Flexible End Plate Connection (NZ)

Flexible End Plate Connection

Note for New Zealand Users

HERA's On-Line Connection Guide gives a capacity for this connection up to about 30% greater than that predicted by the Limcon design model (see Design of Structural Connections - 4th Edition by T.J. Hogan & I.R. Thomas - ASI - 1994). The difference is greatest for connections with a shallow end plate (e.g. only one row of bolts). The small cost savings achieved with the less conservative HERA design model may not be warranted.

The accompanying image shows HERA's FE 70 NC connection on a 200UB25.4 beam. HERA's web shear capacity is 154 kN while the Limcon result is 120.3 kN. Click here for the Limcon output.

Update - February, 2004
HERA has withdrawn the 1999 edition of R4-100, in which the above connection was specified. In the 2003 edition of this publication the depth of the end plate has been increased by 20 mm and the rated shear has been increased to 174 kN. The rated shear capacity is still about 24% greater than the capacity computed according to AS 4100, AISC LRFD, and BS 5950.