Joints

'Joints' is effective as a textbook for students and as a reference guide to Eurocode 3 for practising structural engineers. It deals in five chapters with the design of bolted and welded joints in frames and in tubular structures according to EN 1993 (Eurocode 3).

• Chapter 1 discusses the characteristics of joints in frames, focusing on beam-to-column joints. Addressed are: joint classification, modelling of joint characteristics (component method), joint resistance and the requirements for rotaional capacity and stiffness.

• Chapters 2 deals with pinned joints in frames with a fin plate, with a partial depth end-plate or with angles. Design topics include joint eccentricity, reduced cross section due to bolt holes, bearing resistance for an inclined force, a joint as restraint and combined bending and shear. A worked example for each type of pinned joints is included.

• Chapter 3 first summarises and identifies which types of joints may be considered as moment-resistant joints in a frame analysis. Next, both the prelimary and detailed design of these joints are discussed. Finally, two worked examples are presented of a moment-resistant beam-to-column joint with bolted end-plates and fully welded.

• Chapters 4 describes the most common types of column bases and discusses the calculation of the resistance of centrically and eccentrically loaded base plates. Also the determination of the joint stiffness is addressed. Finally, the fatigue of dynamically loaded base plates is briefly discussed, as well as some execution aspects.

• Chapter 5 is about the behaviour and resistance of hollow section joints. After dealing with the general characteristics of hollow section joints, the behaviour is discussed using analytical models. The parameters important in the design of welded tubular structures are explained using design charts and guidelines. Finally, the relationship between the design rules in Eurocode 3 and the design recommendations of ISO, IIW and CIDECT is discussed.

The authors – prof.ir. J.W.B. Stark and prof.dr.ir. J. Wardenier – are experienced lecturers in the field of steel structures and have chaired or have been members of various research and/or standards committees.

• Jan Stark is professor emeritus steel structures at Delft University of Technology and Eindhoven University of Technology and actively contributed to drafting the rules for connections in Eurocode 3. He is also the author of 'Connections'(Steel Design 3), to which Joints (Steel Design 5) fits well.

• Jaap Wardenier is professor emeritus of steel structures at Delft University of Technology, was visiting professor at the National University of Singapore and a consultant in the field of steel structures. He actively contributed to the drafting of various international guidelines and standards especially for tubular structures, is (co-)author of several books particular on tubular structures and gave courses in various countries.