ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses the components and arrangements of connections. Connections are used to transfer the forces supported by a structural member to other parts of the structure or to the supports. The components of a connection include connectors such as bolts, pins, rivets, or welds, and may include additional plates or cleats. Several different types of bolts may be used in structural connections, including ordinary structural bolts, and high strength bolts. Pin connections used to be provided in some triangulated frames where it was thought to be important to try to realize the common design assumption that these frames are pin-jointed. In the past, hot-driven rivets were extensively used in structural connections. They were often used in the same way as ordinary structural bolts are used in shear and bearing and in tension connections. Intermediate plates and angle or tee cleats are frequently used in structural connections to transfer the forces from one member to another.
