The End Plate component allows you to connect one member to another by means of a bolt group, end plate, and welds. With this component, it is also possible to connect two members using a similar setting.
To Connect
The first category of the component settings manages the definition of the connected members and a reference member.
The first connected member is obligatory. It can be chosen from among all the members connected to the node. The second connected member is optional, for example, when another member at the node is to be connected with the same or similar settings. This option is useful when connecting beams with the same section to a supporting member to represent a double shear connection.
The reference member is usually the supporting member. Generally, it is the member to which the connected members are attached.
Plate
The subsequent category controls the definition of the plate. Select the plate material from the defined materials or create a new material. Then, enter the thickness of the plate.
You can define the dimensions of the plate either by "Offsets" or by "Dimensions and position". Select the relevant option from the list.
If you define the end plate by "Offsets", its size is derived from the section dimensions of the connected member. That is, how far the end plate overhangs the bounding box of the section. You can check the overall plate dimensions in the final rows, but not change them.
If you select the "Dimensions and position" option, you can enter the size of the plate directly. The position of the end plate is related to the connected member: The vertical position is measured from the upper edge of the profile (positive values upwards), while the horizontal eccentricity is measured from the center of gravity of the member section.
Switching between the definition types will not change the position or dimensions of the plate. The values are recalculated to reflect the current definition.
Plate 2
In case a second connected member has been set, you can define the respective end plate in a similar way.
Bolts
This category manages the properties of the bolts.
Define the bolt diameter and bolt class in the first row by selecting the adequate entries from the lists.
In the next two rows, you can define the spacing of the bolts with respect to the horizontal and vertical directions.
If activating the "Shear plane in thread" option, the lower strength (reduced area) according to the selected design standard is considered for the bolt shear check.
Welds
The last category controls the welds for the individual parts of the end plate. If you clear a check box, this weld will not be applied.
When you select the space to the right of the check box, you will find a list from which you can choose the type of weld. There are several types of fillet welds and butt welds available. For fillet welds, each thickness has to be defined.
