Structural engineers engaged in steel design require detailed knowledge of the weld capacity of eccentric connections. This Excel sheet is built per the AISC-ASD 9th Edition and automates the tedious calculations for eccentric weld group design. Whether examining a beam-to-column connection or designing a bracket-type attachment, this tool properly and safely determines weld sizes under axial, shear, and moment loads.
What Is an Eccentric Weld Connection?
An eccentric connection is one where the applied load does not pass through the centroid of the weld group. This eccentricity introduces a torsional moment in addition to the direct shear force, causing unequal stress distribution across the weld group. Failure to account for eccentricity is a common source of under-designed connections in steel structures.
Common examples include shelf-plate brackets, lug plates, lifting lugs, and eccentric beam-end connections. These are encountered frequently in industrial structures, mezzanines, and equipment supports.
AISC-ASD 9th Edition Eccentric Weld Design Methods
The AISC-ASD 9th Edition provides two accepted methods for eccentric weld analysis:
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