University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.

ECCENTRICALLY LOADED CONNECTIONS

Connections may be either bolted or welded. Only bearing (non-preloaded or ordinary) bolts will be
considered in this module. Bearing (non-preloaded or ordinary) bolts transfer force though shear in the
bolt and bearing on the bolt and connecting plates. Preloaded bolts are tightened to a pre-determined
tension force and clamp the layers of the joint together. The force is then transferred through the joint
by friction between the layers of the joint.

There are two principal types of eccentric connection: Tension Shear and Torsion Shear. Various
simplifying assumptions are made about the way in which the connections behave. These are
illustrated below and in the worked examples.

1. TENSION SHEAR (Bolts subject to combined shear and axial tension).

LOAD

The bolts are subjected to a vertical shear force, as well as tension force. The bracket tends to rotate
away from the column, and this causes tension force in the bolts.

In the case of bearing bolts (non-preloaded ordinary bolts), combined shear and tension is considered
in EN1993-1-8. Table 3.4 gives an expression which is shown below for bolts which are
simultaneously loaded in shear and tension. The following relationship should be satisfied in addition
to the requirements for shear, tension and bearing.

Fv , Ed Ft , Ed
1.0
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft , Rd

where Fv,Ed is the design shear force

Fv,Rd is the shear resistance
Ft,Ed is the design tension force
Ft,Rd is the tension resistance
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.2

2. TORSION SHEAR (Bolts subject to shear due to direct and torsion effects).

The bolts are subject to a vertical shear force as well as a twisting effect torsion. To calculate the
torsion a commonly used assumption is that the bolt group rotates about it's centre of gravity, with the
bolt farthest from the centre of gravity of the group carrying the greatest load due to the torsion. This is
illustrated in the diagram below.

M = Pe

Mr
Force F T =
Ip

Where I p = r 2 x 2 y 2

Pe r
FT =
r2
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.3
This force due to torsion is then combined with the direct vertical shear to find the resultant force on
the bolt.

If the connection is welded, then the centre of gravity of the weld group, assuming a unit throat
thickness, should be found.

Per
FT =
Ip

The shear due to torsion

where Ip = Ixx + Iyy of the weld group

University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.4
As before, the forces due to direct shear and torsion are combined to give the resultant force on the
weld.

GENERAL DESIGN APPROACH

In this module, design calculations are carried out for the bolts in connections. There are other checks
which could be carried out on joints, and details are given in EN1993-1-8. These checks include end
plate bending, column flange bending, beam web tension, column web tension, column web shear,
column web buckling, bracket shear, bracket buckling, etc. These checks are not covered in this
module, however more detail can be found in EN1993-1-8.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.5

EXAMPLE 1 TENSION SHEAR TYPE

The bracket shown below is subject to a factored force of 120kN as shown. The steel is grade S275.
20mm dia. class 4.6 bolts in clearance holes are used. Check the bolts for tension, shear, bearing, and
combined tension and shear.

120kN 140mm
500mm

50
100

100

100
100
50
254 x 254 x 73 UC Cut from
686 x 254 x 152 UB

ELEVATION END VIEW

ANALYSIS

Assume rotation about the bottom pair of bolts and an elastic stress distribution. As the bracket rotates
away from the column, the greatest tensile force will be in the top row of bolts. There will be a smaller
tensile force in the next row down, and so on. The tensile force in the rows will be proportional to the
distance from the point of rotation.

Let the tensile force in each top bolt be Ft kN. By proportion, the force in the next row down will be
0.75Ft, etc. By taking moments about the point of rotation (the bottom row of bolts), the moment of
resistance of the bolt group can be calculated.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.6
Moment of resistance of the bolts about the bottom row of bolts is:-

top bolts = Ft x 400 x 2 = 800Ft kNmm

2nd top bolts = 0.75 x Ft x 300 x 2 = 450Ft kNmm
3rd top bolts = 0.5 x Ft x 200 x 2 = 200Ft kNmm
2nd bottom bolts = 0.25 x Ft x 100 x 2 = 50Ft kNmm
bottom bolts =0

Total moment of resistance of connection = (800+450+200+50)Ft kNmm

= 1500Ft kNmm

The moment applied to the bracket = P x e = 120 x 500 = 60 x 103 kNmm

The moment of resistance must at least equal the applied moment. By equating the moment of
resistance to the applied moment, the value of Ft can be calculated.

1500Ft = 60 x 103

Ft = 60 x 103/1500 = 40kN
The maximum design tension force Ft,Ed = 40kN

Direct shear force in each fastener Fv,Ed is obtained by assuming that all the bolts will carry an equal
portion of the shear load i.e.

P
Fv , Ed ( n is the number of bolts )
n

Fv,Ed = 120/10 = 12kN per bolt

DESIGN OF BOLTS

Tension Resistance
In the Designers Guide to EN1993-1-1, Gardner and Nethercot propose the use of a simplified method
for bolts in tension, which is to take 80% of the value of tension resistance capacity given in EN1993-
1-8. This allows for prying effects in a tension connection which can increase the tension force acting
on a bolt. This follows a similar method used in the previous standard BS5950. The simplified
method can be used as long as the spacing of bolt centre lines does not exceed 55% of the end plate
width. In this case the width of the bracket is 254.5mm, the width of the column flange is 254.6mm,
and spacing of the bolt centre lines is 140mm.

140 0.55 x 254.5

140 140.0

Therefore satisfactory, and the simplified method can be used. This means that the prying forces in the
bolts do not need to be calculated. For one bolt, the tension resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8
is:-

k 2 f ub As
Ft , Rd 0.8
M2
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.7

where 0.8 is to allow for prying forces

k2 is 0.9 for these bolts
fub is ultimate tensile strength for the bolts from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 400N/mm2 for
class 4.6 bolts.
As is the tensile stress area of the bolt from the bolt data table and for 20mm dia bolts is
245mm2.
M2 is the partial safety factor from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 1.25.

0.9 400 245

Ft , Rd 0.8 56448 N 56.4kN
1.25
This is greater than the maximum design tension force Ft,Ed = 40kN, therefore satisfactory in tension.

There is also a requirement to check the punching shear resistance of the bolts. There is a possibility
that the bolt could pull out of, or punch through, the surrounding steel plate due to the tension force.
The punching shear resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is:-

0.6 d m t p f u
B p , Rd
M2

where dm is the mean value of the maximum width across the corners and the maximum width
across the flats of the bolthead or the nut,
tp is the thickness of the steel plate under the bolt or nut,
fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the connected plate, from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-1,
M2 is 1.25 from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8.

This is rarely critical, and will not be checked in this module.

Shear Resistance

The shear resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is:-

v f ub A
Fv , Rd
M2

where v =0.6 for class 4.6 bolts

fub is the ultimate tensile strength of the bolt from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 400N/mm2
for class 4.6 bolts.
A is the cross sectional area of the bolt. It is good practice to take this as As, the tensile stress
area, as the threaded portion of the bolt may cross the shear plane. As = 245mm2 for 20mm dia
bolts.
M2 is the partial safety factor from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 1.25.

0.6 400 245

Fv , Rd 47040 N 47.0kN
1.25

This is greater than the maximum design shear force Fv,Ed = 12kN, therefore satisfactory in shear.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.8
Combined Shear and Tension

From Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8, the following equation should be satisfied:-

Fv , Ed Ft , Ed
1.0
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft , Rd
12 40
0.76 1.0
47.0 1.4 56.4

Therefore satisfactory in combined shear and tension.

Bearing Resistance

The bearing resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is:-

k1 b f u d t
Fb , Rd
M2

k1 is a factor concerned with edge distance and can be determined from the expression given in Table
3.4 of EN1993-1-8. The symbols used in the expressions are defined in Figure 3.1 of EN1993-1-8.
The maximum and minimum values of bolt spacing, end and edge distance are given in Table 3.3 of
EN1993-1-8.

In this example the end distance e1 = 50mm,

the edge distance e2 = (254.5 140)/2 = 57.3mm
and the spacing p1 = 100mm.
d0 is the bolt hole diameter, which is usually 2mm larger than the bolt diameter. (2mm larger for bolts
up to and including 24mm dia, 3mm larger for bolts greater than 24mm dia.)
In this case d0 = 22mm.
e2
Using these values, k1 is the smallest of 2.8 1.7 or 2.5
d0

57.3
2.8 1.7 5.6 or 2.5.
22
Therefore k1 = 2.5

f ub
b is the smallest of d , , or 1.0
fu

e1 50 p 1 100 1
For end bolts d 0.76 , and for inner bolts d 1 1.27
3d 0 3 22 3d 0 4 3 22 4

fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the steel plate from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-1 and is 430N/mm2 for
S275 steel.
fub is the ultimate tensile strength of the steel bolt from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 400N/mm2 for
class 4.6 bolts.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.9
f ub 400
0.93
fu 430

f ub
b is therefore the smallest of d =0.76, 0.93 , or 1.0
fu
Therefore b =0.76

d is the bolt diameter = 20mm

t is the minimum connected plate thickness. The thickness of the bracket flange (cut from a 686 x
254 x 152 UB) is 21.0mm. The thickness of the column flange (254 x 254 x 73 UC) is 14.2mm.
The critical value of t is therefore 14.2mm.

M2 is 1.25 from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8.

The bearing resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is therefore:-

k1 b f u d t 2.5 0.76 430 20 14.2

Fb , Rd 185622 N 186kN This is much greater than
M2 1.25
the maximum design shear force Fv,Ed = 12kN, therefore satisfactory in bearing.

Conclusion:- The joint is therefore satisfactory in shear, tension, bearing and combined shear and
tension.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.10

EXAMPLE 2 TORSION SHEAR TYPE - BOLTED

Show that the bolted connection shown below is satisfactory when subjected to the factored force of
180kN. The bolts are 20mm diameter class 8.8 in clearance holes. Steel is grade S275.

350mm 180kN

100
100 20mm thick
plate
120

356 x 406 x 287 UC

(T = 36.5mm)
300

Direct shear force per bolt, Fs = 180/8 = 22.5kN

Considering each bolt as a unit area and considering

100 the bottom row as the reference axis, the centre of
gravity of the bolt group :
100

120 y 8y = (2 x 120) + (2 x 220) + (2 x 320)

y = 165mm

150150

rmax = (1652 + 1502)0.5 = 223.0mm

155
55
r2= (x2 + y2)
45
rmax 165
= (1502 + 1652) x 2 + (1502 + 452) x 2 + (1502 + 552) x
FT 2 + (1502 + 1552) x 2

150150 r2= 292600mm2

The bending moment about the centroid of the bolt group is Pe = 180 x 0.35 = 63kNm

The maximum force on a bolt due to torsion:

University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.11
Permax 63 10 3 223.0
FT 48.0kN
r2 292600

Consider critical bolt:-

Centre of gravity tan = 150/165
= 42.27o

165 Resolve FT into horizontal and vertical components:
FT cos = 48 cos42.27o = 35.52kN
150 FT sin = 48 sin42.27o = 32.29kN

FT sin + FS = 32.29 + 22.5 = 54.79kN
FS
FT

35.52kN

FR = (54.792 + 35.522)0.5 = 65.3kN

FR
54.79kN

65.3kN is the resultant shear force on the critical bolt. Therefore the design shear force Fv,Ed = 65.3kN.
The shear force on other bolts will be less, however, it is usual to check the critical bolt and make all
the others the same size, to keep the arrangement simple.

Shear Resistance

The shear resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is:-

v f ub A
Fv , Rd
M2

where v =0.6 for class 8.8 bolts

fub is the ultimate tensile strength of the bolt from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 800N/mm2
for class 8.8 bolts.
A is the cross sectional area of the bolt. It is good practice to take this as As, the tensile stress
area, as the threaded portion of the bolt may cross the shear plane. As = 245mm2 for 20mm dia
bolts.
M2 is the partial safety factor from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 1.25.

0.6 800 245

Fv , Rd 94080 N 94.1kN
1.25

This is greater than the maximum design shear force Fv,Ed = 65.3kN, therefore satisfactory in shear.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.12
Bearing Resistance

The bearing resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is:-

k1 b f u d t
Fb , Rd
M2

k1 is a factor concerned with edge distance and can be determined from the expression given in Table
3.4 of EN1993-1-8. The symbols used in the expressions are defined in Figure 3.1 of EN1993-1-8.
The maximum and minimum values of bolt spacing, end and edge distance are given in Table 3.3 of
EN1993-1-8. Common practice in the UK is to use end and edge distance of 2 times bolt diameter and
a bolt spacing of 4 times bolt diameter.

End distance e1 = edge distance e2 = 2d

Bolt spacing p1 = 4d

For this example assume the end distance e1 = e2 = 40mm.

d0 = 22mm.
e2
Using these values, k1 is the smallest of 2.8 1.7 or 2.5
d0
40
2.8 1.7 3.4 or 2.5.
22
Therefore k1 = 2.5

f ub
b is the smallest of d , , or 1.0
fu

e1 40 p 1 100 1
For end bolts d 0.61 , and for inner bolts d 1 1.27
3d 0 3 22 3d 0 4 3 22 4

fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the steel plate from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-1 and is 430N/mm2 for
S275 steel.
fub is the ultimate tensile strength of the steel bolt from Table 3.1 of EN1993-1-8 and is 800N/mm2 for
class 8.8 bolts.

f ub 800
1.86
fu 430

f ub
b is therefore the smallest of d =0.61, 1.86 , or 1.0
fu
Therefore b =0.61

d is the bolt diameter = 20mm

t is the minimum connected plate thickness. The thickness of the bracket is 20mm.
M2 is 1.25 from Table 2.1 of EN1993-1-8.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.13

The bearing resistance from Table 3.4 of EN1993-1-8 is therefore:-

k1 b f u d t 2.5 0.61 430 20 20

Fb , Rd 209840 N 210kN This is much greater than the
M2 1.25
maximum design shear force Fv,Ed = 65.3kN, therefore satisfactory in bearing.

Conclusion:- The joint is therefore satisfactory in shear and bearing.

University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.14

EXAMPLE 3 (For you to attempt) TENSION SHEAR TYPE

The bracket shown below is attached to a column with six 16mm diameter grade 4.6 bolts in clearance
holes. The bracket is loaded with the factored force shown. The steel is grade S275. Check the bolts
for tension, shear, bearing, and combined tension and shear. Use the simple method for tension
capacity. Take e1 = e2 = 50mm.

18.7mm 200mm
75kN (Factored)

50mm

150mm

150mm
50mm
15mm

ELEVATION END ELEVATION

Answers:-

The maximum design tension force Ft,Ed = 20kN

Direct shear force in each fastener Fv,Ed = 12.5kN per bolt

Ft , Rd 36.2kN > Ft,Ed = 20kN, therefore satisfactory in tension.

Fv , Rd 30.1kN > Fv,Ed = 12.5kN, therefore satisfactory in shear.

Fv , Ed Ft , Ed
0.81 1.0 , therefore satisfactory in combined shear and tension.
Fv , Rd 1.4 Ft , Rd

k1 b f u d t 2.5 0.926 430 16 15

Fb , Rd 191126 N 191kN > Fv,Ed = 12.5kN, therefore
M2 1.25
satisfactory in bearing.

Conclusion:- The joint is therefore satisfactory in shear, tension, bearing and combined shear and
tension.
University of the West of Scotland, Civil Engineering STEEL/5.15

EXAMPLE 4 (For you to attempt) TORSION SHEAR TYPE - BOLTED

Show that the bolted connection shown below is satisfactory when subjected to the factored force of
100kN. The bolts are 22mm diameter class 4.6 in clearance holes. Steel is grade S275.
Take e1 = e2 = 50mm.
380mm 100kN

120
120 25mm thick
plate
150

356 x 406 x 287 UC

(T = 36.5mm)
210

Answers:-

Fs = 12.5kN

rmax = 252.0mm

r2= 255150mm2

Pe = 38kNm

FT = 37.5kN

FR = 44.65kN
Fv,Ed = 44.65kN.

0.6 400 303

Fv , Rd 58176 N 58.2kN > Fv,Ed = 44.65kN, therefore satisfactory in shear.
1.25

k1 b f u d t 2.5 0.69 430 22 25

Fb , Rd 326370 N 326kN > Fv,Ed = 44.65kN, therefore
M2 1.25
satisfactory in bearing.

Conclusion:- The joint is therefore satisfactory in shear and bearing.