UPDATE

Simple Connections Now In One Volume

Joints in Simple Construction Volume 1: Design Methods (P205) was first published in 1991 followed a year later by Joints in Simple Construction Volume 2: Practical Applications (P206). These two publications quickly became industry standards for the design and specification of simple connections for use in steel framed buildings. The two publications have now been updated, expanded and republished as one new publication (P212). The new publication, Joints in Steel Construction: Simple Connections, contains all the information of the original two volumes plus much additional material. The publication is in accordance with the latest version of BS 5950-1: 2000. It provides fundamental guidance for all connections commonly used in steel framed buildings designed as simple frames i.e. braced frames where connections carry mainly shear and axial loads only. The connections covered by the publication include beam-to-column, beam-to-beam, column bases, splices and bracing connections. Comprehensive step-by-step design procedures, worked examples and capacity tables are included for double angle cleats, flexible end plates, fin plates, splices and column base plate connections. The guidance in the previous publication was limited to the use of open sections as columns. The new publication includes design rules for beam-to-column connections where the column is a structural hollow section. To facilitate connections to rectangular hollow sections (RHS) the publication provides design guidance for two methods of blind bolting - Flowdrill (or Formdrill) and HolloBolt. Flowdrill (or Formdrill) is a thermal process that makes a hole through the wall of an RHS without the removal of metal normally associated with a drilling process. The formed hole is then threaded, which will accept a standard fully threaded bolt. Hollo-bolt is a specially developed expanding bolt system. Extensive testing of both these methods of fixing to RHS was undertaken as part of the background research for this new publication. Guidance and procedures are also provided for the design of hollow section splices and column bases. The new publication takes advantage of the latest research information. This has enabled the inclusion of design and detailing rules for the use of fin plate connections with beams deeper than 610mm, which was prohibited in the previous publications. The most recent guidance on the design of connections with slotted and kidney shaped holes is included, which can provide beneficial flexibility to allow for a range of connection alignments particularly for bracing connections. The capacity tables for standard connections have been expanded in line with the rest of the publication. In addition to having an extensive range of standard connections with shear and tying capacities tabulated in a user-friendly format, this section also includes section property and material strength data to the latest British and European standards. Andrew Way, SCI. Tel: 01344 623345 E-mail: a.way@steel-sci.com