NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

NCCI: Bearing column splices

This NCCI provides guidance on the sizing of the components of a bearing column splice using bolted flange and web cover plates.

Contents
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
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Use of bearing column splices Choice of bolt type Number of bolts in flange and web cover plates Flange cover plate dimensions Web cover plate dimensions Use of division plates Structural integrity (under tying force) Background

2 3 3 3 4 4 4 5

7. 8.

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NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

1.

Use of bearing column splices

In bearing column splices, loads are transferred in direct bearing from the upper column to the lower column, either directly between the ends of the column sections or through a division plate. The splice connections hold the connected columns in line and are generally arranged such that the cover plates are symmetrically placed about the centroidal axis of the column sections. Typical details for a bearing column splice are shown in Figure 1.1.
1 A 1 A A 1

2
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(a)
Key 1 2 A

(b)

(c)

Packs (shaded where hidden behind web splice plates) Division plate Ends of members prepared for bearing; a good quality saw cut end is satisfactory (tolerances in accordance with EN 1090-2)

Figure 1.1

Typical bearing column splices

a) External flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size b) Internal flange cover plates for sections of the same serial size c) External flange cover plates and division plate for sections of a different serial size

Generally, bearing column splices do not provide full continuity of stiffness (EIy and EIz) of the upper column section through the splice, but the local reduction in stiffness will not affect the overall behaviour of the frame in simple construction (see SN020) where the column splices are provided just above floor levels. In such cases the splices should generally be about 500 mm above the floor (see SN025). The use of bearing column splices will result in economy in construction. When the columns to be joined are of the same serial size, the axial forces are transferred in direct bearing between the ends of the column sections and the flange cover plates are arranged to connect either to the external faces of the column (external flange cover plates) or to the inner flanges, using split cover plates (internal flange cover plates). When the columns to be joined are of different serial size, the transfer of axial forces from the upper column to the lower column is through a horizontal division plate; each column section bears onto the division plate. The required thickness for the division plate depends on the difference between the serial sizes. External flange cover plates are provided. Where, for architectural reasons, it is necessary to keep the width of the connection to a minimum, then either countersunk bolts may be used with external flange cover plates or, provided that there is no need for a division plate, inner flange cover plates may be used. Page 2

NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

2.

Choice of bolt type

It is recommended to use one class and one diameter of bolts in a limited range of lengths. Normally, adopt non- preloaded, Category A: Bearing type, class 8.8 or 10.9 bolts, although the arrangements shown in this NCCI are valid for bolts from class 4.6 to class 10.9. Bolts are in many cases fully threaded and commonly used sizes are: Bolt diameter = 20 mm or 24 mm

3.

Number of bolts in flange and web cover plates

It is considered good practice to have a minimum of four bolts for each half of a flange cover plate and a minimum of two bolts for each half of a web cover plate.

4.
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Flange cover plate dimensions

t f, uc 2

The dimensions of the flange cover plate should be chosen as follows: t fp , but t fp not less than 10 mm

hfp buc , but hfp not less than 225 mm

For external flange cover plates: bfp buc For internal flange cover plates: for each cover plate: bfp where: tfp is the thickness of the flange cover plate tf,uc is the thickness of the flange of the upper column hfp is the height of the flange cover plate buc is the width of upper column bfp is the width of the flange cover plate tw,lc is the thickness of the web of the lower column rlc is the root radius of the lower column Bolt spacing and edge distances should comply with the recommendations of EN1993-1-8. (buc t w, lc 2rlc ) 2

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NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

5.

Web cover plate dimensions

bwp 0,5huc

The dimensions of the web cover plate should be chosen as follows:

For double-sided web cover plates:

t wp t w,uc but not less than 6 mm 2

For single-sided cover plates

t wp t w,uc but not less than 6 mm

where: bwp huc

Created on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

is the width of web cover plate is the depth of upper column is the thickness of web cover plate is the thickness of web of upper column

twp tw,uc

Bolt spacing and edge distances should comply with the recommendations of EN1993-1-8.

6.

Use of division plates

When the upper and lower columns have different serial sizes, each column is connected to a division plate. The division plate may be nominally welded to the lower column and bolted to the upper column using web angle cleats or alternatively both the columns can be bolted to the division plate using angle cleats, as shown in Figure 1.1 (c). The division plate should normally be sized approximately 5 mm smaller than the lower column width and depth, to permit easy fitting. It should be flat enough for tight bearing without the need for machining or flattening. The thickness of the division plate should be at least (huc hlc)/2, where huc and hlc are the depths of the upper and lower column sections respectively.

7.

Structural integrity (under tying force)

EN1993-1-8 does not give any guidance on tying resistance of connections. Conservatively, it may be assumed that the tying force at the column splice is resisted by the flange cover plates alone (i.e. ignoring the web connection). A design procedure for ensuring structural integrity of column splices is given in Section 9 of SN023.

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NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

8.

Background
(1) Joints in Steel Construction Simple Connections (P212). The Steel Construction Institute and The British Constructional Association Ltd., 2002.

The rules in this NCCI are based on:

Created on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

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NCCI: Bearing column splices

NCCI: Bearing column splices SN026a-EN-EU

Quality Record
RESOURCE TITLE Reference(s) ORIGINAL DOCUMENT Name Created by Technical content checked by Editorial content checked by Technical content endorsed by the following STEEL Partners: 1. UK 2. France 3. Germany
Created on Wednesday, March 27, 2013 This material is copyright - all rights reserved. Use of this document is subject to the terms and conditions of the Access Steel Licence Agreement

NCCI: Bearing column splices

Company SCI SCI SCI

Date July 2005

Edurne Nunez Abdul Malik D C Iles

17/3/06

G W Owens A Bureau A Olsson C Mueller J Chica G W Owens

SCI CTICM SBI RWTH Labein SCI

17/3/06 17/3/06 17/3/06 17/3/06 17/3/06 30/6/06

4. Sweden 5. Spain Resource approved by Technical Coordinator TRANSLATED DOCUMENT This Translation made by: This Translation checked by Translated resource approved by:

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