ABSTRACT
Previous chapters have dealt with the design of different types of member such as beams and columns, with little consideration of the ways in which these are attached to one another to form a structure. However, many fabricators would argue that the economics of a steel structure are much more dependent upon the types of joint used than upon the sizes of the members. The basis for this lies in the fact that typical material costs represent only about 25-50% of the overall cost for the steelwork. It is thus not uncommon for the fabricator's own design staff to suggest modifications to joint details; providing the integrity of the structure is retained this is normally acceptable, since they are better placed to appreciate the equipment available and the effects on cost of various alternatives. Indeed, in some cases joint design is left entirely to the fabricator with the designer of the main structure supplying details of the loads which each connection must transmit together with any particular requirements, for example to provide adequate lateral restraint to the end of a beam.
