Design Four-bolt unstiffened Extended End-Plate Connection

Purpose #

This article demonstrates how to use CET.Calculators to design a four-bolted unstiffened extended moment end plate connection. This is form AISC AISC Design Guide 4, Extended End-Plate Moment Connections Seismic and Wind Applications, Example 4EB.

Limitations #

1. Don’t support beam flange stiffener
2. Only allow 4 bolt pattern

Data Input #

The fastest way to input data is to select “Moment End Plate” from “Examples” selection and then choose “Design Guide 4, 4EB”. Then users can change any inputs.

Compare results with AISC Design Guide 4 Example 4EB #

Item	Step in Design Guide 4	Connection Calculator Results	AISC Design Guide 4, Example 4EB Results	Differences
Required Bolt Diameter	Step 3	0.9645″	0.96 “	0.5%
No Prying Bolt Moment	Step 4	4300 k-in	4301 k-in	0
0Required End Plate Thickness	Step 5	0.846″	0.85″	0.5%
Shear Yielding of Extended Portion of End Plate	Step 8	212.6 kips	213 kips	0.2%
Shear Rupture of Extended Portion of End Plate	Step 9	172.8 kips	179 kips	3.5% (1)
Bolts Shear Rupture	Step 11	113.1 kips	113 kips	0
Compression Bolt Bearing	Step 12	316.7 kips	411 kips	23 % (2)
Beam Flange to End Plate Weld	Step 13	201.3 kips	N/A
Beam Web to End Plate Weld	Step 13	137.5 kips	N/A
Column Flange for Flexural Yielding	Step 14	0.79 “	0.79 “	0
Column Local Web Yielding	Step 16	289.6 kips	289 kips	0.2 % (3)
Column Web Buckling	Step 17	330.7 kips	330 kips	0
Column Web Crippling	Step 18	268.2 kips	275 kips	2.5% (3)
Column bolt bearing	Step 13	402.5 kips	404 kips	0.4%

1. An calculation may not be correct in AISC Design Guide 4 Example 4EB. It could be 5.906, not 6.13 in^2.
2. CET.Calculators has more accurate result.
3. “N” in local web yielding and web crippling calculation is not consistent in 4E Example B.

Report #

Users can update the contents in this file, which has markdown format. Then the file can be opened in a markdown editor (Typora is preferred). In order to copy the equations, users could change display mode from “Standard” to “Markdown“. Also, in order to show the column calculation, users need to change the “Check member” in “Member” tab from “Beam” to “Column”.

By using Typora, Users can export to PDF format and the final PDF report is like this.

Conclusion #

The Connection Calculator in CET.Calculators can design a 4-bolted unstiffened extended moment end plate connection. Also, users can use this calculator to create professional design report.