An excel based design tool for end plate connections to Eurocode 3

The design of moment-resisting joints can often be a laborious task if performed by manual calculation. This leads to potential rising of unnecessary labour costs when industry approved design tool would otherwise suffice. Steel connection designers are charged with specifying joint components such as plates, welds and bolts required that have structural capacity to transmit the loads which the connection is exposed to. This said connection design and its components need to be economical with regards to cost. However, a balance needs to be reached between the over-design of the connection leading to excessive capacities, and the finite element design that provides the connection with just what it needs to resist such loads.
The aim of this paper is the description of an Excel based tool for the detailed design of bolted end plate connections between beams and columns in accordance to Eurocode 3. The design tool is practical, user friendly with minimum manual input and relatively transparent such that it provides the user with an easy step-by-step guide during the design process.