STEEL STRUCTURE CONNECTION Steel frame members are usually pre-fabricated in various shapes and design.

There are several types of steel connection that are used to form this material into steel frame members which are welded,bolted and riveted.The type of connection used depends on the structural requirement and aesthethic value required in the building design.The cost and labour needed to connect steel joints are also taken into consideration. 1) Classification of connection The classification of connection is usually based on the loading condition of structures,types of members connected and according to whether the connection are exposed or hidden. a) Loading conditions Compressive loads may be carried out in different ways which are by direct welding,by direct compression or by using bolted splice plate between members.In some cases,only welding technique could be used. A shear connection needs another type of connection that are capable of transmitting moments as well as shear force needed. b) Types of members connected The types of members connected might vary.Some connections might be difficult to be connected due to practical constraints of the location of bolts and nuts. c) Whether connections are hidden or exposed The hidden connection are low cost and best for design that require aesthetic value.However,exposed connection are sometimes required for its practicality.Care must be taken in using exposed connection to prevent corrosion. 2) Connection between steel and concrete Connection between steel and concrete usually involves the column base and concrete foundation.The connection must be able to resist uplift or bending of the column base to prevent any structural failure.The connection usually used are holding down bolts. In Sri Gading hostel,this type of connection is used.

Figure : Connection between steel and concrete

Figure : Cross section detail of connection between steel and concrete

Figure : Moment based plate-moment connection for I-section columns

3) Connection between beam to beam,column to column and beam to column In Sri Gading hostel,in order to connect beam to column, welding,and bolted angle cleats,web plates,flange plates are used. a) Welding Direct connection type of weld are used in attaching beam and column together.Welding is a simpler method to use rather than bolted connection because they do not need any bolt holes,bolt heads or angle cleats.From aesthetical value,welding produce a neater and cleaner joint especially in Sri Gading because the structures are exposed.Therefore,they must limit the use of bolts where possible.The type of weld used in Sri Gading is fillet weld.

b) Bolting Bolted connection in Sri Gading hostel use angle cleats,web plates and flange plates to attach to each member.Bolting are usually done insitu because it is used to attach sections of steel structure which comes in various lengths to site.This is due to the limit of transportation lengths to transport the sections to site.Bolting works does not need labour intensive work.Therefore,it is economical compared to welding in labour cost.However,the installation of the bolts must be done correctly to avoid water retention which might cause corrosion to the bolt joints.

Figure : Splices

Figure : Bolted beam sections

Figure : Welded beam column connection

Figure : Angle cleats

Figure : Beam to column connection-haunched bottom of column to connect to beam 4) Connection in trusses Connection in trusses are usually welded and bolted.From our observation at Proposed Multi-Storey Community Hall For Indian Association Kuching,most parts of the steel trusses are bolted and welded.

Figure : Welded tubular section

Figure : Bolted steel trusses to stanchion

Another type of roof truss connection is found at Civic Centre Kuching.It is a single brace connection.

Figure : Single brace roof truss connection The maximum angle of intersection between angles for rectangular hollow sections are 30 degrees while for tubular hollow section,the maximum angle of intersection is 20 degrees.Any angle below these value will result in welding difficulties.Trusses which are heavy are usually welded to ensure strength and stability to structure.Tube to tube joints in tubular trusses like in Civic Center are usually welded to produce a neat and cheaper joint.However,the cost is high because the chords are tubular too.Therefore,the tubular hollow sections need to be cut according to the tubular chords.This requires skilled labour which involve more cost.