Steel Connection Design This section contains information on how to define and perform calculations for steel connections. The code calculations of steel connections run in two stages: 1. definition of geometry of a connection (a conn ection type) and its parameters. It is possible to create connection: o o
within the structure (by selected bars in the structure) defined manually (a stand-alone connection).
To define a new connection you can choose one of connection types from toolbar in the right side (this toolbar is available when the icon is pressed). Appropriate parameters for the selected connection type can be defined in the Connection Definition dialog. A defined connection will be added to the list of connections in the Inspector pane. To return to the definition of connection parameters, double click this connection in Inspector pane. If the connection is defined you can change the type of connection conn ection (this toolbar is available when the icon
is pressed). The connection can also be copied.
2. calculation of the defined connection for selected parameters and load cases. It is possible to design connections: o
o
from a structure (to start connection calculations select the icon to open Connection Calculations dialog) perform manual calculations of the connection (to start connection calculations select the
icon to open Manual Connection Verification dialog).
Connection Definition Use this option to select the connection type and specify its parameters. Access the option from the Connections layout or after clicking
on the toolbar.
Note: In Robot, the following codes are available, allowing you to calculate steel structure connections: Eurocode (ENV 1993-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005/AC:2009) , French steel
code CM66 and Polish steel code PN-90/B-03200. The national versions of the Eurocode 3 code for steel connections: French (NF-EN 1993-1-8:2005/NA:2007/AC:2009) and Polish (PN-EN 1993-1-8:2006/AC:2009) are available. The screen is divided into 2 basic parts: the Inspector pane used for mana gement of defined connections and the graphical viewer, which consists of several tabs:
Scheme (a schematic drawing of a connection) 3D View (the view of a defined connection with a possibility of rotation, zoom, pan) Structure (the view of a whole structure) Results (a calculation note with results of connection calculations; available onl y after performing calculations).
The following connection types are available in Robot by clicking
beam-beam connection
frame knee connection
column-beam connection
column-beam (two-sided) connection
column base - column connection: fixed
column base - column connection: pinned
column base - column connection: concrete base
(New Connection):
beam splice connection column splice connection ,
,
,
- angle connection
pipe connection. , , - connection with a gusset plate: for a single bar, internal node, and truss chord node.
The following parameters can be defined for subsequent connection types:
frame knee, beam-beam, and column-beam connection (table designation: KNEE): bar section parameters o base parameters o stiffener parameters o anchorage parameters o concrete, weld and wedge parameters o column-base connection (table designations: fixed base - FIX, pinned base - PINN, concrete base - CONC): bar section parameters o reinforcement parameters o
screw parameters stiffener and plate parameters o depth of concrete base o angle connection (table designation: ANG): bar section parameters o angle parameters o bolt parameters o cut dimensions, distances, etc. o pipe connection (table designation: PIP): connection type (unilateral, bilateral) o parameters of adjoining bars (crosses) o bracket parameters o weld parameters o connection - gusset (table designation: BLA): connection type (welded, bolted) and its parameters o bar parameters etc. o o
Note: If a connection is defined, you can click of connection:
(Connection Type Change) to change the type
change to a pinned support
change to a fixed support
change to concrete support
change to beam-to-beam connection
change to frame knee connection
change to beam-to-column connection
change to column-beam (two-sided) connection
change to beam splice connection
change to column splice connection
change to angle connection
change to pipe connection
change to connection with a gusset plate (single bar)
change to connection with a gusset plate (internal node)
change to connection with a gusset plate (truss chord node)
You can save a defined and calculated connection to a file of the following formats:
DXF DWG STP WRL
ANF SAT PEP
Connection Definition - Eurocode 3 At present, Eurocode 3 (ENV 1993-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005/AC:2009) allows design of the following connection types:
Connection: pinned, fixed, or concrete column base Beam-beam connection Frame knee connection Beam-principal beam connection Beam-column connection Column-beam connection and column-beam connection (two-sided) Connection: pinned column base (European Code EN 1993-1-8:2005) Connection: fixed column base (European Code EN 1993-1-8:2005) Angle connections Connection: tube (tube truss node) Connection: tube truss node (Eurocode3:2005) Gusset plate Eurocode 3 (EN 1993-1-8:2005) Gusset plate (single bar) Gusset plate (internal node or truss chord node) Splice connections ( EN 1993-1-8/2005/AC:2009 and PN-90/B-03200)
