Bolted slotted beam web connection designs

Abstract

A structural steel beam-to-column field bolted connection includes a column having a column flange and a beam. The beam includes a first beam flange and a second beam flange. The beam also includes a beam web extending between the first beam flange and the second beam flange. The beam web defines at least one slot that extends from a distal end of the beam along a length of the beam and terminates at a stress relief hole. The connection includes an end plate. The beam is welded to the end plate and the end plate is bolted to the column flange.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62 / 846,252, entitled “BOLTED SLOTTED BEAM WEB CONNECTION DESIGNS”, filed on May 10, 2019, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Existing beam to column connection technology oftentimes requires welding at least a portion of the connection (such as a portion of a beam to a portion of a column) in the field. In some instances, due to location and / or other environmental conditions, this can lead to problems with quality control of the weld. Additionally, some existing beam to column connections may require the use of a shear plate. Moreover, existing connections (such as end plate connections) may be susceptible to undesirable lateral torsional buckling and / or may exhibit large stress and / or strain gradients across and through the beam flanges at the column connection. Some known beam to column connections may ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The present invention relates to a new way of connecting structural steel beams to columns in frames made with rolled or built-up shapes. The design merges the methods of slotted web and end plate connections, which can be shop prepared and field bolted together. A slotted beam with a welded end plate and beam web slots can be easily connected to the column flange with field bolting. The technical effects presented allow for efficient and reliable connections in the field, with improved load-bearing capacity and durability.

Problems solved by technology

In some instances, due to location and / or other environmental conditions, this can lead to problems with quality control of the weld.

Moreover, existing connections (such as end plate connections) may be susceptible to undesirable lateral torsional buckling and / or may exhibit large stress and / or strain gradients across and through the beam flanges at the column connection.

Some known beam to column connections may also result in larger than desirable amounts of beam shear being placed upon flanges of the beam at the column connection.

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