Steel Buildings in Europe

Part 9: Design Software - Simple Connections 9 - 10 If a very small section is selected, where the section is simply too shallow for a standardised end plate, fin plate, double angle cleat and splice connection, a warning appears, and only the baseplate tab remains visible. The remaining tabs will appear once a sufficiently large member is selected. 2.4 Functionalities on the connections worksheets Each of the worksheets for splice, fin plate, end plate, cleats and baseplate have two buttons – “Review Summary” and “Use Std detail”. 2.4.1 Review summary This button opens a further sheet, containing fuller details of the resistances calculated for each component of the connection. From this new sheet, the summary may be printed, or the user may return to the main spreadsheet. 2.4.2 Use Std Detail This button restores the standardised connection. 2.5 Splice worksheet A standardised connection is presented, displaying values of tying resistance (axial tension). The critical design criterion is noted. The splices are “bearing type” transferring compression by direct bearing. If the serial sizes are identical, a second splice option is displayed, with internal splice plates, and a second resistance is displayed. Sections may be chosen for both top and bottom columns – they must however be the same section type. The top section cannot be deeper ( h ) than the lower section. If an attempt is made to choose this configuration, the spreadsheet warns the user, and then adopts the latest section chosen for both top and bottom columns. The top section cannot be significantly smaller than the bottom section. When the user attempts to choose a top section that is significantly smaller than the bottom section, a warning is displayed. The difference in section depths ( h ) must be less than 100 mm. The section may be drawn, but no resistance is displayed if the difference in section depth exceeds 100 mm. If the section depths are significantly different, several warnings may be displayed. The following details of the standardised connection may be changed:  Section type  Section (top and bottom)  Grade  Plate grade  Cover plate thickness  Cover plate width  Bolt diameter