment connection design, in say, a moment resisting frame, for example.

I am trying to do a hand calculation as I don't have access to connection design software packages at the moment. What kind of checks do I need to perform to complete the design? I haven't been able to find any good resources with worked examples but some buzzwords I've come across on the web are things like: "tension zone", "t-stubs", "compression check" etc.

Any summary of the checks I need to perform and the theory behind them would be fantastic or even a good resource to learn about it.

Regards,

Keith - GradIEAust

 

[TLHS]

If you don't know the failure mechanisms that need to be checked you probably shouldn't be solving something using an automated solution. How can you decide if the software is even doing everything it needs to do or if you're outside the scope of what the software is able to provide accurate answers for?

That being said, the answer to this question depends entirely on the connection style. A bolted end plate connecting two W-shapes is going to be entirely different than a fully welded connection between two different sized HSS members, which is going to be different that a bolted flange plate style W-section moment connection.

 

[Trenno]

What code are you designing to? Portal frames? I sections?

 

[TLHS]

All that being said, the AISC construction manual design examples are a good place to start figuring things out:

https://www.aisc.org/content.aspx?id=24314

 

[dbest69er]

I am designing to AS4100. I am looking at designing a typical bolted beam to column connection for a portal frame. The members are I-sections.

 

[Trenno]

Then I recommend you get a hold of this book. Goes through the theory and has a really good worked example.

 

[dbest69er]

Thank you for the help Trenno and TLHS.

Oh, what you said TLHS, is precisely why I ask. This is more of a learning exercise so I can better understand the software when I go on to use it later in my career.

Cheers.

 

[Trenno]

There are roughly 25 different design checks for a rigid knee connection.

Bit of a pain to go through them all by hand, but once you have a good grasp of what's happening it will make using the software that much easier.

I know Spacegass recently integrated a steel connection module according to the publications from the ASI and it seems to be pretty user-friendly.

 

[dbest69er]

Yeah I don't mind going through the motions, however long it may be. I eventually want to make my own spreadsheet to solve some typical problems of this nature.

Yes, Spacegass is the structural package I use the most but I have not bought the connection design package as of yet.