Plug And Play Type Joints In Steel And Steel-concrete Composite Constructions: Development Guide And Design Considerations

摘要

Traditionally, for countries in Western Europe, joints in steel frame structures are realised using bolts and welds. In the workshop, the components are made using welding end plates and attachments and drilling of the bolt holes. On site, these structural components are connected together using bolts and nuts. The activities on site mean a large physical effort of the steel construction workers who are not free from danger. Measures needed to ease the work and to make it safer for workers are increasingly expensive. There is a need to develop the so-called 'plug and play' connections which can be realised using remotely controlled techniques. The development of plug and play type joints is not only important to ease the work on site, but it can also reduce overall costs of the construction if the joint characteristics are taken into account at the design stage. Of the total costs of a steel structure, 50% of that amount is related to the joints whereas almost 90% of the total costs are already decided upon in the construction detailing phase. Optimisation in weight will not result in an optimal cost-efficient structure. Even semi-rigid and partial strength joints that result after the erection phase could lead to cost reduction. Some considerations are given to optimise the joint with respect to overall structural behaviour from a technical and economical point of view. Fast and safe construction methods with plug and play joints are required for the future. Structures need to be designed such that they are fit to be demounted and rebuilt easily. For these types of joints no specific design rules are available in Eurocode 3, Part 1.8: 'Design of joints' or in chapter 9 of Eurocode 4, Part 1.1: 'Composite joints'. This article describes the basis of design for these joints.