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Welded connection under loads in 3 directions

JnT_C

Structural
Feb 27, 2025
3
I am fairly new to connection design and I am designing an end plate connection subject to shear (in both directions) and axial loads - it is the connection between a column sitting on top of a beam flange. For the weld between the end plate and the supported member along the web of the column in this case, how do you define the strength of the weld under the resultant load from all three directions? I considered finding the strength of the weld under the load in two directions at a time (i.e. i.) both in plane shear loads, ii.) in plane shear load in one direction and out of plane axial load, iii.) in plane shear load in perpendicular direction and out of plane axial load), and then finding the SRSS of the three strengths to compare to the SRSS required resultant strength of the applied loads. Would this a be a sufficient way to check the strength of the weld or am I missing something?

Additionally, if the same connection was subject to moments, would it make sense to design similar to a fixed column base plate with bolts outside of the flanges?

Thanks.
 
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Based on "Eccentrically Loaded Weld Groups" in Part 8 of the steel manual, I think you could do SRSS in 3D for all your loads, calc what the angle is between the resultant and weld axis, and then check the weld with equation J2-5 in the steel manual.

If moment is to be transferred through that connection, a moment-type baseplate connection would be needed. Putting bolts on the inside of the flanges does not sound like it would transfer moment well.
 
If it's a moment connection you either need to direct weld the flange or provide bolts on the outside of the flange. Going inside the flange, as @duckhawk has eluded to, doesn't transfer moment well and you end up with some RIDICULOUSLY high bolt forces for even a small moment since the lever arm is so small.

I also believe that SRSS is a suitable solution; RISA connection does SRSS for axial/strong axis shear loaded elements, I don't see why adding weak axis shear would be any different as shear loads get distributed evenly among the welds (assuming no eccentricity).
 

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