Bolted Steel Connections with 3-D Jacket plates and Tension Rods

Abstract

This new versatile steel connection has three unique features: (1) utilizes three dimensional connection plates in a simple and consistent manner, and is suitable for all possible connection type that is made of steel W-sections; (2) uses through the depth steel rods, coupled with typical web stiffeners to transfer shear and bending moment across the connection. The shear transfer mechanism is similar to stirrups in reinforced concrete beams; (3) all components and parts can be prefabricated in shop, and conveniently bolted together at field. The merits of the connections include higher strength and ductility, stronger yet simpler connections, higher quality, small components for easy storage and transportation. In one word, it eliminates all of the inherent drawbacks and problems of conventional bolted and/or welded connections.

1 . Three dimensional jacket plates, comprising
 (a) A flat side plate that cut into the shape of side projection of the joint;   (b) Pairs of clamping plates welded at the perimeter of side plate with pre-drilled bolt holes. Note that clamping plates are always perpendicular to the side plate.   
     
     
         2 . Steel connections, made of the 3-D jacket plates as recited in  claim 1 , comprising
 a) A pair of symmetrical jacket plates, installed from opposite side of the frame or truss plane;   (b) Shear transferring tension rods coupled with typical web stiffeners; Note that the tension rod, always in a plane parallel to the side plate, is full depth flange-to-flange threaded rods with bolts at each ends;   (c) These are primary bolted connections, but optional field welding is allowed when additional strength is needed.   (d) Conventional bolts and shear tags, gusset plates can be used in combination with jacket plates, as far as they are not interfere the jacket plates.   
     
     
         3 . Buding frames that is connected together using all or part of the jacket-plate-connections as recited in  claim 2 , including but not limited to the followings:
 (a) Ordinary moment frames (OMF) and special moment frames (SMF);   (b) Eccentrically braced frames (EBF);   (c) Ordinary concentrically braced frame (OCBF) and Special concentrically braced frame (SCBF), including but not limited to, inverted V type, X type, any typical type;   (d) Other steel frame that is a variation and/or combination of the above listed ones.   
     
     
         4 . Steel trusses that is connected together using all or part of the jacket-plate-connections as recited in  claim 2 , including but not limited to the followings:
 (a) Vierendeel truss;   (b) Typical steel bridge truss;   (c) Steel truss—N brace;   (d) Other steel trusses that is a variation and/or combination of the above listed ones.