Connection Definition

Use this option to select the connection type and specify its parameters.

Access the option from the Connections layout or after clicking on the toolbar.

Note: In Robot, the following codes are available, allowing you to calculate steel structure connections: Eurocode (ENV 1991-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005) , French steel code CM66 and Polish steel code PN-90/B-03200. The national versions of the Eurocode 3 code for steel connections: French (NF-EN 1993-1-8:2007) and Polish (PN-EN 1993-1-8:2006) are available.

The screen is divided into 2 basic parts: the Inspector pane used for management of defined connections and the graphical viewer, which consists of several tabs:

• Scheme (a schematic drawing of a connection)
• 3D View (the view of a defined connection with a possibility of rotation, zoom, pan)
• Structure (the view of a whole structure)
• Results (a calculation note with results of connection calculations; available only after performing calculations).

To begin connection calculations in the structure:

1. On the Structure tab, select the bars forming the connection (selected bars will be highlighted).
2. Click or click Connections menu > New Connection for Selected Bars. The appropriate type (such as frame knee, beam-beam, column-base) will be assigned to the connection (see also Problems when selecting a connection. The defined connection will be added to the list of connections in the Inspector pane.
3. Define appropriate parameters for the selected connection type in the Connection Definition dialog which opens automatically. To return to the definition of connection parameters, click in the Inspector pane.
4. Start calculations of a connection by clicking .

To start calculation of a connection defined manually (selected connection type and defined values of forces acting in a connection):

1. On the Scheme tab, select a connection type. A defined connection will be added to the list of connections in the Inspector pane.
2. Define appropriate parameters for a selected connection type by clicking in the Inspector pane.
3. Start calculations of the connection by clicking .

The following connection types are available in Robot by clicking (New Connection):

• beam-beam connection
• frame knee connection
• column-beam connection
• column-beam (two-sided) connection
• column base - column connection: fixed
• column base - column connection: pinned
• column base - column connection: concrete base
• , , , - angle connection
• pipe connection.
• , , - connection with a gusset plate: for a single bar, internal node, and truss chord node.

See also:

Eurocode (ENV 1991-1-1:1992 and EN 1993-1-8:2005)

Connection calculations - French steel code CM66

The following parameters can be defined for subsequent connection types:

• frame knee, beam-beam, and column-beam connection (table designation: KNEE):
  • bar section parameters
  • base parameters
  • stiffener parameters
  • anchorage parameters
  • concrete, weld and wedge parameters
• column-base connection (table designations: fixed base - FIX, pinned base - PINN, concrete base - CONC):
  • bar section parameters
  • reinforcement parameters
  • screw parameters
  • stiffener and plate parameters
  • depth of concrete base
• angle connection (table designation: ANG):
  • bar section parameters
  • angle parameters
  • bolt parameters
  • cut dimensions, distances, etc.
• pipe connection (table designation: PIP):
  • connection type (unilateral, bilateral)
  • parameters of adjoining bars (crosses)
  • bracket parameters
  • weld parameters
• connection - gusset (table designation: BLA):
  • connection type (welded, bolted) and its parameters
  • bar parameters etc.

To start connection calculations, after the connection and its parameters are defined, select either Calculations or Manual Verification.

Note: In case of connection verification, the dialog type to be displayed depends on the connection type. For a pinned column-base connection, the Manual Verification of Connection dialog displays.

After the calculations (verification) of a connection are completed, a calculation note (available on the Results tab) will present information if the selected connection fulfills the code requirements and the ratio.

Note: If a connection is defined, you can click (Connection Type Change) to change the type of connection:

• change to a pinned support
• change to a fixed support
• change to concrete support
• change to beam-to-beam connection
• change to frame knee connection
• change to beam-to-column connection
• change to column-beam (two-sided) connection
• change to angle connection
• change to pipe connection
• change to connection with a gusset plate (single bar)
• change to connection with a gusset plate (internal node)
• change to connection with a gusset plate (truss chord node)

The software also allows you to copy a connection defined in a structure to selected structure nodes (it must be a connection of the same type):

1. In the Inspector pane, select (highlight) the connection to be copied.
2. Select a structure node to which the connection should be copied.
3. In the connection viewer, click the Copy icon or select Connections menu > Connection Copy for Selected Bars.

Then the connection is copied with current parameters such as sections, materials, and angles of inclination.

Similarly, a connection defined manually (a stand-alone connection) can be copied. The only difference is that you do not need to select a structure node, because this connection type is not associated with a structure node.

You can save a defined and calculated connection to a file of the following formats:

• DXF
• DWG
• STP
• WRL
• ANF
• SAT
• PEP

See also:

Directions of Force Action in Individual connection Types