Angle connection to Beam

[jgalvarez]

Hi,

I'm trying to connect an angle to the top of a beam flange as shown below, but cannot get any of the standard brace connections to work. 

Can anyone tell me what connection would work best for this detail? The angle is shown below in purple and is welded to a plate that is then bolted to the top of a beam flange. 

Thanks

Juan

[AleckGiles]

Hi,

There is no standard joint to do that. You will have to model it manually. Then you could try using Custom Connections to save remodelling it every time.

[jgalvarez]

Hi,

I'm not very happy with this connection since it allows for very little flexibility/adjustment in the field and requires that all the beams be perfectly straight and spaced out with the exact dimensions. Is there a more common horizontal brace connection that works in both tension and compression?

Thanks

[acbsdesign]

 If the two bolts are not sufficient (their shear and the weld between angle and plate is not sufficient for the tension and compression), then I would go with a second angle bolted to brace and bolted to the beam's flange, use slotted holes in one ply and std holes in other ply, washers over slotted holes, and I would build a custom template connection, and re-use it all over the model.

If its is a bridge work, then eliminate the welds, use bolts only as described above. If you need more erection tolerance-use slotted holes in both plies, and washers covering both plies. (BW-WN).

Make the connection angles BEAM to BEAM (intelligent), bolts between them intelligent, and bolts between the connection angle and the flange intelligent.

Combine them in the custom connection. You can also add a shim plate between the connection angle and the flange in case one flange is thicker / thinner than the other. Or if it is a bridge, if there is a drop that needs to be compensated. 

Regards,

Ilko Dimitrov

[acbsdesign]

Just two bolts may be sufficient, bolts on gauge at beam (same as the white angle), and check the compression of the bracing against the shear of the two bolts.

Why do you need plate between the bracing and the flange if you do not have drop between beams.