Bolted Connections Course / Practical Examples

[salmarigliano]

Good Day to All,

We are frequently working on bolted connection analysis in the offshore field. Most of the analysis that we carry out are according to AISC or BS.

Although I have read many things on bolted connections, I would like to have some reference documents with practical examples according to the AISC and/or BS. Something that could also describe in detail the characteristics of each joint, when it is advised to use it, pros and cons, forces to be taken into account, what are all the checks to perform.

Just as example, we are assessing a structure in STAAD Pro and trying to use RAM Connection for the joints design. If we are designing a joint with a shear plate, as this type of connection is resisting only to shear forces, I believe that one option would be to release moments at that joint in the STAAD analysis and use only shear to assess the shear connection in RAM. Second option would be not to release moments in STAAD, but when applying the shear force in RAM to take into account in some way the effect of the moments, as the shear force is the only one that I can apply in RAM if I use the shear plate.

Also, it would be very useful if any of you can suggest a course on bolted connections according to the standards that I have mentioned. Many times we need to perform hand calculations due to the limitations that RAM Connection has. But again, it would have to be a course based on practical applications and not only on theory.

Many thanks in advance for your help.

 

[JedClampett]

All the detail;ed connections in AISC have been used over and over again. They have a good history. As far as when to use it, It's when the capacity is more than the calculated load. Shear plates are more rigid than double angles, but that's reflected in the capacities.
I know you don't want to leave the black box world, handing off from STAAD to RAM to god knows what, but why not just get your reactions, multiplied by a healthy factor for real life, and go to the tables in AISC?

 

[jochav5280]

Hello salmarigliano:

Have you tried to download AISC's Primer on Bolted Connections? It's free to AISC members and contains a lot of good information for bolted connections.

Best regards,

jochav5280

 

[bridgebuster]

In this thread there's a link to AISC connection design examples. AISC does offer seminars on connection design; check their web site.

http://www.eng-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=365011

 

[JoshPlumSE]

I'm not sure this is really what you're looking for. But, thought I'd throw it out there anyway:

My company (RISA) has a competing connection design program RISAConnection similar in function to what you seem to be using. Not trying to to a high pressure sale here at all. In fact, I won't even compare features or capabilities or such. Precisely because I cannot be considered an unbiased observer.

However, we put a lot of effort into referencing our calculations in the program output and the help files. Therefore, you might want to check out the Demo version of the RISAConnection program. Just to see how the program references the various code checks. That should point you in the right direction. Though, it can point to a number of different locations (Design guides, steel manuals, text books, and research papers) depending on the specific code check or such.

http://www.risa.com/p_risaconnection.html

http://www.risa.com/forms/demo_request.html

I cannot attest to whether or not the program you're using has similar references, as I have little familiarity with it. I would hope they would.

 

[salmarigliano]

Good Day All and many thanks for your replies.

I will have a read through the documents you have suggested. In particular I believe that AISC Primer should be a good help on this, but I will need to wait my membership to be processed to download it for free.

After that, I will let you know whether my doubts are clarified or not.

In the meanwhile, I wish you all a good day.