# Steel Connection Types — Reference for Takeoff

## Simple (Shear) Connections

### Single Plate (Shear Tab)
- **Use**: Most common beam-to-beam and beam-to-column
- **Hardware**: 1 plate shop-welded to support, field-bolted to beam web
- **Typical bolts**: (3) to (5) 3/4" A325-N
- **Est. weight**: 8-15 lbs per connection
- **Takeoff note**: Count plates, bolts, and erection bolts

### Double Angle (Clip Angle)
- **Use**: Beam-to-girder, beam-to-column
- **Hardware**: 2 angles, either shop-bolted or shop-welded to support
- **Typical bolts**: (3) to (6) 3/4" A325-N per side
- **Est. weight**: 10-25 lbs per connection
- **Takeoff note**: Count pairs of angles

### Single Angle
- **Use**: Light beams, infill framing
- **Hardware**: 1 angle, bolted or welded
- **Typical bolts**: (2) to (3) 3/4" A325-N
- **Est. weight**: 4-10 lbs per connection

### Seated Connection (Unstiffened/Stiffened)
- **Use**: When web connection is impractical
- **Hardware**: Seat angle or bracket below beam, top clip angle
- **Est. weight**: 15-35 lbs per connection

## Moment Connections

### Directly Welded Flange
- **Use**: Moment frames (pre-Northridge NOT recommended)
- **Hardware**: CJP welds at flanges, shear tab at web
- **Est. weight**: 25-50 lbs per connection (plates + welding material)
- **Takeoff note**: Flag for special inspection requirements

### Bolted Flange Plate (BFP)
- **Use**: Moment frames per AISC 358
- **Hardware**: Top and bottom flange plates, bolted to beam flanges
- **Typical bolts**: (6) to (12) 7/8" or 1" A325 or A490
- **Est. weight**: 40-80 lbs per connection
- **Takeoff note**: Plates are shop-welded to column, field-bolted to beam

### Extended End Plate
- **Use**: Moment frames, rigid connections
- **Hardware**: End plate welded to beam, bolted to column flange
- **Typical bolts**: (4) to (8) 1" A490
- **Est. weight**: 30-60 lbs per connection

### Reduced Beam Section (RBS / "Dogbone")
- **Use**: Special moment frames (SMF) in seismic zones
- **Hardware**: Trimmed beam flanges + moment connection
- **Est. weight**: 30-50 lbs per connection + flange trimming labor
- **Takeoff note**: Requires CJP weld special inspection

## Bracing Connections

### Gusset Plate
- **Use**: Brace-to-beam/column intersection
- **Hardware**: Steel plate, bolted or welded to brace and frame
- **Size range**: 1/4" to 1" thick, varies widely by load
- **Est. weight**: 20-150 lbs per connection (highly variable)
- **Takeoff note**: Gusset plate weight can be significant — get sizes from details

### Brace Clip
- **Use**: Light bracing, kicker bracing
- **Hardware**: Small plate or angle, bolted/welded
- **Est. weight**: 5-15 lbs per connection

## Base Plates

### Standard Base Plate
- **Use**: Column to foundation connection
- **Hardware**: Base plate + anchor bolts + leveling nuts + grout
- **Typical**: 4 anchor bolts for gravity columns, 4-8 for moment frames
- **Plate thickness**: 3/4" to 2" typically
- **Est. weight**: 25-200 lbs per base plate (varies with column load)
- **Takeoff note**: Include anchor bolts in steel or concrete scope (verify)

### Moment Base Plate
- **Use**: Fixed-base columns, cantilevered columns
- **Hardware**: Heavy base plate + 4-8 anchor bolts + stiffeners
- **Est. weight**: 75-400 lbs per base plate
- **Takeoff note**: Much heavier than standard — get plate sizes from details

## Connection Hardware Weight Rules of Thumb

| Building Type | Connection % of Member Weight |
|---|---|
| Simple warehouse / single-story | 8-10% |
| Standard commercial (2-5 stories) | 10-12% |
| Moment frame / complex framing | 12-18% |
| Heavy industrial / power plant | 15-20% |
| Seismic (SMF/SCBF) | 15-22% |

## Bolt Weight Reference

| Bolt Diameter | Weight per Bolt (incl. nut + washer) |
|---|---|
| 1/2" A307 | 0.10 lb |
| 5/8" A325 | 0.20 lb |
| 3/4" A325 | 0.34 lb |
| 7/8" A325 | 0.56 lb |
| 1" A325 | 0.80 lb |
| 1-1/8" A325 | 1.15 lb |
| 1-1/4" A325 | 1.50 lb |

## Shear Stud Weight Reference

| Stud Size | Weight Each |
|---|---|
| 3/4" x 3" | 0.14 lb |
| 3/4" x 4-1/2" | 0.20 lb |
| 7/8" x 3-1/2" | 0.22 lb |

## Anchor Bolt Weight Reference

| Bolt Size | Weight per Foot (rod) | Typical Length | Weight Each (w/ nut+washer) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3/4" F1554 | 1.50 lb/ft | 18"-24" | 3-4 lb |
| 1" F1554 | 2.67 lb/ft | 24"-36" | 7-10 lb |
| 1-1/4" F1554 | 4.17 lb/ft | 30"-48" | 12-20 lb |
| 1-1/2" F1554 | 6.01 lb/ft | 36"-60" | 20-35 lb |