CONNECT-OP™ Connection Optimization Platform - H-BEAM BOLTED CONNECTION DESIGN TOOL

Automated Optimization-Based Steel Connection Design

Engineering the Most Efficient Connection — Automatically

Steel connection design is often one of the most labor-intensive parts of a structural steel project. Engineers must repeatedly determine bolt sizes, bolt layouts, connection plate dimensions, and weld requirements while ensuring compliance with design standards and fabrication constraints.

To streamline this process, ALPS CONSULTANTS has developed the CONNECT-OP™ H-Beam Bolted Connection Design Tool, an advanced automated design system that intelligently generates practical and economical steel connections for a wide range of H-beam sections.

Unlike conventional design spreadsheets that require engineers to manually select connection details and perform repetitive trial-and-error calculations, the H-Beam Bolted Connection Design Tool automatically searches for efficient connection configurations that satisfy strength, detailing, and constructability requirements simultaneously.

Intelligent Automated Design

CONNECT-OP™ automatically evaluates multiple design variables, including:

• Bolt diameter selection

• Number of bolts

• Bolt arrangement and layout

• Cleat plate dimensions

• Cleat thickness

• Fillet weld size at supports

• Connection geometry constraints

• Fabrication and detailing requirements

The result is a connection design that is both structurally adequate and practical to fabricate and install.

Design Capabilities

Shear Connections

CONNECT-OP™ designs beam web connections capable of transferring the required design shear while checking:

• Bolt shear strength

• Bolt bearing strength

• Plate yielding

• Plate rupture

• Block shear failure

• Beam web capacity

• Weld strength

The program automatically selects the most suitable bolt arrangement and weld size without requiring manual iteration.

Moment Connections

For flange-connected moment-resisting connections, CONNECT-OP™ automatically determines:

• Required flange bolt quantity

• Bolt diameter

• Bolt pattern

• Tension force distribution

• Connection plate requirements

The resulting connection can be proportioned to develop a specified percentage of the beam flexural capacity, including full-strength connection design when required.

Shear Connection Side View

Moment Connection Side View

Practical Engineering Focus

The design engine incorporates practical detailing considerations commonly encountered in fabrication shops and construction sites, including:

• Minimum bolt spacing

• Minimum edge distance

• Standard bolt diameters

• Standard weld sizes

• Plate geometry limitations

• Connection fit-up requirements

This ensures that generated solutions are not only theoretically sound but also buildable.

Benefits to Designers and Contractors

Faster Design Delivery

Generate connection schedules for entire beam databases within minutes.

Consistent Engineering Quality

All connections are designed using a uniform methodology and standardized checks.

Reduced Manual Iteration

Automatic sizing eliminates repetitive trial-and-error design work.

Improved Constructability

Generated solutions consider practical detailing and fabrication constraints from the outset.

Enhanced Value Engineering

The software systematically identifies efficient connection configurations, helping reduce unnecessary material and fabrication costs.

Applications

CONNECT-OP™ is particularly suited for:

• Industrial buildings

• Warehouses

• Factory structures

• Pipe racks

• Steel platforms

• Mezzanine floors

• Equipment support structures

• Repetitive steel framing systems

The Future of Connection Design

CONNECT-OP™ reflects ALPS CONSULTANTS' commitment to combining structural engineering expertise with advanced computational methods.

By automating repetitive engineering tasks and intelligently exploring feasible connection configurations, engineers can focus their time on project-critical decisions while obtaining fast, consistent, and economical connection designs.

ALPS CONSULTANTS

Engineering Automation for Smarter Structural Design