Looking for an overview of beam splice design 1

[dweiman]

Hi all,

I'm looking for some guidance in the design / analysis of a steel beam splice. I have a general idea of what I need to provide, but a list of what I need to check would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

[ishvaaag]

Since this is a quite common detail, be it welded or bolted, my advice is to follow any published guide to such details. The AISC Manual has examples for shear and advice for moment connections. The Tamboli text somewhat mirrors the manual so better the manual.

More or less...

For the flange cover plates
- That have bigger moment capacity than the beam (if to full capacity, what is normally best)
-That the forces are properly passed to the flanges
-If through bolts, all checks pertaining to bolts, and if some tension flange net area reduction is mandatory, check if it affects to the overall strength requirements of the beam.

For the web cover plates (is such detail, there are others)
-Better use 2 plates
-That both the web and the plates meet the strength requirements corresponding to the detail
-That the weld and/or bolts meet their forces
-That the requirements for minimum dimensions of elements are met

 

[dik]

I use them often with end plate connections for both moment and shear. Moment usually limited to 0.25 Mp.

End plate should be thick enough to reduce the effect of prying action and it's a matter of combining tension and shear for the bolts; I've only used A325 bolts, and consider it slip critical.

Determine bolt capacity including force from prying action
Determine tension in bolt
Determine shear in bolt
Check combined effect
Redo if necessary...

 

[dbuzz]

Try this paper.

Ranzi, G. and Kneen, P.
Design of Column and Beam Splices
Steel Construction Vol 37 No 1
Australian Steel Insistute, 2003

http://www.steel.org.au/members/pdfdocs/sc_v37n1_web.pdf

 

[Qshake]

For design computations and details of common splices, welded or bolted, refer to the Structural Steel Designers Handbook by Brockenbrough/Merritt. I have found it to be an invaluable aide. This text has both AISC and AASHTO examples.

Also, see the Handbook of Structural Steel Connection Design and Details by Tamboli. This text is mainly for building connections but covers allowable stress and LFD and LRFD.