Bolted Connection
Mechanical Fasteners
The basic elements to compose joints in
steel structures are mechanical fasteners like
bolts or pins. Chapter 3 of Eurocode 3 Part
1-8 provides design rules for such
mechanical fasteners. The designer will find
here application rules for different types of
mechanical fasteners: bolts, injections bolts,
anchor bolts, rivets and pins. Beside these
mechanical fasteners, other fasteners for
more special applications can be
used directly covered by Eurocode 3, for
example flow drill bolts, HRC
bolts (also called TC bolts) or nails.
However, the present version of
Eurocode 3 does not provide application
rules for those types of
mechanical fasteners. In some cases
harmonized product standards may
provide relevant data.
In steel construction, the most typical
mechanical fasteners to
connect plates or profiles are bolts, or more
precisely: bolt assemblies
(sets) including the bolt itself, a nut and one
or more washers, see Figure
The bolts may be preloaded to improve
serviceability performance or
fatigue resistance. Joints made with
preloaded bolts normally may have a
slight higher stiffness, but this effect is not
taken into account in the
design rules. However, preloading requires a
controlled tightening which
leads to additional work during erection.
All bolts, nut and washers should comply
with the standards listed in
section 1.2.4 of Eurocode 3 Part 1-8. Most
important standards are EN 15048
(Non-preloaded structural bolting
assemblies) for non-preloaded bolts (CEN,
2007b) and EN 14399 (High strength
structural bolting for preloading) for
preloaded bolts (CEN, 2015). Mechanical
properties are specified in EN ISO 898
(CEN, 2013). The design rules in Eurocode
3 Part 1-8 are valid for all bolt classes
listed in Table 3.1, but the National Annex
may exclude certain bolt classes
The name of the bolt classes indicates the
nominal values of the
ultimate tensile strength fub and the yield
strength fyb as follows. The name
consists of two numbers separated by a dot.
The first number is the ultimate
tensile strength fub divided by 100. The
fractional part indicates the ratio
fy
 f , for example for a 10.9 bolt, the
b ub
ultimate tensile strength fub is
10 100 1000 (N/mm2) and the yield strength
fyb is obtained as
1000 0.9 900 (N/mm2)
a) Category A: Bearing type
In a bearing type connection, the applied
load (design ultimate shear
load F
v,Ed ) will be transferred from the plate to the

bolt (shank and/or

For preloaded bolt, only bolt assemblies of
classes 8.8 and 10.9 may
be used. Requirements for controlled
tightening are given in EN 1090 Part 2.
Bolt areas for common sizes of structural
bolts are given in Table 3.2
where A is the gross section area and As is
the tensile stress area (treaded
portion of the bolt)
threaded part) by bearing, while the bolt will
be loaded in shear. Hence, the
design resistance of a category A connection
is the minimum of the design
bearing resistance of the plate(s) Fv,Rd and
the design shear resistance of the
bolt F
b,Rd , i.e. the following criteria should be
checked:

Categories of Connections
The very basic connection is composed of a
bolt assembly connecting
two (or more) steel plates as shown in
Figure 3.2. For the design of these
basic components (for example bolts in
shear and/or tension, plate in
bearing), see sub-chapter 3.4
Eurocode 3 distinguishes different
categories of bolted connections.
The two main categories, dependent on the
loading applied to the bolt, are
shear connections and tension connections. All bolt classes from Table 3.1 may be used.
Preloading or any special
Shear Connections precision for the contact surfaces is not
required. Depending on the number
Shear connections (the bolt is subjected to
shear) are subdivided into 3 of plates, the shear load applied to the bolt
sub-categories: may be divided into one or more
shear planes.
b) Category B: Slip-resistant at
serviceability limit state
With regards to the design resistance at
ultimate limit state, a
category B connection should meet the same
requirement as a category A
connection. In addition, at serviceability
limit state, the connection should be
designed so that no slip will occur.
Therefore, preloaded bolts should be
used. The design criteria are as follow:
c) Category C: Slip-resistant at ultimate
limit state
In this category, slip should not occur at the
ultimate limit state. This
will result in most severe design criteria for
a shear connection. The design
ultimate shear load will be transferred by
friction between the connected plates only.
This means, in theory, the connection only
need to be checked
for slip resistance. In addition, Eurocode 3
requires checking the bearing
resistance. So, the following design criteria
should be checked:
For category A and category B connections,
if the connected plates are
loaded in tension, the design tension
resistance Nt,Rd should be checked at
ultimate limit state as well:
For category A and category B connections,
if the connected plates are
loaded in tension, the design tension
resistance Nt,Rd should be checked at
ultimate limit state as well:
Tension Connection
In a tension connection the bolt is subjected
to tension forces. Here,
two sub-categories are defined
a) Category D: Non-preloaded
Pre-loading is not required and all bolt
classes given in Table 3.1 may
be used. This category may be used for
connections subjected to
predominantly static loading, for example
wind loads acting on buildings.
The design criteria to be checked are:
b) Category E: Preloaded
In preloaded tension connections, only bolt
classes 8.8 and 10.9
should be used. This category relates to
connections which are frequently
subjected to variations of loading, for
example in crane supporting
structures. The design criteria are the same
as for category D connection
(non-preloaded), see Eq. (3.6). Note that, for
preloaded bolts, controlled
tightening according to EN 1090 Part 2 is
required.
When bolts are subjected to both shear and
tension forces, interaction
should also be checked, see 3.4.3.
If preloaded bolts are used in category A or
category D connections
where preloading is used to improve for
example serviceability performance
or durability or where preloading is required
for execution purposes, but where
preloading is not explicitly used in the
design checks for slip resistance, then
the level of preload can differ from the
requirements in EN 1090 Part 2. In this
case, the National Annex can specify less
strict requirements
Positioning of Bolt Holes
In bolted connections, independently of the
type of loading, the bolt holes
The spacing and distances are defined in
must fulfil certain requirements with respect
Figure 3.3. Note that these limits are
to minimum and maximum spacing
valid for predominantly static loaded joints.
between the holes, end distances and edge
For structures subjected to fatigue,
distances. These requirements are
requirements are given in EN 1993-1-9.
given in Table 3.3 extracted from Table 3.3
of EN 1993-1-8. The symbols for
 Maximum values are given to prevent
corrosion in exposed members
and to avoid local buckling between two
fasteners in compression members. In
other cases, or when no values are given,
maximum values for the spacings,
edge distances and end distances are
unlimited. The local buckling resistance
of the plate in compression between the
fasteners should be calculated
according to EN 1993-1-1 where a value of
0.6p1 should be used as buckling
length. Local buckling between the fasteners
need not to be checked if p1 t is
smaller than 9. The edge distance should
not exceed the local buckling
requirements for an outstand element in the
compression members, see
EN 1993-1-1. The end distance is not
affected by this requirement
For slotted holes, minimum end distances
and minimum edge
distances are a little larger. For more
information, see Table 3.3 of
EN 1993-1-8
High Strength Bearing Type Bolted Connection
Th = T Cos ϴ
Tv = T Sin ϴ

Shearing Stress, Fv = Tv / n A
Tensile Steess, Ft = Th/n A
Where:
A = Area of Bolts
n = Number of Bolts

For Bearing Type Connections

Allowable Tensile Stress for Fasteners in Bearing-Type Connection(MPa)
Thread Included in Shear Thread Excluded from
Description of Fasteners
Plane Shear Plane
A 307 Bolts 179.2 – 1.8fv < 137.8

A 325 Bolts Grade 1 Rivets √3032 − 4.39𝑓𝑣 2 √3032 − 2.15𝑓𝑣 2

A 325 Bolts Grade 2 Rivets √3722 − 3.75𝑓𝑣 2 √3722 − 3.75𝑓𝑣 2

Threaded Parts, A 449 bolts
0.43Fu – 1.8fv ≤ 0.33Fu 0.43Fu – 1.4fv ≤ 0.33 Fu
over 38 mm diameter
A 502 Grade 1 Rivets 207 – 1.3fv ≤ 159

A 502 Grade 2 Rivets 262 – 1.3fv ≤ 200

For Friction Type Connections
Allowable Shear Stress for Friction Type Connection (MPa)
Fastener Oversized Long Sleeve Holes
Standard and Short
Transverse Parallel
Holes Slotted
Load Load
Holes
A 325 bolts when threads are not
117 103 82.7 68.9
excluded from shear planes
A 325 bolts when threads are
117 103 82.7 68.9
excluded from shear planes
A 490 bolts when thread are not
145 124 103 89.6
excluded from shear planes
A 490 bolts when threads are
145 124 103 89.6
excluded from shear planes

Maximum Allowable shear stress for Friction Type Connection\

𝒇𝒕 𝑨𝒃
𝑭𝒗′ = 𝒇𝒗(𝟏 − )
𝑻𝒃

Where:
Fv’= Max allowable shear stress for friction type connection
fv = allowable shear stress
ft = average tensile stress due to a direct load applied to all bolts
Ab = Area of one bolt
Tb = the pretension load of the bolt
Example:
A framed connection shown is subjected to an eccentric load P = 320 Kn. The fasteners are A
325 subject to shear and tension in a bearing type connection with no threads in the shear plane.
Diameter of bolt is 18 mm.
1. Determine the tensile force of the most stressed bolt
2. Determine the shearing stress if the most stressed bolt
3. Determine the ratio of the actual tensile stress of the most stressed bolt to the allowable
tensile stress
Solution:
𝑓1 𝑓2
1. 150
= 112.

𝑓1 ( 112.5)
𝑓2 =
150
f 2 = 0.75f 1
M = 75(320,000)
M = 24 x 10^6 N.mm
f 1 = 6M / bd^2
b = 2(87.5)
b = 175 mm
6(24)∗106
𝑓1 = 175(300)2

f 1 = 9.14 MPa
f 2 = 0.75 f 1
f 2 = 0.75 * 9.14
f 2 = 6.86 MPa

T = f 2 (87.5 + 87.5)(75)
T = 6.86(175)(75)
T = 90037.5 N for 2 bolts
Tb = 90037.5 /2
Tb = 45018.75 N or 45.02 kN
 𝑃
2. 𝑓𝑣 = 𝐴 𝐹𝑡 = √3032 − 2.15(157.19)2

𝐹𝑡 = 196.69 𝑀𝑃𝑎 (𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑜𝑤𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 𝑡𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠)

320000
𝑓𝑣 = 𝜋 𝑇𝑏
2 𝑓𝑡 =
4 ∗ 18 ∗ 8 𝐴
45018.75
𝑓𝑡 = 𝜋
2
fb= 157.19 MPa 4 ∗ 18
𝑓𝑡 = 176.91 < 196.69 𝑀𝑃𝑎
3. 𝐹𝑡 = √3032 − 2.15𝑓𝑣 2
𝟏𝟕𝟔.𝟗𝟏
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 = = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟗𝟗
𝟏𝟗𝟔.𝟔𝟗

The bracket shown is structural tee. It is subjected to an eccentric load of 112 kN at an

eccentricity of 300mm. Diameter of A 325 N high strength bolt is 19 mm. The bolt is are placed
in two vertical rows and are spaced 75mm vertically. Assume the column and bracket are
adequate. Allowable shear stress is 145 MPa.
1. Determine the max tensile stress of the bolt.
2. Determine the ratio of actual shearing stress to the allowable shearing stress of the bolt.
3. Determine the allowable tensile stress of a A 325 high strength bolts.
Solution:
𝑀𝐶
1. 𝑓𝑡 = 𝐼

𝐼 = 𝐴𝑑2
𝜋
𝐼= ∗ 192 [4(112.5)2 + 4(37.5)2 ]
4
𝐼 = 15.9 ∗ 106
𝑀 = 112000(300)
𝑀 = 33.6 𝑥 106 𝑁. 𝑚𝑚
𝑀𝐶
𝑓𝑡 =
𝐼
33.6 𝑥 106 (112.5)
𝑓𝑡 =
15.95 𝑥 106
𝒇𝒕 = 𝟐𝟑𝟕 𝑴𝑷𝒂
 𝑃
2. 𝑓𝑣 = 𝐴𝑣

112000
𝑓𝑣 = 𝜋
2
4 ∗ 19 ∗ 8
𝑓𝑣 = 49.38 𝑀𝑃𝑎\
𝟒𝟗. 𝟑𝟖
𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒐 = = 𝟎. 𝟑𝟒
𝟏𝟒𝟓
3. 𝑓𝑡 = √3032 − 4.39 𝑓𝑣 2

𝑓𝑡 = √3032 − 4.39(49.38)2
𝒇𝒕 = 𝟐𝟖𝟒. 𝟕𝟗 > 𝟐𝟑𝟕 𝑴𝑷𝒂(𝒔𝒂𝒇𝒆)

A tension member made up of pair of angles is connected as shown with 4 -25 mm of bolts in
standard holes. All structural steel is A 36. Assuming that the connection between the angles and
the structural tee is satisfactory. Allowable bolt shear is 117 MPa, Allowable tensile stress is 150
MPa and Allowable bearing stress is 480 MPa.
1. Find the value of P by shear and tension
2. Find the value of P by bearing
3. What is the diameter of bolts if P = 360kN
Solution:
𝑃𝑥
1. 𝑓𝑣 = 𝐴𝑣

𝑃𝑥
117 = 𝜋
∗ 252 ∗ 4
4
𝑃𝑥 = 229729
𝑃 5
=
𝑃𝑥 4
5(229729)
𝑃=
4
𝑃 = 287.2𝑘𝑁
𝑃 5
=
𝑃𝑦 3
294.5 (5)
𝑃=
3
 𝑃 = 490.87 𝑘𝑁
𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑃 = 𝟐𝟖𝟕. 𝟐 𝒌𝑵
𝑃𝑦
𝑓𝑡 =
𝐴𝑡
𝑃𝑦
150 = 𝜋
2
4 ∗ 25 ∗ 4
𝑃𝑦 = 294.5𝑘𝑁(𝑠𝑎𝑓𝑒)
2. 𝑃𝑥 = 𝑓𝑝 ∗ 𝐴𝑏
𝑃𝑥 = 480 ∗ 25 ∗ 16 ∗ 4 = 768𝑘𝑁
𝑃 5
=
𝑃𝑥 4
768 ∗ 5
𝑃= = 𝟗𝟔𝟎 𝒌𝑵
4
3.
𝑃
=4
5 𝑃 5
𝑃𝑥 =
360 5 𝑃𝑦 3
=
𝑃𝑥 4 360(3)
𝑃𝑦 =
𝑃𝑥 = 288𝑘𝑁 5

𝑃𝑥 𝑃𝑦 = 216 𝑘𝑁
𝑓𝑣 = 𝜋
2 𝑃𝑦
4∗𝑑 ∗4 𝑓𝑡 =
𝐴𝑡
288000
117 = 𝜋 216000
2 150 = 𝜋
4∗𝑑 ∗4 2
4∗𝑑 ∗4
𝑑 = 27.99 ≈ 28 𝑚𝑚∅
𝑑 = 21.4 𝑚𝑚
𝑈𝑠𝑒 𝑑 = 𝟐𝟖 𝒎𝒎∅
Welded Connections
In the construction field, fillet welds
and butt welds are widely used. One speaks
about 80% of fillet welds and 15% of butt
welds. For the five remaining per cent, plug
and fillet all round welds are mostly used.
Forms of Welded Joints
Butt Welds
Butt welds are applied within the
cross section of the abutting plates in so-
called butt and tee-joints (Figure 4.1a). The
preparation of the plates, before welding,
usually appears as a prerequisite, except for
thin plates, less than about 5 mm, where it
can be avoided. In all the other cases,
bevelled plate edges will have to be realised,
as seen in Figure 4.1b and Figure 4.2. This
may have an impact on the economy of the
project.
According to the penetration of the
weld, i.e. the degree of fusion of the weld
and parent materials throughout the
thickness of the connected plates, butt welds
with complete penetration (equal to the plate
thickness, see Figure 4.1) or partial
penetration (less than the plate thickness, see
Figure 4.3) are distinguished.
Fillet Welds
Contrarily to a butt weld, a fillet
weld requires no preparation of the plates to
connect. This is an important feature in
terms of fabrication costs. Fillet welds are
applied to the surface of the connected
plates; they exhibit an approximately
triangular shape.
Lap joints, tee or cruciform joints
and corner joints are shown in Figure 4.4. In
tee joints, the two plates are not necessarily
welded perpendicularly each to another.
The one-sided character of the
fillet weld in the corner joint represented in
Figure Figure 4.4c is likely to negatively
influence the joint response. As a way of
improvement, the outer corner could be butt
welded (Figure 4.5).
Fillet welds are either continuous
or intermittent along the whole joint, Figure
4.6. The latter should not be used in
corrosive conditions.
Fillet Welds All Round Plug welds
As seen in Figure 4.8, the holes
(round or elongated) realised in one of the
Fillet welds all round (Figure 4.7)
two plates to assemble are here filled with
designate fillet welds in circular or
welding material. Such welds may be used:
elongated holes; such welds may be used
only to transmit shear or to prevent the  to transmit shear,
buckling or separation of lapped parts.  to prevent the buckling or separation
of lapped parts, and
 to inter-connect the components of
built-up members
But should not be used to resist
externally applied tension
 NSCP 2015 Provisions on Welded Connections
Groove Weld
Effective Area of Groove Welds
The effective area of groove welds
shall be based on the following:
1. The effective area of a groove welds
shall be considered as the effective
length of the weld times the effective
throat thickness.
2. The effective length a groove weld
shall be the width of the part joined.
3. The effective throat thickness of a
complete penetration groove weld
shall be the thickness of the thinner
part joined.
4. The effective throat thickness of a
partial-penetration groove weld is
shown in table 3-1.
5. The effective thickness of a partial-
penetration groove weld is shown in
table 3-1.
6. The effective throat thickness of a
flare groove weld when flush to the
Table 3-1: Effective Throat Thickness of Partial-penetration Groove Welds
Welding Process Welding Position
Shielded Metal Arc All
Gas Metal Arc
Flux-cored Arc
surface of a bar 90 degrees bent
formed section shall be as shown in
table 3-2. Random sections of
production weld for each welding
procedure or such test section may
be required by design documents,
shall be used to verify that the
effective throat is consistently
obtained.
7. Larger effective throat thicknesses
than those in table 3-1 are permitted
provided the fabricator can establish
the qualification that he can
consistently provide such larger
effective throat thicknesses.
Qualification shall consist of
sectioning the weld normal to its axis
at mid-length and terminal ends.
Such sectioning shall be made on a
number of combination of materials
size representative of the range to be
used in the fabrication or as required
by the designer.
Included Angle at Effective Root
Root of Groove Thickness
J or U joint Depth of Chamfer
Bevel of V Joint ≥
60◦
Bevel or V Joint <60◦ Depth of Chamfer
but ≥ 45◦ minus 3 mm

Table 3-2: Effective Throat Thickness of Flare Groove Welds

Type of Weld Radius of Bar or Bend Effective Throat Thickness
Flare Bevel Groove All (5/16)R
Flare V-Groove All (1/2)R
Use (3/8)R for Gas Metal Welding (except short circuiting transfer process) when R≥ 12mm
Table 3-3: Minimum Effective Throat Thickness of Partial-Penetration Groove Welds
Material Thickness of Thicker Part Joined
To 6 mm inclusive
Over 6 mm to 12 mm
Over 12 mm to 30 mm
Over 20 mm to 38 mm
Over 38 mm to 57 mm
Over 57 mm to 150 mm
Over 150 mm
Limitation of Groove Weld
The minimum effective throat
thickness of a partial-penetration groove
weld shall be as shown in table 3-3.
Minimum Effective Throat Thickness is
determined by the thicker of the two part
joined. For this exception, particular care
shall be taken to provide sufficient preheat
for soundness of the weld.
Fillet Weld
Effective Area
The effective are of groove welds
shall be based on the following:
1. The effective are of fillet welds shall
be taken as effective length times the
effective throat thickness.
2. The effective length of fillet welds,
except fillet welds in holes and slot,
shall be the overall length of full-size
fillets including the returns.
3. The effective throat thickness of a
fillet weld shall be the shortest
distance from the root of the joint to
the face of the diagrammatic weld,
except that for fillet welds made by
Minimum Effective Throat Thickess
3 mm
5 mm
6 mm
8 mm
10 mm
12 mm
16 mm
submerged arc process , the effective
throat thickness shall be taken equal
to the leg size for 10mm and smaller
fillet welds and equal to the
theoretical throat plus 3mm for fillet
weld larger than 10mm
4. For fillet welds in holes and slots the
effective length shall be the length of
the centreline of the weld along the
center of the plane through the
throat. In the case of overlapping
fillets, the effective area shall not
exceed the normal cross-sectional
area of the hole slot in the plane of
the faying surface.
Limitation of Fillet Welds
1. The minimum size of fillet welds
shall be as shown in table 3-4.
Minimum weld size is dependent
upon the thicker of the two parts
joined, except that the weld size need
not to exceed the thickness of the
thinner part. For this exception,
particular care shall be taken to
provide
2. Sufficient preheat for soundness of
the weld. Weld sizes larger than the
thinner part joined are permitted if
required by the calculated strength.
In the as-welded condition, the
distance between the edge of the
base metal and the toe of the weld
may be less than 1.6 mm provided
the weld size is clearly variable.
3. The maximum size of fillet welds
that is permitted along the edges of
connected part shall be:
a. Material less than 6 mm
thick, not greater than the
thickness of the material
b. Material 6 mm or more in
thickness, not greater than the
thickness of the material
minus 1.6 mm unless the
weld is especially designed in
the drawing to be built out to
obtain full throat thickness.
4. The minimum effective length of
fillet welds designated to the basis of
strength shall be not less than 4 times
the nominal size or else the size of
the weld shall be considered not to
exceed ¼ of its effective length. If
longitudinal fillet welds are used
alone in end connection the length of
each filler weld shall not be less than
the perpendicular distance between
them. The transverse spacing of
longitudinal fillet welds used in the
end connection of tension members
shall not exceed 200 mm, unless the
member is designed on the basis of
effective net area.
5. Intermittent fillet weld are permitted
to transfer the calculated stress
across a joint or faying surface when
the strength required is less than the
developed by a continuous filter
weld of the smallest permitted size,
and to join the components of built-
up members. The effective length of
any segment of intermittent fillet
welding shall not be less than 4 times
the welds size, with a minimum of
38 mm
6. In lap joints, the minimum lap shall
be 5 times the thickness of the
thinner part joined but not less than
25 mm. Lap joints joining plates or
bars subjected to axial stress shall be
fillet welded along both end of
lapped parts, except where the
deflection of the lapped part is
sufficiently restrained to prevent
opening of the joint under maximum
loading.
7. Fillet welds in holes or slots are
permitted to transmit shear in a lap
joints to prevent the buckling or
separation of lapped parts and to join
components of subject to the
provision of the Code. Fillet welds in
holes or slots are not to be
considered plugs or slot welds.
8. Slide or end fillet welds rermination
at ends or sides, respectively, of parts
or member shall, whenever
practicable, be returned continuously
around the corners for a distance
notless than 2 times the nominal size
of the weld. This provision shall
apply to side and top fillet welds
connecting brackets, beam seats and
similar connections, on the plane
about which bending moments are
computed. For framing angles and
simple end-plate connection which
depends upon flexibility of the
outstanding legs for connection
flexibility, end returns shall
 9. not exceed four times the nominal size of the weld. Fillet welds that occur opposite sides
of a common to both welds. End returns shall be indicated on the design and detail
drawings.
Table 3-4: Minimum Size of Fillet Welds
Material Thickness of Thicker Part Joined
To 6 mm inclusive
Over 6mm to 12 mm
Over 12 mm to 20 mm
Over 20 mm
Plug and Slot Welds
Effective Area
The effective shearing area of plug
and slot welds shall be considered as the
nominal cross-sectional area of the hole or
slot in the plane of the raying surface.
Limitations of Plug and Slot Welds
1. Plug or slot welds are permitted to
transmit shear in lap joints or to
prevent buckling of lapped parts and
to join component parts of built-up
members.
2. The diameter of the hole for a plug
weld shall not be less than thickness
of the part containing it plus 8 mm,
rounded to the next larger odd 1.6
mm, nor greater than the minimum
diameter plus 3 mm or 2.25 times the
thickness of the weld.
3. The minimum center-to-center
spacing of plug welds shall be four
times the diameter of the hole.
4. The minimum spacing of lines of slot
weld in a direction transverse to their
length shall be 4 times the width of
the slot. The minimum center-to-
center spacing in a longitudinal
Minimum Size of Fillet Weld
3 mm
5 mm
6 mm
8 mm
direction on any line shall be 2 times
the length of the slot.
5. The length of slot for slot weld shall
not exceed 10 times the thickness of
the weld. The width of the slot shall
not be less than the thickness of the
part containing it plus 8 mm, nor
shall it be larger than 24 times the
thickness of the weld. The ends of
the slot shall be semi-circular or shall
have the corners rounded to a radius
not less than the thickness of the part
containing it, except those ends
which extends to the edge of the part.
6. The thickness of plug or slots welds
in materials 16 mm or less in
thickness shall be equal to the
thickness of the material. In the
material over 16 mm thick, the
thickness of the welds shall not be
less than 16 mm.
Combination of Welds
If two or more of the general types of
weld (groove, filler, plug, slot) are
combined on a single joint, the effective
capacity of each shall be separately
computed with reference to the axis of
the group in order to determine the
allowable capacity of the combination.
Table 3-5: Allowable Stresses on Weld
Type of Weld and Stress Allowable Stress Required Weld Strength
Level
Complete-Penetration Groove Welds
Tension Normal to Effective Same as Base Metal Matching Weld Metal Must
Area be Used
Compression Normal to Same as Base Metal Weld Metal with a strength
Effective Area level equal to or less than
Tension and Compression Same as Base Metal matching weld metal may be
Parallel to Axis of Weld used
Shear on Effective Area 0.3 x nominal tensile
strength of weld metal(MPa)
except shear stress on base
metal shall not exceed 0.4 x
yield stress of base metal
Partial penetration Groove Welds
Compression Normal to Same as Base Metal Weld Metal with a strength
Effective Area level equal to or less than
Tension and Compression Same as Base Metal matching weld metal may be
Parallel to Axis of Weld used
Shear Parallel to Axis of 0.3 x nominal tensile
Weld strength of weld
material(MPa) except shear
stress on base metal shall
not exceed 0.4 x yield stress
of base metal
Tension Normal to Effective 0.3 x nominal tensile
Area strength of weld
material(MPa) except shear
stress on base metal shall
not exceed 0.6 x yield stress
of base metal
Fillet Welds
Shear on Effective Area Weld Metal with a strength
Tension or Compression Same as Base Metal level equal to or less than
Parallel to Axis of Weld matching weld metal may be
used
Plug and Slot Welds
Shear Parallel to Faying 0.3 x nominal tensile Weld Metal with a strength
Surface on Effective Area strength of weld metal(MPa) level equal to or less than
except shear stress on base matching weld metal may be
metal shall not exceed 0.4 x used
yield stress of base metal
The permissible unit stresses for fillet welds made with E 60 XX –, E 70 XX –, and E 80 XX
– type electrodes on A36 steel are given in table 3-6. Particular attention is called to the fact
that the stress in fillet weld is considered as shear on the throat, regardless of the direction of
the applied load. Neither plug nor slot welds shall be assigned any values in resistance other
than shear.
Table 3-6: Allowable Working Strength of Fillet Welds
Size of Weld Allowable Load(Kn/mm)
In mm E 60 XX E 70 XX E 80 XX
electrode electrode electrode
Fu= 60 ksi/414 Fu= 70 ksi/482 Fu= 80 ksi/551
Mpa Mpa Mpa
Fv= 0.3Fu/124 Fv= 0.3Fu/145 Fv= 0.3Fu/165
Mpa Mpa Mpa
3/16 4.76 0.417 0.488 0.555
¼ 6.35 0.557 0.651 0.741
5/16 7.94 0.696 0.814 0.926
3/8 9.52 0.835 0.976 1.111
½ 12.7 1.113 1.302 1.482
5/8 15.9 1.394 1.630 1.855
3/4 19.2 1.683 1.968 2.240

Fillet Weld

Throat = 0.707t
Capacity, P = Fv (0.707tL)
Where:
t = size of weld
L = total length of weld
Fv = allowable shearing stress of weld
Balancing Weld

Angular Section Fillet Welded on a Gusset Plate

P = 0.707 t L Fv
L = L1 +L2
L1 x a = L2 x b
Angular Section Fillet Welded on a Gusset Plate (With Transverse Fillet Weld)

P = 0.707 t L Fv
L = L1 + L2 + l3
L1 x a + L3 x c = L2 x b

Eccentrically Loaded Welded Connection

Direct Load, Pd = F/ ΣL
Moment, T = F x e
Px = Ty / J
Py = Tx. / J
J = Σ L [ ( L^2/12 + x^2 + y^2)]

Total load, R = √(𝑃𝑥 2 + (𝑃𝑦 + 𝑃𝑑)2

Where:
Pd = Direct load in N/mm
Px and Py = Load Due to Moment in
N/mm
L = Length of each weld, mm
e = eccentricity in mm
 Examples:
A bracket is welded to its support as shown in Figure 4.8. All welds are fillet welds of equal
thickness. Determine the fillet size if the permissible stress in the weld is 80 N/𝑚𝑚2 .
Determine the design strength of the tension member and connection system
shown below. The tension member is a 4 in. x 3/8 in. thick rectangular bar. It is welded to a 1/2
in. thick gusset plate using E70XX electrode. Consider the yielding and fracture of the tension
member. Consider the shear strength of the weld metal and the surrounding base metal.

Solution
Step I. Check for the limitations on the weld geometry
tmin = 3/8 in. (member)
tmax = 0.5 in. (gusset)
Therefore, amin = 3/16 in.
amax = 3/8 - 1/16 = 5/16 in.
Fillet weld size = a = 1/4 in. - Therefore, OK!
Lw-min = 1.0 in. - OK. - Lw-min for each length of the weld = 4.0 in. (transverse distance
between welds)
- Given length = 5.0 in., which is > Lmin. Therefore, OK!

Length/weld size = 5/0.25 = 20 - Therefore, maximum effective length J2.2 b satisfied.

End returns at the edge corner size - minimum = 2 a = 0.5 in. -Therefore, OK!
Step II. Design strength of the weld
Weld strength = φ x 0.707 x a x 0.60 x FEXX x Lw
= 0.75 x 0.707 x 0.25 x 0.60 x 70 x 10 = 55.67 kips
Base Metal strength = φ x 0.6 x Fy x Lw x t
= 0.9 x 0.6 x 50 x 10 x 3/8 = 101.25 kips

Step III. Tension strength of the member

φ Rn = 0.9 x 50 x 4 x 3/8 = 67.5 kips - tension yield
φ Rn = 0.75 x Ae x 65 - tension fracture
Ae = U A
A = Ag = 4 x 3/8 = 1.5 in2
U = 0.75 , since connection length (Lconn) < 1.5 w
Therefore, φ Rn = 54.8 kips

The design strength of the member-connection system = 54.8 kips.

Tension fracture of the member governs. The end returns at the corners were not included in
the calculations.

Example:
Design a double angle tension member and connection system to carry a factored
load of 250 kips.

Solutions:

Step I. Assume material properties

Assume 36 ksi steel for designing the member and the gusset plates.
Assume E70XX electrode for the fillet welds.

Step II. Design the tension member

From Table assume 2L 5 x 3½ x 1/2 made from 36 ksi
steel with yield strength = 259 kips and fracture strength = 261 kips.
Step III. Design the welded connection
amin = 3/16 in. - Table J2.4
amax = 1/2 - 1/16 in. = 7/16 in. - J2.2b
Design, a = 3/8 in. = 0.375 in.
Shear strength of weld metal = φ Rn = 0.75 x 0.60 x FEXX x 0.707 x a x Lw
= 8.35 Lw kips
Strength of the base metal in shear = φ Rn = 0.9 x 0.6 x Fy x t x Lw
= 9.72 Lw kips
Shear strength of weld metal governs, φ Rn = 8.35 Lw kips
φ Rn > 250 kips
∴ 8.35 Lw > 250 kips
∴ Lw > 29.94 in.
Design, length of 1/2 in. E70XX fillet weld = 30.0 in.
Shear strength of fillet weld = 250.5 kips
Step IV. Layout of Connection

Length of weld required = 30 in.

Since there are two angles to be welded to the gusset plate, assume that total weld length for
each angle will be 15.0 in.
As shown in the Figure above, 15 in. of 1/2 in. E70XX fillet weld can be placed in three
ways (a), (b), and (c).
- For option (a), it requires that the fillet weld terminate at a distance
greater than the size (1/2 in.) of the weld. For this option, L1 will be equal to 7.5 in.
- For option (b), it requires that the fillet weld be returned
continuously around the corner for a distance of at least 2 a (1 in.). For this option, L2 can
be either 6.5 in. or 7.5 in. However, the value of 7.5 in. is preferred.
- For option (c), L3 will be equal to 5.75 in.

Step V. Fracture strength of the member

• Ae = U Ag
For the double angle section, use the value of x from Table 1-7 on page 1-37 of manual.

Assume case (a). Therefore, U =0.88

φ Rn = 0.75 x 0.88 x 8.00 x 58 = 306.24 kips > 250 kips - fracture limit state is ok!
Step VI. Design the gusset plate
φ Rn > Tu - tension yielding limit state
Therefore, 0.9 x Ag x 36 > 250 kips A g > 7.71 in2
φ Rn > Tu - tension fracture limit state Therefore, 0.75 x An x Fu > 250 kips A n ≤ 0.85 Ag -
Spec. J5 A n > 5.747 𝑖𝑛2 Therefore, Ag > 6.76 𝑖𝑛2

Design gusset plate thickness

= 1.0 in. and width = 8.0 in.
Example
A steel plate strip of 150 mm width and 10 mm thickness is welded by a compound fillet weld
to another plate. The strip is required to carry an axial load P such that P is equal to tensile load
capacity of the strip with a factor of safety of 2.5 on ultimate tensile strength of strip. Calculate
the length of the fillet weld and show on diagram. Ultimate tensile strength of strip material is

380 MPa. Find fillet length if :

PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
 Problems:

A double-angle truss member consist of two 848

𝑃 = 2 = 424 (tensile load on one
angles 125mm x 88mm x 10 mm thick with
member)
the 125mm side welded to a gusset plate.
The member is to carry a total tensile force 424,000 = 0.707(6)𝐿(144.75)
of 848 kN. Using 6-mm fillet weld with E70
electrode, determine the total length of weld  𝐿 = 691 𝑚𝑚
required. Use Fy = 250 MPa. See
accompanying figure. Based on base metal shear:

𝐹𝑢 = 70 𝑘𝑠𝑖 𝑃 = 𝐴𝑉 𝐹𝑉

= 70,000 𝑝𝑠𝑖 𝑥
0.101325 𝑀𝑃𝑎 𝐹𝑉 = 0.4𝐹𝑦 (𝑁𝑆𝐶𝑃 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒4.5.3)
14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖

𝐹𝑉 = 0.4(250)
= 482.5 𝑀𝑃𝑎
𝐹𝑉 = 100 𝑀𝑃𝑎
Length of weld on one side, L = 𝐿1 + 𝐿2
𝐴𝑉 = 2𝑡 𝑥 𝐿 = 12𝐿 (𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑡𝑎𝑐𝑡 𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑎
Based on weld metal shear:
𝑏𝑒𝑡𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑤𝑒𝑙𝑑 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑎𝑙)
𝑃 = 0.707𝑡𝐿𝐹𝑉
424,000 = 12𝐿(100)
𝐹𝑉 = 0.3𝐹𝑢 (𝐶𝑜𝑑𝑒 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑚𝑒𝑛𝑡,
𝑁𝑆𝐶𝑃 𝑇𝑎𝑏𝑙𝑒 4.5.3)  𝐿 = 353 𝑚𝑚
𝐹𝑉 = 0.3(482.5) Use 𝐿 = 691 𝑚𝑚 on one side only.
𝐹𝑉 = 144.75 𝑀𝑃𝑎 Therefore; the total length of weld required
is 2𝐿 = 1382 𝑚𝑚
Reference:
Engineering Formula Series – Civil Engineering
National Structural Building Code of the Philippines
Design of Joints in Steel and Composite Materials Eurocode 3
Camarines Sur Polytechnic Colleges
Nabua, Camarines Sur
S/Y 2019-2020

From: Group 1 of BSCE 5B

Alcazar, Jeff Joel
Babila Mia Khouriene
Balagat, Victor
Banaria, Vineece
Batacan, Ara Christine
Bercasio, Mark Lee

Submitted to:
Engr. Seth Barandon
Insturctor