Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
(OP)
Hi all!
I'm wondering if anyone had some thoughts to the proposed beam-to-beam connection shown below, that consists of
two angles on either side of the web with a support plate on the transverse beam.
I've googled different beam-to-beam connection and did not find this particular, so i'm wondering if it is no good?
My reason for choosing this is becase of the easy installation (no welding):
- HEB 140
- Angle and bolts (calculation pending)
- Load on longitudinal beams approx. 10-13kN/m
- To be used in my new house :)
- assuming bolted connection can transfer moment
- No loads on transverse beam, except loads from connection and end reactions
Thank you!


I'm wondering if anyone had some thoughts to the proposed beam-to-beam connection shown below, that consists of
two angles on either side of the web with a support plate on the transverse beam.
I've googled different beam-to-beam connection and did not find this particular, so i'm wondering if it is no good?
My reason for choosing this is becase of the easy installation (no welding):
- HEB 140
- Angle and bolts (calculation pending)
- Load on longitudinal beams approx. 10-13kN/m
- To be used in my new house :)
- assuming bolted connection can transfer moment
- No loads on transverse beam, except loads from connection and end reactions
Thank you!


RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
- No loads on transverse beam, except loads from connection and end reactions
Silly, but If there is no load on the beam, where is the end reaction coming from? You probably mean self weight only?
I am not convinced the plate on the back is doing anything, other than subject the bolts to double shear. But if you have no loads or small loads as said above, that wouldn't be a problem, why add it?
I have no data of what you are trying to do so don't take my word for it. You know your system.
If you are not a structural engineer then hire a competent engineer to do the design for you. Free advice on forums and "Googling" is by no means substitute for consulting services which cost time and money.
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
I assume this doesn’t need to be a moment connection though. Are the beams connected at both ends? If so a simple shear connection will do. Look up double angle connections. The plate at the back isn’t needed.
You need to have a competent structural engineer design the beam and connection. It’s likely you have loads in the beam that you aren’t even aware of unless they are interior and decorative only.
I’m not sure where you are located, but in my area you couldn’t get this approved by the building department without a PE stamp anyway.
“Any idiot can build a bridge that stands, but it takes an engineer to build a bridge that barely stands.”
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
I will have someone experienced take a look at this, but I did study structural engineering a long time ago (in a galaxy far far away
Sorry! I could have supplied more information:
- I'm located in norway (Eurocode 3)
- HEB140 to carry weight of floor (2kN/m^2 * load factor), see picture below
- Maybe i'm overly conservative when assuming moment connection?!
- My reason was to ensure proper bolt size and grade (pending calculation). With the moment acting as a couple
- Calculating bolts based only on shear seemed...too simple
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
The connection itself is quite 'flexible' and would allows some rotation hence it is typically treated as a simple pinned connection with no moment transfer from the supported beam.
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection
Typically I would assume the 2 bolts between the double cleat and incoming member are subject to a bending moment (due to the end reaction x offset from CL of the supporting beam to bolt CL) and shear (due to the end reaction), and act, if you like, as a continuation of the incoming beam. These will be in double shear for a double cleat.
The 4 bolts between the double cleat and supporting member are subject to single shear (due to the end reaction).
The backing plate does not allow for double shear in the bolts (it's loose usually) and is usually provided to stiffen the supporting beam's web if bolt tension (due to any axial load in the incoming beam for instance) is causing web bending. In some instances the backing plate may be welded to the supporting beam in order to improve bearing length for the bolts, but I don't see that often.
RE: Beam-to-Beam bolted connection