Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 1: Architect’s Guide 1 - 26 3.2 Connections between columns and beams 3.2.1 Moment-resisting connections In a portal frame structure, the connections between beams and columns transfer bending moments, as well as shear and axial forces, and they must be designed as rigid connections. A rigid connection typically has a full depth end plate. The roof beam is often haunched locally and the column web is stiffened in order to resist the local forces from the end of the roof beam. In general, stiffeners should be avoided if possible, as they add significant fabrication cost. 1 2 3 1 Extended end plate 2 Extended end plate with stiffener 3 Haunched connection with stiffener Figure 3.24 Rigid bolted connections between roof beams and columns Connections between trusses and columns are usually achieved by end plates on the top and bottom chords, bolted to the face of the column. A typical example is illustrated in Figure 3.25.