Combining weld and contact operations

Contact is effective only in compression while welds transfer shear and tension forces.

A weld is very stiff and it has to be loaded to yield a bit and allow the contact to take effect. That means there is significant stress even for welds in compression with contact. However, that does not decrease the resistance of such a weld in shear.

A fillet weld with contact has a new symbol: a triangle with an arrow (check and report). A symbol explanation was also added to the report.

Users should be aware that welds are usually checked in compression. If a compressive load transmission is allowed by contact, the surfaces must be precisely cut and there must be no gap.

When the member is cut precisely, it is possible to assume the transfer of compressive forces by contact and welds transfer only tensile and shear forces. This is commonly used especially for column bases, mostly in regions of Western Europe.

Remember – it is the user's responsibility to ensure no gap and the precise cut of the member. 

Available in both Expert and Enhanced editions of IDEA StatiCa Steel.