Weld Connections

Shear Plane

Throat = w x Cos 450

= 0.707 w
w

Root w

FILLET WELD

Electrodes should be selected to match the base metal.

Use E70XX electrodes with steels that have a yield stress less than 60 ksi.

Use E80XX electrodes with steels that have a yield stress of 60 ksi or 65 ksi.

Nominal load capacity of weld, Rn = Fw Aw = [ 0.707 w L ] Fw

Design Strength, φRn = φ Fw Aw = φ [ 0.707 w L ] Fw

Where φ = 0.75
Where
Fw = nominal strength of the weld metal per unit area = 0.6 FEXX

Fw based on the angle of the load to the longitudinal axis of the weld (θ ):

Fw = 0.60 FEXX [1.0 + 0.5 Sin 1.5 θ]

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 1 of 7

 Fillet weld symbols

E70
1/4 7 Near side (arrow side)

1/4 7
E70
Other side

1/4 7
E70
1/4 7 Both sides

E70
1/4 7 Weld all around

Field weld

E70
1/4 7

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 2 of 7

EXAMPLE 1: Determine the strength of the following welds.

8”
(a) 3/4” weld, 8” long, loaded along the weld

8”
8”
450

(c) 3/4” weld, 8” long, loaded at a 450 to

(b) 3/4” weld, 8” long, loaded perpendicular to
the weld
the weld

(a) Nominal Design Strength, φRn = φFw Aw = φ [ 0.707 w L ] Fw

Where φ = 0.75

φRn = 0.75 [ 0.707(3/4”)(8”)](0.6x70) = 133.62 kips

(b) Fw = 0.60 FEXX [1.0 + 0.5 Sin 1.5 θ] = 0.60 FEXX (1.5) { Sinθθ = Sin (900 ) = 1}

φRn = 133.62 x 1.5 = 200.4 kips

(c) Fw = 0.60 FEXX [1.0 + 0.5 Sin 1.5 θ] = 0.60 FEXX (1.292456) { θ = 450 }

φRn = 133.62 x 1.292456 = 172.7 kips

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 3 of 7

 Example 2: Determine the design strength for C-shaped welds. Use E70XX
electrodes and a 3/16” Fillet weld.

¾ ” PL (A36 Steel)

8”

E70
3/16 ½” PL (A36 Steel)

10”

For 3/16” weld, 2-10” long, loaded along the weld

Rw(L) = 0.707(3/16”)(2x10”)](0.6x70) = 111.35 kips

For 3/16” weld, 8” long, loaded perpendicular to the weld

Rw(T) = 0.707(3/16”)(8”)](0.6x70) = 44.54 Kips

Without considering the weld and load orientation, Weld Design Strength
AISC Specification, Equation (J2-10a) (AISC Steel Manual 14th Ed.)
Rn = 111.35 + 44.54 = 155.89 Kips

Weld Design Strength considering the added contribution of the transverse welds
while reducing the contribution of the longitudinal welds,
AISC Specification, Equation (J2-10b) (AISC Steel Manual 14th Ed.)
Rn = (0.85)111.35 + (1.5)44.54 = 161.46 Kips

Select the largest one, φRn = (0.75)(161.46) = 121.10 Kips

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 4 of 7

 Example 3: Determine the LRFD design strength of the connection as shown in
Figure. Follow the following steps:

(a) Strength based on yielding in the gross section

(b) Strength based on tensile fracture
(c) Strength based on block shear failure
(d) Weld strength.
(e) What is the design strength of this connection?

¾ ” PL (A36 Steel)

8”

E70
5/16 ½” PL (A36 Steel)

10”

SOLUTION:

(a) Strength based on yielding in the gross section

φt Pn = φt Fy Ag
= 0.9 (36 ksi) (8" x 0.5") = 129.6 Kips

(b) Strength based on tensile fracture

Ae = U x An

φt Pn = φt Fu Ae
AISC Specification TABLE D3.1, Case 1, U= 1

Ae = (1) (8" x 0.5") = 4 Sq in.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 5 of 7

φt Pn = φt Fu Ae
= (0.75) (58 ksi) (4 sqin) = 174 Kips.

(c) Strength based on block shear failure

Design Block Shear Strength = φ Rn where φ=0.75

Rn = 0.6 Fu Anv + Ubs Fu Ant <= 0.6 Fy Agv + Ubs Fu Ant

Agv = (2 x 10")(0.5") = 10 sq in
Anv = 10 sq in
Ant = 8" x 0.5" = 4 sq in
Ubs = 1.0 for uniform tension stress

Rn = 0.6(58 ksi)(10 sq in) + (1)(58 ksi)(4) = 580 kips

Rn = 0.6(36 ksi)(10 sq in) + (1)(58 ksi)(4) = 448 Kips CONTROLS

φ Rn = 0.75x 448 = 336 kips

(d) Weld strength.

For 5/16” weld, 2-10” long, loaded along the weld

Rw(L) = 0.707(5/16”)(2x10”)](0.6x70) = 185.59 kips

For 5/16” weld, 8” long, loaded perpendicular to the weld

Rw(T) = 0.707(5/16”)(8”)](0.6x70) = 74.24 Kips

AISC Specification (AISC Steel Manual 14th Ed.)

Equation (J2-10a): Rn = 185.59 + 74.24 = 259.82 Kips
Equation (J2-10b): Rn = (0.85)185.59 + (1.5)74.24 = 269.10 Kips

Design Wed strength, φRn = (0.75)(269.10) = 201.8 Kips

(e) What is the design strength of this connection?

Based on (a), (b), (c), and (d), Yielding controls (a):

The design Strength = 129.6 Kips.

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 6 of 7

 Backing bar
Butt Groove Weld

Tee Groove
Weld

Corner Groove
Weld

Fig 1: Complete penetration groove welds

Fig 2: Partial penetration groove welds

Dr. M.E. Haque, P.E. (Weld Connections - Rev) Page 7 of 7