ABSTRACT
It is becoming clear that the methods used for the erection of steelwork will have to change. The root cause is recent Health and Safety legislation in Europe and the United States, concerning the erection of steelwork, which is not only causing changes in working methods but also increasing costs. The changes in methods of erection could have fundamental implications for the types of connection used and may make the use of fast-fit connections an attractive option. Particular solutions are applicable for beam to hollow section column connections because of the unique property of the hollow section in always providing a surface to make the joint, whatever the beam direction. This paper reviews the background to this issue and proposes a new type of fast-fit connection for beam to hollow section columns.
