Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Powered by Zoomin Software. For more details please contactZoomin

Hull and Outfitting

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONNECTION Statement

Save PDF
Save selected topicSave selected topic and subtopicsSave all topics
Share
Share to emailCopy topic URL
  • Last UpdatedDec 02, 2025
  • 8 minute read

The CONNECTION statement specifies different types of connections of bracket toes as named instances of a number of basic connection types.

Syntax:

CON,

<user_name>

/ TYPE = <con_type

/**** Next options only for con. type 1 (and partly type 2) ****/

[ / CL_TS = < s > ]

[ / CL_OS = < t > ]

[ / CL_FREE = < u > ]

/**** Next options only for con. type 2 ****/

[ / TIGHT_H = < h > ]

[ / FLAT_DX = < x > ]

[ / FLAT_DY = < y1 >, [<y2>] ]

[ / FLAT_LIM_A = < a > ]

[ / FLANGE_DX = < dx > ]

[ / FLANGE_DY = < dy > ]

/**** Next options only for con. type 3, 4, 5, 6 and an 7 ****/

[ / LAP = < f > ]

[ / PT_CTRL = < n > ,[ / PT_FACT = < pt_f > ] ]

[ /DIST = < d1 > [, <d2> / DIST_LIM_A = < a > ]

;

<user_name>

is a unique user defined name of the connection type. Its length is restricted to eight (8) characters.

The options have the following sense:

TYPE

Registered basic connection type with allowed values as described below. Since most of the options are specific to a certain connection type the relevant options are described in direct relation with the connection type.

TYPE= 0:

Default, free bracket end. The length of the bracket arm is normally supposed to be given by the user. This connection has no options or additional parameters. For a typical case, see figure below.

Figure 5:5. "Free" toe.

TYPE= 1:

Connection with gap to an intersecting profile (or to a free edge). In case of profile the connection may take place with the bracket on the same or the opposite side compared to the profile. Can be used together with toe types 1, 3, 8, 13 and 15. Even if defined it may not be applicable in all connection cases, for example, if defined for a bracket used in syntax 2 the connection type is disregarded because in this syntax the bracket arm is always free and its length is supposed to be given by the user. Relevant options:

CL_TS

CL_OS

See s, t and u, resp., in figure below.

CL_FREE

t should be negative in the case illustrated below, that means, when the bracket passes the intersections stiffener.

Figure 5:6. Toe connection with gap (type 1).

TYPE= 2:

Tight connection to either side of a profile section (or to a surface in general). Is compulsory for toe types 11, 12, 14 and 15. See the figures below.

Figure 5:7. Tight toe connection (type 2).

CL_TS

See 's' in the figure above. This toe type has a tight connection to the intersecting member, but sometimes a welding gap should be inserted. 's' is supposed to be a small number.

TIGHT_H

See 'h' in the figure above. The default height for connection to an unrestricted surface. It can always be overridden by the user.

All the keywords, starting in FLAT_ are relevant when connecting a toe to the flat side of a profile section (as in the figure b above).

FLAT_DX

'x' in the figure above. Default is 0.

FLAT_DY

'y' in the figure above. The distance from the top of the profile to the upper end of the bracket toe. One or two values may be given. In case of two values the first is used if the angle is < FLAT_LIM_A (v in the figure above), the second otherwise.

FLAT_LIM_A

'v' in the figure above. Default is 45 degrees.

All the keywords starting in FLANGE_ are relevant for connection to the side of a profile section in which there is a flange (see fig. a above).

FLANGE_DX

Normally the toe length is set equal to the free width of the flange. Any change to this default should be given in this option. >0 means addition to the default value, <0 means subtraction.

Adding 10000 to the value (>0) means that a fixed toe length should be given independently of the flange width.

FLANGE_DY

'dy' in fig. a above. Distance from the top of the profile to the upper limit of the bracket toe. Normally this distance is calculated from the lower edge of the flange (dy>0). If dy<0 then the distance will be calculated from the upper surface of the flange. Adding 10000 to the value (>0) means that a fixed toe height should be given independently of the profile height.

In calculating the flange thickness and flange widths of bulb bars the following approximations have been made. FL_T is the used flange thickness and FL_W is the used flange width.

Figure 5:8. Dashed lines indicate "substitute" angle bar

.

Profile types 20, 21 & 22

Profile type 23

FL_T = 0.5*T

FL_T = 0.85*T

FL_W = 0.5*C

FL_W = 0.67*C

This means that the connection will be evaluated as if they had been against an L-bar of the size indicated by the dashed line in the figures above.

TYPE= 3:

Overlap of profile end without lug with one straight line in overlap edge. No fillet welding along edge - see figure below. Relevant parameters described below the figure. Compulsory for types 31, 32, 131, 132.

Figure 5:9. Overlap connection, no lug (type 3).

.

LAP

See 'f' in the figure above. Specifies the overlap as a factor (that is supposed to be multiplied by the profile height). If missing, 'f'=1.5 will be used.

DIST

See 'd' of the figure above. Distance from intersection point between panel and profile trace to origin of bracket. Two values may be given (d1 and d2), the first to be used when the connection angle is < 'a' (see the figure above, = DIST_LIM_A), the second otherwise.

DIST_LIM_A

Angle 'a' in figure above. Cf. also DIST.

TYPE= 4:

Similar but with lug of bracket welded against plate, see the figure below. Relevant parameters described below the figure. Compulsory for toe types 33, 34, 133, 134.

Figure 5:10. Overlap connection with lug (type 4)

LAP

As for TYPE=3

DIST

See 'd' of the figure above. Distance from the end of the profile to the start of the bracket lug along the profile trace.

TYPE= 5:

Similar to 4, but with a "free" lug of the overlap edge, see figure below. Relevant parameters described below the figure. Compulsory for toe types 5, 36, 135, 136.

Figure 5:11. Overlap connection with "free" lug (type 5)

LAP

See TYPE=4.

DIST

Two values (d1 and d2) should be assigned to DIST with the interpretation according to Figure 5:11.

Common to connection types 3, 4 and 5 is that the position of the free side of the bracket may be affected by an extra control point through which the free edge (or its extension) is supposed to pass. The options PT_CTRL and PT_FACT can be used for this purpose, see the figures below.

Figure 5:12. Options for automatic calculation of free bracket arm

PT_CTRL

Specifies a control point controlling the direction of the free side.

= 1

The control point in located in the extension of the web endcut of the overlapped profile, see figure a above.

= 2

By a point perpendicular to the profile trace at a given distance, see figure b above.

PT_FACT

See 'pt_f' in the figures above. This is a factor used to calculate the distance of the control point by multiplication with the profile height.

If, for a connection type 3, 4 or 5, PT_CTRL is undefined, then PT_CTRL=1 is supposed to be valid.

If PT_FACT is undefined, then 'pt_f'=0.5 if PT_CTRL=1, else if PT_CTRL=2 then 'pt_f'=2.0.

TYPE= 6:

Connection where bracket is attached along the edge of a profile. The bracket arm length is defined as a factor times the profile height and an optional control point is used to control the shape of the toe. Can be used together with a toe of type 1 (and possibly 2 and 102). (Supported only in syntax 1.)

Figure 5:13. Parameter controlled profile edge connection (type 6)

LAP

'f' in the figure above. Multiplied by the height ('H') of the 'profile along' this is used to calculate the (default) length of the bracket arm (default is 1.5).

PT_FACT

See 'pt_f' in the figure above. When multiplied by the profile height the resulting distance is used to position a point, controlling the direction of the free side. Default value is 1.0.

TYPE= 7:

Simple free toe where the length of bracket arm is defined as a factor times the total height ('h') of the opposite bracket toe see figure below.

Figure 5:14. Parameter Controlled Profile Edge Connection (type 7)

LAP

Cf. TYPE=6 and the figure above (default is 2.0).

Connection types 6 and 7 are supported in syntaxes 1 and 7. However, when connection type 6 is used in syntax 7 the length of the bracket arm (normally B) must be given explicitly by the user. These connection types can be used only in combination with certain toe types, both in the current bracket arm and in the opposite arm.

Connection types 3, 4 and 5 will be supported in syntaxes 5 and 6 but are not yet implemented.

TitleResults for “How to create a CRG?”Also Available in