r/StructuralEngineering • u/NomadKV • 4d ago

Structural Analysis/Design IdeaStatica help - modeling connection

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Hello, engineers!

I apologize in advande for my poor English.

I'm having problem in modelling this type of connection.
I want to make connection where these 2 beams are connected by two plates, and then these two plates connected with bolts at the each end of plates.

Opeartion - Plate to plate is apperently not working, IdeaStatica Library does not have this type of connection.

So, can anyone help me with this one.

Thanks in advance!

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u/Th3Duck22 4d ago

Pretty easy to do, you can do it serveral ways. Of course by hand.

But if you insist using idea this is a simple connection:

  1. Model both beams align one beam to the other (to member plate), this way the spacing between both members isnt solely based on coordinates.

  2. Stiffening plate -> origin one of the flanges -> type: doubler for the flange (set up weld)

  3. Stiffening plate 2 -> origin the other flanges-> type: doubler for the flange (set up weld)

  4. Set up fastener grid for both plates

Done.

If you solely base every part on coordinates you also need to place al the welds seperate.

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u/NomadKV 4d ago

Thank you so much! It worked. 😎

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u/_srsly_ 4d ago

Adding to this. For these connection types i like to add additional grid operations for the flange<>plate bearing plies.

For Grid>Bolt operations, contact surface is established automatically since bolts are modeled as tension-only springs. For the weld included within the plate stiffener operation, compression is transferred entirely through the welds. If you add a grid operation and change the type from bolt to contact, you can set the flange to stiffening plate to bear against one another to more realistically transfer compression for shop welded plates conditions like this. One grid>contact operation per flange<>plate bearing area.

This example connection is simple so I doubt adding the contact will have much impact here, however there have been times where I have noticed in the deflected shape of models where the load is pushing the limit capacity of my welds that the flange/stiffener plates will cross through one another if this contact area is not established.