Structural Engineering: Introduction to connection design

Course details

Course overview

In this course the design decisions and philosophy required before performing any calculations are covered.

Prior knowledge required

This is an entry level course. Thus no prior knowledge of structural steel connection design is required. However, students will benefit from understanding the concepts of force paths and ductility.

Course content

This course is essentially divided into three broad topics:

• The introduction will provide an overview of everything that will be learnt in the course.

• The first topic deals with the way in which connections are classified and it's relation to lateral stability systems. Lateral stability systems are covered coupled with the role of the client in deciding upon a lateral stability system. The different types of connections within simple and rigid connections are introduced. A particularly important theme in this topic deals with the importance of involving fabricators in the selection of a connection which will be economical and efficient in construction.   

• The second topic of the course provides more depth on the variety of simple and rigid connections. The simple connections are a particularly worthwhile topic because guidance is provided on how to "correctly" design these connections. Special emphasis is placed on "poor design" decisions that should be avoided in order to prevent a simple connection from   ''unwittingly" becoming a rigid connection. For the rigid connections special emphasis will be placed on the behavioral aspects when these connections are subject to shears and moments are their resulting deformations.

• The third topic of the course is the most critical. The concept of force paths and ductility and its importance in connection design is covered. Connections should not be designed in isolation of these concepts.

• In the conclusion a review of everything that has been covered in the course is provided.

Course aims

• Develop competency in selecting an appropriate connection type.

• Become comfortable with the concepts of force paths and ductility and the role they play in connection design.

  
  

Learning outcomes

• Develop competence in selecting an appropriate connection type under a set of constraints and demonstrate sound connection design decisions.

• Learn what type of designs are considered "poor designs", particularly in simple connections. 

• Learn about the different deformation types that are applicable to bolts and elements in a connection.

• Learn the important design philosophies of force paths and ductility that are essential for all connection design. The knowledge is useful for non-standard connection designs.