csJoint

Joint types

The number of the joint types is one of the most dynamically developing parts of the software, usually considering the claims of the users. At the moment the csJoint module has the following joint and connection types:

• Beam-to-column joints with
  

• Welded moment connection on the flanges
• Bolted, end-plate moment connection on the flanges
• Simple shear connection on the flanges or on the web
• Gusset plate connection with double plate flange splice of I sections or plate splice of  hollow sections on the flanges or on the web
  

• Beam-to-beam (web) joints with
  

• Bolted, end-plate moment connection
• Simple shear connection
  

• Beam splice joints with
  

• Bolted, end-plate moment connection
• Simple shear connection
  

• Column base joints with
  

• Bolted, base-plate moment connection
• Rigid connection with ground beam
  

• Hollow section (truss) joints with
  

• K and N connection
• T and Y connection
• Tension chord splice connection

A module offers a number of strengthening possibilities such as: lower or/and upper haunch with or without flange, transverse web stiffeners, flange stiffeners and flange backing plates, shear stiffeners (supplementary web plate, Morrison stiffener, single or double skew plate stiffener) etc.

Joint types in csJoint - Download PDF (2.44 MB)

Structure-joint interaction

 The most up-to-date structural design procedures take into account the mechanical interaction between the global structural model and its connections (rigid, semi-rigid or pinned) which generally makes the results more economic and realistic. However this approach requires a more complicated relationship between the joints and the structure and accordingly more serious modeling effort from the engineer. In the ConSteel all the joint types can be defined freely or based on the global model geometry using the automatic identification tool, which examines the position of the connected members and the proper cross-sections and offer the possible joint types. After defining the joint it can place back to the global model and the appropriate connection stiffness can be automatically used in the global analysis, and a placed joint is always rechecked based on the current analysis results.

Analysis of connections

All the analysis in csJoint module is based on the standard procedures of Eurocode 3 Part 1-8, these procedures are almost entirely covered by the module. For the different types of connections the following analyses are performed:

• Moment connections:

• Moment resistance based on the plastic tension components of the individual or grouped bolt rows and compression components including the effect of axial load
• Shear resistance of the bolts in combined shear and tension
• Bearing resistance of plates
• Web and flange weld resistance and capacity to the applied load, the section strength or the appropriate component
• Initial and secant stiffness based on the tension and compression components and applied moment
  

• Shear connections:

• Shear resistance of bolts and plates
• Bearing resistance of plates
• Block tearing resistance of plates
• Weld resistance and capacity to the applied load or section strength
  

• Hollow section connections:

• Chord face failure, web failure, shear failure and punching shear failure
• Brace failure
• Local buckling of the members
  

Results and documentation

The analysis results are displayed in two main forms: a summarized view containing the main resistances, stiffness and capacities; and a detailed view showing the components of the main results which is comprehensive enough to see what are the weakest point of the connections and what type of strengthening would be the most efficient to apply. A joint is calculated for all the loads coming from different places or different combinations, and the dominant place and combination is automatically highlighted. The spectacular documentation shows the detailed geometry of the joint with its connections, and the summarized and detailed results for all cases can be flexibly documented.

Joint export