Connections

The design and detailing of connections is a key issue for steel buildings, as they are vital to the overall integrity of a steel frame and can influence between 40% and 60% of the frame costs. A range of standardised economic connections is available, and it is good practice to use these where possible.

For design, connections may be considered as either pinned (simple), fixed (moment) or semi rigid, and they can be made using bolts welds or a combination of both. Typically, bolted connections are used on site and welded connections used in the fabrication shop.

Information Sources:

• Joints in steel construction: Simple connections, The Steel Construction Institute and The BCSA, 2005.
• Joints in steel construction: Moment connections, The Steel Construction Institute and The BCSA, 1997.
• Steel Details, The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd., 2005.
• Steel Designers’ Manual (6th Edition), Section 5, The Steel Construction Institute, 2003.
• Steel Buildings, Chapter 5, The British Constructional Steelwork Association Ltd., 2003.
• Interfaces: Connections between steel and other materials, The Steel Construction Institute, 1996.
• Castings in construction, The Steel Construction Institute, 1996.