Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 9: Design Software - Simple Connections 9 - 5 1 INTRODUCTION This document provides an introduction to the Excel workbook that covers the design of nominally pinned joints in accordance with EN 1993-1-8, as part of the design guide Multi-storey steel buildings . The workbook offers the alternative of different languages, and selection of National Annex values. The operation of the workbook is described in Section 2. Screenshots of the various sheets in the workbook are contained in Section 3. 1.1 Visual Basic The spreadsheet depends on extensive visual basic code. Some users may have security settings set to disable such code. The security level can be changed by selecting: “Tools”, “Options”. Select the “Security” tab and select “Macro security”. The setting must be at least “Medium”. Usually, Excel must be closed and re-started for the changes in security levels to become effective. 1.2 Scope 1.2.1 Joint types The workbook covers nominally pinned joints that are commonly used in multi-storey steel structures. The types of connections covered in separate worksheets within the workbook are:  Partial depth flexible end plates (also known as header plates)  Fin plates  Double angle cleats  Column splices (bearing type)  Column bases. For the beam connections, the resistance to both vertical shear and a horizontal tying force is calculated. The splice connections are all “bearing type”, meaning that there is no calculation of their resistance to axial compression. For splices, only the tensile resistance is calculated, for tying calculations. Only the resistance to axial compression is calculated for baseplates. Each joint type is covered on a different worksheet. The default connection detail will be the recommended standardised detail. Connection details are also drawn on each worksheet.