18/4/2018 Design of bolted plate to plate connection (EN) | IDEA StatiCa

IDEA StatiCa tutorial – Design of bolted plate to plate

connection (EN)
Welcome to IDEA StatiCa tutorial. By following it step-by-step, you will learn how to design
and code-check a structural steel joint using IDEA StatiCa Connection.

1 New project
Let’s launch IDEA StatiCa and select application Connection.

We create a new project by selecting a starting template closest to the desired design, fill the
name and choose design code and starting material properties – S 235.

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2 Geometry
Two beams were automatically added. We change the cross-section of member B1 to a
welded “I section” and define the cross-section dimensions (height, flange thickness and
width and thickness of the web).

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Then for member B2 we set the same cross section from the drop-down menu.

3 Load effects
One load effect was automatically added. We input the values of internal forces into the
chart. More load cases can be added.

4 Operations
Manufacturing operation “Plate to plate” was automatically added. We modify its geometrical
parameters, change the bolt properties and weld properties. More operations can be added.

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5 Calculation and Check

We start the analysis by clicking Calculate in the ribbon. Analysis model is automatically
generated, calculation is performed and we can see the Overall check displayed together
with basic values of check results.

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We go to the display tab Check and there we activate Strain check, Bolt forces, Mesh and
Deformed from the ribbon to get a full picture of what is happening in the joint. We open the
tab Bolts to see that there are some unused bolts.

We can take a look at the bolt check equations in the expand menu.

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6 Optimization
IDEA StatiCa Connection allows easy optimization of the joint. We pointed out that usage of
some bolts is almost zero. We can remove them and make our design more economical.

We right-click on the connecting plate and select Editor. There we click Explode and select
and remove bolts 5, 7, 9, 11, 17, 19, 21 and 23 by clicking Delete.

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Then we run the Calculation again and check updated results. The new design passes all
the checks and we saved 1/3 of bolts.

7 Report
At last we go to the tab Report. IDEA StatiCa offers fully customizable report to print out or
save in editable format.

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We have designed, optimized and code-checked a bolted plate to plate connection according
to Eurocode.

Keywords:

connection, joint, Eurocode, bolt, plate to plate, code-check, bolt optimization, edit bolts,
delete bolts, save material, bolts equations

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