Joint Properties

Every type of joint in the Connection Vault has its own version of the joint properties dialog. In each case, due to the complexity of the joints and the number of parameters that can be varied there are a large number of options spread over a large number of grouped tabs. It would be overwhelming to try and list every option so here is an overview of some common options or properties and things to look out for.

In order to help you identify which option or parameter you need to set to adjust a particular dimension or position, each tab of the properties has a picture showing various numbered dimensions. The property boxes on that tab have corresponding numbers. Simply find the numbered dimension in the picture and then set the required value in the box with the same number. For example in this screenshot you can see that the overall length of the end plates is dimension 3 so you need to adjust this using the value in the box “3. Length”: currently showing 411.40.

You will also see that some various options are disabled. Often this is because of how another option is set. In the screenshot below “3. Length” is disabled because “End Plate Length Type” is set to Projection. With this option boxes 4 and 5 are valid and the overall length is calculated. If you would rather set the overall height of the plate you need to change “End plate length type” to “Exact Value from Top” or “Exact Value from Bottom”. Option 3 will become available to enter your required length into. Option 4 or 5 will be disabled and calculated as appropriate. Sometimes the options interact over several tabs of the properties dialog so you may need to change settings on other tabs to enable a particular option on a given tab.

In engineering terms, when placing a joint, the secondary beam transfers its load onto the main beam.

Sometimes certain types of joint can give unexpected results when applied to non-symmetrical sections like Channels or Angles. In most cases the desired result can be achieved by persevering with different options and settings but these may seem a little strange. For example, depending on the section orientation the Top and Bottom could be swapped when manipulating a joint on a Channel type section.

9.2.1. Plate & Bolt Sizes & Projection option.

The various parameters of the plates and bolts are usually on tabs that are grouped together either under “General” or

“Plates and Bolts”.

The size of end plates or other plates created by a joint can often be set in several ways.

• Projections:- With this option set the user controls the amount the plate overhangs the section on each side.

If the section is alter edited and changes size the plate and spacings in the joint will likewise change automatically to maintain the same projection dimensions.

• By Bolts:- This option will lay out the bolts according to distances from the sections used in the joint. Then the plate size will be calculated based on the overall bolt spacings. If the section is edited alter the joint will update automatically to maintain the bolt positions relative to the new section size and the plate size relative to the bolt positions.

• Total Size:- If you use this option you can directly set the overall size of the plate. If the section the plate is fixed to changes the plate size will not update but it will remain at the set size.

It may seem nice to select either Projections or By Bolt options so that the joint updates if and when a section change size. However, there is a drawback to this. Most standard sections do not have a nice overall size. In many standards they overall size is not even exactly the same as the nominal size. For example a UK Universal Beam 254x146x43 actually measures 259.6 x 147.3. If you add a 50 Projection to this the finished plate would measure 359.6 x 247.3.

These are not nice dimensions to manufacture to. In most cases it is preferred and cheaper to manufacture if you use nice dimensions that can be made out of standard Flat sections. So in this example plates measuring 250 wide could be cut 360 long from a Flat 250x10 so it would be preferred to set Total sizes of 360 and 250 instead of projections.

Advance Steel 2011 Training Manual

For Bolt spacings the equivalent of the “Projection” option would be a “From Section” option or similar. The same reasoning applies as for plates in that it is often better to use another option and set the a nice round dimension for the spacing rather than end up with bolt centres like 309.6 x 197.3.

Bolt type and diameter can be set on the Bolts and Holes tab. Advance Steel has pre-defined combinations of nuts, bolts and washers and you can only select one of these. First select the Bolt Type such as “XOX” or “Set Screw”. Each type of bolt has certain combinations of nut and bolt (such as “Standard” or “Nut and 2 Washers”) that are valid and you must select one of these in the Bolt Assembly box. The bolt diameter can be set in the Diameter box. The bolt length will automatically be selected to suit from a list of standard bolt lengths defined in the system.

The options and dimensions controlling plate sizes in joints are often found on the same tabs as those for the bolts.

For example in a Single Sided End Plate Joint (screenshot above) the plate sizes are on the Horizontal Bolts and Vertical Bolts tabs along with the bolt options.

9.2.2. Other options

Most joints have options for cutting the plates created and / or the beams involved around other members. In general there will be a set of options for Notches that allow the user to control the clearances desired in each case.

In most cases the plates or other sections created as part of a joint will be welded to one or other member of the joint.

The size of these welds may need to vary to suit the section and loading and this can be achieved on the Welds tab.

Many joint types allow for extra plates to be welded in to strengthen the joint. These plates follow fixed rules and are controlled by sets of options on tabs called “Stiffeners”.

Depending on the type of joint there may be extra options unique to that type of joint. For example a Base Plate can have a Shear Anchor or Levelling Plates and an Eaves Haunch can have an Additional Rafter to create wider eaves.

These options typically have their own extra tab in the Joint Properties box. The first option on the tab is generally a tick box to enable the option though this may be found on another tab.