TITLE 5.

JOINTS AND STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

CHAPTER XIV. JOINTS

Section 55. General

55.1. Bases

Joint connections in a structure should be designed to fulfil the intended level of

safety, serviceability and durability, and the ability to withstand at least the stresses
provided for them in the global analysis of the structure.

55.2. Manufacture and assembly

Joints should be designed for ease of use and safety. Special attention shall be
paid to providing the space required to:

Assemble components safely.

Tighten the bolts.

Need for access for welders.

Accessibility for people in charge of performing protection and maintenance

treatments and inspection work, and their teams.

The effect of the length and angle tolerances between the faces of a single part
on the fit with contiguous parts should also be taken into account.

55.3. Transmission of forces

The arrangement of each joint shall be studied to ensure that, with a minimum of
members, the existing forces are transmitted under the best possible conditions and so
as to minimise secondary forces.

55.4. Nodes in triangular structures

In the case of triangular structures, compliance with the above condition shall be
facilitated if the axes of the bars to be joined in a node come together in a point and
when the angle formed by contiguous bars is between 30º and 150º.

If both conditions are met, it may be assumed that the bars are joined in the
node. This assumption may not be made if the second condition is not met, or if any
loads are applied to intermediate points of the bar other than its own weight or the
direct action of the wind, or if the ratio of span to height of the structure is less than 6.

If the first condition is not met, the corresponding eccentricity shall be taken into
account in the calculation, notwithstanding the provisions of Section 64 for certain joints
between tubular sections.

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55.5. Splices

Splices are extension joints of bars or profiles of the same or very similar section.
Splices shall only be permitted if included in the design or workshop drawings duly
approved by Project Management.

55.6. On-site joints

The number of joints made on site shall be reduced to a minimum. For this
purpose, it is advisable for the Designer and Constructor to work together to resolve
transport and assembly issues that such a reduction may cause.

It is advisable to follow best building practice of designing joints to be made on

site bolted together.

55.7. Hybrid connections

Hybrid joints are joints in which two or more different joining means (welding or
bolting) are used together to transmit a given force between two separate parts.

This does not include the transmission of a given force from one part to another
using a given joining means, and from this second part to a third part using a different
means.

Section 56. Determination of forces in joints and

distribution between components
56.1. Forces in joints

The forces applied to joints are determined by means of a global analysis of the
structure, carried out in accordance with the provisions of Chapter II (Project Bases)
and Chapter V (Structural Analysis) of this Code.

This global analysis shall take specific account of secondary effects and
structural imperfections, where relevant, and the flexibility of joints in all cases.

Joints shall be dimensioned to withstand at least the forces applied to them,

calculated as indicated above. Under no circumstances shall the forces NEd, MEd and
VEd be less than:

Half of the plastic axial force of the part section, NEd = 1/2 Np = 0.5Afy in parts
subjected predominantly to axial forces, such as columns, ties and lattice parts.

Half of the elastic moment of the part section, MEd = 1/2 Mel = 0.5 Wefy and one
third of its plastic shear force, VEd = 1/3 Vp ≈ 0.2Awfy in internal points of flexed parts. If
the joint is located less than two heights away from the anticipated location of a plastic
hinge, half of the elastic moment Mel shall be replaced with the full plastic moment, MEd
= Mpl = 2Syfy, subject to detailed study.

One third of the plastic shear force of the part section VEd = 1/3Vp ≈ 0.2Awfy in
articulated ends of flexed parts.

Unless said forces have been determined precisely and cannot be increased by
introducing new members in the construction or by the presence of members not taken

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into consideration, it is advisable to dimension the joints for the maximum forces that
the parts can transmit, depending on the working method to be used on them.

56.2. Stress distribution

The distribution of forces between the different elements of the joint, based on an
elastic linear analysis of the joint, shall be permitted in all cases.

Alternatively, where expressly authorised in this Code and on the basis of the
principle of minimum plasticity, distributions based on non-linear analyses shall be
permitted. Any distribution of forces between the different members of the joint that
meets the following conditions shall be accepted as correct:

The sum of the forces and moments assumed for each of the different elements
of the joint are in equilibrium with the external forces applied to it.

Each element of the joint is able to withstand the forces allocated to it in the
distribution.

Each element of the joint has sufficient deformation capacity to make the
proposed distribution physically possible.

The distribution of forces should be realistic with regard to relative stiffnesses

with the joints elements involved, preferably transmitted through the joint via the most
rigid areas.

If the fracture line method is used to justify a particular distribution, it must be

checked by testing. The exceptions expressly given in this Code shall apply.

Stress distribution may not be made using plastic methods in the cases indicated
in section 58.10.

Section 57. Classification of joints subjected to bending

moment
57.1. General

This section looks at joints between two parts (such as beam-column joints or
beam splices) that are essentially intended to transmit bending moments.

57.2. Moment-rotation characteristic

A joint intended to transmit moments is defined once the relation between the
moment applied to it and the relative rotation it permits between the parts to be joined
is known. The graphical representation of this relation is known as a moment-rotation
characteristic.

In general, this diagram has a linear branch, Figure 57.2.a (1), a plastification
start zone, Figure 57.2.a (2), and a major deformation branch, Figure 57.2.a (3).

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 Figure 57.2.a Design Moment-rotation characteristic

These characteristics can be obtained by testing or using numerical methods that

consider the non-linearity of the different materials, structural steel, weld metal, bolts,
etc., used in the joint. For calculation purposes, they may be replaced by simplified,
two- or three-line diagrams obtained from the real diagram, with the sole condition that
all of its points be below it, Figure 57.2.b.

Real Actual
Simplificado Simplified

Figure 57.2.b Simplified moment-rotation characteristic

A simplified diagram is defined by three parameters, Figure 57.2.b:

Moment resistance MRd, determined by the highest y-axis value of the

diagram.

Rotation capacity, ΦCd, determined by the highest x-axis value of the

diagram.

Rotational stiffness, Sj, depending on the linear branch passing the origin.

57.3. Classification by strength

Joints are classified as follows, depending on their strength relative to the

strength of the parts to be joined:

Nominally pinned joints are joints that should be incapable of transmitting

significant moments (greater than 25 % of the plastic moment of the parts to be joined),
which might adversely affect the performance of individual parts of the structure. They
should be capable of accepting the rotations provided for in the global analysis.

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 Full strength joints, whose ultimate moment is equal to or greater than that of the
parts to be joined, MRd ≥ Mpl.Rd.

Partial-strength joints are joints that do not meet the criteria for nominally pinned
or full-strength. Their ultimate moment may not be less than that determined in the
analysis, MRd ≥ MEd.

In any case, the rotation capacity of the joint shall be such as not to limit the
formation of the plastic hinges provided for in the analyses.

The rotation capacity of a joint must be demonstrated experimentally or by

numerical means that take account of the non-linearity of the performance of the
materials and elements involved, except where this Code provides simplified methods
for calculating it, as in Section 62.

Specifically, if the ultimate moment of a full-strength connection is at least 20 %

greater than the plastic moment of the largest part being joined, MRd ≥ 1.2Mpl.Rd the
rotation capacity need not be checked, this being deemed sufficient.

57.4. Classification by stiffness

Joints are classified as follows, depending on their rotational stiffness Nominally

pinned joints which are joints whose stiffness meets the following condition:
lb2
E
Sj

Lb

i
,
n
i

where Ib and Lb are the second moment of area and the length of the connected
beam.

Rigid joints or abutments are joints whose deformation has no significant

influence on the laws of global forces of the structure or its general deformability. Joints
whose initial stiffness Sj,ini in their moment-rotation characteristic complies with the
condition below shall be placed in this category:
E
l Lb
S

k
b


j
,
i
n
i

where k shall be 8 if the beam is part of a non-translational portal frame, or 25 if it is

part of a translational portal frame.

Semi-rigid joints are joints that do not meet the criteria for nominally pinned
connections or rigid joints. Joints that are not nominally pinned connections and that
are part of portal frame floors for which the following is true shall also be classified as
semi-rigid:
KbKc

 0,1

where Kb is the average value of Ib/Lb for all of the beams at the top of the storey and Kc
is the average value of Ic/Lc of the columns or pillars of said storey.

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57.5. Modelling joints in the global analysis
In general, for the global analysis, joints shall be modelled using their moment­
rotation characteristic.

Joints may be modelled using nominally pinned connections that do not transmit
bending moment. Full-strength joints may be modelled as a continuous (or rigid) node.
In these cases, the moment-rotation characteristic for the joint need not be included.

In the case of semi-rigid or partial-strength joints, the stiffness of the joint Sj,
which is the moment Mj,Ed (defined by its moment-rotation diagram), must be used in
the global analysis to determine the forces in the structure.

As a simplification, in the case of global elastic and plastic analysis, a two-line

diagram may be used (such as the one shown in Figure 57.2.b) in which the stiffness Sj
is:

Sj,ini /η.

As a simplification in the case of global elastic analysis, the rotation stiffness for
all moment values MEd may be as follows:

Sj,ini if MEd ≤ 2/3 MRd

Sj,ini /η if MEd ≤ MRd

The parameter η shall be 2 for beam-column joints, 3.5 for beam-beam joints,
splices and bases with angle irons bolted to the flanges, and 3 for any other type of
joint.

Section 58. Bolted joints

58.1. Bolt types
The bolts used in structural steel joints shall preferably be of one of the following
classes: 4.6, 5.6, 6.8, 8.8 or 10.9, covered by one of the standards provided for in
section 29.2 of this Code.
Bolts whose class is below 4.6 or above 10.9 shall not be used without
experimental demonstration that they are suitable for the joint for which they are
intended.
The nominal yield strength fyb and ultimate tensile strength fub values of the steel
used in the bolts of permissible classes are shown in Table 58.1.

Table 58.1. Nominal values of yield strength fyb and ultimate tensile strength fub for bolts
BOLT CLASS 4.6 5.6 6.8 8.8 10.9
fyb, N/mm2 240 300 480 640 900
fub, N/mm2 400 500 600 800 1 000
Grade 8.8 and 10.9 bolts are classified as high-strength.

58.2. Categories of bolted joints

Bolted joints are classified into five categories depending on how the bolts are
worked. Three categories apply to joints in which the bolts are stressed perpendicular
to their axis (categories A, B and C) and the other two (categories D and E) apply to
joints in which the bolts are stressed in the direction of their axis (i.e. tension).

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 Category A: Joints in which the ordinary or high-strength bolts work in shear and
compression. If the bolts are high-strength (classes 8.8 or 10.9) they need not be pre­
loaded and the contact surfaces need not undergo any special preparation. This should
be calculated in accordance with the provisions of section 58.6. For obvious reasons of
economy, joints of this category shall be used if the bolts will be loaded perpendicular
to their axis. If the part is subjected to fatigue, impacts or alternating forces, the use of
high-strength bolts pre-loaded to N0 (as indicated in section 58.8) is recommended,
although the bolts may continue to be calculated in shear and compression.
Category B: Joints made using pre-loaded, high-strength bolts with prepared
contact surfaces that are not intended to slip in serviceability limit state. In the ultimate
limit state, the joint may slip and the bolts may work in shear and compression. The
force Fs.Ed to be transmitted, calculated in serviceability limit state, must comply with the
following:

Fs.Ed≤ Fs.Rd

where Fs.Rd is the value given in section 58.8.In ultimate limit state, the joint shall be
checked in accordance with the provisions of section 58.6.
Category C: Joints made using pre-loaded high-strength bolts with prepared
contact surfaces that are not intended to slip in the ultimate limit state. The force Fs.Ed to
be transmitted, calculated in ultimate limit state, should comply with the following:

Fs.Ed≤ Fs.Rd

where Fs.Rd is the value given in section 58.8.

It shall also be checked that, in ultimate limit state:

- joint resists shearing and compression in accordance with the provisions of

section 58.6.This condition may be deemed met if the thickness tmin of the
thinnest part to be joined is greater than d/2.4 if the parts are made of S 235 or
S 275 steel, or d/3.1 if the parts are made of S 355 steel;

- The force to be transmitted, Fs.Ed, is less than the plastic resistance of the net
area of the part:

Fs.Ed≤ Anet fy /γM0

This category of joints is used if, to simplify assembly, drill holes that are oversize
or slotted in the direction of the force to be transmitted are used, or if any slipping of the
joint would significantly reduce the strength or stiffness of the structure, or if the bolts
are used jointly with weld seams in hybrid joints.
Category D: Joints made using ordinary or high-strength bolts working in
tension. If high-strength bolts are used, they need not be pre-loaded and the contact
surfaces need not be prepared. The use of joints in this category is not recommended if
they are to be subjected to frequent variations in the tensile force to be transmitted,
although they may be used if said tensile forces are attributable exclusively to wind
loads.
Category E: Joints made using pre-loaded, high-strength bolts working
intension. Pre-loading improves the stiffness of the joint in serviceability limit state and
fatigue resistance, although this limit depends to a great extent on constructional
details and adjustment tolerances between parts. Surfaces need only be prepared if

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the joint is subjected to forces perpendicular to the axis of the bolts as well as tensile
forces (joints in categories E+B or E+C).

58.3. Bolt holes

Bolt holes should preferably be drilled. They may be punched if the diameter of
the hole is greater than the thickness of the part, provided that said thickness is not
greater than 15 mm and the parts to be joined are not subject to fatigue stressing.
The standard diameter of holes shall be the shank of the bolt plus:

1 mm for bolts with a diameter of 12 and 14 mm,

1 or 2 mm for bolts with a diameter of 16 to 24 mm,

2 or 3 mm for bolts with a diameter of 27 mm or more.

Holes for 12 and 14 mm bolts may have 2 mm play provided that the
compression strength of the group of bolts is less than the shear strength.
In high-strength slip-resistant bolted connections, oversized or short or long
slotted holes may be used to facilitate assembly of the parts.

For oversize holes, the drill diameter shall be the shank of the bolt plus:

- 3 mm for 12 mm bolts,

- 4 mm for 14 to 22 mm bolts,

- 6 mm for 24 mm bolts,

- 8 mm for bolts with a diameter of 27 mm or more.

For anchoring bolts in base plates, oversized holes with the clearance indicated
by the Designer may be used, provided that said drill holes are covered with a splice
plate of suitable size and thickness. The holes in the cover plates shall be of standard
diameter. If the anchoring bolts have to withstand forces perpendicular to their axis, the
splice plates must be welded to the base plate with a weld strong enough to transmit
such forces.
The width of short or long slotted holes perpendicular to the force shall be the
same as the diameter of the corresponding standard holes. In the direction of the force,
the distance e (Figure 58.3) for short slotted holes shall be:
(d + 4) mm for 12 to 14 mm bolts,

(d + 6) mm for 16 to 22 mm bolts,

(d + 8) mm for 24 mm bolts,

(d + 10) mm for bolts of 27 mm or greater.

For long slotted holes, it shall in all cases be as follows:

e = 2.5 d mm, where d is the diameter of the shank of the corresponding bolt.

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 Figure 58.3. End and edge distances for Slotted holes

The use of long slotted holes is permitted if relative movement between the parts
to be joined is permitted. In this case, the designer shall determine the length of the drill
hole. In any case, to avoid durability issues, long slotted holes on the outer faces of
parts must be covered with splice plates of suitable size and thickness having holes no
larger than standard.

58.4. Position of holes

Holes for bolts should be arranged so as to hinder corrosion of the parts to be
joined, to prevent local buckling, to enable the easy placement of bolts and nuts, and
not to unnecessarily reduce the compression strength of the parts to be joined.
Table 58.4.a sets out the maximum and minimum limits for the hole and edge
distances defined below and in Figures 58.4.a and 58.4.b, where:

e1 Distance from the centre of a hole to a contiguous edge, measured in the

direction of the force to be transmitted.
e2 Distance from the centre of a hole to a contiguous edge, measured
perpendicular to the force to be transmitted.
p1 Distance between the centres of contiguous holes, measured in the direction of
the force to be transmitted.
p2 Distances between contiguous rows of bolts or rivets, measured perpendicular
to the force to be transmitted.
m Distance from the axis of the drill hole to any surface parallel to said axis.

In the case of slotted holes, the distances e1, e2, p1 and p2 shall be measured
from the centres of the end semicircles.
Table 58.4.a: Minimun and maximum spacing end and edge distances
Distances Mandatory Recommended Maximum, Maximum,
and spacing minimum minimum normal weather or
environment corrosive
environment
e1 1.2d0 2d0 125 mm or 8t 40 mm + 4t
e2 1.2d0 1.5d0 125 mm or 8t 40 mm + 4t
p1 2.2d0 3d0 Compression members 14t or 200 mm
Tensed parts:
28t or 400 mm
p2 2.4d0 3d0 14t or 200 mm
m 2d
d0 Hole diameter.
d Bolt diameter.
t Thickness of the thinnest part to be joined.

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 Figure 58.4.a Symbols for spacing of fasteners

Figure 58.4.b Staggered spacing To ensure that bolts can be tightened easily,
the distance m from the axis of the drill hole to any surface parallel to said axis (Figure
58.4.c) should be no less than 2d, where d is the diameter of the bolt.

Figure 58.4.c Distance m

58.5. Strength of members with holes

The reduction in tensile, compression and bending strength of the parts to be
joined by holes intended to hold joining apparatus should conform to the provisions of
Section 34 of this Code.

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58.5.1. Tear strength
At the ends of beams joined to other beams or to supports using joins requiring
the removal of one or both flanges (Figure 58.5.1.a) or at the ends of tensed parts
joined by bolts or gusset-plate welds (Figure 58.5.1.b), the tear strength of the parts
and gusset plates must be checked.

Figure 58.5.1.a Tearing at part extremities

VIGA BEAM
DESMEMBRADO REMOVED SECTION
AREA A CORTANTE SHEAR AREA
FALLO POR DESGARRO DE LA PARTE TEAR FAIL OF THE SHADED PART
SOMBREADA
AREA A TRACCION TRACTION AREA

In the case of a join between a beam and another beam or a support using a
double angle bearing (section 61.3), if the joint is made—as is normal—using a single
column of n bolts, it shall only be necessary to make this check if the web is removed
from the beam towards which the reaction is directed (Figure 58.5.1.a). In this case, it
shall also be necessary to perform a bend check on the beginning of the removed
section d-d.

1 Small tension force

2 Large shear force
3 Small shear force
4 Largetension force

Figure 58.5.1.b Block tearing

The end of the part stressed by an axial force centred on its axis or the
corresponding gusset plate shall be secure if the following is true:

NEd ≤ Nef.Rd

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 where NEd is the design force and Nef.Rd is the tear strength, calculated on the
basis of the following expression:

fy3
AnγM
fuγ
An
Ne

v
t 2


f
,
R
d

in which:

Ant is the net area of the zone subjected to tension.

Anv is the net area of the zone subjected to shearing.

In joints in which the force acts eccentrically, such as joints with beam-end

double angle bearings, Ant in the expression above shall be half of its real value.

58.5.2. Angles connected by one leg and other unsymmetrically connected

members in tension

The eccentricity in joints and the effects of the spacing n and edge distance of
the bolts should be taken into account in determining the design resistance of:

- Unsymmetrical members.

- Symmetrical members that are connected unsymmetrically, such as angles

connected by on one leg.

A single angle in tension connected by a single row of bolts in one side (see
Figure 58.5.2) may be treated as concentrically loaded over an effective net section for
which the design ultimate resistance should be determined as follows:

With 1 bolt Nu,Rd= 2(e 2  0.5d 0 )tfu

M2
An
fu

2
e
t

With 2 bolts Nu,Rd =

M2
An
fu

 3

e
t

With 3 or more bolts Nu,Rd =

 M 2

where:

β2 and β3 are reduction factors dependent on the pitch p1, as given in Table 58.5.
For intermediate values of p1, the value of β may be determined by linear interpolation.

Anet is the net area of the angle. For an angle unequal-leg connected by its
smaller leg, Anet can be taken as equal to the net section area of an
equivalent equal-leg of leg size equal to that of the smaller leg.

Table 58.5: Reduction factors β2 and β3

Pitch p1 ≤ 2.5 do ≥ 5.0 do
2 bolts β2 0.4 0.7
3 bolts or more β3 0.5 0.7

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 a) 1 bolt

b) 2 bolts

c) 3 bolts

Angles connected by one leg

58.5.3. Lug angle

If it is necessary to place lug angles between an angled-section part and a gusset

plate (Figure 58.5.3), the joint of the lug angle to the part should be designed to resist a
force 1,2 times the force corresponding to the flange of the angle iron that it joins, and
its join to the gusset plate to resist a force 1,4 times the force of the flange of the angle
iron to which it is joined.

If the part has a U section, joined by its web to a gusset plate using two lug
angles, the join of each of these to the flanges of the U-part be to resist a force 1,1
times the force corresponding to the flange of the U-section, and its join to the gusset
plate to resist a force 1,2 times the force in the flange that [...] of the U-section it joins.

In no cases should less than two bolts be used to attach the lug angle to a gusset
or other supporting part.

The connection of lug angle to gusset plate or other supporting parts should
terminate at the end of the member connected. The connection between the lug angle
and the member should run from the end of the member to beyond the direct
connection of the member to the gusset plate or other supporting part.

Figure 58.5.3 Lug angles

58.6. Shear and bearing resistance of bolts

If a bolt, placed in a standard hole, is perpendicular to its axis in the ultimate limit
states, the force applied to it (Fv,Ed) shall not be greater than the lesser of the following
values:

- The shear resistance of the bolt, Fv,Rd.

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 - The bearing resistance of the part in the zone contiguous to the bolt, Fb,Rd.

If all of the cutting planes pass through the unthreaded area of the bolt shank, the
shear strength Fv,Rd is determined by the expression:

0.6 fub An
Fv,Rd 

 M 2

If any of the cutting planes pass through the threaded area of the bolt shank, and
the bolts are 4.6, 5.6 or 8.8, the shear strength is determined by the expression:

0,6 f ub AS n
Fv,Rd 
M2
If any of the cutting planes pass through the threaded area of the bolt, and the
bolts are grade 6.8 or 10.9, the shear strength is determined by the expression:

0,5 f ub AS n
Fv,Rd 
M2

In the above expressions, A is the area of the bolt shank, As is the tension­
resistant area (see Table 58.7); fub is the ultimate tensile stress of the bolt, and n is the
number of cutting planes.
The bearing resistance of a part of thickness t against the shank of a bolt of
diameter d placed in a standard hole is provided by the following expression:

f u dt
Fb,Rd 
M2
where fu is the ultimate tensile strength of the material of the part, α is a
coefficient equal to the smaller of the values:

e1 p1 1 f ub
;  ; ; 1,0
3d 0 3d 0 4 f u

and β is another coefficient equal to the smaller of the values:

2,8e2
1.7; 2, 5
d0

If the bolt is placed in an oversize hole, the value Fb,Rd given by the above
expressions is multiplied by a factor of 0.8. If the hole is slotted, with the slot direction
perpendicular to the force to be transmitted, the value of Fb,Rd given in the above
expressions is multiplied by a factor of 0.6. Shear and compression forces may not be
transmitted in slotted holes in the direction of the force.

For single-lap joins with a single bolt row, washers must be placed beneath the
head and beneath the nut of the bolt, and the bearing resistance Fb,Rd, calculated
according to the above expressions, shall be limited to the following maximum value:

Fb,Rd= 1.5 fud t / γM2

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 For countersunk screws, the thickness t shall be the thickness of the part in which
the head is seated, less half of its height.

Table 58.6.a sets out the single-shear strength in kN of bolts of the most common
diameters and grades when the cutting planes do not pass through the threaded area
of the shank.

Table 58.6.a.Single-shear strength in kN of most common bolts

CLASS BOLT DIAMETER (mm)

12 14 16 20 22 24 27
4.6 21.71 29.55 38.60 60.32 72.98 86.86 109.93
5.6 27.14 36.95 48.25 75.40 91.23 108.57 137.41
6.8 32.57 44.33 57.90 90.48 109.48 130.28 164.89
8.8 43.43 59.11 77.21 120.64 145.97 173.72 219.86
10.9 54.28 73.89 96.50 150.80 182.46 217.14 274.82

Table 58.6.b sets out the bearing resistance of a part 10 mm thick against bolts of
the most common diameters, using the distance-to-edge and distance-between-bolts
values given therein.

Table 58.6.b.Compression strength in kN for sheets 10 mm thick

MINIMUM DISTANCE (mm) STEEL STRENGTH
DIAMETER
d0 e1 e2 p1 p2 S 235 S 275 S355
12 13 25 20 40 40 55.38 66.15 78.46
14 15 30 25 45 45 67.20 80.27 95.20
16 17 35 30 65 65 79.06 94.43 112.0
20 21 40 35 75 75 91.43 109.21 129.52
22 23 50 35 75 75 114.78 137.10 162.61
24 26 50 40 80 80 120.0 143.33 170.0
27 29 60 45 90 90 134.07 143.33 189.93

If it is necessary to place linings of thickness tf greater than one third of the

diameter of the bolts that are used to guarantee a good fit between the parts to be
joined, the shear strength Fv,Rd must be multiplied by a reduction coefficient βf given by:

9d
f  1
8d  3t f

For double-shear joints with linings on both faces of the joint, tf shall be the
thickness of the thicker of the two linings. Any additional bolt required on account of
application of the factor βf may, at the Designer’s discretion, be placed in an extension
of the linings provided for this purpose.

58.7. Tensile strength

When a bolt is loaded in the direction of its axis in the ultimate limit states by a
tensile force Ft,Ed, which must include all potential leverage, it must not be greater than
the lesser of the following two values:

- The tensile resistance of the bolt Ft,Rd.

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 - The punching shear resistance of the part beneath the nut or beneath the bolt
head Bp,Rd.

In joints with an end plate and preloaded, high-strength bolts, the tensile strength
of the plate-bolt unit Fch,Rd shall be determined in accordance with the provisions of
section 61.2.

The tension resistance Ft,Rd of a bolt is given by the expression:

Ft,Rd = 0.9 fubAs /γM2

The tensile strength indicated shall only apply to bolts manufactured in

accordance with one of the standards listed in section 58.1. The tensile strength of
members, such as anchoring bolts, in which the thread is manufactured using
procedures that involve machining shall be the value given in the above expression
multiplied by 0.85. Table 58.7 shows the tensile strength of normal-head screws of the
most common diameters and classes.

Table 58.7. Ultimate tensile strength in kN

DIAMETER As CLASS
(mm) (mm2) 4.6 5.6 8.8 10.9
12 84.3 24.28 30.35 48.56 60.70
16 157 45.22 56.52 90.43 113.04
20 245 70.56 88.20 141.12 176.4
22 303 87.26 109.08 174.53 218.16
24 353 101.66 127.08 203.33 254.16
27 456 131.33 164.16 262.66 328.30

For countersunk bolts, the tensile resistance shall be 70 % of the value given by
the above expressions.

The punching shear resistance of a sheet of thickness t (Bp,Rd) acted upon by a

bolt subject to tension is given by the expression:

Bp,Rd = 0.6 πdmtfu /γM2

in which dm is the lesser average diameter between the circles circumscribed and
inscribed on the nut or the head and fu is the tensile strength of the steel in the sheet.

The value of Bp.Rd need not be checked if the thickness of the sheet meets the
following condition:
d
fu6
tm

b
fu


i
n

58.7.1. Combined shear and tension

Bolts subjected simultaneously to tensile forces and forces perpendicular to their

axis, in addition to complying with section 58.7, must also meet the following condition:
F,

F,

vF,
E
d

t4
EF,
d t
1
,

 

v
R
d

R
d

TITLE 5 page 16
58.8. Design slip resistance

High-strength bolts (classes 8.8 and 10.9), which should be preloaded be

tightened using one of the methods set out in section 76.7 until the tension in the shank
reaches 70 % of its ultimate tensile strength. Consequently, the design preloaded force
of the bolt shall be:

N0=0.7 fub AS

If bolts not covered by the standards included in section 58.1, or other members
to be pre-stressed (such as threaded rods) are used, the design preloading force N0
and the means of achieving it must be agreed between the Designer, member
Manufacturer and Project Management.

The slip resistance of a preloaded, high-strength bolt should be taken as:

kS n
F S , Rd  N0
M3
Where ski Factor that depends on the type of holes used. This shall be 1.0 for
normal holes, 0.85 for oversized or slotted drill holes that are short perpendicular
to the force, and 0.7 for slotted holes that are long perpendicular to the force. If
the slot of the hole runs in the direction of the force, ks shall be 0.76 for short
slotted drill holes and 0.63 for long slotted drill holes.
n Number of possible friction surfaces, generally n = 1 or n = 2.
μ Slip factor, which depends on the state of the contact surfaces in the possible
friction interfaces. Its value is:
- 0.5 for sand- or shot-blasted surfaces up to grade SA 2 1/2 in standard UNE­
EN ISO 8501-1, free of pitting, or surfaces with no post-treatment if the joint
is made immediately after blasted such that there is no time for oxide to form
on the contact surfaces, or surfaces post-treated by thermal spraying with
aluminium or any other treatment that guarantees this factor, in the opinion of
Project Management.
- 0.4 for sand- or shot-blasted surfaces up to grade SA 2 1/2 in standard UNE­
EN ISO 8501-1, free of pitting and painted with zinc alkali silicate to a
thickness of between 50 and 80 μm.
- 0.3 for surfaces cleaned with a wire brush or by flame cleaning.
- 0.2 for untreated or galvanised surfaces.
γM3 The strength reduction coefficient shall be:
- 1.1 for B joints,
- 1.25 for C and hybrid joints and joints subject to fatigue effects.

If the joint is also subject to an axial tensile force that generates a tensile force in
the bolt with the value Ft.Ed, Fs.Rd shall be calculated as follows:
kS n
FS , Rd  (N 0  0,8Ft , Ed )
M3

TITLE 5 page 17
58.9. Connections made with pins

The provisions of this section apply to joints in which the pins need to allow the
parts they join to rotate freely in relation to one another. If such rotation is not required,
the joint may be designed as a single bolted connection, provided that the length of the
pin is less than 3 times the diameter of the pin.

With a part of thickness t joined to others by means of a pin of thickness d seated

in a drill hole of diameter d0, it shall be able to transmit the force FEd, if its geometry
(Figure 58.9.a) should follows:

Figure 58.9.a

- Distance of the hole edge to an edge perpendicular to the force to be

transmitted:
FE

2
d03
a

γ
dt
M y
0
2
f




- Distance of the hole edge to an edge parallel to the force to be transmitted:

FE

d03
c

γM 0
d2
t
fy




where fy is the elastic limit of the steel in the part and fu is its tensile strength.

A part that meets the given geometry in Figure 58.9.b will be able to withstand
the design force FEd, provided that the diameter of the drill hole and the thickness of the
part comply with the following:
FE
d0
2
,
5
t
;

t
0
,
7

γM0
dfy

 

TITLE 5 page 18
 Figure 58.9.b

The reinforcing plates used to increase the net area of the parts or their
compression strength must be arranged without any eccentricity and be large enough
to transmit the correct force to the part. The joint between both must be dimensioned to
withstand this force.

It is advisable to install a bushing made of corrosion-resistant material (such as

sintered bronze with PTFE) between the pin and the parts to be joined if rotation of the
joint needs to be guaranteed.

The shear resistance of of a pinof diameter d, of cross-sectional area A and

made of steel with a tensile strength of fup is determined by:

Fv,Rd = 0.6 A fup / γM2

The bending moment MEd in a pin joining a central part of thickness b subject to a
force FEd perpendicular to the axis of the pin, with two other side parts of thickness a,
separated by a distance c from the central part (Figure 58.9.c) shall be:

MEd=FEd(b + 4c + 2a)/8

Figure 58.9.c

A pin of diameter d, modulus Wel, made of a steel with an elastic limit of fyp shall
comply with:

MEd ≤ MRd = 1,5 Welfyp/γM0

TITLE 5 page 19
 If the pin intended to be replaceable, the bending moment stressing it in the
serviceability limit state MEd,ser should satisfy the following condition:

MEd,ser ≤ MRd,ser = 0.8 Wel fyp

The combined shear and bending resistance of the pin shall be sufficient if the
following is true:

2 2

M
Ed


FV , Ed 

  
  
1

M
Rd



FV , Rd 

where MEd and Fv,Ed are the forces applied to the pin in ultimate limit state.

The bearing resistance of the plate and the pin, assumed to be made of steel
with a yield strength limit fy ≤ fyp against a pin of diameter d made of steel with an yield
strength fyp is given by:

Fb,Rd = 1.5 t d fy /γM0

and the following must be true:

Fb,Ed ≤ Fb.Rd.

If the pin is intended to be replaceable, the bearing resistance th in serviceability

limit state Fb,Rd,ser is given by:

Fb,Rd,ser = 0.6 t d fy

and the following should be true:

Fb,Ed,ser ≤ Fb,Rd,ser

Moreover, if the pin is intended to be replaceable, the local contact bearing stress
should satisfied.

58.10.Distribution of forces between bolts

The distribution of forces between different bolts in a joint in the ultimate limit
state shall be made by means of linear methods in the following cases:

- Category C joints.

- Category A or B joints when the shear resistance Fv.Rd of the bolt is less than the
compression strength Fb.Rd of the contiguous part.

- If the joint is subjected to impacts, vibrations or alternating load cycles (except

wind).

In all other cases, the distribution may be made using elastic or plastic means,
provided that the equilibrium deformation compatibility and plasticity conditions are
fulfilled.

TITLE 5 page 20
 In any case, a bolted joint shall be deemed secure if the force FEd in the most
stressed bolt is equal to or less than the shear, compression or slip strength of said bolt
FRd, as applicable, i.e. if the following is true:

FEd ≤ FRd

Section 59. Welded connections

59.1. General

The welded joints covered by this Code should conform to provisions of Section
77.

The steel to be joined by welding and the weld materials shall comply with the
provisions of section 29.5.

In all cases, the weld material should provide mechanical, yield strength and
ultimate tensile strength characteristics at least as good as those of the base metal.

The welds covered by this Code apply to material thickness of 4 mm and over.

59.1.1. Qualification

A welded joint shall not be deemed to have been made in accordance with this
Code if it was not made using a qualified welding process, as specified in section 77.4.

59.1.2. Authorised welding methods

Although all of the methods provided for in section 77.3 are valid, the methods
most commonly used in the steel structures to which this Code relates are listed below:

- Manual covered-electrode welding, with rutile or basic coatings. This is process

111, manual electric-arc welding including rutile, basic and other coatings.

- Gas-shielded semi-automatic welding, with solid or tubular flux-filled wire and

spray transfer. These are processes 135 and 136.

- Semi-automatic welding, with tubular flux-filled wire and no gas shielding, with
spray transfer. This is process 114.

Automatic submerged arc welding. This is process 121.

Authorisation should be sought from Project Management to use other

procedures or electrodes with different coatings.

In any case, the mechanical characteristics of the weld metal shall be equal to or
better than the characteristics of the steel in the parts to be welded.

59.2. Types of joints and chords

Depending on the relative positions of the parts to be joined, welded joints may
be butt, T or lap joints (Table 59.2).

TITLE 5 page 21
 Weld chords to be deposited between parts to be joined to form a welded joint
are divided into fillet weld chords and butt weld chords. Moreover, welds can be made
on one side or on both sides.

Fillet weld chords are known as side when they are parallel to the direction of the
force they transmit, frontal when they are perpendicular to said force and oblique in
intermediate cases. In any case, they may be continuous or discontinuous.

Butt weld chords can be full penetration or partial penetration.

Table 59.2. Types of welded joints according to the relative position of the parts

Joint type
Weld type
Butt joint T butt joint Lap joint

Fillet weld

Slot weld

Hole

Full-penetration butt weld*

Single V, double V, Single bevel, double bevel,

single U, double U single J, double J

Partial-penetration butt weld*

Double
bevel
Double V, double u

Plug weld

TITLE 5 page 22
59.3. Constructional details for fillet weld chords

59.3.1. General

Fillet weld chords may be used to connect parts where fusion faces form angles
of between 60º and 120º.

For angle between 45º and 60º, the seam is deemed partial penetration.

For angle greater than 120º or less than 45º, the seam is considered a simple
binding with no capacity to withstand forces, unless its strength is proven by testing.

59.3.2. Throat thickness

Notwithstanding the provisions for joints between parts of tubular section or box
sections that cannot be accessed internally, the throat thickness a of a fillet weld seam
shall not exceed 0,7 tmin, where tmin is the thickness of the thinnest part to be joined.

The throat thickness a of a fillet weld seam (section 59.7) should not be less than
3 mm when depositing on sheets up to 10 mm thick, or less than 4.5 mm when
depositing on parts up to 20 mm thick, or less than 5.6 mm when depositing on parts
more than 20 mm thick, unless the welding procedure provides for smaller throat
thicknesses.

To prevent potential cold cracking issues, if the thickness of one of the parts to be
joined is greater than twice that of the other part, it is advisable to prepare a suitable
welding process that takes the carbon equivalent Ceq of the base material, the heat
generated by the welding process and the possibility of having to preheat the base
metal into account.

59.3.3. Termination

Fillet weld chords should not terminate in the corners of the parts or members
thereof, but they should continue around the corner, provided that the extension can be
made in the same plane as the seam, to a length at least three times the throat a of the
seam. Said extension must be included in the drawings.

59.3.4. Intermittent fillet welds

In structures stressed by predominantly static loads in environments with C1 or

C2 corrosivity, discontinuous fillet chords may be used if the thickness of the throat
required by the verification calculations is less than the minimum recommended in
section 59.8. Discontinuous chords may not be used in environments with greater than
C2 corrosivity.

- In discontinuous chords, the gap L1 between the ends of the partial chords, on
the same or different faces, in parts under tension (Figure 59.3.4) shall be less
than the smaller of the following values:200 mm or 16 times the thickness of the
thinnest part to be joined.

- In discontinuous chords, the gap L2 between the ends of the partial chords, on
the same or different faces, in parts under compression or shear force (Figure
59.3.4) shall be less than the smaller of the following values: 200 mm, 12 times
the thickness of the thinnest part to be joined or 0.25b.

TITLE 5 page 23
 - The length L w of each partial seam shall be larger than the greater of the
following values:6 times the seam throat or 40 mm.

- The length Lwe of each partial seam at the ends of the parts to be joined shall be
larger than the smaller of the following values:0.75b or 0.75b1.

(a) Satisfactory details

Figure 59.3.4

59.3.5. Eccentricity

Fillet weld chords shall be placed so as to prevent the occurrence of bending

moments whose axis is the same as the seam (Figure 59.3.5).

TITLE 5 page 24
 (a) Satisfactory details

(b) Non-satisfactory details

Figure 59.3.5

59.3.6. Minimum length of side chords

Side fillet weld chords that transmit axial forces of bars shall be at least 15 times
as long as their throat width and not less than the width of the part to be joined (Figure
59.3.6).

Figure 59.3.6

59.3.7. Laps

In lap joints, the minimum lap shall not be less than 5tmin, where tmin is the
smaller thickness of the parts to be joined, or 25 mm. If the joint is required to transmit
axial forces, frontal fillet weld chords should be made on both ends of the lapped parts
(Figure 59.3.7).

TITLE 5 page 25
 (a) Valid

(b) Not valid

Figure 59.3.7
Solape Overlap

59.4. Constructional details for butt weld chords

Butt weld chords may be made between parts arranged in extension or in a T

(Table 59.2). They are full penetration if the weld metal takes up the full thickness of
the parts to be joined with no defects.

They are partial penetration if the thickness taken up by the weld metal is less
than the full thickness of the parts joined.

Partial-penetration butt weld chords shall be placed so as to prevent the

occurrence of parasitic bending moments whose axis is the same as the seam (Figure
59.3.5).

Intermittent butt weld chords are not permitted.

59.5. Plug and slot welds

Plug welds, which fill circular or slotted holes made in a part overlapping another,
may only be used if there is no other way of transmitting shear or preventing buckling
or separation of lapped parts. They should not be used to transmit tensile forces.

Suitable provisions must be made, in accordance with section 77.5.10, to prevent

possible cracking, and they must be inspected in accordance with the provisions of
section 91.2.

The following limitations shall apply:

- The diameter of the circular holes or the width of the slotted holes shall not be
less than the thickness of the part they are in plus 8 mm.

- The ends of the slotted holes should either be semi-circular or else should have
rounded corners with a radius no less than the thickness of the part, except if
the hole reaches the edge of the part.

- The thickness of a plug weld in parent material up to 16 mm thick shall be the

same as the thickness of the parent material. If this is over 16 mm, the
thickness of the weld metal must be at least half the thickness of the parent
material and not less than 16 mm.

- The minimum distance between plug centres perpendicular to the force to be

transmitted shall not be less than 4 times the width of the plug. The distance
between plug ends should not be less than twice their length.

TITLE 5 page 26
 - The maximum distance between plugs must not be larger than the value
required to preventing local buckling of the part.

Filling holes made in the structure to insert provisional assembly bolts with weld
metal is strictly forbidden. Consequently, such holes shall be arranged such as not to
affect the strength of the structure.

Slot welds (Figure 59.5) formed by fillet weld chords placed inside circular or
slotted holes may only be used to transmit shear forces or to prevent buckling or
separation of lapped parts.

Figure 59.5

The following limitations shall apply to slot dimensions:

- The width b of the slot shall be b ≥ 4t.

- The gap s2 between rows of slots shall be 2b ≤ s2 ≤ 30t.

- The gap between slotss1 shall be 2b ≤ s1 ≤ 30t.

- The total length L of a slot shall be L ≤ 10t.

- Slot ends shall be semi-circular, unless they reach the end of the part.

59.6. Lamellar tearing

Residual through-thickness stresses in the parts to be joined, which could result

in lamellar tearing of the parts to be joined, shall be avoided as much as possible.

In particular, if there are through-thickness tensile stresses (whether residual

from welding or due to external forces) in flat parts more than 15 mm thick, the welding
procedure, the through-thickness properties of the base metal and the details of the
joint (Figure 59.6) must be studied to avert this danger.

TITLE 5 page 27
 (a)

Susceptible detail Improved detail

(b)

Susceptible detail Improved detail

Figure 59.6

59.7. Effective throat thickness

Throat thickness should be taken as the height of the largest triangle that can be
inscribed in the section of the weld metal, measured perpendicular the outer side of this
triangle (Figure 59.7.a).

Figure 59.7.a Throat thickness of a fillet weld

If the welding method used enables deep penetration to be achieved, this

penetration may be included in the throat thickness value (Figure 59.7.b), provided that
preliminary tests show that the required penetration can consistently be achieved
constantly.

Figure 59.7.b Throat thickness of a deep penetration fillet weld

TITLE 5 page 28
 If the seam is made using the submerged-arc method, throat thickness may be
increased by 2 mm if a >10 mm or by 0.2 a if a ≤ 10 mm without the need to perform
any tests.

If it is necessary to deposit a weld seam between two curved surfaces (such as

on rounds, corners of hollow sections or between a curved and a flat surface, Figure
59.7.c) effective throat thickness should be determined on the basis of the test welds
made on test parts of the same section to be used in production.

Figure 59.7.c

Specimens shall be cut and the throat thickness measured, repeating the process
until a welding technique that guarantees the desired throat thickness in production is
found.

The plane of the throat is the plane defined by the throat and the seam axis, the
intersection of the two planes to be joined by the weld seam (Figure 59.8).

59.8. Design resistance of fillet weld

This method refers to a section of fillet weld seam that is sufficiently short to
assume that it is subject to uniform stress throughout.

It shall be assumed that the forces transmitted by said seam section leading to
the direct stresses σ//, perpendicular to the seam axis and have no effect on seam
strength σ and ⊥, perpendicular to the throat, and in the shear l stresses τ// and τ⊥, in the
plane of the throat parallel and perpendicular to the axis of the weld, respectively,
(Figure 59.8).

TITLE 5 page 29
 Figure 59.8

Lado Side

Plano de garganta Throat plane

Eje Axis

garganta Throat

59.8.1. Effective length of a fillet weld seam

The effective length of a fillet weld seam is the length (including corner
extensions) over which the nominal throat thickness is maintained.

Chords whose length is less than 30 mm or 6 times the throat thickness are not
deemed capable of transmitting forces.

The effective length of weld chords in beam-support joints shall be calculated in

accordance with the provisions of section 62.1.1.

In lap joints in which Lw ≥ 150 a, where Lw is the seam length, the effective length
Lw,ef shall be Lw,ef = β1 Lw, in which β1 is given by:

0,2LW
1  1,2  1
150a

This reduction shall not apply if the distribution of stresses along the weld is equal
to the distribution of stresses in the contiguous base metal, such as when welding a
flange-web joint in sheet trussed beams.

For fillet weld chords longer than 1 700 mm that join transverse stiffeners on
sheet members, Lw,ef = β2 Lw in which:

TITLE 5 page 30
 LW
o,6   2  1,1   1,0
17000

Lw being in mm.

59.8.2. Strength

Seam strength is sufficient if the following two conditions are met simultaneously:

fu
  2  3( 2   //2 ) 
W  M 2
fu
   0,9
M2

where fu is the tensile strength of the steel of the parts to be welded, βw is the
correlation factor, which depends on the type of steel in the parts to be welded, and γM2
is the strength reduction coefficient, γM2 = 1.25.

Table 59.8.2 sets out the values of βw for the most common steels.

Table 59.8.2 Correlation factors

STEEL GRADE CORRELATION

FACTORS βw
S 235 0.80
S 275 0.85
S 355 0.90
S 420 1.00
S 460 1.00

If a seam of throat thickness a and length Lw has to transmit a force F that forms
an angle α with the seam axis, the above conditions shall be met if the average shear
stress in the seam meets the following condition:

F fu
W  
aLW W  M 2 1 2 cos2 

Safety is ensured if, for any value of α, the following is true:

F fu
W  
aLW W  M 2 3

In flange-web joints in trussed beams that only transmit tangential forces, made
with two continuous chords of throat thickness a on a web of thickness tw, the above
conditions shall be met if a ≥ 0.40 tw for the steels covered by standard UNE-EN 10025
parts 2 and 5, and for steels S275 and S355 in UNE-EN 10025, parts 3 and 4, or if a ≥
0.55 tw for steels S420 and S460 in UNE-EN 10025, parts 3 and 4.

If a flat part of thickness tf, subject to axial force, is joined to another

perpendicular to it via two frontal fillet weld chords of the same length as the part and of

TITLE 5 page 31
throat a, the above conditions shall be deemed met if a ≥ 0.55 tw for steels covered by
standard UNE-EN 10025 parts 2 and 5 and for steels S275 and S355 in UNE-EN
10025, parts 3 and 4.

59.9. Design resistance of butt weld

59.9.1. Full-penetration butt welds

Having fulfilled the conditions specified in section 59.1 of this Code, the
resistance of a full-penetration weld with no defects is at least the same as that of the
weakest contiguous base metal. Therefore, the strength need not be calculated.

59.9.2. Partial-penetration butt welds

Design resistance of a partial-penetration butt weld with no defects is the same

as that of a fillet weld of the same throat thickness, and consequently it shall be
checked using the method given in section 59.8, above.

The throat thickness used shall be equal to the permanently achievable

penetration, which should be checked using suitable tests.

If V, U or J edges are prepared, the throat thickness value (Figure 59.9.2.a) may
be taken as the depth of the edge preparation less 2 mm, without the need for testing.
A higher value may be used if this is shown to be appropriate by suitable testing.

In T-butt joints (Figure 59.9.2.b) with two partial-penetration butt seam welds
reinforced with two fillet weld chords, the joint can be assumed to be equivalent to a
full-penetration butt weld if the sum of the nominal throat thicknesses is equal to or
greater than the thickness of the part to be joined and the unwelded thickness would be
the smaller of t/5 and 53 mm, where t is the thickness of the part.

Figure 59.9.2.a

Figure 59.9.2.b

TITLE 5 page 32
 If any one of the above conditions is not met, the throat thickness shall be
determined in accordance with provisions of sections 59.7 and 59.8.

This type of seam shall not be used in joints subjected to fatigue stressing or that
are required to transmit tensile forces perpendicular to their axis.

59.10. Design resistance of plug or slot welds

The design resistance of a plug or slot weld should be taken as

FW ,Sd fu
w  
AW W  M 2 3

where τw is the average shear stress in the weld, Fw, Ed is the design force to be
transmitted and Aw is the area of the hole for plug welds or the product aLw for slot
welds. In this case, a is the throat thickness and Lw the seam length, measured at a
distance equal to a/2 from the inner edge of the slot.

The other symbols have the same meaning as in section 59.8.

59.11.Distribution of forces between joint chords

The forces acting on the joint should conform to provisions of Chapter II

(Calculation Bases) and Chapter IV (Structural Analysis) and section 56.2 of this Code.

The distribution of said forces among the different chords of the joint may be
made assuming elastic or plastic performance of the joint. In general, it is acceptable to
assume a simplified distribution of forces within the joint, provided that the conditions
set out in the aforementioned section are met.

It is not necessary to take account of the residual stresses or other stresses that
do not affect the transmission of forces between different parts, such as the stress σ//
on planes perpendicular to the seam axis.

Section 60. Joints between members subject to axial force

60.1. Centred flat joints

Centred flat joint means a joint made using a series of coplanar weld chords or a
set of bolts joining essentially coplanar parts, that are intended to transmit, between the
parts to be joined, a force Fw,Ed contained in the plane of the chords of the parts, and
that passes through the centre of gravity of the chords or bolts.

60.1.1. Welded centred flat joints

The calculation method below may be used for joints in which the chords are not
in the same plane and for joints in which all of the chords are in the same plane and the
force Fw,Ed is not within it, provided that it passes through the centre of gravity of the
chords (Figure 60.1.1).

If a more precise analysis, taking into account the strength of each seam as a
function of its orientation in relation to the force Fw,Ed, is not required, then a distribution

TITLE 5 page 33
of forces proportional to the throat areas of the different chords may be assumed, and
consequently the joint shall be safe it the following is true:

FW , Ed fu


 ai LWi W  M 2 3

where ai and Lwi are the throat thicknesses and the lengths of the different chords
that form the joint. When determining each value of Lwi,. it should follow the provisions
of section 59.8.1

Figure 60.1.1

60.1.2. Bolted centred flat joints

These are joints in which the force to be transmitted passes through the centre of
gravity of the group of bolts intended to transmit it.

A uniform distribution between all of the bolts of the joint may be assumed if the
length Lj of the joint, measured in the direction of force to be transmitted between the
centres of the edge bolts, does not exceed 15d.In this case, the design strength of the
joint shall be:

NRd = n FRd

where n is the number of bolts and FRd the strength of one of them, determined
as a function of the joint category and the provisions of Section 58.

If the length of the joint is more than 15 d, its strength is given by:

NRd=β n FRd

TITLE 5 page 34
 where β is a reduction factor given by:

L j 15d
  1
200d

with 0.75 ≤ β ≤ 1; and Lj defined in Figure 60.1.2.

Figure 60.1.2 Long joints

This provision does not apply where the distribution of stresses along the joint is
equal to the distribution of stresses in contiguous parts, e.g. in the case of long joints
with double angle bearing (section 61.3).

60.2. Eccentric flat joints

These are flat joints, welded or bolted, in which the force to be transmitted Fw,Ed
passes at a given distance from the centre of gravity of the group of weld chords or
bolts (Figure 60.2).

If the joint is studied using plastic methods, it is assumed that one of the parts to
be joined moves in relation to the other, rotating around a given instant centre of
rotation (Figure 60.2) to be determined.

Figure 60.2

The deformation in each point of the weld chords or in each bolt shall be
assumed to be proportional to the length of the radius vector joining the point to the

TITLE 5 page 35
instant centre of rotation and perpendicular to it. The average stress in each point τw
can be determined using specialist literature. The position of the instant centre of
rotation shall be determined under equilibrium conditions.

60.2.1. Welded eccentric flat joints

On account of such rotation, the average shear stress τw at any point of the weld
chords is proportional to the length of the radius vector joining the point to the instant
centre of rotation and perpendicular to it.

Where Ip is the polar moment of inertia of the area of the chords in relation to
their centre of gravity:

Ip

d
A
2

2
︵
 

A
the components τwz and τwy are given by: M
y

MI
z
;
EIp
d

E p
d
τ

τ 

w
z

w
y

These components should be added vectorially to those generated by Fw,Ed

acting on the centre of gravity of the chords. The joint will be safe if the following is true
at the least favourable point, which is often the point farthest from the centre of gravity
of the chords:

fu
 w,max 
 w M 2 3

60.2.2. Bolted eccentric flat joints

Equally, the relative rotation between the parts to be joined generates a force in
each bolt Fi,Ed proportional to the length of the radius vector joining the point with the
instant centre of rotation and perpendicular to it.

n
That is: I p   ( yi2  zi2 )
i 1

the sum of the squares of the lengths of the n radius vectors. The components Fiy,Ed
and Fiz,Ed of the force Fi,Ed in each bolt caused by the moment MEd i, are given by:

M Ed zi M y
Fiy,Ed  ; Fiz, Ed  Ed i
I p I p

where zi and yi are the coordinates of the axis of the corresponding bolt.

These components should be added vectorially to those generated by FEd acting

on the centre of gravity of the chords. The joint will be safe if the following is true of the
least favourable bolt, which is often the bolt farthest from the centre of gravity of the set
of all of the bolts:

FEd ≤ FRd

TITLE 5 page 36
 where FRd is the bolt strength, calculated in accordance with the provisions of
Section 58.

60.3. Joints with gusset plates

Gusset plates are pieces of sheet that are used to facilitate the joining of brace
members to the chords in nodes of triangular structures. It is not common to use them
when the bars of the structure are tubular sections.

Brace members are joined to the gusset plate or plates by welding. The axis of
each bar should ideally coincide with the axis of the strength members of the joint of
said bar, or weld, to the gusset plate or plates. If this is not possible, the existing
eccentricity shall be taken into account to check the joint and the bar itself.

If the chord of a Warren triangular structure is an H- or I-beam with the web in the
same plane as the structure (Figure 60.3.a), the joint between the gusset plate and
said chord is generally subject to a force H equal to the difference between the axial
forces on either side of the node, H = N1– N2 and a moment M = H e, where e is the
distance between the gusset plate-beam joint weld and its centre of gravity.

Figure 60.3.a

In Pratt-truss nodes (Figure 60.3.b) it can be assumed that the force in the
diagonal is balanced with horizontal and vertical forces on the sides of the gusset
plates joined to the upright and to the chord, selected such that they comply with the
equilibrium conditions and the existing weld chords between gusset plates and parts
are able to transmit them.

Reasonable results can be obtained assuming that said forces pass via
theoretical intersection points B and D of the edges of the gusset plate, if extended,
with the axes of the upright and the chord; via the centre A of the longest side of the
gusset plate and that cross over the axis of the diagonal, point C.

TITLE 5 page 37
 Figure 60.3.b

If, as a result of the shape of the section of brace members (I, U or H) it is

necessary to use a double gusset plate and the web of the diagonal or upright is not
extended, this should be taken into account, using the value as the design section of
member for local checks on the node (Figure 60.3.c).

 x 
Aef  A1  
 L w 

This area reduction shall not be taken into account when performing the general
part stability check.

Figure 60.3.c

The same expression may be used to take account of the eccentricity caused if
two paired beams form the brace member. In this case, a batten plate should be placed
on the end of the part located between the gusset plates.

The thickness of the gusset plate t shall be such it complies with Figure 60.3.d:

Fc,Ed fy

t(b  L)  M0

TITLE 5 page 38
 Figure 60.3.d

In the expression above, Fc,Ed is the force transmitted to the gusset plate, b is the
width of the part perpendicular to the force Fc,Ed, L is the length of the weld chords,
measured in the direction of the force Fc,Ed, fy is the yield strength of the steel in the
gusset plate and γM0is the strength reduction coefficient.

Section 61. Joints between members subjected to

bending and shear
61.1. Splices with splice plates

Splices with splice plates are used almost exclusively with bolted joints. They
may only be used in welded joints in repair or reinforcement work.

They are joints between parts with identical or similar profiles, with the axes in
line or forming a sufficiently small angle so as to make any deviation force negligible,
made using rectangular sheet parts, called splice plates, bolted to the two parts to be
joined.

Consequently, a splice with splice plate has two groups of joints: the group
formed by the joints between one of the parts and the splice cover, and the group
formed by the joints between these and the other part.

The joints between the splice plates and the parts may be category A, B or C,
although they are typically designed in category C.

Each portion, flange or web, of the parts to be joined shall have its own splice
plates. The flange splice plates may be single (placed on one face only) or double
(placed on both faces), while the web splice plates shall be double, unless there are
special grounds to do otherwise. Parts that, exceptionally, do not have splice plates,
shall not be taken into consideration when checking the strength of the part around the
splice.

The centre of gravity of the section of the splice plates used for a given part shall
match that of the part section and, unless otherwise justified by a detailed study, its
area and second moments of area must be the same or slightly higher.

Regardless of the category of the joints to be spliced, the joint may be rigid and
the splice section may contain the same forces that would exist if the two parts to be
joined were a single part. To ensure it is stiff there must be no relative rotation caused

TITLE 5 page 39
by potential slipping of the sheets and play in the bolt holes, for which reason category
C joints are recommended.

These forces shall be distributed between the different portions of the part, and
shall be transmitted through the bolted joints with the corresponding splice plates, in
accordance with the following criteria:

- The axial force NEd to be transmitted between the parts to be joined shall be
distributed between the joints of each of the groups proportionally to the section
of the portion of the corresponding part.

- The bending moment MEd to be transmitted between the parts to be joined shall
be distributed between the joints of each of the groups proportionally to the
second moment of area of the portion of the corresponding part in relation to
the appropriate axis of the total part. Alternatively, it may be assumed to be
transmitted in full through the flange joints, provided that the flanges are able to
transmit the moment without the help of the web.

- The shear force VEd to be transmitted between the parts to be joined shall be
distributed between the joints of each of the groups as a function of the
distribution of shear stresses that said shear force generates in the part. In I, H
and U sections, this may be resisted exclusively by the web joints.

- The bending moment that the shear force, acting on the splice section,
generates on the centre of gravity of the joints on which it is acting, located at a
given distance from said splice section, shall be taken into account.

As a result of the forces distributed, each of the flange joints must be able to
withstand an axial force NEdf, which may be distributed uniformly between all of the
bolts of the joint. The value NEdf is given by:
AfA

IfI
1h

 
E
d
f

E
d

E
d

where NEd and MEd are the forces in the splice section, Af is the area of a flange, If is
the second moment of area of the set of both flanges relative to the axis of inertia of the
part, A and/or the area and second moment of area of the part, and his the moment
lever arm. If the flange joints are made with a double splice plate, h shall be the depth
of the part less the thickness of the flange. If the joint is made with splice plates on only
one side of the flanges, h shall be the distance between the planes of the flange-splice
plate union (Figure 61.1).

Figure 61.1

The joints between the webs and splice plates shall be subjected to:

TITLE 5 page 40
 - An axial force NEdw, oriented along the directrix of the part, which is assumed to
be uniformly distributed between all of the bolts in the joint. The value of NEdw is:

AwA
N

N


E
d
w

E
d
where NEd is the axial force in the splice section, Aw is the area of the web and
A is the area of the part.

- The shear force VEd, oriented perpendicular to the directrix of the part, which is
distributed uniformly between all bolts of the joint.

- A moment MEdw caused by bending in the splice section and eccentricity of the
shear force, having the following value:

IwI
M

VE
d
 
E
d
w

E
d

d
where MEd and VEd are the bending moment and the shear force in the splice
section, Iw is the second moment of area of the web and d is the distance
between the splice section and the centre of gravity of the area of the bolts of
the joint between the splice plates and one of the parts.

Elastic or plastic methods may be used to determine the force that this moment
MEdw generates in each bolt, provided that the conditions specified in section 58.10 are
satisfied.

If the elastic method is used, the provisions of section 60.2 shall apply.

61.2. Splices with end-plate

Beam splices using an end-plate (Figure 61.2.a) should be designed as a rigid

joint, and the forces in the splice section shall be assumed to be the same as would be
present if the two parts to be joined were a single part.

Figure 61.2.a

TITLE 5 page 41
 The thickness of the end-plate should ideally be equal to or greater than the
diameter of the bolts.

The distances between the bolts and the beam should ideally be as short as
possible, provided that this enables the correct placement and tightening of the bolts
(mx≈m≈2d, where d is the diameter of the bolts).

Two columns of bolts shall be considered exclusively capable of withstanding

axial forces or bending moments, one on either side of the beam web and specifically
those closed to it, unless thick or suitably stiffened end plates are used and a detailed
study of the joint is carried out. If these precautions are not taken, the remaining
columns implemented shall only be deemed capable of withstanding shear forces.

The welded joint between the beams and the end-plates shall be made as strong
as the beam itself. To ensure this, the provisions of section 59.8 simply need to be
followed. The compatibility of these throats with the thickness of the end plate shall be
taken into account.

The use of this type of joint in parts subject to critical fatigue stressing is not
recommended without detailed study.

To model the bending strength of the end plate (along with the bolts) and the
tensile resistance of the beam web, an equivalent T-stub may be used in tension. The
equivalent T-stub may be used for other basic members of bolted beam-support joints
(as described below) such as:

- Column flange in bending.

- Column web intension.

If the equivalent T-stub method is used to model a group of bolt rows, the group
must be divided into separate bolt rows and an equivalent T-stub should be used to
model each bolt row.

If the equivalent T-stub method is used to model a group of bolt rows, the
following conditions must be satisfied:

a) The force in each bolt row not exceeds the design resistance determined in
consideration of this individual bolt row only.

b) The total force on each group of bolt rows, comprising two or more adjacent
bolt rows within the same group of bolts, should not exceed the design
resistance of this group of bolt rows.

The following parameters must be calculated when determining the design tensile
resistance of a basic member represented by an equivalent T-stub flange:

a) The design force in an individual bolt row, determined in consideration of this

bolt row only.

b) The contribution of each bolt row to the design resistance of two or more
adjacent bolt rows within a group of bolts, determined in consideration of these
bolt rows only.

TITLE 5 page 42
 There are three failure mechanisms or failure modes for each equivalent T-stub.
A design tension resistance FT,i,Rd shall be determined for each of these failure
methods with i = 1, 2 or 3 and in accordance with the expressions in Table 61.2.a.

In cases when leverage may be generated (see Table 61.2.a) the design
resistance of an equivalent T-stub flange FT,Rd must be taken as the lowest of the three
possible failure modes (1, 2 and 3).

FT,Rd = min(FT,1,Rd, F T,2,Rd, F T,3,Rd)

In cases when leverage cannot be generated, the design resistance of an

equivalent T-stub flange FT,Rd must be taken as the lower of the two possible failure
modes, as per Table 61.2.a.

FT,Rd = min(FT,1-2,Rd, F T,3,Rd)

The effective lengths for the end plate shall be taken from Table 61.2.b, and the
parameters m, e and emin are defined in Figure 61.2.b.

In the case of an individual bolt row, Σℓeff shall be taken as the effective length ℓeff
given in Table 61.2.b for this bolt row taken as an individual bolt row.

In the case of a group of bolt rows, Σℓeff shall be taken as the sum of all of the
effective lengths ℓeff given in Table 61.2.b for each corresponding bolt row taken as
part of a bolt group.

Table 61.2.a. Design resistance FT,Rd of T-stub flange

Leverage may be generated,
No leverage.
i.e. Lb ≤ Lb*.

Mode 1 (no reinforcing 4 M pl ,1, Rd

FT,1,Rd =
plates). m
Mode 1 (with reinforcing 4 M pl ,1, Rd  2 M bp , Rd 2 M pl ,1, Rd
FT,1,Rd= FT,1-2,Rd=
plates). m m
2 M pl ,1, Rd
Mode 2 FT,2,Rd=
m
Mode 3 FT,3,Rd=ΣFt,Rd

TITLE 5 page 43
Mode 1: Full plastification of the end-plate or flange.

Mode 2: Bolt failure with plastification of the end-plate or the flange

Mode 3: Failure of the bolts under tension.

Lb Stretch length of the bolts, which is equal to the grip length (total thickness of the material

and washers), plus half the sum of the height of the bolt head and the height of the nut or:

8,8m 3 AS nb
Lb* =
  eff ,1t 3f
FT,Rd Design tensile resistance of the T-stub flange.
Q Leverage.
0
,
2
5

t t t
fy fy f,
/ /
2f

 γ
e
f
f
,
1

M
0
Mpℓ,1,Rd =
0
,
2
5

2f

 γ
e
f
,
f
2

M /
0

Mpℓ,2,Rd =

0
,
2
5

2b

 γ
e
f
f
,
2
p
y
,
b
p

M
0

Mbp,Rd =

n = eminbutn ≤ 1,25m
Ft,Rd Design tensile resistance of a bolt (see section
58.7).

ΣFt,Rd Total value of Ft,Rd for all bolts in the equivalent T-stub.
Σℓeff,1 Value of Σℓeff for mode 1.
Σℓeff,2 Value of Σℓeff for mode 2.
emin , m and tf are as indicated in Figure 61.2.b.
fy,bp Yield strength of reinforcing plates.
tbp Thickness of reinforcing plates.
ew = d w / 4
dw l Diameter of the washer or width of the head of the bolt or the nut, as applicable.

nb l Number of bolt rows (with two bolts per row).

NOTE 1: In bolted beam-post joints or beam splices, it may be assumed that leverage is

generated.

TITLE 5 page 44
 The extension part of the end-plate and
the section between the flanges of the
beam are modelled as two separate
equivalent T-stubs flanges.

For the end-plate extension, use ex and

mx instead of e and m to determine the
design resistance of the flange of the
equivalent T-stub flange.

Figure 61.2.b Modelling an extended front-plate as separate equivalent T-stubs

TITLE 5 page 45
 Table 61.2.b. Effective lengths for an end-plate

Bolt-row considered as part of a group of

Bolt-row considered individually
bolt-rows
of bolt row
Circular Non-circular Circular patterns Non-circular
patterns ℓeff,cp patterns ℓeff,nc ℓeff,cp patterns ℓeff,nc
Smaller of:
Bolt row Smaller of: 4mx + 1,25ex
outside 2πmx e+2mx+0,625ex
— —
tension flange πmx + w 0.5bp
of beam πmx + 2e 0.5w+2mx+0.62
5ex
First bolt row
0,5p + αm − (2m
below tension 2πm Αm πm + p
+ 0.625e)
flange of beam

Other inner
2πm 4m + 1.25 e 2p p
bolt row
Other end
2πm 4m + 1.25 e πm + p 2m+0.625e+0,5p
bolt row
Mode 1: ℓeff,1 = ℓeff,nc but ℓeff,1 ≤ ℓeff,cp Σℓeff,1 = Σℓeff,nc but Σℓeff,1 ≤ Σℓeff,cp
Mode 2: ℓeff,2 = ℓeff,nc Σℓeff,2 = Σℓeff,nc
α should be obtained from Figure 61.2.c.

TITLE 5 page 46
 Figure 61.2.c Values of α for stiffened column flanges and end-plates

61.2.1. Moment resistance of a joint

If the splice section is subjected in general to an axial force NEd, positive for
tension, a shearing force VEd and a bending moment MEd, the joint shall be checked as
follows:

TITLE 5 page 47
 - The value of FT,Rd shall be determined for each of the T-stubs in accordance with
the provisions of this section.

- The moment Mj,Rd that the joint can resist is given by:

M j ,Rd   (Ftr ,Rd .i d i )

where the distance di is defined in Figure 61.2.a.

- The following should be true for the joint to be safe MEd ≤ Mj,Rd.

- The method given in this section to determine the design moment resistance of a
joint Mj,Rd does not consider any coexisting axial force NEdin the connected
member. Consequently, they should not be used if the axial force in the
connected member is greater than 5 % of the design plastic resistance Npℓ,Rd of
its cross-section.

- If the axial force NEd in the connected beam exceeds 5 % of the design
resistance Npl,Rd, the following conservative method may be used:

M j,Ed N j,Ed
  1,0
M j,Rd N j,Rd

where:

- Mj,Rd is the design moment resistance of the joint, assuming no axial force.

- Nj,Rd is the design axial resistance of the joint, assuming t no applied moment -
The effective design tension resistance Ftr,Rd of bolt row r, as an individual bolt
row, shall be the lesser design tension resistance value for an individual bolt row
of the following basic members:

- End-plate in bending: FT,ep,Rd

- Beam web in tension: Ft,wb,Rd

In a bolted joint with end-plate, the design tensile resistance of the beam web
must be obtained by:

Ft ,wb ,Rd  beff ,t ,wb t wb f y ,wb /  M 0

The effective width beff,t,wb of the beam web in tension shall be equal to the
effective length of the equivalent T-stub that represents the end plate in bending,
obtained as per Table 61.2.b, for an individual bolt row or a bolt group.

- The design effective tension resistance Ftr,Rd of bolt row r should , if necessary,
be reduced below the value obtained previously to ensure that the sum of the
design resistance of the preceding bolt rows, including bolt row r which is part of
the same group of bolt rows, does not exceed the design strength of such group
as a whole. This should be checked for the following basic members:

- End-plate in bending: FT,ep,Rd

- Beam web in tension: Ft,wb,Rd

TITLE 5 page 48
 - The design effective tension resistance of Ftr,Rd of bolt row r must, if necessary,
be reduced below the value obtained in the point above to ensure that, when
taking into account all of the previous bolt rows including bolt row r, the total
design resistance ΣFT,Rd does not exceed the design strength of the flange and
web of the beam in compression Fc,fb,Rd given by:

Fc,fb,Rd = Mc,Rd / ( h − tfb )

where:

- h is the depth of the connected beam.

- Mc,Rd Design moment resistance of the cross-section of the beam, reduced if

necessary to take the shear force into account. For a beam reinforced with a bracket,
Mc,Rd may be calculated ignoring the intermediate flange.

- tfb Thickness of the connected beam flange.

If the depth of the beam including the gusset plate exceeds 600 mm, the
contribution of the beam web to the design compression resistance should be limited to
20 %.

- The shear force VEd acting on the joint shall be assumed to be resisted by bolts
working as part of the category A, B or C joint.

61.3. Joints using double angle bearing

A joint using a double angle bracket (Figure 61.3) can be assumed to be a

nominally pinned connection, both if it is intended to join a beam to a support and if it is
intended to join a beam to a girder or main beam perpendicular to it. In general, its use
is recommended if an articulated joint is to be placed at the end of a beam.

The only force to consider is the support reaction VEd of the beam in the support
or mean beam, which is assumed to act on the contact face of the bearings with the
support or main beam.

If the joint is to be articulated, the joint between the beam and the angle bearings,
as well as the joint between these and the support or the main beam, may be category
A bolted or welded.

If the joint is bolted, the bolts may be arranged along the gauge line of the angle
irons. If in the joint between the bearings and the beam web, n double-shear bolts are
put in place and in the joint between the bearings and the support or main beam 2n
single-shear bolts identical to the aforementioned bolts are put in place, it is only
necessary to check the first of said joints, since the second is working under more
favourable conditions.

To maintain the flexibility of the joint, if the joint between the bearings and the
support or main beam is made by welding, it should only be welded on the vertical side
of the bearings, notwithstanding the extensions to the weld chord made in accordance
with the provisions of Section 59.3.3. On the other hand, the weld between the
bearings and the beam web shall be made using three welds on each bearing, one
vertical and two horizontal.

In the elastic method, the force FEd on the most stressed screw is given by :

TITLE 5 page 49
 2
V  6w 
FEd  Ed 1   
n  b(n  1) 

where (Figure 61.3) w is the gauge line of the angle and b the distance between bolts.

If the joint between the bearings and the support or main beam is made by
welding, only the following need be checked:

VEd fu


2ha  M 2 3

The welded joint of the bearings to the beam web shall be checked in
accordance with the provisions of section 60.2.1.

Figure 61.3

61.4. Welded joints

This section includes other types of articulated joints between beams and
supports or main beams, done by welding.

61.4.1. Beam joints welded directly to the web

The joint between one beam and another beam or a support (Figure 61.4) using
only weld on the beam web may be considered, for calculation purposes, to be a
nominally pinned connection that only transmits a shear force VEd.

In the two chords of this joint, it is advisable to use the maximum throat thickness
compatible with the web thickness tw, a =0.7tw to ensure that their length Lw is as short
as possible:

VEd  w M 2 3 1,24VEd  w M 2
Lw  
2aw f u tw fu

TITLE 5 page 50
 Figure 61.4

To avoid exceeding the breaking stress at the ends of the weld chords, this type
of joint may not be used if a length Lw> 14 tw is required.

This restriction shall not apply if the beam receiving the joint is sufficiently flexible
to enable, without significant restraint, the rotation of the end of the supported beam, as
in case (a) in Figure 61.4.

61.5. Support on unstiffened bearing

This type of joint (Figure 61.5) is recommended as a nominally pinned connection

at the end of beams or joists in their joint to supports or main beams when the reaction
to be transmitted VEd is not very large.

The angle bearing has a length b measured perpendicular to the directrix of the
beam, and is welded to the support or main beam with a seam of throat a and length b
effected in the area of the vertex of the angle iron. The seam applied to the lower edge
of the flange is not considered for resistance purposes.

Figure 61.5

TITLE 5 page 51
 The gap e between the end of the beam and the face of the support or main
beam should be less than the sum of the thickness of the angle iron plus 50 % of its
fillet radius.

In this type of joint, the reaction passes through the end of the beam on account
of the flexural stiffness of the flange of the bearing, unless large bearings are used.

For the joint to be safe, the reaction to be transmitted VEd should be less than or
equal to the smaller of the following three values:

Local compression resistance of the beam web:

V Rd 1  2,5(t r  r )t w f y

where tf, tw and r are the thicknesses of the flange and beam web and its flange­
web fillet radius, and fy its yield strength.

Weld resistance:

fu
VRd 2  ba

 3 M 2

Shear strength of the angle flange:

f y

VRd 3  bt

where t is the thickness of the angle flange and fy its yield strength.

61.6. Support on stiffened bearing

If the value of the reaction to be transmitted is high, or if the beam and the
support are not in the same plane, stiffened bearings may be used (Figure 61.6.a).

Where VEd is the reaction to be transmitted and d is the distance from it to the
surface of the support. If the beam and the support are coplanar, it shall be assumed to
pass through the end of the bearing.

TITLE 5 page 52
 Figure 61.6.a

For the joint to be safe, the reaction to be transmitted VEd should be less than or
equal to the smaller of the following values:

Local flattening resistance of the beam web:

V Rd 1  5(t r  r )t w f y

where tf , tw and r are the thicknesses of the flange and beam web and its flange-web
fillet radius, and fy its yield strength. if the distance e from the reaction crossing point to
the end of the beam is less than 2.5(tf + r), the value 2e shall be used in the above
expression instead of 5(tf + r).

Stiffener local buckling resistance:

M plRd
VRd 2  C E
d

in which:

tc 2 f y
M plRd  Plastic moment of the section of the stiffener
4
with the notation indicated in Figure 61.6.b, of
thickness t, effective depth c, measured
perpendicular to its free edge, and yield
strength fy (see Figure 61.6 B).

C E  0,14  2 1,07   2,3 Square coefficient.

c fy
  0,805 Non-dimensional slenderness of the stiffener.
t E

TITLE 5 page 53
 - Resistance of weld 1 (Figure 61.6.b):

2a1 Lsenf u
VRd ,w1 
 w (2  3 tan 2  ) M 2

- Resistance of weld 2 (Figure 61.6.b):

2a2 cos f u
VRd ,w2 
 w (3  2 tan 2  ) M 2

Resistance of weld 3 (Figure 61.6.b):

2ba3 f u
VRd ,w3 
 w tan  M 2

Figure 61.6.b

Section 62. Beam-to-column joints

Joints between rolled or trussed I-beams and I- or H-section column may be
made by welding the flanges of the beam directly to the flanges of the column, or by
means of end plates welded to the beam and bolted to the flanges of the column.

This section does not expressly cover joints in which the beams press the web of
the column or with column of sections other than those indicated, which must be
resolved by applying the general principles set out in the sections above and in Section
64 if the column is of hollow section.

TITLE 5 page 54
62.1. Welded beam-to-column joints

62.1.1. Effective width of flange and weld

If the beam is welded to a column that does not have stiffeners extending the
flanges of the beam (Figure 62.1.1) it shall be assumed that the effective width bef of
the beam flange and the effective length of the weld chords joining the tension flange of
the beam to the flange of the column shall be equal to the smaller of the following
values:

2
f yc t fc
bb, bc, twc + 2rc + 7 or twc + 2rc + 7tfc
f yb t fb

Figure 62.1.1

In the expressions above, bb and bc are the widths of the flanges of the beam and
the column, rc the flange-web fillet radius of the column, assuming that this is rolled, tfc
and tfb are the thicknesses of the flange of the column and the flange of the beam, and
fyc and fyb are the yield strengths of the steels in the flange of the column and the flange
of the beam respectively.

If the column is plate-reinforced, rc shall be replaced by 2 ac in the expressions

above, where ac is the throat thickness of the chords of the flange-web joint of the
column.

f yb
If bef  bb , a pair of stiffeners should be fitted to the column, extending the
f ub
flange of the beam and having a combined section equal to or greater than that of said
flange.

The welds of the joint between the flanges of the beam and that of the column
shall be designed such that they are able to withstand the forces determined in
accordance with the provisions of section 56.1, although it is recommended that they
be able to withstand, along with the flange of the beam, fybtfbbb /γM0, for which it is
sufficient to choose ab in accordance with the provisions of section 59.8.

To check the strength of the joint between the tension flange of the beam and the
flange of the column, if this has not been stiffened, the length of the chords shall be the
effective width of the flange bef, instead of the real width, which may be greater.

The welds of the join between the web of the beam and the flange of the column
shall be dimensioned to withstand the full shearing force VEd and part of the bending
moment MEd not resisted by the flanges.

TITLE 5 page 55
62.1.2. Support resistance. Unstiffened tension and compression zones

If stiffeners are not used to extend the flanges of the beam, the maximum tensile
force that the tension zone can withstand (Figure 62.1.2.a) is the smaller of the
resistance of the flange and web of the column, as given below:

f ybt fbbef
- Column flange resistance: Ft, fc,Rd 

 M 0

where the meaning of the variables is as explained in section 62.1.1.

f yctwc hef
- Column web resistance: Ft,wc,Rd 
M0

where fyc is the yield strength of the steel of the web of the column and twc is its
thickness; γM0 is the strength reduction coefficient and hef is the effective height of the
web, which is given by:

hef=tfb+2 2 ab + 5(tfc +rc) for rolled columns and by:

hef=tfb+2 2 ab + 5(tfc +rc) for trussed columns.

In the above expressions, ab and ac are the throat thicknesses of the weld chords of the
joint of the flange of the beam to the flange of the column and of the flange-web joint of
the column respectively. The meaning of the remaining symbols is the same as in
previous sections.

Figure 62.1.2.a

The maximum compression force that can be withstood by the compression zone
is given by the compression strength of the web of the column. If it is not stiffened, it is
given by:

 kwc  f yc twc hef

Fc,wc,Rd 
 M1

In the expressions above, ω is a factor that considers the interaction with the
shear force in the column web. Its value depends on the ratio Mb1,Ed/Mb2,Ed between the
moments on either side of the column. If there are moments equal in value and sign on

TITLE 5 page 56
both sides (as per Figure 62.1.2.b) then ω = 1.0. If there are moments of the same sign
but of different values, or if one of the two is null, the following shall apply:

1
 2
h t 
1 1,3 ef wc 
 AVC 

where hc is the depth of the column and Avc is the shear area of the column. If the
moments on either side of the column are of different signs, the following shall apply:

1
 2
h t 
1  5,2 ef wc 
 AVC 

The factor kwc considers the influence of the maximum compression force σnEd
existing in the web of the column, generated by the axial force and design bending
moment to which the column is subjected in its joint to the beam. Its value is given by:

 n.Ed
k wc  1,70 
f yc

If σnEd ≤ 0.7fyc, then kwc = 1.0

The factor ρ considers the potential local buckling of the web of the column. In
which:

hef h1 f yc
 p  0,932 2
Non-dimensional slenderness of the column web
Etwc

h1 Height of its straight part.

fyc Yield strength.

ρ is:

ρ=1 if p ≤0.72

 p  0,22
 if p >0.72

 p2

The other symbols have the same meaning as above.

TITLE 5 page 57
 Figure 62.1.2.b

62.1.3. Column t resistance, stiffened tension and compression zones

The resistance of the tension and compression zones of a column t that have
been stiffened with stiffeners shall be equal to the resistance of the beam flange if the
stiffeners satisfy the following conditions:

The area of the pair of stiffeners of a zone, which may include the portion of the
web of the support between the two stiffeners of the pair, Ar, should not be less than
that of the beam flange Afb, Ar ≥ Afb.

- If the steel used to make the stiffeners has a lower yield strength than the steel
in the beam, it will be necessary to check its capacity to withstand the forces
applied.

- The welds between the stiffener and the flange of the support should be
dimensioned to withstand the forces transmitted by the beam flange.

- The welds between the stiffener and the web of the support must be
dimensioned to withstand the forces that need to be transmitted to said web,
which shall be FEd – FRd, whose values are defined in the previous section.
Under no circumstances shall the throat thickness of the chords be less than
the smaller of 0.4twc or 0.4tr, where tr is the thickness of the stiffeners.

62.1.4. Column t resistance. Shear zone

The design methods given in this section shall apply if the slenderness of the
column web satisfies the condition dwc/tw ≤ 69ε, where dwc is the depth of the column
web.

For a single-sided joint, or for a double-sided joint where the depths of the beams
are similar, the design plastic shear resistance Vwp,Rd of an unstiffened column web
subject to a design shear force Vwp,Ed shall be obtained as follows:

0,9 f y,wc Avc

Vwp,Rd 
3 M 0

where Avc is the shear zone of the column.

TITLE 5 page 58
 The resulting shear force Vwp,Ed in the web shall be obtained as follows:

Vwp,Ed = (Mb1,Ed − Mb2,Ed)/z − (Vc1,Ed − Vc2,Ed)/2

where z is the lever arm, Mb1,Ed and Mb2,Ed are the internal bending moments, and
Vb1,Edand Vb2,Ed are the shear forces applied to the joints by the connected members
(see Figure 62.1.2.b).

If the design shear force Vwp,Ed is greater than the design shear plastic resistance
Vwp,Rd the web of the support must be reinforced, either using a pair of oblique
stiffeners (Figure 62.1.4.a) or using web reinforcing plates (Figure 62.1.4.b).

If the column web is reinforced by adding a plate, the shear area Avc may be
increased to bstwc. If another reinforcing plate is added to the other side of the web, the
shear area may not be further increased.

Figure 62.1.4.a

If it is reinforced with a pair of diagonal stiffeners of length d (Figure 62.1.4.a) the

area of the cross-section of the pair of stiffeners must comply with the following:

d  3 M 0 (M b1,Ed  M b2,Ed ) 
Ad   t wc 
3  f y (hc  2t fc )(hb  t fb ) 


62.1.5. Moment resistance of the joint

The moment Mj,Rd that the joint can resist is given by (Figure 62.1.5):

M j ,Rd  FRd z

where:

z = h - tfb

TITLE 5 page 59
 h Beam height

tfb Beam flange thickness

FRd The smaller of the resistances of the tension zone and the
compression zone

Figure 62.1.5

62.2. Bolted beam-to-column joints

Bolted beam-to-column joints are typically made using end plates. Their
characteristics are similar to beam splices with end plates (section 61.2).

The thickness of the flange of the column is frequently less than the thickness of
the end plate welded to the beam. On the other hand, the resistance and stiffness of
said flange depend to a large extent on the presence or absence of stiffeners
prolonging the flanges of the beam, on account of which this type of joint shall be
checked in accordance with the following sections.

The design tensile strength of the bolts on the beam side shall be determined in
accordance with the provisions of section 61.2 above. On the support side, the tensile
strength of the bolts shall be determined similarly to the beam side, on an equivalent T­
stub basis, considering the three possible failure modes, but using the effective lengths
given in section 62.2.1.

The resistance of the tension, compression and shear zones on the support side
shall be determined in accordance with sections 62.1.2, 62.1.3, and 62.1.4, however, in
the case of a column web in tension, hef shall be taken as the effective length of the
equivalent T-stub, which represents the flange of the column (see 62.2.1).

62.2.1. Support-side resistance

The design tensile strength of each row or group of bolts on the support side shall
be determined in accordance with the failure modes set out in section 61.2, but using
the effective widths set out in tables 62.2.1.a and b, depending on whether or not the
column as transverse stiffeners. The dimensions m and emin are defined in Figure
62.2.1.a and e1 is the distance, measured in the direction of the column axis, from the
upper bolt row to the end of the column.

Modelling of the stiffened flange of a column as T-stubs can be seen in Figure

62.2.1.b.

TITLE 5 page 60
 Table 62.2.1.a.Effective lengths for an unstiffened column flange

Location of Bolt-row considered individually Bolt-row considered as part of

bolt row a group of bolt rows
Non-circular
Circular Non-circular Circular patterns
patterns patterns patterns
ℓeff,nc
ℓeff,cp ℓeff,nc ℓeff,cp

Inner bolt­ 2πm 4m + 1.25e 2p p

row

End bolt­ The smaller of: The smaller of: The smaller The smaller of:
row of:
2πm 4m + 1.25e 2m + 0.625e +
πm + p 0.5p
πm + 2e1 2m + 0.625e +
e1 2e1 + p e1 + 0.5p

Mode 1: ℓeff,1 = ℓeff,ncbut ℓeff,1 ≤ ℓeff,cp Σℓeff,1 = Σℓeff,nc but Σℓeff,1 ≤ Σℓeff,cp

Mode 2: ℓeff,2 = ℓeff,nc Σℓeff,2 = Σℓeff,nc

Table 62.2.1.b.Effective lengths for a stiffened column flange

Location of bolt-row Bolt-row considered Bolt-row considered as part of

individually a group of bolt rows
Circular Non-circular Circular Non-circular
patterns patterns patterns ℓeff,cp patterns ℓeff,nc
ℓeff,cp ℓeff,nc
Bolt row adjacent to a 2πm αm πm + p 0.5p + αm
stiffener − (2m +
0.625e)
Other inner bolt row 2πm 4m + 1.25e 2p p

Other end bolt row The smaller The smaller The smaller The smaller
of: of: of: of:
2πm 4m + 1.25e πm + p 2m + 0.625e +
πm + 2e1 2m + 0.625e 2e1 + p 0.5p
+ e1 e1 + 0.5p
End bolt row adjacent to a The smaller e1 + αm Not relevant Not relevant
stiffener of: − (2m +
2πm 0.625e)
πm + 2e1
For Mode 1: ℓeff,1 = ℓeff,nc but ℓeff,1 ≤ ℓeff,cp Σℓeff,1 = Σℓeff,nc but Σℓeff,1 ≤ Σℓeff,cp
For Mode 2: ℓeff,2 = ℓeff,nc Σℓeff,2 = Σℓeff,nc
α should obtained from Figure 61.2.c.

TITLE 5 page 61
 a) Welded end-plate narrower than column flange.

b) Welded end-plate wider than column flange.

c) Angle flange cleats.

Figure 62.2.1.a Definitions of e, emin, rc and m

Once the above values have been determined, the value of FRd for each bolt row
shall be taken as the lesser of those determined for the beam side and the support
side.

The resistance of the joint Mj,Rd shall be checked in accordance with the
provisions of section 62.2.2.

TITLE 5 page 62
 1 End bolt row adjacent to a stiffener.

2 End bolt row.

3 Inner bolt row.

4 Bolt row adjacent to a stiffener.

Figure 62.2.1.b Modelling a stiffened column flange as separate T-stubs

REINFORCEMENT

REINFORCEMENT

Figure 62.2.1.c

In certain cases in which it is not necessary to stiffen the support but the design
ultimate tensile strength of the bolts on the support side is insufficient, it may be
economical to strengthen its flange with two reinforcing plates, of thickness t1, held only
with the bolts of the beam joint (Figure 62.2.1.c).

If reinforcing plates are used, the design resistance of the T-stub FT,Rd shall be
determined using the method given in Table 61.2.a.

TITLE 5 page 63
62.2.2. Moment resistance of a joint

If a joint is subjected in general to an axial force NEd, positive for tension, a shear
force VEd and a bending moment MEd, the joint shall be checked as follows:

- The value of FT,Rd shall be determined for each of the T-stubs in accordance
with the provisions of section 61.2.

- The moment Mj,Rd that the joint can resist is given by:

m j ,Rd   ( f tr ,Rd ,i d i )

Where di is defined in Figure 61.2.a.

- The following should be true for the joint to be safe MEd ≤ Mj,Rd.

- The method given in this section to determine the design moment resistance of
a joint Mj,Rd does not consider any coexisting axial force NEd in the connected
member. Consequently, they should not be used if the axial force in the
connected member is greater than 5 % of the design plastic resistance Npℓ,Rd of
its cross-section.

- If the axial force NEd in the connected beam exceeds 5 % of the design
resistance Npl,Rd, the following conservative method may be used:

M j,Es N j,Ed
  1,0
M j,Rd N j,Rd

in which:

Mj,Rd Design moment resistance of the joint, assuming that no axial forces are
acting.

Nj,Rd Design moment resistance of the joint, assuming that no applied

moment exists.

- The effective design tension resistance Ftr,Rd of a bolt row r, as an individual bolt
row, shall be the smaller design ultimate tensile strength value for an individual
bolt row of the following basic components:

- Column web in tension Ft,wc,Rd (defined in section 62.1.2).

- Column flange in bending. FT,fc,Rd (defined in section 62.2.1) .

- End plate in bending: FT,ep,Rd (defined in section 61.2).

- Beam web in tension: Ft,wb,Rd (defined in section 61.2.1).

- The design effective tensile resistance Ftr,Rd of the bolt row r should , if
necessary, be reduced to ensure that, when all of the aforementioned bolt rows
including bolt row r, are taken into account, the following conditions are
satisfied:

- The total design resistance ΣFt,Rd ≤ Vwp,Rd /β (with β as per point 62.3).

TITLE 5 page 64
 - The total design resistance ΣFt,Rd does not exceed the smaller of:

- The design compression resistance of the column web Fc,wc,Rd (see

section 62.1.2).

- The design compression resistance of the flange and web of the

beam Fc,fb,Rd (see section 61.2.1).

- The design effective tension resistance Ftr,Rd of bolt row r should , if necessary,
be reduced to ensure that the sum of the design strengths of the preceding bolt rows,
including bolt row r which is part of the same group of bolt rows, does not exceed the
design strength of said group as a whole. This must be checked for the following basic
components:

- The column web in tension Ft,wc,Rd

- The column flange in bending FT,fc,Rd

- The end plate in bending FT,ep,Rd

- The beam web in tension Ft,wb,Rd

- It shall be assumed that the shear force VEd acting on the joint is resisted by the
bolts working as part of the corresponding joint category: A, B or C.

62.3 Joint stiffness

It shall be necessary to determine the stiffness Sj of the joint as indicated below,

and it shall be checked, in accordance with the provisions of 57.4, that the hypothesis
that it is rigid is correct. If the hypothesis is incorrect, it shall be necessary to
predetermine the forces in consideration of the stiffness Sj of the joint.

The initial rotationl stiffness of a beam-to-column joint is given by the following

expression, provided that the axial force NEd in the connected element does not exceed
5 % of the design resistance Npℓ,Rd of its cross-section:

E z2
S j,ini 
1
k
i

where:

z Joint lever arm. For welded joints, z shall be as set out in section 62.1.5.
For bolted joints, z shall be zeq as defined below. Approximately, for joints
with bolted extended end-plates, z may be taken as the distance from the
centre of compression to the intermediate point between the two further
bolt rows in tension.

ki Stiffness of each basic component, as defined below:

a) Shear stiffness of the column web:

Avc
k wv  0,38
z

TITLE 5 page 65
If the column web is stiffened with oblique stiffeners k wv  

b) Tension stiffness of the column web:

h t
k wt  0,7

ef wc
d c

If the column web is stiffened k wt  

c) Compression stiffness of the column web:

hef twc
kwc  0,7
dc
If the column web is stiffened k wc  

d) Bending stiffness of the column flange, corresponding to a bolt row:

bef , f t 3fc
k f  0,9
m3
e) Bending stiffness of the end-plate, corresponding to a bolt row:
bef , pt 3p
k p  0,9
m
3

f) Tension stiffness of a bolt row:

A
kb 1,6
S

Lb

In all of the above:

Avc Column shear area.

β Transformation parameter, function of the beam moments (see Figure

62.1.2.b).

For the right joint:β1 =|1-(Mb2,Ed / Mb1,Ed)|)≤2

For the left joint:β2 =|1-(Mb1,Ed / Mb2,Ed)|)≤2

hef Effective width of the column web. Defined in section 62.1.2 for the
column web in compression and web in tension in welded joints and
in section 62.2.1 for the column web in tension in bolted joints.

twc and tfc Thickness of column web and flange respectively.

dc Straight part of the column web, dc = hc – 2(tfc – rc)

tp Thickness of the end-plate.

As Resistance area of bolts in tension (see Table 58.7).

Lb Bolt grip length, distance from the middle of the thickness of the nut to
the middle of the thickness of the head.

TITLE 5 page 66
 bef,f Effective width of the column flange in bending. This shall be the
smaller of the effective lengths (individually or as part of a bolt group)
for the bolt row given in section 62.2.1 for unstiffened and stiffened
flanges.

bef,p Effective width of the end plate in bending. The smaller of the effective
lengths (individually or as part of a bolt group) given for the bolt row in
section 61.2 shall be taken.

m Defined in general in Figure 61.2.a and 61.2.b, but for a bolt row
located in the extended portion of an extended end plate m=mx ,
where mx is as defined in Figure 61.2.b.

For joints with end-plates with two or more bolt rows in tension, the basic
components related to all of these bolt rows should be represented by a single
equivalent stiffness ratio kea determined on the basis of:

k h
eff ,r r
1
k eq  r
with keff ,r 
z eq 1
k
i i,r

where:

hr Distance between bolt row r and the centre of compression.

keff,r Effective stiffness ratio for bolt row r in consideration of the stiffness
ratios ki,r for the basic components i (for beam-column joints, these are
the column web in tension, the column flange in bending, the end-plate
in bending and the bolts in tension, and for beam splices with bolted end
plate, these are the end plates in bending and the bolts in tension).

zeq Equivalent lever arm, with the value:

k h 2
eff ,r r
zeq  r

k
r
h
eff ,r r

As a simplification, in a bolted joint with end plate with more than one bolt row in
tension, the contribution of any bolt row may be disregarded, provided that the
contributions of the remaining bolt rows closest to the centre of compression are also
disregarded. The number of bolt rows considered does not necessarily have to be the
same as when determining the design moment resistance.

62.4. Rotation capacity of a joint

62.4.1. G
eneral

If the global analysis of the structure is carried on using plastic methods and a
plastic hinge is expected to form in the joint, the joint should have sufficient rotation
capacity.

The clauses of sections 64.4.2 and 64.4.3 are only valid for steels S235, S275
and S355 and for joints in which design value of the axial force NEd in the member

TITLE 5 page 67
connected does not exceed 5 % of the design plastic resistance Npl,Rd of its cross­
section.

The rotation capacity of joint need not be checked, provided that the design
moment resistance of the joint Mj,Rd is at least 1.2 times the plastic moment resistance
Mpl,Rd of the cross-section of connected member.

62.4.2 Welded joints

A welded beam-support joint, designed in accordance with the provisions of the

above sections, unstiffened, has a rotation capacity ΦCd = 0.015 rad.

A full-strength welded beam-column joint has sufficient rotation capacity to

enable analysis of the structure using the plastic method.

A welded beam-column joint in which the moment it can resist is limited by the
resistance of the shear zone has sufficient rotation capacity to enable analysis of the
structure using the plastic method.

A welded beam-column joint with stiffened tension zone has sufficient rotation
capacity to enable analysis of the structure using the plastic method, although it is not
full strength.

In a welded beam-column joint with stiffened compression zone (but not tension
zone) and in which the moment it can resist is not limited by the resistance of the shear
zone, the rotation capacity shall be taken as:

hc
Cd  0,025
hb

62.4.3. Bolted joints

A beam-to-column joint in which the design moment resistance of the joint is

governed by the resistance of the column web panel in shear, may be assumed to
have adequate rotation capacity for plastic global analysis, provided that dwc / tw ≤ 69 ε,
where dwc is the depth of the column web.

A joint with either a bolted-end plate or flange angle cleat connection may be
assumed to have sufficient rotation capacity for plastic analysis provided that both of
the following conditions are satisfied

a) The design moment resistance of the joint is governed by either on the

resistance of the column flange in bending, or the resistance of the end-
plate or angle iron of the flange in bending, i.e. in determining the design
tension resistance FRd of all of the bolts in tension, failure mode 1 is key,
either on the beam side or on the support side.

b) The thickness t of either the column flange,or the beam end-plate or tension
flange cleat satisfies:

t  0,36d f ub / f y

TITLE 5 page 68
 A bolted joint whose design moment resistance Mj,Rd depends on the design
resistance of its bolts in shear should not be deemed to have sufficient rotation
capacity for a plastic global analysis.

Section 63. Hybrid connections with bolts and welds

63.1. Bolt types

If, in a single joint between two parts, weld chords and bolts are required to help
transmit the shear force, the connecting means that provides the greatest stiffness
should be designed to withstand the entire load.

As an exception, preloaded class 8.8 and 10.9 bolts in connections designed as

slip-resistant at the ultimate limit state (category C) may be assumed to share load with
welds, provided that the final tightening of the bolts is carried out after the welding is
complete.

The strength of the connection shall be the sum of the resistance provided by the
weld and the bolts, calculated in accordance with the provisions of sections 59.8, 59.9
and 58.8 respectively.

63.2. Making the connection

High-strength bolts are not tightened until welding is complete to prevent them
being affected by residual welding stresses.

63.3. Strengthening

If it is necessary to strengthen an existing bolted or riveted connection, weld

chords may be used, provided that they are calculated to be able to resist all of the
forces generated by the permanent loads that the strengthening itself introduces, and
all of the overloads that can act once the strengthening has been effected.

The forces generated by the permanent loads existing before the strengthening
was done must be resisted by existing connection means.

Section 64. Hollow section joints

64.1. Scope

This section sets out the application rules to calculate the static resistance of
uniplanar and multiplanar joints made between hollow, circular or rectangular section
bars or between bars of this type and H- or U-section hot-rolled bars that in general are
part of structures or lattice members or Vierendeel, flat or spatial.

For fatigue assessment see the provisions of Chapter XI Fatigue of this Code.

These application rules are valid both for hot-finished hollow sections to UNE-EN
10210 and for cold-formed hollow sections to UNE-EN 10219.

For parts manufactured with S420 or S460 steel, the resistance calculated in
accordance with the rules set out in the sections below must be reduced by multiplying
it by a factor of 0.9.

TITLE 5 page 69
 The minimun value thickness of hollow sections should not be less than 2.5 mm.
If the thickness of the node zone is greater than 25.0 mm, the steel of the chord in this
zone must be type Z.

The value γM5 = 1.00 shall be taken for the partial safety coefficient γM5 in this type
of joint.

The angle θ between adjacent bars should satisfy the condition θ ≥ 30º.

Given that the expressions providing the resistance of these joints has been
calculated primarily on the basis of analysis of a wide base of experimental results, its
scope is strictly limited to that indicated in this section, and they may not be
extrapolated to arrangements or dimensions not expressly admitted therein, since such
extrapolation may give unsafe results.

64.2 Definitions and terms

The types of joints covered are indicated in fig. 64.2.a, although it is preferable to
use those listed first:

- Direct joints by welding between hollow sections or between hollow sections

and hot-rolled H- or U-bars, without modifying the cross-section of any bar.

- Direct joints by welding between hollow sections or between hollow sections

and hot-rolled H- or U-bars, modifying the cross-section of one of the circular
hollow bars in the joint by flattening.

- Joints with welded blocks, without modifying the cross-section of any of the
bars involved.

The following shall apply in particular to direct joints:

CHS , circular hollow section bar.

RHS , rectangular or square hollow section bar.

Chord, main bar that neither starts nor ends in the node in which the joint is
made, but continues through it. It is expressly forbidden to perforate it to enable other
bars can penetrate its interior, although this may be done with node blocks, if they are
used.

Diagonal, secondary bar that starts or ends in the node, and that forms an angle
θ ≠ 90º with the corresponding chord.

Upright, secondary bar that starts or ends in the node, and that forms an angle θ
= 90º with the corresponding chord.

Flat joint, joint in which the axes of all of the bars involved in the joint are located
in the same plane.

Spatial joint, joint in which the axes of all of the bars involved in the joint are not
located in the same plane.

T joint, flat joint between a chord and an upright, in which the forces in the upright
are balanced by the shear and bending forces in the chord (Figure 64.2.a).

TITLE 5 page 70
 Y joint, flat joint between a chord and a diagonal, in which the forces in it are
balanced by the shear and bending forces in the chord (Figure 64.2.a).

X joint, flat joint between a chord and two diagonals or two uprights arranged in
extension, in which the forces in the diagonals or uprights balance each other, passing
through the chord (Figure 64.2.a).

K joint, flat joint between a chord and two diagonals, in which the forces in it are
balanced by axial forces in the chord (Figure 64.2.a). In general, this applies to Warren
trusses. They may be gap or overlap joints.

N joint, flat joint between a chord and brace member, in which the forces in the
brace member are balanced by axial forces in the chord (Figure 64.2.a). In general, this
applies to Howe or Pratt trusses. They may be gap or lap joints.

KT joint, flat joint between a chord, two diagonals and one upright, in which the
forces in the diagonals and the upright are balanced by axial forces in the chord (Figure
64.2.a). In general, this applies to Warren trusses with uprights. They may be gap or
lap joints.

DK joint, flat joint between one chord and two pairs of diagonals that press the
chord symmetrically in respect of its axis (Figure 64.2.a). The force in each diagonal is
balanced by the force in the extended diagonal, passing through the chord. They may
be gap or lap joints.

DY joint, flat joint between one chord and two diagonals that press the chord
symmetrically in respect of its axis (Figure 64.2.a). Axial forces in the chord balance the
forces in the diagonals.

TT joint, spatial joint between a chord and two uprights. The plane defined by the
two uprights is perpendicular to the chord (Figure 64.2.a). The force in the uprights is
balanced by shear and bending forces in the chord.

XX joint, spatial joint between a chord and two pairs of uprights. Within each pair,
the two uprights are in extension. The planes defined by the chord and each of the two
pairs of uprights is perpendicular to each other (Figure 64.2.a). The force in the
extended diagonal, passing through the chord, balances the force in each upright.

KK joint, spatial joint between a chord and two pairs of diagonals. The planes
defined by the chord and each of the two pairs of […] form a specific angle with each
other (Figure 64.2.a). The force in the diagonals is balanced by shear and bending
forces in the chord.

Toe and heel, vertices of the most obtuse and most acute angles respectively in
the joint between a diagonal or upright and the chord.

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 K joint
KT joint N joint

T joint Y joint
X joint

DK joint KK joint

TT joint
X joint

DY joint XX joint

Figure 64.2.a Types of joints in hollow section lattice girders

Joint with gap, K, N or similar joint in which the feet of two contiguous diagonals
or uprights do not touch (Figure 64.2.b).

TITLE 5 page 72
 Joint with overlap, K, N or similar joint in which the feet of two contiguous
diagonals or uprights penetrate one another (Figure 64.2.c).The bar with the highest
product tify or that is the widest (overlapped bar) must continue to the chord; the other
bar (overlapping bar) must cross the overlapped bar and the chord.

d, diameter of a bar (figure 64.2.b).

b, h, Transversal dimensions of a bar, perpendicular to the plane of the

joint and in the plane of the joint respectively (Figure 64.2.c).

t, thickness of a bar.

Subscripts:

0, relating to the chord.

i, relating to diagonals or uprights (I = 1, 2 or 3).

f, relating to a beam.

p, relating to a plate.

Figure 64.2.b

TITLE 5 page 73
 Figure 64.2.c

g, gap between the feet of two contiguous brace members in K, N or similar

joints, measured along the chord face in the plane of the joint, regardless of the
thickness of the weld (Figure 64.2.d).The following shall be true in all cases:

g ≥ t 1 + t2

where t1 and t2 are the thicknesses of adjacent brace members.

Figure 64.2.d

Gap joints

p, in K, N or similar joints, length of the intersection of the overlapped

member with the chord, measured along the face of the chord in the
plane of the joint (Figure 64.2.e).

q, in K, N or similar joints, theoretical overlap length, measured along

the face of the chord in the plane of the joint (Figure 64.2.e).

TITLE 5 page 74
 Figure 64.2.e

e, Eccentricity in the node, positive if the crossing point of the braces is on a

different side, in consideration of the axis of the chord, to the diagonals brace members
themselves, or negative if this is not the case (Figures 64.2.f.a and 64.2.f.b).

Figure 64.2.f.a Figure 64.2.f.b

When checking chords subjects to compression, it is advisable to take account
of any moments arising from the existence of eccentricities. If the chord is in tension
and the eccentricity is within the following range:
e e
 0,55   0,25 or  0,55   0,25

d0 h0

The resulting bending moments may be ignored in node and chord calculations.
β, ratio of dimensions between a brace and the corresponding chord. The
following values shall be taken as a function of joint type:
For T, Y or X joints:

d 1 d b
 ;   1 ; or   1 ;
d 0 b0 b0

For K or N joints:

TITLE 5 page 75
 d1  d 2 d d b b h h
 ;   1 2 or   1 2 1 2
2d 0 2b0 4d 0

For KT joints:

d1  d 2  d 3 d  d 2  d3 b  b2  b3  h1  h2  h3
 ;  1 or   1
3d 0 3b0 6d 0

γ, ratio between the dimension of a chord and twice its thickness.

Depending on the bar type, this shall be:

d0 b b
 ;   0 or   0
2t 0 2t0 2t f

η, ratio between the height of a brace member and the diameter or width of
the corresponding chord:

hi h
 or   i
d0 b0

λov, overlap ratio as a percentage:

q
ov  100 (see Figure 64.2.e)
p

λov,lim limit or critical overlap ratio.

To ensure the proper transfer of forces between the two bars, the following

condition should be satisfied:

λov ≥ 25

N0,Ed, M0,ed, design forces (axial and bending, respectively) in the chord.

Ni,Ed, design axial force in the brace member i.

A0, Wel,0 section and elastic modulus of the chord.

N p , Ed  N 0, Ed   N i , Ed cos  i

i 0

Np,Ed, is the value of the axial force disregarding the members of the diagonals
or uprights parallel to the axis of the chord.

N o,Ed M 0,Ed
 0,Ed  
A0 Wel,0

N p,Ed M 0,Ed
 p,Ed  
A0 Wel,0

TITLE 5 page 76
  0,Ed
n (in chords of rectangular or square section);
f y,0

 p,Ed
np  (in chords of circular section).

f y,0

64.3. Welds
Direct joints between bars shall be made by welding. Joints between blocks and
chords and joints between braces and blocks shall also be welded.
In direct joints between bars, the weld shall be made along the entire contact
perimeter of the diagonal or upright with the chord. Exceptionally, in joints with overlap,
the overlapped part need not be welded, providing that the members perpendicular to
the chord of the axial forces in the other two bars in the node do not differ from one
another by more than 20 % of the larger of said members. If this is not the case, the
most stressed bar shall be the passing bar, and it shall be welded in full to the chord
before being overlapped by the other diagonal or upright.
Said weld may be a butt weld with partial penetration or a fillet weld or a
combination of these. In any case, the resistance of the weld must not be less than that
of the bar, diagonal or upright, connected to the chord or to another brace. In specific
lightly stressed zones, a lower weld resistance may be permitted provided that the
Designer explicitly demonstrates that the welds are sufficiently resistant, both to enable
non-uniform distribution of stresses and to ensure the deformation capacity necessary
to enable the redistribution of secondary bending.
This condition shall be assumed to be satisfied if the weld is full penetration or if
its throat “a” is at least equal to the thickness ti of the bar to be joined. For this purpose,
“A” shall be the effective throat determined by discounting the throat thickness
provided, which depends on the clearance between the diagonal or upright and the
chord, as shown in Figure 64.3.a.In any case, the clearance must always be less than
3 mm, as shown in the Figures 64.3.b and 64.3.c.
In the case of fillet welds, or partial penetration welds, the project execution
monitoring plan shall include approval of the welding procedures, as per UNE-EN ISO
15614-1 or UNE-EN ISO 15613, for all of the joint types required for the different
geometry of diameters, thicknesses, number and angles of members in the node,
degrees of gap or overlap, etc. Said procedures must explicitly define the following in
particular:
- Accreditation of the maximum clearances throughout the perimeter of the joint.
- The start and end points of each pass and the number of passes required to
guarantee the design thickness of the effective throat of the fillet weld along the
entire perimeter of the joint, which requires a variable number of passes between
the toe, heel and side zones of the joint.
- Accreditation of the external geometry of the joint, once finished, to guarantee
that the design thickness of the effective throat has been achieved throughout
the entire perimeter.

The throat between curved edges is defined in Figure 64.3.a.

For rectangular structural hollow the design throat thickness is defined in figures
64.3.b and 64.3.c and circular sections respectively. More detailed recommendations
are given in standard EN 1090-2.

TITLE 5 page 77
 EFFECTIVE S.
EFFECTIVE S.

GROSS S. CLEARANCE CLEARANCE GROSS S.

Blocks and their welded joints to chords shall be dimensioned to resist the forces
resulting from the forces transmitted to the same by the diagonals or uprights in it,
determined in accordance with the provisions of section 60.3.

X DETAILS Y DETAILS Z DETAILS

Edge prepared
square to lattice rods

ALTERNATIVE

y todos los espesores and all thicknesses

Figure 64.3.b Weld preparation and fit-up Construction details of typical welds
rectangular hollow sections

TITLE 5 page 78
 X DETAILS Y DETAILS Z DETAILS

Edge prepared
square to lattice rods

ALTERNATIVE

y todos los espesores and all thicknesses

Figure 64.3.c Weld preparation and fit-up. Construction details of typical welds circular
hollow sections

64.4. Manufacture

In direct joints, the ends of brace members shall be cut to fit the chord. Cutting
the chord to enable the passage of diagonals or uprights is expressly forbidden.

The use of automatic machines is recommended for said cut. If automatic

machines are not available, the use of flat, single, double or triple cuts (Figure 64.4.a)
shall be permitted provided that they satisfy the following limitations (Figure 64.4.b).

g1 ≤ t1; g1 ≤ t0 ; g2 ≤ 3 mm

TITLE 5 page 79
 Where g1 is the distance from the outer face of the diagonal or upright to the face
of the chord, and g2 is the distance from the inner face of the diagonal or upright to the
face of the chord.

Figure 64.4.a Figure 64.4.b

64.5. Failure modes for hollow sections joints

The design joint resistance between bars of hollow section or between bars of
hollow section with bars of open section should be determined by studying the different
failure modes of the joint, as detailed below.

The sections below and Annex 9 provide formulas to calculate such resistance
for given failure modes. To determine the design resistance for other failure modes, the
general methods provided for in this Code should be applied.

Although in general the resistance of a correctly welded joint is greater in tension

than in compression, the design resistances given are based on the resistance of
compressed joints to prevent possible excessive local deformation or reduced or
inadequate rotation capacity.

The possible failure modes to be studied in general are as follows:

a) Failure of the chord face, by plastic failure of the chord face or of the entire
section of the chord itself.

b) Failure of the chord web or the chord side wall failure by plastification, flattening
or local buckling under the compressed diagonal or upright.

c) Shear failure of the chord.

d) Punching shear of the chord face by crack initiation leading to the separation of
the tensioned diagonal or upright of the chord.

e) Brace failure as a result of insufficient effective width.

f) Failure by local buckling of a brace or of a hollow section chord member close to

the joint.
The different types of failure for joints with CHS or RHS beams and open-section
beams are shown in Figures A-9-1, A-9-2 and A-9-3 of Annex 9.

TITLE 5 page 80
 The design force of a brace shall not be greater than the resistance of the bar
itself, calculated in accordance with the general principles contained in this Code, or
the lesser of the resistances of its end joints, calculated in accordance with the
provisions of this section.
64.6. Welded joints between circular-section hollow beams CHS
64.6.1. General
The design resistance of the joint between circular-section hollow bars shall
satisfy the conditions set out in sections 64.6.2 if the joint is flat or 64.6.3 if it is spatial.
For joints that satisfied the geometric conditions set out in Table 64.6.1, it shall
only be necessary to check the failure of the chord face and its punching shear. The
design resistance shall be the smaller of the resistances obtained for the two possible
failure mechanisms.
For joints that do not satisfy the geometric conditions set out in Table 64.6.1, it
shall be necessary to check all of the failure mechanisms indicated in section 64.5
above. Furthermore, the secondary moments caused by the rotation stiffness of the
node itself must be taken into account, on account of which, in this case, design
models that consider the ends of diagonals or uprights to be articulated shall not be
valid.
Table 64.6.1 Geometric conditions for joints between circular-section hollow bars
Ratio of diameters 0.2 ≤ di/d0 ≤ 1.0
Chords Tension 10 ≤ d0/t0 ≤ 50 (in general)
Except:10 ≤ d=/t0 ≤ 40 (for X joints)
Compression Class 1 or 2 and
10 ≤ d0/t0 ≤ 50 (in general),
Except:10 ≤ d0/t0 ≤ 40 (for X joints)
Braces Tension di/ti ≤ 50
Compression Class 1 or 2
Overlap 25 % ≤ λov ≤ λov,lim (see note below)
Gap g ≥ t1 + t2
NB: Joints between brace members and the chord must be checked for shear if any of the
following conditions are true:
a) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim = 60 % and the hidden face of the overlapped upright or
diagonal is not welded.
b) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim = 80 % and the hidden face of the overlapped upright or
diagonal is welded.
c) If the braces are rectangular hollow section with hi<bi and/or hj<bj

64.6.2. Flat joints

In joints whose diagonals or uprights are only subjected to axial forces, the
design axial force Ni,Ed must not be greater than the design resistance of the joint Ni,Rd,
as shown in Tables A-9-1, A-9-2 or A-9-3 of Annex 9.

Joints whose braces are subject to axial force and bending moment must satisfy
the following:

TITLE 5 page 81
 2
N
i,Ed 
M
ip ,i,Ed 
M op ,i,Ed

  

1,0

N
i,Rd 
M
ip ,i,Rd 
M
op ,i,Rd

where:

Ni,Ed, Mip,i,Ed, Mop,i,Ed are respectively the design axial force, the design bending
moment in the plane of the joint and the design bending moment in the plane
perpendicular to the joint. These bending moments shall be determined at the point of
intersection between the axis of the diagonal or upright and the chord face.

Ni,Rd, Mip,i,Rd, Mop,i,Rd are the resistances of the joint to axial force, to bending
moment in the plane of the joint and to bending moment in the plane perpendicular to
the joint, as given in Tables A-9-1, A-9-2, A-9-3 or A-9-4 of Annex 9.

DY, KT, DX and DK Joints should satisfy the additional requirements set out in
Table A-9-5 of Annex 9.

The values of the parameter kg used in Table A-9-1 of Annex 9 for K, N and KT
joints are given in Figure A-9-4.

64.6.3. Spatial joints

The resistance of the joint of each brace member to the corresponding chord in
the spatial joint is equal to that of the same joint if flat (section 64.6.2), but multiplied by
a reduction factor μ given in Table A-9-6 of Annex 9 and in consideration of the suitable
value of the parameter kp given in the corresponding table.

64.7. Welded joints between CHS or RHS brace members and RHS chords

64.7.1. General points

The design resistance of the joint between hollow sections CHS or RHS brace
members and RHS chords shall satisfy the conditions set out in sections 64.7.2 if the
joint is flat or 64.7.3 if it is spatial.

For joints within the range of validity given in Table 64.7.1, it shall only be
necessary to check the failure mode given in the applicable table of Annex 9. The
design resistance shall be the smaller of the values obtained for the possible failure
mechanisms.

TITLE 5 page 82
 Table 64.7.1 Geometric conditions for joints between diagonals or uprights

CHS or RHS and RHS chords

Joint parameters [ i = 1 or 2, j = overlapped brace ]

h0 /b0 b0 /t0
Gap or overlap bi
Joint type bi /b0odi bi /tiy hi /ti or di /ti and hi and h0
/bj
/b0 /bi /t0
Compression Tension
bi /b0 ≥
T, Y or X ≤
0.25
35 and
-
Class 1
bi /b0 ≥ bi /ti ≤ 35 and hi or 2
0.35y≥ /ti ≤ 35 and
K gap N Class 1 or 2
0.1 + bi /ti≤ 35 ≥ ≤ 35 g/b0 ≥ 0.5(1 – β)
with gap
0.01 and hi /ti≤ 0,5but≤ and but ≤ 1.5(1 ­
b0/t0 35 2,0 Class 1 β)1)and at least g ≥
or 2 t1 + t2

2)
K overlap N bi /b0 ≥ Class 1 25 % ≤ λov ≤ λov,lim
Class 1
overlap 0.25 or 2 and bi /bj ≤ 0.75

di /b0 ≥
Circular brace As above, but with di replacing bI and di
0.4 but ≤ Class 1 di /ti≤ 50
member replacing bj.
0.8

1) If g /b0> 1.5(1 - β) and g > t1 + t2, treat the joint as two separate T or Y joints.
2) λov,lim = 60 % if the hidden part is not welded to the chord, and 80 % if the hidden part is welded to the
chord. If the coating exceeds the value λov,lim or if the brace members are of rectangular section with hi< bi
and/or hj< bj, the joint between the braces and the chord face must be checked for shear.

For joints that do not satisfy the geometric conditions set out in Table 64.7.1, it
shall be necessary to check all of the failure mechanisms indicated in section 64.5
above. Furthermore, the secondary moments caused by the rotation stiffness of the
node itself must be taken into account, on account of which, in this case, design
models that consider the ends of diagonals or uprights to be hingen shall not be valid.

64.7.2. Flat joints

64.7.2.1. Un-reinforced joints

In joints whose brace members are only subjected to axial forces, the design
axial force Ni,Ed must not be greater than the design axial resistance of the joint Ni,Rd
determined as follows:

a) For welded joints between brace members of square or circular hollow

section and chords of square hollow section, if the geometric conditions in Table 64.7.1
are met and the additional conditions given in Table 64.7.2 are met, the design axial
resistance may be determined from the expressions given in Table A-9-7.

b) For joints within the range of validity of Table 64.7.1, it shall only be
necessary to check failure of the chord face and brace failure with reduced effective
width. The design axial resistance of the joint should be taken as the minimum value
arising from these two conditions.
(NB: The design axial resistance for joints between braces of hollow section and chords of
square section given in Table A-9-7 have been simplified, omitting those failure criteria that
are not critical for joints that are within the range of validity of Table 64.7.2).

TITLE 5 page 83
Design resistance of any welded non-reinforced joint between SHC or SHR braces and
SHR chords that satisfy the geometric conditions of Table 64.7.1 may be determined using
the expressions given in Tables A-9-8, A-9-9 and A-9-10, as applicable. For reinforced
joints, see 64.7.2.2.

Table 64.7.2 Additional conditions for the use of Table 64.7.1

Type of brace Joint type Joint parameters

Square hollow section T, Y or X bi /b0 ≤ 0.85 b0 /t0 ≥ 10

K or N with gap b1  b2 b0 /t0 ≥ 15

0.6 ≤ ≤ 1.3
2b1
Circular hollow section T, Y or X b0 /t0 ≥ 10
K or N with gap d  d2 b0 /t0 ≥ 15
0.6 ≤ 1 ≤ 1.3
2d1

Brace members connections subjected Joints to combined axial force and

bending moment must satisfy the following requirement:

N i,Ed M ip,i,Ed M op,i,Ed

 
N i,Rd M ip,i,Rd M op,i,Rd

where:
Ni,Ed, Mip,i,Ed, Mop,i,Ed are respectively the design axial force, the design in-plane
internal moment and the design out-of-plane internal moment. These bending
moments shall be determined at the point of intersection between the axis of the
diagonal or upright and the chord face.
Ni,Rd, Mip,i,Rd, Mop,i,Rd are the resistances of the joint to axial force, the design in­
plane moment resistance and the design out-of-plane moment resistance, as given in
Tables A-9-7, A-9-8, A-9-9, A-9-10 or A-9-11 of Annex 9. For reinforced joints, see
section 64.7.2.2.

The special types of welded joints included in Tables A-9-12 and A-9-13 must
comply with the design criteria set out for each type of joint in these tables.

64.7.2.2 Reinforced joints

Various types of reinforcements may be used. The correct type depends upon
the predominant failure mode in the design resistance of the joint, in the absence of
reinforcement.

Flange reinforcement plates may be used to increase the resistance of the joint to
chord face failure, punching shear or failure of the brace on account of insufficient
effective width. A pair of side plates may be used to reinforce joint against chord side
wall failure or shear failure of the chord.

The design resistance of reinforced joints must be determined using Tables A-9­
14 and A-9-15.

TITLE 5 page 84
64.7.3. Spatial joints

Spatial joints must observe the design criteria for flat joints.

The resistance of the joint of each brace to the corresponding chord in the spatial
joint is equal to that of the same joint if flat (section 64.7.2), but multiplied by a
reduction factor μ given in Table A-9-16 of Annex 9 and in consideration of the suitable
value of the parameter kn given in the corresponding table.

64.8 Welded joints between CHS or RHS brace members and I- or H-

section chords

For welded joints between braces of hollow section and chords of I or H section
that comply with the geometric conditions in Table 64.8, the design resistance shall be
determined using the expressions given in Table A-9-17 or A-9-18, as applicable.

Table 64.8 Geometric conditions for welded joints between CHS or RHS diagonals or
uprights and I- or H-section chords
Joint parameters [ i = 1 or 2, j= overlapped brace member ]
Joint type bi /ti and hi /tior di /ti
dw /tw hi /bi b0 /tf bi /bj
Compression Tension
> 0.5
Class 1 and
X but <
dw < 400 mm
2.0
T or Y
Class 1 or 2
Class
and h//t<35 h/t<35 b / t < 35
K with gap 1.0 1 or -
b / t / < 35 d / t < 50
N with gap (see note) Class 1 or 2
d / t / < 50
2 and dw <
400 mm
> 0.5
K with overlap >
but <
K with overlap 0.75
2.0

NB: Joints between braces and the chord must be checked for shear if any of the following
conditions are true:
a) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim = 60 % and the hidden face of the overlapped brace is not
welded.
b) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim = 80 % and the hidden face of the overlapped upright or
diagonal is welded.
c) If the brace members are rectangular hollow section with hi<bi and/or hj<bj

For joints that satisfy the geometric conditions in Table 64.8, it shall only be
necessary to consider the design criteria set out in the corresponding table. The design
resistance of the joint shall be the smaller of the values obtained from all of the
applicable criteria.

For joints that do not satisfy the geometric conditions set out in Table 64.8, it shall
be necessary to check all of the failure mechanisms indicated in section
64.5.Furthermore the secondary moments caused by the rotation stiffness of the node
itself should be considered .

TITLE 5 page 85
 In joints whose brace members are only subjected to axial forces, the design
axial force Ni,Ed must not be greater than the design resistance of the joint Ni,Rd
obtained in Table A-9-17.

Joints whose brace members are subject to axial force and bending moment
must satisfy the following:

N i,Ed M ip,i,Ed
  1,0
N i,Rd M ip,i,Rd

where:

Mip,i,Ed and Mipj¡Rd are the design moments and moment resistance in the plane. These
bending moments shall be determined at the point of intersection between the axis of
the member diagonal or upright and the chord face. The moment resistance Mip,i,Rd
shall be obtained using Table A-9-18.

If stiffeners are used in the chord (see Figure 64.8) the resistance of the member
Ni,Rd for T, X, Y or K joints with spacing and N joints with spacing (Table A-9-17) shall
be determined as follows:

Ni,Rd = 2 fyi ti (beff + beff,s)

where:

beff = tw + 2r + 7 tf fyo / fyi but< bi + hi - 2ti

beff,s = ts + 2a + 7 tf fyo / fyi but< bi + hi - 2ti

beff + beff,s< bi + hi - 2ti

in which:

a Weld throat of the stiffener, ‘2a’ becomes ‘a’ if fillet welds are used on each side
of the stiffener;

s Relates to the stiffener.

The stiffener shall have a thickness no less than the thickness of the web of the I­
beam.

Figure 64.8 Effective perimeter of the diagonal or upright without (left) and with
(right) stiffeners

TITLE 5 page 86
64.9. Welded joints between CHS or RHS brace members and U-section
chords

For welded joints between braces of hollow section and U-section chords that
satisfy the geometric conditions in Table 64.9, the design resistance shall be
determined using the expressions given in Table A-9-19.

Table 64.9 Geometric conditions for welded joints between CHS or RHS braces
and U-section chords

Joint parameters [ i = 1 or 2, j = brace member ]

Joint type bi /tiy hi /tio di /ti hi /bi bo /to Gap or overlap bi /bj
bi /b0
Compression Tension

K gap ≥0.4 and 0.5(1­

Class 1 or 2 y
bo≤ 400 β*)≤g/bo*≤1.5(1­
hi/ti≤ 35 hi/ti≤ 35 * 1)
N gap mm ≥0.5 β ) and g≥ t1 + t2
Class
but≤
bi /ti≤ 35 bi /ti≤ 35 di 1 or 2
K overlap ≥0.25 y 2.0
/ti≤ 50 25 % ≤λov≤λov,lim2)
bo≤ 400
di /ti≤ 50 bi/bj> 0.75
N overlap mm
β* = b1/b0*
b0* = b0 - 2 (tw + r0)
1)
This condition shall only apply if β ≤ 0.85
2)
Joints between members and the chord must be checked for shear if any of the following conditions are
true:
a) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim= 60 % and the hidden face of the overlapped upright or diagonal is not
welded.
b) If the overlap exceeds λov,lim = 80 % and the hidden face of the overlapped upright or diagonal is welded.

c) If the uprights or diagonals are rectangular tubular with hi<bi and/or hj<bj

The secondary moments in the joints caused by their stiffness must be taken into
account.

In gap joints, the design resistance to axial force of the chord N0,Rd shall be
determined in consideration of the shear force transmitted by the diagonals or uprights
to the chord, disregarding the related secondary moment. This shall be checked in
accordance with the provisions of Chapter IX.

Section 65. Joints in foundations

65.1. General
The support of the structure shall comply as closely as possible with the binding
conditions provided for in the design.
The support mechanisms shall be designed such that:
- they can transmit to the foundations the forces considered in the
design without causing in it any stresses that it cannot properly resist.
- they enable the movements considered in the design without causing
stresses not provided for therein.

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 - they can be inspected and maintained easily.
The foundations shall in turn be dimensioned such that they are able to transmit
to the ground the forces that they receive from the structure such that it can resist them
without causing any settlement or movement that invalidates the support conditions
considered in the structural design.
The maintenance plan for the structure shall give details of how to change
support mechanisms if required.
The zones around these mechanisms shall be designed such that they are able
to resist the stresses to which they may be subjected during such a change.

65.2. Base plates

Base plates are the support mechanism most frequently used to join a support to
its foundations.
The joint between a support and its foundations using a base plate may be
considered to be a rigid joint or perfect restraint if the conditions set out in section
65.2.5 are satisfied. If the end of the support is not intended to bend (hinged joint) a pin
or similar device must be placed between the plate and the support.
The base plate shall be dimensioned to transmit the axial tension and
compression forces, shear forces, bending moments and torsional moments
determined in the design.

65.2.1. Transmission of shear stresses

The shear stresses generated by the shear forces and potential torsional moment
may be transmitted to the foundations by:
- Friction. Where Nc,Ed is the design value of the normal compression
force , which shall include any pre-loaded force of the anchor bolts.
The maximum shear force that can be transmitted by friction is:

M x, Ed
VRd=Cf,d Nc,Ed≥VEd,ef= Vy , Ed Vz , Ed 
2 2

0,25b

where b is the smaller dimension of the base plate, Vy,Ed and Vz,Ed are the
components of the designed shear force and Mx,Ed the design torsional force,
concomitant with Nc,Ed.

The Friction coefficient Cf,d between base plate and the concrete shall be
Cf,d = 0.20 for sand-cement mortar. For other types of mortar, the
Friction coefficient should be determined by testing in accordance
with UNE-EN 1990, Annex D - Using one of the connector types
admitted in the Recommendations for the design of composite
highway bridges, RPX-95, of the Directorate General of Highways
(DGC) and calculated in accordance with the same.

- Using the anchor bolts provided for. This method is not recommended
if the bolts are also required to resist significant tensile forces.

The Designer may consider together the friction resistance and the resistance of
the anchor bolts jointly to resist the total shear and torsional forces.

If anchor bolts are used to transmit shear forces, the following conditions shall be
taken into account:

TITLE 5 page 88
 - The holes made in the base plate for the bolts may have the
clearance indicated by the Designer to facilitate their assembly, but in
this case washers with standard drill holes shall be placed on them
and welded to the base plate using a weld strong enough to transmit
the shear force that the bolt is required to absorb.

- The shear and flattening resistance of the bolt against the base plate
or against the lock washer shall be the smaller of those determined in
accordance with the provisions of Sections 58.6 and 58.7, and the
value obtained from:

b f ub AS
FV 2.Rd  ,
M2

where b = 0.44 – 0.0003fyb, where fyb is the yield strength of the bolt anchor (in
N/mm2), where 235 N/mm2 ≤ fyb ≤ 640 N/mm2.

- The flattening resistance to concrete shall be calculated in

accordance with the provisions of Article 7.3.2.1 of Recommendations
RPX-95 for designing composite highway bridges, RPX-95.

65.2.2. Transmission of compression forces

The compression forces generated by the axial force and bending moments may
be transmitted from the compressed members of the support to the foundations,
distributed via the base plate.

The distribution of forces shall be assumed to be in equilibrium with the axial

force and the bending moment of the support at start, in accordance with section 56.2.
As a simplification, the criteria given in Figure 65.2.2.a may be used.

TITLE 5 page 89
 a) Dominant compression axial force

b) Dominant tensile force

c) Dominant moment

d) Dominant moment

Figure 65.2.2.a Determination of the lever arm z for column base connections

The resistance of the compression zone shall be determined as follows:

FC,Rd=fjdA0 ,

where fjd is the maximum resistance of the concrete and A0 is the maximum distribution
area in compression, both parameters as defined below.

The maximum distribution area in compression shall be delimited by lines parallel

to the surfaces of the profiles of the column, at a maximum distance (Figure 65.2.2.b).

fy
c=t
3 f jd  M 0
Where fy is the yield strength of the steel of the base plate and t its thickness.

The maximum resistance of the concrete is given by:

FRdu
f jd 
A0

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 where βj is a factor that may be taken as 2/3 if the levelling mortar between the
plate and the concrete of the foundations has a resistance at least equal to 0.2fck and
the thickness no greater than 0.2 times the smaller dimension of the plate; A’0 is an
approximation of the maximum distribution area in compression and FRdu is the
maximum concentrated compression force that can act on the concrete in accordance
with the EHE-08 Code (taking A’0 as the restricted area in which the forces applied).

Supporting area

surface not included in supporting

area

Figure 65.2.2.b

65.2.3. Transmission of tensile forces

Tensile forces generated by the axial force and bending moments should be
resisted by the anchor bolts. It is recommended that the bolts be screw to the plate. A
washer shall always be placed between the nut and the base plate.

Once the structure is assembled and the nuts tightened, they shall be
immobilised, preferably using a lock nut or peening the thread. Weld spots may not be
used for this task.

The tensile resistance of an anchor bolt shall be determined in accordance with

the provisions of Section 58.7.The shear resistance of the bolt shall be taken as the
lowest value obtained from section 65.2.1.If the bolts are welded to the plate, the
material in them must be weldable and the join weld shall be full strength (Figure
65.2.3.a).In this case, suitable measures shall be taken to prevent the occurrence of
lamellar tearing.

TITLE 5 page 91
 Figure 65.2.3.a

Bolts should not be welded to the base plates using fillet weld on a foot formed at
the end of the same to be welded to the plate (Figure 65.2.3.b).

Figure 65.2.3.b Detailed to be avoided when welding the bolt to the base plate

Bolts may be preloaded if they are of suitable quality. The preloading force shall
be determined by the Designer, and shall not exceed the value N0 given in section
58.8.This solution is recommended for structures subject to dynamic effects, impacts or
fatigue loads.

The transfer of the tensile force of an anchor bolt to the concrete may be done by
adhesion, in which case the bolt shall end in a normal foot and its length shall be as
provided for in the EHE-08 Code, or to an end plate, attached to the bolt by means of a
nut and lock nut.

In this case, the following should be true:

TSd
 fj
Apl

where TEd is the tensile force in the bolt, Apl is the area of the plate and fj is the
value of the pressure against the concrete. In this calculation, the depth of the plate L
shall be used instead of the thickness of the shoe h.

Transmission to the concrete shall be made by means of shear stresses in the

side surface of a truncated cone or pyramid, depending on whether the plate is circular
or square, extending from the plate to the surface of the footing with a half-angle at the
vertex of 10°.

These shear stresses shall be checked in accordance with the provisions of the
EHE Code.

65.2.4. Transmission of bending forces

The resistance of the base plate and the anchor bolts shall be checked in
accordance with the provisions of section 61.2, treating it as a joint with endplate. In

TITLE 5 page 92
this case, to define the compression surface, the distance c (see Figure 65.2.2.b)
defined above shall be taken instead of k in the zone of the flange in compression, and
the distance c on both sides of the zone of the web in compression.

65.2.5. Base plate stiffness

Bases shall be deemed stiff in the following cases:

For non-translational portal frames, if any of the following three conditions are
satisfied:
0  0,5

7(20 1)EI C

0,5  0  3,93 y S j 
LC

48EIC

0  3,93 and S j 
LC

30EIC

In any other case if S j 

LC

In the above expressions, λ0 is the slenderness of the column assuming it is

bihinged, Ic and Lc are its corresponding second moment of area and length, and Sj the
rotation stiffness corresponding to the base plate.
The rotation stiffness of the base plate is given by the following expression:
Ez2
S j,ini  ,
1
k
where ki is the stiffness coefficient for basic component (detailed below) and z is
the lever arm (see Figure 65.2.2.a).
The bending stiffness of the plate is given by:
bef t 3

K p  0,85 3

m
where bef is the effective width as per Section 61.2 (establishing an analogy
between plate and the endplate joints), t is the thickness of the base plate and m the
corresponding distance between the bolt and the corresponding plastic hinge formation
line.
The stiffness of each bolt row is:
A
kat 1,6

s
Lb

where As is the resistance area of the bolt and Lb its length.

Leverage may be generated in the plate if:
8,8m 3 As

Lb 

bef t 3

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 In this case, the factor 0.425 shall be taken instead of 0.85 for the bending
stiffness of the plate, and the value 2.0 shall be taken instead of 1.6 for the stiffness of
the bolt row.

The stiffness provided by the concrete and base plate in compression shall be
calculated as:

EC bef  ef
kc 
1,275 E

where bef and ef are the effective dimensions of the concrete area beneath the
compressed flange of the column (Figure 65.2.2.b).

65.3. Other methods for connecting columns to foundations

A column may be connected to the foundations by embedding a certain length of

the column into the foundations (Figure 65.3).

Figure 65.3

In this case, the axial force (tension or compression) is transmitted by means of

connectors arranged in the shaft of the column. In the concrete, the necessary
reinforcements shall be installed to transmit it from the grout to the concrete itself.

The shear force and bending moments shall be transmitted by means of pairs of
forces that compress the shaft to the foundations, chosen such that:

- At no point shall the pressure of the shaft to the concrete be greater

than its design resistance, fcd.

- The shaft can resist the stresses generated by such forces.

Section 66. Support members

66.1. Neoprene support devices

Neoprene support devices are used to create a non-slip-resistant nominally

pinned connection at the end of the beam, enabling simultaneous movement in two
directions and the absorption of vertical and horizontal loads.

TITLE 5 page 94
 The support may be made of neoprene plates only (unreinforced neoprene),
although it is advisable to insert steel plates between the neoprene plates (reinforced
neoprene) to restrain lateral expansion and reduce vertical settling of the support.
The dimensions of the neoprene support should comply with the following
conditions:
Stability: the following condition must be satisfied to prevent buckling:
en ≤ 0.2 b
where en is the total thickness of the neoprene (excluding the thickness of the
steel plates) and b is the smaller horizontal dimension of the support.
Shape: The following condition must be satisfied to limit vertical shortening:
ab
Rectangular shape:  12
t(a  b)
a
Strip shape:  12
t
d
Circular shape:  12
t
where a is the larger horizontal dimension of the support, d is the diameter of the
circular support and t is the thickness of each of the layers of neoprene.
Contact pressure: The horizontal dimensions of the support should satisfy the
following:
N max N min
 ab 
n 3
where:
a and b shall be provided in mm,
Nmax and Nmin are the maximum and minimum vertical reactions in N,
σn is the admissible compression stress of the neoprene in N/mm2.Unless data is
provided by the Manufacturer, the following values may be taken:
σn= 3 N/mm2 for unreinforced neoprene and σn = 5 N/mm2 for reinforced
neoprene.
N min
The condition ab 
3 need not be observed if the neoprene support is fitted
into one or both of the parts to be joined.
Angular distortion: Angular distortion γ should satisfy the following condition:

  0,5
en
where δ is the relative movement between the upper surface and lower surface of
the support.
As a result, the horizontal force H that the support can transmit shall be limited by
the following expression:
Gab

 H  0,5Gab

en

TITLE 5 page 95
where G is the transverse modulus of elasticity of the neoprene. If the Manufacturer
provides no data, 1 N/mm2 may be taken for long-term loads and 2 N/mm2 for
instantaneous loads.
66.2. Metal support devices
Metal support devices are used to create a slip-resistant or non-slip-resistant
nominally pinned connection at the end of the beam.
When transmitting compression reactions only and if the support device
comprises a pair of plates, one connected to the structure and the other to the
foundations, the following must be taken into account when dimensioning:
- The plates should be rectangular, with a ratio of dimensions between 1:1 and
2:3.
- Their centre shall coincide with the crossing point of the reaction FEd.
- The effect of friction between plates shall be taken into account, for which it
shall be assumed that μ= 0.3.
- If it is possible that the reaction could be a tensile reaction or, even if it is a
compression reaction, its value is small, suitable devices shall be installed to
prevent the separation of the plates. Such devices shall enable the movement
of the plates in their contact plane if this is provided for in the part binding
conditions.
- The contact pressure of the plate to the concrete shall not exceed the value fj
defined in section 65.2.2.
- The contact pressure between metal plates shall not exceed 0.80fy.
If the support comprises a sphere resting between two flat plates, the reaction
FEd,ser in serviceability limit state, expressed in kN, shall satisfy the following:
2
r
FSd

,ser 
1,64 f  
y
3

where fy is the lower yield strength of the sphere or of the plates, in N/mm2, r is
the radius of the sphere in mm and E the modulus of elasticity of the steel in N/mm2.
If the support comprises a cylinder of length  resting between two flat plates, the
reaction FEd,ser in serviceability limit state, expressed in kN, shall satisfy the following:
r
FSd ,ser  0,062 f y2
E

where fy is the lower yield strength of the cylinder or of the plates, in N/mm2, and r
is the radius of the cylinder in mm.

In the expressions above, if the yield strength of the steel is equal to or greater
than 500 N/mm2, it shall take a reduced value fy,red = 0.12fy + 440 (in N/mm2). If the
yield strength is not known, but the Vickers hardness HV as per ISO 4964 is known,
the following value may be taken fy,red = 0,273HV + 440 (in N/mm2).

For cylindrical surfaces that have undergone a surface hardening treatment or

had a special coating applied, the yield strength or the hardness of the surface layer
may be used if its thickness is greater than:

TITLE 5 page 96
 fy HV
25r or 55r
E E

respectively. In these expressions, r should be in mm and fy and E in N/mm2.

In general, it shall not be necessary to check the ultimate limit state of spherical
or cylindrical joints.

Joints and rolls are commonly made of high-strength Martensitic chrome steels,
quenched and tempered, in accordance with UNE-EN 10088-1.The mandatory
certificate to be provided by the Manufacturer, in addition to the mechanical
characteristics, shall give details of the manufacturing method, heat treatment,
hardness and, if agreed, the toughness of the material.

Brittle fracture safety shall be checked if the steel used has an yield strength
greater than 1000 N/mm2 or an HV hardness of more than 450.

TITLE 5 page 97
CHAPTER XV. STRUCTURAL MEMBERS

Section 67. Beams

This section includes verification of any prismatic member that satisfies the ratio
L/h > 5 and is subject to axial forces, simple bending or torsion or any combination of
these.

This section covers full-web beams and light-web beams. Truss beams are
covered in Section 72 on triangular structures.

67.1. Full-web beams

Full-web beams are rolled or welded beams with an opaque web whose cross­
section is uniform or variable lengthways.

Full-web beams should undergo the relevant checks in serviceability limit state
(Chapter X) and ultimate limit state (Chapter IX).

67.2. Light-web beams

Light-web beams are beams whose web has several equal voids evenly arranged
along it.

67.2.1. Types of light-web beams

The following types of light-web beams may be used:

a) Hollow-core beams (hexagonal or circular cells)

TITLE 5 page 98
 b) Elevated hollow-core beams (octagonal cells)

67.2.1.1. Ultimate limit state checks

The lightest section should be checked in bending and shear, as should the
section in which the interaction of shear force and bending moment is least favourable,
causing the maximum longitudinal direct stress. Furthermore, the joint area between
both parts of the hollow-core beam must be able to resist the shear force to which it is
subjected.

67.2.1.2. Serviceability limit state checks

To check the deformation limit state, both deflection components caused by

bending fM and shear fV should be taken into account.

A conservative value for the bending deflection component fM may be obtained in

a simplified manner by taking the value of the inertia of the section in the lightest zone,
where the inertia is lowest Imin, as the inertia of the section.

An average value of the inertia IM of both section types (most lightened and least
lightened) may also be used to calculate said deflection fM.

Shear deflection fV is obtained using the equivalent shear area of section Ae.

Section 68. Latticestructures

Lattices are flat structures formed by members arranged in two directions
perpendicular to one another and loaded perpendicularly to the middle plane of the
structure.

There may be a predominant direction, in which the main beams are laid, in
which case the structural members arranged perpendicular to this (secondary beams)
are used to distribute loads transversely. Forces shall be calculated as with a grid.

A simplified calculation of forces may be used for secondary beams, using a

transversal distribution method for the loads applied in order to obtain the loads to be
taken into account for the calculation and verification of the main beams.

Once the forces in the beams that make up the lattice have been determined,
they shall be checked for the corresponding ultimate and serviceability limit state, in
accordance with the provisions of Section 67.

TITLE 5 page 99
Section 69. Floor slabs
Steel floor slabs are floor slabs whose resistance members are made of steel.

Generally, these floor slabs are unidirectional floor slabs formed by steel joists
with non-load-bearing ceramic or concrete beam fill members.

Joists shall be checked like steel beams, in consideration of Section 67.

In the case of industrial building floor slabs that are required to withstand large
loads, the beam fill may be made of steel parts, forming a flat lattice in which the
beams can provide similar dimensions in both directions. Details of checks are given in
Section 68.

In the case of inclined roof slabs with joists (purlins) supported on main beams or
trusses, it should be noted that if the web of the purlin is not in a vertical plane, bending
inclination occurs in the plane perpendicular to the web, the extent of which depends
on the of the cover.

In any case, the purlins shall be checked in accordance with the provisions of
Section 67.

Section 70. Columns

This section sets out the checks to be carried out on structural steel members
subjected predominantly to axial compression forces. The columns may be simple or
combined.

Simple columns are columns that are made up of a single section or by two or
more main sections in contact or spliced to each other using steel shells at a distance s
between joins, measured from centre to centre, ensuring that s ≤ 15imin, where imin is
the minimum radius of gyration of one of the sections that make up the column in
question or, where applicable, the chord, in the most generic manner. Under these
conditions, for practical purposes, these columns may be checked as if they were a
column made up of a single section.

Combined columns are columns made up by two or more single sections spliced
together. Joining members may be batten plates or trusses. Combined columns shall
be checked in consideration of their shear deformability, in accordance with the
provisions of 70.5 and Section 71.

This section covers:

- Columns of uniform section.

- Columns of variable section.

- Column subjected to continuous variable axial stress.

- Columns subjected to concentrated loads along their directrix.

- Columns of built-up section.

TITLE 5 page 100

70.1. Columns of uniform section

This section covers columns whose cross-section is constant throughout its

directrix, regardless of its shape.

The cross-sections may be open or closed and, depending on their symmetrical

characteristics, they may have double symmetry, single symmetry or point symmetry.

The provisions of section 35.1 shall be taken into account when checking the
column in compression.

In the presence of compression and bending forces, the provisions of sections

35.2 and 35.3 shall be taken into account.

If the centre of gravity and the shear centre of the section are not the same, the
possibility of buckling by bending and torsion must be taken into account, and the
provisions of Section 35.1.4 shall apply.

If the shear centre is the same as the centre of gravity, and the cross-section has
low torsional stiffness, the possibility of buckling by pure torsion must be taken into
account, if the polar radius of gyration is greater than the radius of gyration in torsion, in
which case the provisions of 35.1.4 shall apply.

70.2. Columns of variable section

This section covers columns made up of a single section or by several sections

or plates spliced together continuously, whose cross-section varies slightly along the
directrix.

These columns may be checked for buckling by determining the value of an

equivalent radius of gyration, obtained as a function of the variation in inertia and the
way the cross-section varies along the directrix.

70.3. Column subjected to continuous variable axial force

In the case of columns of constant section subject to a variable axial force along
the directrix, a buckling length may be used to check buckling such that its ratio β is
determined as a function of the maximum and minimum values of the axial force and
the way said axial force varies along the directrix.

70.4. Columns subjected to concentrated loads along their directrix

Columns of constant section with point loads applied along the directrix may be
checked for buckling by using a buckling ratio β that is a function of the relative
application position of the concentrated load or loads and the binding conditions of the
column.

In the typical case of application of n point loads along the directrix, the buckling
ratio β may be obtained using the following expression:

   
n
 i i
2

in which:

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 Pi
i  n

P
1
i

The ratio βi is the buckling ratio corresponding to the load Pi, as if it were acting
independently.

70.5. Columns of combined section

Columns of combined section are columns made up of two or more sections,

spliced together by means of sections or plates to ensure the combined resistive effort
of the main sections.

The joins may be made by means of Lattices with uprights and diagonals,
forming a triangular combined column.

If the joins are made only across uprights and these are plates, this forms a
battened combined column.

If the members of the join are arranged with the gap between them of less than
15imin, where imin is the minimum radius of gyration of one of the main sections, the
column is considered, for checking purposes, to be made up of a single section, with
the mechanical characteristics of the group of main sections.

The provisions of Section 71 shall be used to check combined columns.

Section 71. Combined members

71.1. General

Combined members are structural members (columns, braces, etc.) made up of

two or more single sections, parallel to the directrix, joined discontinuously and
modularly by means of a lattice structure (diagonals or brace members) or by means of
members perpendicular to the directrix (batten plates) with a view to ensuring a
combined resistive effort from all of the sections that make up the built-up structural
member.

To ensure the transmission of forces, batten plates should also be placed at the
ends of the combined member and joined to its end plates (base and head).

The joint members of the main sections, whether diagonals or uprights, or batten
plates, shall divide the member into equal portions of length a, where the number of
portions in a single structural member is at least three.

The length a of each portion into which the member is divided must not be larger
than 50 imin, where imin is the minimum radius of gyration of one of the main sections (or
main chords).

The resistance of joint members, batten plates and/or brace members must be
checked for the stresses indicated in 71.2.3

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 Joint members, batten plates and/or brace members are joined to the main
sections using bolts or welding, and the resistance of these joints must be checked for
the stresses indicated in 71.2.3

The joint member systems of the lattice on opposite sides of a combined member
with two planes of triangulation should have the same layout, i.e. one system must be
the shadow of the other.

If they are used as diagonal joint members, the angle that they form with the main
sections shall typically be between 30° and 60°.

If parallel batten plate planes are used, they must be arranged facing (one batten
plate plane must be the shadow of the other).

Furthermore, if loads are applied to intermediate points of the member in

question, batten plates shall also be placed in these points.

The checks set out in the sections below are based on the assumption that the
combined member has articulated ends that prevent lateral movement. Furthermore,
the centre of the combined member shall be considered to have an imperfection of
value e0 = L/500.

71.2. Checking built-up members for buckling

71.2.1. General

When checking built-up members in compression, a distinction shall be made

between triangular built-up members and battened built-up members.

Moreover, the existence of two possible buckling planes shall be taken into
account, requiring different checks. The material axis of inertia is the main axis that
passes through the centre of mass of the portions of all of the sections that make up
the member. Principal axes that do not satisfy this condition are called free axes of
inertia.

71.2.2. Buckling checks in a plane perpendicular to the material axis of

inertia

When a built-up member is checked for buckling in a plane perpendicular to the

material axis of inertia (buckling by bending around the material axis of inertia), the
check shall be carried out as if it were a simple member with the cross-section
characteristics corresponding to the built-up member.

71.2.3. Buckling checks in a plane perpendicular to the free axis of inertia

The single section portion (usually the chord) between two consecutive joins
must be checked assuming a design axial force Ncor,Ed the value of which depends on
the join type.

The design value of the axial compression force on the chord Ncor,Ed in the case
of two identical chords is:

M Ed h0 Acor
N cor , Ed  0,5N Ed 
2I ef

TITLE 5 page 103

 where MEd is the design value of the maximum bending moment in the centre of
the built-up member, taking account of second-order effects.


N Ed e0  M Ed
M Ed 
N N
1  Ed  Ed
N cr Sv

in which:

 2 EIef
Ncr= is the effective elastic critical axial force of the built-up member.
L3

NEd is the design value of compression axial force in the middle of the
built-up member.


M Ed is the design value of the maximum bending moment to the built­
up member, without second-order effects.

h0 is the distance between the centroids of the chords of the built-up

member.

Acor is the area of the cross-section of a chord.

e0 is the geometric imperfection taken as L/500.

Ief is the effective inertia of the built-up member, the value of which
can be obtained from section 71.2.3.1 (triangular members) and
section 71.2.3.2 (battened members) below.

Sv is the shear stiffness of the lacing used for the join or battened
panel; said stiffness depends on the type of join used and its
value can be seen in section 71.2.3.1 (triangular members) and
section 71.2.3.2 (battened members) .

The join members of the triangulations (triangulated members) or the battened

panels (determination of bending moments and shear forces in the chords and batten
plates of the battened members) must be checked for the end panel, assuming
application of a shear force with the following value:

M Ed
VEd  
L

where MEd and L have the same meaning as in previous paragraphs.

For chords subject to compression, the design value of the axial compression
force Ncor,Ed obtained as explained above, must demonstrate that:

Ncor,Ed ≤ Nb,Rd

where Nb,Rd is the design buckling resistance of the compression chord, using
the buckling length given in Figure 71.2.3.1.b.

TITLE 5 page 104

71.2.3.1. Laced members

Figure 71.2.3.1.a sets out the shear stiffness values Sv for specific join
geometries typically used in laced members. If the joined type used is not shown, the
value of Sv may be obtained on the basis that it is the shear stiffness of the join or the
shear force required to produce a unit shear deformation, which is the same thing.

Triangulation
system

n is the number of planes of lacing

Ad and Av refers to the cross-sectional area of the bracings respectively.

Figure 71.2.3.1.aShear stiffness Sv of lacing of built-up members

The effective inertia Ief of the laced member may be taken as:

Ief = 0.5 h02 Acor

To determine the design buckling resistance Nb,Rd of the compressed chord, the
buckling length given in Figure 71.2.3.1.b shall be used.

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 Figure 71.2.3.1.b Lacing on four sides and buckling length of chords Lcor

71.2.3.2. Battened members

Chords and batten plates, and the joints between them and the chords, should be
checked under the stresses induced in the end panel and in span centre of the
battened member. For the purpose of simplification, the maximum design axial force of
the chord Ncor,Ed may be combined simultaneously with the maximum shear force VEd
(see Figure 71.2.3.2).

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 Figure 71.2.3.2 Moments and forces in an end panel of a battened built-up

The buckling length of the chord is the distance a between batten plates.

The shear stiffness of a battened built-up member should be taken as follow.

24EI

cor 2 2 EI cor
SV 

 2I h0 
a2
a 2 1 
cor 
 nI p a 

The effective second moment of area of battened built-up member may be taken
as follow:

Ief=0.5 h02 Acor+2 μIcor

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 in which:

Icor is in plane second moment of area of one chord.

Ip is in plane second moment of area of one of batten.

n is the number of planes of lacing.

μ is the efficiency factor from Table 71.2.3.2.

Table 71.2.3.2. Efficiency factor μ

Criterion Efficiency factor μ

λ ≥ 150 0
75<λ< 150 

7
5
μ=2­

λ ≤ 75 1.0
L I1
where  ; i0 = ; I1=0.5 h02 Acor  2 I cor
i0 2 Acor

Section 72. Triangular structures

72.1. General

Triangular structures, commonly known as lattices, are frequently used in steel

construction, both as lightweight members (lightweight lattices) for covering
warehouses or spaces with medium or large spans, and as heavier members, such as
in bridges. If the triangular structure is gabled and is normally used to column the cover
of any sort of warehouse, this structure is known as a truss. If the laced structure has
parallel upper and lower chords, the structure is referred to as triangular girder or lattice
girder; this type of structure is used in floor slabs in medium-or large-span buildings, in
cover warehouses and in bridges.

The geometry of lacing may be very varied, as may the different profiles or
sections of members that constitute the bars of the structure, which may be flat or
spatial.

Depending on the type of join between nodes of triangular structures, they may
be classified as hinged-node structures or stiff-node structures. This classification may
influence the design process to be followed to determine stresses.

The scope of this section may be very wide, although the importance of
compression members in the design and the checking of this type of structure is
highlighted.

72.1.1. Determination of stresses

Stiff-node structures subjected to predominantly static loads in which the

triangulation is regular and the angles formed between members are not very acute (α
≤ 30°) may be deemed hinged at their ends for the purpose of determining stresses,

TITLE 5 page 108

assuming that the potential stresses induced by the stiffness of the nodes are
negligible.

The above simplification shall not apply if there are highly stiff members or the
structure is statically indeterminate. In this case, it shall be necessary to carry out a
rigorous calculation to determine the stresses in the members.

72.2. Checking members

The procedure provided for any prismatic member, as specified in Chapter IX,
shall be used to check the members of lacing.

The buckling lengths given in the sections below shall be used to check members
subjected to compression or to compression and bending.

72.3. Buckling length of members in the plane of the structure

For chord members generally the buckling length of braces may be taken as their
real length.

If the joints between uprights and diagonals to the chords of the truss or girder
form a suitable fixing, i.e. they exercise a given rotation restraint in the plane of the
structure, the buckling length of such brace members may be taken as 0.9 L, where L
is the real length between their nodes. This may not apply to diagonals or uprights
dimensioned with angle.

A joint is deemed to have a suitable abutment if it is welded or, if it is bolted, if at

least two bolts are used.

Performing a rigorous check on brace members in compression that are

dimensioned with angle and held by a single face to the main bars or members (for
example: lattice angle in built-up members held to the rounds) is complicated. The
geometry of the angle may cause buckling by bending and torsion, and they are
subjected to eccentric compression. Furthermore, it is not easy to precisely determine
the buckling length to be taken into consideration. These effects may be taken into
account in a simplified manner assuming an effective slenderness ratio λef with the
following value:

For buckling about v-v axis:

λef,v = 0.35 + 0.70 λv

For buckling about y-y, axis parallel to the flanges:

λef,y = 0.40 + 0.70 λy

For buckling about z-z axis:

λef,z = 0.40 + 0.70 λz

72.4. Buckling length of members out-of-plane members

A distinction should be made depending on whether there is transverse bracing

perpendicular to the plane of the structure of the compressed chord.

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72.4.1. Compressed chord with transverse bracing

When checking the compressed chord, the buckling length shall be the distance
between two consecutive bracings.

If there is an intermediate node between bracings, such that the portion of the
compressed chord is subject to two compression forces, one in each portion, N1 and
N2, where N1> N2, the buckling length shall be obtained by multiplying the distance
between bracings by a coefficient β with the following value:

0.75 + 0.25 N2 / N1

If there are various intermediate nodes between bracings, such that along the
portion of the compressed chord in question there is a variation of the axial force
applied, the buckling length may be calculated in accordance with section 70.4
(Columns subjected to concentrated loads along their directrix).

72.4.2. Compressed chord without transverse bracing

If there is no bracing on the compressed chord, the buckling length may be taken
as the length of the entire chord. As there will be intermediate nodes causing a
variation in the axial force along the chord, the buckling length may be estimated in
consideration of the provisions of section 70.4.

For a more precise estimation of the buckling length of the compressed chord,
the transversal stiffness of the brace members and their joint conditions must be taken
into account.

72.4.3 Brace members

Members may be calculated with a buckling length equal to the real length of the
part.

In the case of lattice uprights with K triangulation in which both portions of the
upright are subject to axial forces N1 and N2, where N1 > N2, the upright shall be
checked for buckling under the maximum axial compression force N1, assuming a
buckling coefficient β with the following value:

0.75 + 0.25 N2 / N1 ≥ 0.5

If a diagonal of length d subject to an axial compression force N crosses another

diagonal of length dt subject to an axial tension force Nt, being considered the crossing
as a joint conditions, it shall be checked for buckling assuming the following coefficient
β:

Nt  d
1  0,75  0,5
N  dt

72.5. Joints

Joints of members or parts in a node may be welded or bolted. Joints may be butt
joints or made using blocks gusset plates.

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 In the case of spatial triangular structures of hollow section (space frame) the
joints may be made using special parts to which the members in the node are bolted.

The joints shall be checked in accordance with the provisions of Chapter XIV. In
particular, the provisions of Section 64 and Annex 9, as well as the provisions of
Chapter XI on checking tubular joints for fatigue, shall apply when checking joints
between members of tubular section.

Section 73. Profiled steel sheets

73.1. General

This section is intended to set out specific rules for designing and calculating
profiles steel sheets made up of cold-formed plates and profiles. On account of their
reduced thickness and preparation, the characteristics of this type of part are different
to hot-rolled plates and profiles such as:

a) Partial modification of the yield strength.

b) Greater influence of instability phenomena.

c) Greater influence of dimensional tolerances.

d) Potential variation of transverse dimensions.

e) Specific joining methods.

f) Frequent use of test-based design methods.

g) Greater influence of corrosion protection.

h) Effect of provisional maintenance and construction loads.

This section covers the most important aspects, making the appropriate
references to the other sections of this Code.

This section does not apply to cold-formed hollow sections manufactured in

accordance with product standard UNE-EN 10219, which are covered by the remaining
sections of this Code.

73.2. Scope

This section applies to plates and sections cold formed from galvanised and
ungalvanised steel and manufactured in accordance with the standards given in the
attached lists, which specify the basic yield strength and the ultimate tensile strength in
N/mm2, which must be used in calculations.

TITLE 5 page 111

 UNE-EN 10025-2 Hot-rolled products of structural steels. Part 2: Technical
delivery conditions for non-alloy structural steels

S 235 235 360

S 275 275 430

S 355 355 490

UNE-EN 10025-3 Hot-rolled products of structural steels. Part 3:

Normalized/normalized rolled weldable fine-grain structural steels.

S 275 N / NL 275 370

S 355 N / NL 355 470

S 420 N / NL 420 520

S 460 N / NL 460 540

UNE-EN 10025-4 Hot-rolled products of structural steels. Part 4:

Thermomechanical rolled weldable fine-grain structural steels

S 275 M / ML 275 360

S 355 M / ML 355 450

S 420 M / ML 420 500

S 460 M / ML 460 530

UNE-EN 10346. Continuously hot-dip coated steel flat products.

S 220 GD+Z 220 300

S 250 GD+Z 250 330

S 280 GD+Z 280 360

S 320 GD+Z 320 390

S 350 GD+Z 350 420

UNE-EN 10149-2. Hot-rolled flat products made of high yield strength steels for
cold forming. Part 2: Thermomechanically rolled steels.

S 315 MC 315 390

S 355 MC 355 430

S 420 MC 420 480

S 460 MC 460 520

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 UNE-EN 10149-3. Hot-rolled flat products made of high yield strength steels for

cold forming. Part 3: Normalized or normalized rolled steels.

S 260 NC 260 370

S 315 NC 315 430

S 355 NC 355 470

S 420 NC 420 530

UNE-EN 10268. Cold-rolled steel flat products with high yield strength for cold

forming.

HC 260 LA 240 340

HC 300 LA 280 370

HC 340 LA 320 400

HC 380 LA 360 430

HC 420 LA 400 460

UNE-EN 10346. Continuously hot-dip zinc coated low carbon steels strip and

sheet for cold forming.

HX 260 LAD
265 350

HX 300 LAD
300 380

HX 340 LAD
340 410

HX 380 LAD
380 440

HX 420 LAD
420 470

UNE-EN 10346. Continuously hot-dip zinc-aluminium (ZA) coated steel strip and
sheet. Technical delivery conditions.

S 220 GD+ZA
220 300

S 250 GD+ZA
250 330

S 280 GD+ZA
280 360

S 320 GD+ZA
320 390

S 350 GD+ZA
350 420

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 UNE-EN 10346. Continuously hot-dip zinc coated low carbon steels strip and
sheet for cold forming.

DX 51 D+Z 140 270

DX 52 D+Z 140 270

DX 53 D+Z 140 270

If steel with an ultimate tensile strength greater than 550 N/mm2 is used, the
resistance and ductility of the joints must be demonstrated by testing.

The application limits in terms of design thicknesses are determined by the range
used in the tests providing reliable results. Unless a design based on this method is
used, the limit thicknesses shall be 0.45 mm and 15 mm.

A different thickness limitation may be imposed depending on the joining

methods used.

73.3. Design thickness

The design thickness should consider the significant influence that may be
exerted by the protective coating and the delivery tolerances. If this is equal to or less
than 5 %, the design thickness shall be obtained by deducting the thickness of the zinc
coating tmc from the nominal thickness only.

tcor=tnom-tmc

If the thickness tolerance is greater than 5 %, the above value must be corrected.

tcor=(tnom-tmc)(100-tol)/95

73.4. Modification of yield strength

Due to the process of cold deformation, in the corners and folds, there is an
increase of the mechanical characteristics of the steel. This advantage may be used in
some cases using an average yield strength fya:

f ya  f yb  ( f u  f yb )knt 2 / Ag

with the upper limit:

f ya  ( f u  f yb ) / 2

in which:

Ag is the gross area of the section.

k is the experimental coefficient, 5 for roll forming and 7 for other folding
methods.

n is the number of folds in the section of 90°.

TITLE 5 page 114

 The average yield strength fya may be used to check the sections in tension.
When checking for concentrated loads, buckling and local buckling by shear, the basic
yield strength fya must be used, and it must also be used in formulas relating to the
interaction forces.

If the material is subjected to subsequent annealing or a heat treatment in which

the temperature exceeds 580 °C for more than one hour, the basic yield strength fyb
must be used.

73.5. Terms and dimensions

The parts are of uniform section formed by flat members and small-radius curved
fillets. The description considers the stability offered by a member in compression
along the axis of the part:

a) Unstiffened member: flat member joined on one edge only to another flat
member.

b) Stiffened member: Flat member joined on both edges to other members or

stiffeners.

c) Multi-stiffened member: Stiffened member that also has intermediate

stiffeners.

d) Sub-member: portion of a multi-stiffened member between stiffeners or

edges.

To increase the capacity of members in compression, intermediate and edge

longitudinal stiffeners are installed to increase the critical local buckling stress. These
stiffeners may be straight or lipped, or may be made up of several folds. This section
does not cover transverse stiffeners.

Section characteristics (area, second moments of area, radius of gyration, etc.)

may be determined using conventional material resistance methods. These
characteristics may be obtained more simply by using the linear method, in which the
material of the section is deemed concentrated along the centreline of the section such
that all of the members are replaced by straight or curved members, introducing the
design thickness once the calculation corresponding to this centreline has been made.
In this case, the inertia of flat members in relation to the axis parallel to itself shall be
disregarded. This method makes it possible to precisely determine the length of each
flat member to calculate its non-dimensional slenderness and its consequent effective
width. Curved members shall not be subject to reduction.

If the internal radius of a fold is less than five times the thickness and one tenth of
the length of the contiguous flat member, it may be assumed that the section is formed
by square edges, without fillets, and the length of the flat members may be taken as
the corresponding projection to the midpoints of the corners. This method is slightly
conservative as it attributes a greater-than-real length to the flat members.

The length of each flat member is referred to as the straight width bp.

TITLE 5 page 115

 Figure 73.5 Straight width bp
73.6. Maximum width to thickness ratios
Application of the expressions in this section is limited to the width to thickness
ratios shown in the attached figure, which shows the scope of the tests on which the
calculation formulas are based.

b/t≤50

b/t≤60
c/t≤50

b/t≤90
c/t≤60
d/t≤50

b/t≤500

45°≤Φ≤90°

Figure 73.6 Maximum width to thickness ratios for application of the calculation
expressions of this section

TITLE 5 page 116

 Stiffeners must provide sufficient stiffness to prevent their own local buckling,
which means limiting their free length. On the other hand, they must be larger than a
minimum size in order to stiffen the contiguous member. The sizes of stiffners should
be within the following ranges 0.2≤c/b≤0.6

0.1≤d/b≤0.3

73.7. Flange curling

There is a tendency for members wide (in relation to depth) flanges subjected to
bending to curve towards the neutral fibre. This distortion may be disregarded if its
magnitude does not exceed 5 % of the depth.

Figure 73.7 Flange curling (u)

The following expression may be used to calculate curling:

 a2bs4
u2
E 2t 2 z

where:

bs is one half the distance between webs in box hat sections or, width in Z or C

sections.

t is flange .

z is the distance of flange under consideration from the neutral fibre.

σa is the mean stress in the flange, calculated with gross area

73.8. Non-uniform distribution of stresses in flanges

The deformation restraint caused by shear stresses generated in the flanges of

beams with low span/width ratios disturbs the uniform distribution of direct stresses in
them. This phenomenon is described as “shear lag” in Section 21, which sets out the
formulas used to evaluate its effects.

In order to simplify incorporation of the stress increase in the case of

concentrated or distributed loads, the effective flange width, in tension or in
compression, is given in the table below:

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 Table 73.8 Effective width for shear lag

L/ bs 30 25 20 18 16 14 12 10 8 6
Reduction 1.00 0.96 0.91 0.89 0.86 0.82 0.78 0.73 0.67 0.55

73.9. Direct stress local buckling

73.9.1. Introduction

The effect of compression stresses may reduce stiffness and resistance capacity
by causing local buckling, both local and as section distortion. The effect of local
buckling due to direct stresses may be taken into account by using the effective width
in compressed flat members in accordance with the rules set out below.

The performance of the flat members that make up a section is determined by the
post-critical resistance, which involves a redistribution of direct stresses equivalent to a
maximum uniform stress σcom,Ed applied to a effective width ρbp, the product of
performance ρ and straight width bp.

73.9.2. Sheet slenderness

The use of effective widths determines certain new geometric characteristics that
depend on the acting forces. Consequently, in this type of structure there is
dependence between the stresses and the geometry if the magnitude of the
compression stresses exceeds certain limits.

To characterise a member, the relative sheet slenderness p

, calculated for a
compression stress equal to the yield strength fyb, which depends on its ideal critical
local buckling stress σcr, is determined.

f yb bp 12(1   2 ) f yb bp f yb bp / t
p    1,052 
 cr t  Ek
2
t Ek 28,4 k

The local buckling coefficient kσ can be obtained from Tables 73.9.2.a and 73.9.2.b.

TITLE 5 page 118

 Table 73.9.2.a. Compressed inner panels. Effective width
Distribution of stresses (positive compression) Effective width (bef)

Ψ=1:

b
bef=ρ
be1=0.5bef be2=0.5bef

1>ψ≥0:

b
bef=ρ

2
be
5
ψ
f
be1= be2=bef-be1

ψ<0:

b
bef=ρbc= ρ /(1-ψ)
be1=0.4bef be2=0.6bef

ψ=σ2 / σ1 1 1>Ψ>0 0 0>Ψ>-1 -1 -1>Ψ>-3

2

ψ
Local buckling coefficient kσ 4.0 8.2/(1.05+Ψ) 7.81 7.81­ 23.9 5.98(1-ψ)

2
6.29ψ+9.78

Table 73.9.2.b. Compressed panels with one free edge. Effective width
Distribution of stresses (positive compression) Effective width (bef)
1>ψ≥0:
bef=ρc

ψ<0:
bef=ρbc= ρc/(1-ψ)

ψ=σ2 / σ1 1 0 -1
2
Local buckling coefficient kσ 0.43 0.57 0.85 0.57-0.21ψ+0.07ψ
1>ψ≥0:
bef=ρc

ψ<0:
bef=ρbc= ρc/(1-ψ)

ψ=σ2 / σ1 1 1>ψ>0 0 0>ψ>-1 -1

2
Local buckling coefficient kσ 0.43 0.578/(ψ+0,3 1.70 1.7-5ψ+17.1ψ 23.8
4)

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 If the maximum stress σcom,Ed is less than fyb/γM0, the effective plate slenderness
will be used:

 com,Ed
 p,red   p
f yb /  M 0

For the serviceability state, where the maximum compression stress is σcom,Ed,ser,
the following slenderness shall be used:

 com,Ed ,ser
 p,ser   p
f yb

In these formulas, which make it possible to determine the local buckling

coefficient and consequently the relative sheet slenderness (see section 20.7), the
stress ratio ψ must be realistic, i.e. it must correspond to the definitive distribution of
stresses occurring in the set of members that make up the section once the effective
widths have been reduced. However, in flanges this ratio may be kept the same as in
the initial section without reduction; iteration should be used in webs.

73.9.3. Effective width

In stiffened members, the ratio ρ in the most general case is as follows:

For  p , red  0,5  0,085  0,055 ρ = 1.00

For  p , red  0,5  0,085  0,055

1  0,055(3   ) /  p , red ( p   p , red )

  0,18
 p , red ( p  0,6)

In unstiffened members:

For  p,red ≤0.748 ρ = 1.00

1  0,188 /  p , red ( p   p , red )

For  p,red >0.748   0,18
 p , red ( p  0,6)

When determining geometric characteristics in serviceability limit state, the

effective plate slenderness λp,red in these formulas shall be replaced by λp,ser.

A reasonably conservative simplification involves calculating the geometric

characteristics corresponding to axial and bending extreme cases with maximum stress
equal to the yield strength fyb. This simplification may be used when checking ultimate
limit state with axial-bending interaction. The following values are obtained:

Aef, effective area calculated for uniform stress fyb by axial force.

Wef, modulus calculated for the maximum compression stress fyb by bending.

TITLE 5 page 120

 The effect of changing the centroid, which can be obtained by determining Aef,
should be considered, as in the typical sections indicated in the attached figures:

Figure 73.9.3 Effective cross-section under compression. Variation of the position of

the barycentric axis of the section

73.10.Shear stress local buckling

The effect of shear stress local buckling shall be taken into account by limiting the
shear capacity of the webs of the sections by means of shear stress local buckling
resistance fbv.

This resistance is based on the simple post-critical method and does not require
the presence of transverse stiffeners. The formula for the shear capacity of a web is:

hw
tf bv
Vb, Rd  sen
M0

in which:

hw is the web height between the midlines end of the flanges , .

φ is the slope of the web to the flanges.

t is the design thickness.

The value of fbv depends on the shear slenderness of the web w

according to
Table 73.10 below, in which the second column covers the existence of devices
preventing local distortion, such as purlin brackets.

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 Table 73.10 hear l buckling strength f b,vVb,Rd
Relative slenderness of web Web without stiffening Web with stiffening at
at the column the column
w ≤0.83 0.58 ƒyb 0.58 ƒyb
0.83< w <1.40 0.48 fyb/ w 0.48 fyb/ w
w ≥40.1 0.67 fyb/ w
2
0.48 fyb/ w

The relative shear slenderness of the web w

shall be obtained, from the
following:

For webs without longitudinal stiffening:

Sw f yb
 w  0 ,346
t E

equivalent to the general expression, assuming that shear stress at the start of
plastification is the same as the Von Mises criteria 0.58 fyb and that the shear local
buckling coefficient kτ is 5.34, as there is no transverse stiffening,

w  0,58 f yb /  cr

For webs with longitudinal stiffening that satisfy the following condition
Sp f yb
w  0,346 ,:
t E

Sd 5,34 f yb
w  0,346
t k E

Figure 73.10 Geometric data for calculating relative slenderness of the web, with
intermediate longitudinal stiffening. Longitudinally stiffened web.

TITLE 5 page 122

 1

2,10   I S 3
With k  5,34   

t  S d 


in which:

Is is the second moment of area of the individual longitudinal stiffener

about the axis a-a (Figure 73.10.

sd is the total developed m slant height of the web.

sp is the slant height of the largest portion of the web.

sw is the slant height of the web.

73.11.Ultimate limit states

73.11.1. Section resistance

Profiled steel sheets may be checked using the applicable criteria in Chapter IX,
covering interaction of stresses, with the geometric characteristics of the effective
section for the maximum compression stress σcom,Ed. If the section is class 3 in bending
in the plane corresponding to its principal axis, section 73.11.2 may be applied. The
following stress limitation criteria may also be used:

σto,Ed ≤fya/γM0

f ya / 3
 tot , Ed 
M0

f ya
 2
tot,Ed  3 tot,Ed
2
1,1
M0

in which:

σtot,Ed is the sum of direct stresses.

τtot,Ed is the sum of shear stresses.

Both stresses are calculated in the least favourable axis in consideration of all of

the stresses acting on the section in question:

σtot,Ed = σN,Ed + σMy,Ed + σMz,Ed + σw,Ed

τtot,Ed = τVy,Ed + τVz,Ed + τt,Ed + τw,Ed

where:

σN,Ed is the direct stress due to axial load, using the effective section.

σMy,Ed is the direct stress due to bending My,Ed, using the effective section.

σMz,Ed is the direct stress due to bending Mz,Ed, using the effective section.

TITLE 5 page 123

 σw,Ed is the direct warping-torsion stress, using the gross section.

τVy,Ed is the shear stress due to shear Vy,Ed, using the gross section.

τVz,Ed is the shear stress due to shear Vz,Ed, using the gross section.

τt,Ed is the shear stress due to uniform torsion, with the gross section.

τw,Ed is the shear stress due to warping torsion, with the gross section.

Unless demonstrated by testing, the plastic redistribution of bending forces

between different portions of apart shall not be admitted.

If bending causes the start of plastification in the axis in tension before the axis in
compression, the plastic reserve of the zone in tension may be used, without any
limitation of the deformation ε, establishing equilibrium with the zone in compression, in
which fyb is reached in the edge axis.

Figure 73.11.1 Plastic distribution stresses in the portion in tension

73.11.2. Resistance of class 3 sections

In resistance checks, an improved bending moment resistance Mc,Rd may be used

if the greater slenderness λ of the members of the section is such that the section
belongs to a class 3,.

Figure 73.11.2 bending moment resistance as function of slenderness

Mc,Rd = fyb [Wel + (Wpl – Wel)4(1-  /  el )]/  M 0

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 In this expression,  is the slenderness of the member with the largest
 /  el
ratio, which should be calculated with the stress corresponding to fyb i.e.
equivalent to  p.

The slenderness el used for this interpolation is as follows:

el = 0.5 + 0,25  0,055(3   )

for flat members with two stiffened edges. For cantilevered members with an
unstiffened free edge, el =0.673.For members stiffened on their free edge or at an
intermediate point, el =0.65, including in this case the compressed flanges of purlins.

73.11.3. Buckling resistance

The members of profiled steel sheets shall be checked for buckling using the
corresponding formulas in Section 35, depending on their classification. For class 4
sections, the geometric characteristics Aef and Wef, calculated in accordance with the
above guidelines, shall be used.

Given the reduced thickness of this type of section, torsional stability tends to be
limited, on account of which torsional buckling and torsional-flexural buckling must be
checked in sections particularly susceptible to this phenomenon, such as sections
whose centroid is not the same as the shear centre, as shown in Figure 73.11.3.

Figure 73.11.3 Monosymmetric cross sections susceptible to torsional-flexural

buckling

Section 73.11.4 sets out the buckling curves to be used, depending on the type
of cross-section. The non-dimensional slenderness of the member shall be obtained in
consideration of the lower elastic critical axial force Ncr.

Aef f y

N cr

in which: Ncr = min (Ncr,F , Ncr,T, Ncr,TF)

where:

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 Ncr,F is the elastic critical axial buckling force by bending.

Ncr,T is the elastic critical axial buckling force by torsion.

Ncr,TF is the elastic critical axial buckling force by bending and torsion.

Provisions of sections 35.1.3 and 35.1.4 shall be used to obtain these values.

In front or cover structures in which the purlins are attached to corrugated sheet
using self tapping screws on one of their flanges, a continuous cross-bracing may be
deemed to exist if the following is true:

S ≤ Sch

where S is the required shear stiffness of the purlin, which can be determined
using the following expression:

 2 2  70
s   EI w 2  GI t  EI z 2 0,25h 2  2 h is purlin height
 L L h

and Sch is the stiffness provided by the sheet of thickness t, the height of the rib hw, the
gap between the purlins s and bfal is the total uninterrupted length of the skirt (i.e. a
multiple of the gap s) which may be determined using the following expression:

s
Sch 1000 t 3 (50 103 b fal ) (in N), (all dimensions in mm)

hw

If the fixings are made in alternate ribs, the stiffness of the sheet shall be reduced
by one fifth.

Members subjected to flexural compression may be checked for instability using

the following interaction formula:
0,8 0,8
 N Ed   M 
    Ed  1
N  
 b, Rd   M b, Rd 
73.11.4. Buckling curves
Table 73.11.4 sets out the buckling curves to be used for the different types of
section in question.

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Table 73.11.4 Appropriate buckling curves for various types of cross-sections
Type of cross-section Buckling about Buckling
axis curve

If fyb is used Any b

If fya is used *) Any c

y-y a
z-z b

Any b

or other cross­ Any c

section

*)
The average yield strength fya should not be used unless
Aef (effective area)=Ag (gross area)

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73.12.Serviceability limit states

73.12.1. General

When checking serviceability limit state, the general requirements shall apply with
the specific additional details set out in this section.

The geometric properties of the effective reduced section shall be obtained in

accordance with 73.9.3.Given that these vary with the stress from the value
 p,ser  0.673, the members consequently have variable geometry and inertia, and for
the purpose of simplicity a fictitious second moment of area obtained using the
expression:

g
I fic  I g  (I  I )
 g  ,ef
where:

Ig is second moment of area of the gross section.

σg is the serviceability maximum compression stress in service

calculated with Ig.

σ is the maximum compression stress σcom,E,ser in the span.

Ief,σ is second moment of area of the effective cross section corresponding

to σ.

73.12.2. Plastic deformation

In structures that admit global analysis based on tests, a plastic redistribution

may occur in serviceability state, which must be taken into account. For this purpose,
the verification of internal columns of continuous beams with bending and reaction
must not exceed 0.9 the design resistance value.

73.12.3. Deflections

The deflections in purlins and enclosures must be limited so as not to adversely

affect the water tightness, insulation or appearance of the building.

This shall be determined using the linear calculation with real geometric
properties, which may be obtained using the simplification given in 73.12.1In
continuous systems of purlins with overlaps or bushings, provision must be made for
the increase in deformation due to slipping of bolts in joints.

A value of l/200 of the span length may be used as the deflection limit for variable
short-term overloading.

73.13.Joints

73.13.1. General

This section covers joints in cold-formed steel beams and plates, galvanised or
otherwise, as well as their splices and reciprocal connections to form built-up members.

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 The general principles are as set out in the sections of Chapter XIV, the scope
being extended here in to thicknesses of less than 4 mm.

If steel with an ultimate tensile strength greater than 550 N/mm2 is used, the
resistance and ductility of the joints must be demonstrated by testing.

The joining means covered in this Code, for which calculation formulas are
provided, are mechanical fixings (self-tapping bolts and conventional bolts) and welding
(spot, resistance or fusion, and electric arc).Other joining means may be used with test­
based resistance capacity values complying with the requirements of EN 1993-1-3.

Given that in this type of structure local stability is the key in the design, it must
be guaranteed that the joints between members subjected to compression are made
through the effective part of the section, taking into account potential local
eccentricities.

The resistance capacity of joints and splices in tension must be at least half that
of the net section. In the case of seismic-resistant design, the ductility requirement
requires it to be 20 % greater than that of the net section.

In members subjected to compression, regardless of the magnitude of the force,

the joint must be able to resist their buckling capacity. This ensures that, in the event of
failure, the member will fail before the joint or splice.

73.13.2. Forces in joints and splices

A method equivalent to determining second-order forces, which are added to

those acting on a joint or splice, consists in taking into account the effect of an
Δ
M

Δ
V

additional bending force

and an additional shear force
, obtained using the
E
d

E
d

following formulas:

1  Wef
M Ed  N Ed  1
  Aef

 1 W
VEd  N Ed  1 ef
L   Aef

in which:

Aef, Wef are the values of the effective section of the member.

L is length.

 is the buckling reduction coefficient in the least favourable buckling

plane.

NEd is the design axial force.

73.13.3. Joints with mechanical fixing

Joints using self-tapping screws shall comply with standard UNE-EN ISO 10666
“Drilling Screws with Tapping Screw Threads. Mechanical and Functional Properties”
and the remaining specific standards applicable to their specific geometry (hexagonal,

TITLE 5 page 129

countersunk, roundhead, etc. in UNE-EN ISO 15480 to 15483). Conventional bolts
shall comply with the requirements of Section 29.

The arrangement of fixing members should be so as to enable assembly and

subsequent maintenance, and must observe the reciprocal and edge distances
indicated in the calculation formulas.

A general principle of these joints is that the fail should be ductile, i.e. the shear
capacity of the screw shall be greater than that of any other failure mode.

73.13.3.1. Self-tapping screws

This type of joint is used frequently to attach cover and front sheets to purlins,
and to connect said sheets to each other along their longitudinal edges and transverse
overlaps (perpendicular to the direction of the fretwork).They are also used to connect
simple bars together to form built-up parts.

The range of diameters tends to vary between 3 and 8 mm. Both self-tapping and
self-drilling screws must comply with the assembly instructions given by the
manufacturer concerning placement. The tightening torque applied must be slightly
higher than that necessary to form the thread and less than the torsion breaking torque
of the screw head. This threading torque must be less than two-thirds of the thread
stripping torque or head-shear torque.

The distances to free edge e1 and reciprocal distances between fixings in both
directions p1 and p2 must be greater than three nominal diameters. In the transverse
direction, the minimum distance e2 to the edge is one and a half times the diameter.

A common load case is wind suction imposing tensile loads on fixing between
sheets and purlins. For application of the formulas cited below to be valid, the thinnest
sheet must have a thickness of between 0.5 and 1.5 mm, and the thickness of the
thickest sheet must be greater than 0.9 mm in all cases.

The screw head must always be in contact with the thinnest sheet. They must be
provided with a washer stiff enough to mobilise the resistance capacity of the joint for
two typical types of failure:

a) By extraction or ripping of the threaded part, for example in purlin fixing in which the
thread is pulled out

b) By perforation or punching of the sheet in contact with the screw head, for example
lifting with ripping of the sheet fixed to the purlins around the screw head or washer
(pull through)

The extraction capacity Fo,Rd depends on the thread pitch in relation to the
thickness of the sheet affected tsup.

t sup
For 1 Fo ,Rd  0,45dt sup f u ,sup / 
s

t sup
For 1 Fo ,Rd  0,65dt sup f u ,sup /  M 2
s

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 The perforation capacity depends on the diameter of the screw head or the
washer dw, the thickness t of the sheet affected and the nature of the load.

For static actions: F p ,Rd  d w tf u /  M 2

For actions that include wind: F p ,Rd  0,5d w tf u /  M 2

The layout of covers must be as uniform and regular as possible, although on the
edges of eaves and walls it is advisable to double the number of fixings along one tenth
of the dimension in question to provide for the effects of a local wind amplification.
Another best practice is to provide transverse cover sheet overlaps on a double purlin
or with an oversized upper flange.

The placement of fixings shall only be valid for structural purposes if they are
located in the bottom of the trough. Crest fixings may only be used for the purpose of
watertightness. If non-centred fixings are used, at half-width of the trough, the
perforation capacity must be reduced by 10 %, and if two fixings are placed in each
trough, one of them shall be reduced by 30 % (see Figure 73.13.3.1).

Figure 73 13.3.1 Reduction of pull through resistance due to position of fasteners

The tensile strength of the screw Ft,Rd shall be guaranteed by the Manufacturer
and must exceed the extraction resistance Fo,Rd and perforation resistance Fp,Rd. It is
advisable for extraction resistance to exceed perforation resistance to prevent abrupt
tearing if the cover is subjected to upward loads.

For shear stresses in the plane of the sheet, the flattening resistance of the fixing
against the sheet depends on the thickness ratio:

a) If both thicknesses are equal:

Fb ,Rd   f u dt /  M 2 in which   3,2(t / d ) 0,5  2,1

b) If the larger thickness t1 is such that t1≥2.5t, where t is less than 1 mm,
the above case shall apply.

c) If the larger thickness t1 is such that t1≥2.5t, but t≥1 mm, the following
value shall be taken directly α=2.1

d) For intermediate cases, where t<t1<2.5t, α shall be obtained by

interpolation.

The shear strength of the screw Fv.Rd guaranteed by the Manufacturer must be
20 % greater than the flattening strength Fb,Rd.

The sum of individual resistances of screws must also be 20 % higher than net
section resistance Fn,Rd.

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 Fn ,Rd  Anet f u /  M 2

In flats and strips in tension, it is recommended that the above value not be less
than the elastic capacity of the gross section to ensure plastification of the bar before
the joints fail.

F y  Af y /  M 0

In the event of combined tension and shear forces, the following expression shall
apply:

 Ft ,Ed   Fv,Rd 
   1
 min(F , F )   min(F , F ) 
 p,Rd 0,Rd   b,Rd n,Rd 

73.13.3.2. Conventional bolts

Bolted joints are frequently used to fix front or cover purlins to brackets and to
connect purlins forming continuous-beam systems. They are also used to join the
extremities of purlins near to the columns on lintels, using inclined struts or props in the
lower flange of the lintels to prevent lateral buckling therein.

The thickness of the thinnest sheet should be less than 3 mm and equal to or
greater than 0.75 mm; the thickness of the thickest sheet t1 has no impact.

The reciprocal distances between screws must be larger than three diameters
both in the direction of the force and in transverse direction. One diameter is required
for the front edge e1, and one and a half diameters for the side edges e2.

These joints usually include a clearance between the nominal diameter d and the
diameter of the hole d0, to facilitate assembly. Screws from metric M6 may be used,
although the most advantageous diameter is M-16, with a hole d0 = 18 mm for C and Z
purlins.

The quality of the screw material may be 4.6 to 10.9, but the pre-loading effect of
high-strength screws may not be taken into account.

Screw calculations in tension and shear are determined by the provisions of

Chapter XIV. No pull-through is foreseeable when using standard sets of nuts and
washers.

Shear resistance must be checked to prevent sheet flattening or net section

failure. This latter suffers a comparatively more unfavourable reduction than in self­
tapping screws.

The flattening strength of the sheet is:

Fb,Rd = 2,5 αbktfudt/γM2

in which:

 e1 
 b  min ,1

 3d 

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 k t  (0,8t 1,5) / 2,5 for 0.75 ≤ t ≤ 1.25

kt=1 for t> 1.25

The resistance in the net section is:

  d0   Anet f u
Fn,Rd  1
 3r  u  0,3 

    M 2

in which:

r = number of screws in the section/total number of screws.

u = min(e2, p2)

where the variables set out in the formulas have the same meaning as in Chapter

XIV.

73.13.4. Spot welds

Joints between members, galvanised or otherwise, up to 4 mm thick, may be

made by spot welds, provided that the thinner connected parts is not more than 3 mm
thick.

Spot welds may be either fusion or resistance welding. Unless pre-production

tests are carried out, the design diameter of a spot weld shall be:

For fusion welding ds=0.5t+5 (in mm)

For resistance welding ds=5t0.5 (in mm)

Resistance weld Fusion weldi

Figure 73.13.4 Test specimen for shear tests of spot welds

The distance between the last spot-weld and the front edge e1 shall be between
two and six times the design diameter ds. The distance between a row of spots and the
parallel edge e2 shall be less than four times the design diameter ds.

The reciprocal distances between spots must be larger than three diameters and
less than 8 for p1 and six diameters for p2.

This type of joint is only suitable for transmitting forces in the plane of the sheets.
The shear capacity of each spot Fv,Rd must be 25 % greater than the tearing or
flattening capacity and the sum of them must be 25 % greater than the net section
resistance capacity Fn,Rd.

TITLE 5 page 133

 There are four failure types:

a) Shear: Fv,Rd   / 4 d s2 f u /  M 2

b) Net section: Fnet ,Rd  Anet f u /  M 2

c) End failure: Ftb ,Rd  1,4e1 f u /  M 2

d) Flattening and tearing if t ≤ t1 ≤ 2.5 t: Fnet ,Rd  2,7 t d s f u /  M 2

If t1>2.5t, the same formula shall apply with the following upper limits:

Ftb,Rd  0,7d s2 f u /  M 2 Ftb ,Rd  3,1d s tf u /  M 2

73.13.5. Lap welds

Members up to 4 mm thick may be joined using the electric arc method in

accordance with the specifications of this section. The throat thickness should be
chosen such that the resistance of the joint is determined by the thickness of the
thinnest sheet. If a throat thickness equal to the thickness of the thinnest sheet is
chosen, the above condition is deemed satisfied automatically.

73.13.5.1. Fillet welds

The design resistance of a fillet welded connection, parallel to the direction of the
force, depends on the gap between them, coinciding with the width b of the welded flat
or strip.

If the length of the chord is such that Lw,s ≤ b:

 L  f
Fw,Rd  tLw,s  0,9  0,45 w.s  u
 b M2

If the length of the chord is: Lw,s> b:

Fw,Rd  0,45tbf u /  M 2

For an end fillet where Lw,s ≤ b:

 L  f
Fw,Rd  tLw,e 
1  0,30 w.e  u where Lw,e is the length of the end fillet
 b M2

weld

The centroid should be determined in advance in sets of side and frontal chords,
and the forces transmitted by the member must be referred to it. The effective lengths
of the chords shall match the geometric lengths, including end returns, with no
reduction for start and termination of the weld.

Weld chords whose length is less than 8 times the thickness of the thinnest sheet
shall not be deemed structural weld chords

TITLE 5 page 134

73.13.5.2. Spot arc welding

As in fusion or resistance spot welding, covered in 73.13.4, only shear forces

may be transmitted in the plane of the sheet. The total thickness of the sheets must not
exceed 4 mm and the design interface diameter ds must not be less than 10 mm.

Connected part of
sheet
Weld washer (optional)

Supporting member

Figure 73.13.5.2.a Arc spot weld with weld washer

The formulas to be applied depend on the contact area between sheets and the
peripheral area, along the edge, characterised by the peripheral diameter dp. Both
values are obtained from the visible diameter dw obtained in the outermost weld washer
or sheet.

d p = dw – t for two sheets

dp = dw – 2 Σ t for multiple connected sheets or parts of total thickness

ds = 0.7dw – 1.5Σt >0.55dw

a) Single connected sheet (Σt = t)

a) Two connected sheets (Σt = t1 + t2)

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 a) Single connected sheet with weld washer

Figure 73.13.5.2.b Arc spot welds. The distance to the end free edges of the last
spot weld must be sufficient to prevent local flattening, checking that:

Fw,Ed
emin  2,1
f

t u

M2

where Fw,Ed is the design shear resistance of the spot weld, which must be less
than:

Fw,Rd  0,625( / 4)d s2 f uw /  M 2

where fuw is the ultimate tensile strength of the material of the electrode.

The value of Fw,Rd is limited by the perimeter resistance given by the following
cases:

dp 420
a) If  18 Fw,Rd  1,5d p  tf u /  M 2
t fu

d
b) If 18
420
 p  30
420
: Fw, Rd  27
420
 t 2 f u
fu t f u fu M2

dp 420
c) If  30 : Fw,Rd  0,9d p  tf u /  M 2
t fu

Elongated slot welds of length LW have a capacity limited by the lesser of the
following formulas:

    f
In sheet contact: Fw,Rd    d s2  Lw d s 0,625

uw
 4    M 2

fu
In the perimeter surface: Fw,Rd  0,5Lw 1,67d s  t 
M2

TITLE 5 page 136

Section 74. Meshed fabrics
74.1. Tubular structures

Tubular profiles are manufactured with steels similar to those used for other types
of steel profile, on account of which in principle there is no difference between them;
the mechanical and resistance properties are obtained using standard parameters.
Chapter VI and sections 28.2 and 28.3 cover hot-rolled and cold-formed hollow profiles
respectively. With regard to structural analysis, the provisions of Chapter V shall apply,
along with the provisions of this chapter regarding the analysis of triangular or lattice
structures. Furthermore, the dimensioning and checking of structural members of
hollow section shall be carried out in consideration of the ultimate limit states, covered
in Chapter IX, and the serviceability limit states, covered in Chapter X.

Moreover, when designing meshes in general or tubular structures, whether

spatial or flat, it is important to consider the performance of the nodes from the
beginning. Section 64 of this Code sets out the principles and rules for properly
dimensioning joints between members of hollow section. Furthermore, Chapter XI
specifies construction details of joints in tubular structures liable to be analysed for
fatigue.

TITLE 5 page 137