Did you know that you could use Consteel to calculate rotational stiffness for bolted column/beam moment bearing connections?

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Bolted connection

Bolted connection

Welded connection

Consteel 14 is a powerful analysis and design software for structural engineers. Watch our video how to get started with Consteel.

Contents

• Build joint model based on the global model
• Bolted moment end-plate connection design
• Base plate connection design
• Apply connection stiffness in analysis

Read our tips and tricks about Choosing the orientation of a symmetric joint for more information.

Version: CS14.1000

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Introduction

Joint orientaion can be chosen by the graphical display of the Place joint on the model function.

How it works

If there is only one option how to place a joint e.g. a single beam connected to a column, the orientation of the joint on the graphical display has no effect on the orientation of the placed joint.

IF:

• There is more than one option on the placement and
• The geometry of the connected members are completely the same

the orientation of the joint on the graphical display will determine the orientaion of the placed joint.

Please see below an example for two different orientations of the same joint. In the first row of pictures the joint is placed in a way that the longer connection plate with the bolts outside the beam flanges is on the right side (‘Right flange’ on the picture). You can see in Consteel Joint that the higher (152 kNm) moment acts on the right side.

In the second row, the same joint is placed with opposite orientation – the long connection plate on the left side. It is visible that the 152 kNm is now on the other side (the one with the shorter plate and bolts inside the flanges).

Introduction

When you create a new joint either manually or by model, certain parameters are set to a default value e.g. weld sizes, method of weld design, bolt material and diameters, stiffener plate properties etc…

When you’re working on a large model, or simply want to design more joints in Consteel Joint, setting these default parameters one by one (e.g. if you have a specified palette of bolts or plate material) at each joints would take a lot of time. In this case, creating a new, user defined default setting can be very helpful, and can save you time.

How it works

The default joint settings can be modified at the Default joint settings dialog. It can be opened either when creating a new joint (manually or by model) or from Joints dialog.