Introduction - The Behaviour and Design of Steel Structures to EC3 - page 2

[2-D]rigid frames

+

[1-D]beams
(purlins and girts)

+

[2-D] bracing
trusses

[3-D] structure

Figure 1.1 Reduction of a [3-D] structure to simpler forms.

(a) Solid [1-D] member (b) Thin-walled [1-D] members

~

td<<L t<<d<<L

(c) [2-D] member

t<<d L ~

Figure 1.2 Types of structural steel members.

Structural steel members may be connected together at joints in a number of
ways, and by using a variety of connectors. These include pins, rivets, bolts, and
welds of various types. Steel plate gussets, or angle cleats, or other elements may
alsobeusedintheconnections.Thebehaviouranddesignoftheseconnectorsand
joints are also discussed in this topic.