---
title: 5 Practical components to efficiently design steel beam connections
description: From a designer's perspective, how should you efficiently plan steel beam connections, in modular steel structures?  Find here a detailed explanation.
image: https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hubfs/50626338676_628ddeff87_o.jpg
---

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![Steel beam connections in modular structures](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hubfs/50626338676_628ddeff87_o.jpg)

# 5 Practical components to efficiently design steel beam connections

By Sikla UK Oceania on 30 April 2021

Sikla is famously known for the [welding-free modular framework](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvQ9obkoI0g). A small single-dimensional support or volumetric skid can be built, taken apart and rebuilt using a single type of FLS screw. And yet, various types of progressive welding methods are part of our manufacturing process to deliver the highly engineered product to your projects.  
In this article, we will consider the benefits and disadvantages of pre-welded components in the siFramo range from a designer's perspective.

So which components should you consider when designing[modular steel](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/all-you-need-to-know-about-the-siframo-modular-steel-system?hsLang=en)frames connections?

In a nutshell, there are two main types of connection – beam to beam connection and beam to primary structure connection. To create those connections, you can use either:

- **Single pre-welded components** which come in a form of beam section welded to base plate, e.g. TKO and AK  
  *or*
- **Two separate components** which require connecting base plate and beam section using FLS Screws, e.g. STA and WBD.

![Steel Beam Connections components](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Steel%20Beam%20Connections%20components.png?width=312&name=Steel%20Beam%20Connections%20components.png)

## Connecting siFramo steel beam sections

Three components known under abbreviations STA, WD and AK serve the same purpose – connecting siFramo beam sections. Yet, each of them has its advantages when designing frames:

| [End Support STA](https://www.sikla.co.uk/home-page-134051/products-134077/e-catalogue-134053/siframo-130152/end-connectors-and-fastening-130154/end-support-sta-f-80-130165) | [Cantilever Bracket AK](https://www.sikla.co.uk/home-page-134051/products-134077/e-catalogue-134053/siframo-130152/sections-and-welded-end-plate-beams-130153/cantilever-bracket-ak-f-80-130162) | [Corner Bracket WD](https://www.sikla.co.uk/home-page-134051/products-134077/e-catalogue-134053/siframo-130152/end-connectors-and-fastening-130154/corner-bracket-wd-f-80-373752) |
| --- | --- | --- |
| ![End Support STA F 80](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Product%20Pictures/Products%20and%20Product%20Groups/siFramo/End%20Support%20STA%20F%2080.jpg?width=105&name=End%20Support%20STA%20F%2080.jpg)![end support sta example](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/end%20support%20sta%20example.jpg?width=198&name=end%20support%20sta%20example.jpg) | ![Cantilever Bracket AK](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Cantilever%20Bracket%20AK.png?width=82&name=Cantilever%20Bracket%20AK.png) ![cantilever bracket ak example](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/cantilever%20bracket%20ak%20example.jpg?width=205&name=cantilever%20bracket%20ak%20example.jpg) | ![corner Bracket WD](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/corner%20Bracket%20WD.png?width=91&name=corner%20Bracket%20WD.png)![IMG_1148-1](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_1148-1.jpg?width=187&name=IMG_1148-1.jpg) |
| - Maximum flexibility, as beam section is connected to STA using [Self Forming FLS screws](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/modular-steel-details-2/10-are-small-parts-safe-against-confusion-vibration-and-wrong-application?hsLang=en) - Useful for on-site modifications as beam section can be easily replaced - Minimal off-cuts | - Considerably higher loading capacity thanks to beam section and base plate being welded together - Less installation time as beam section comes welded to the base plate as standard component | - A practical medium between STA and AK - May provide structural performance benefits in some seismic situations |

## Connecting siFramo modular frames to primary structures

End connectors WBD and TKO connect siFramo modular frames to primary structures – concrete, primary steel or free-standing, and each has its own benefits:

| [End Support WBD](https://www.sikla.co.uk/home-page-134051/products-134077/e-catalogue-134053/siframo-130152/fastening-to-concrete-and-steel-130155/end-support-wbd-f-80-374406) | [Beam Bracket TKO](https://www.sikla.co.uk/home-page-134051/products-134077/e-catalogue-134053/siframo-130152/sections-and-welded-end-plate-beams-130153/beam-bracket-tko-f-80-130163) |
| --- | --- |
| ![End Support WBD F 80](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/Product%20Pictures/Products%20and%20Product%20Groups/siFramo/End%20Support%20WBD%20F%2080.jpg?width=134&name=End%20Support%20WBD%20F%2080.jpg)![end support wbd example](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/end%20support%20wbd%20example.jpg?width=183&name=end%20support%20wbd%20example.jpg) | ![tko](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/tko.png?width=114&name=tko.png) ![TKO application example](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/hs-fs/hubfs/TKO%20application%20example.jpg?width=241&name=TKO%20application%20example.jpg) |
| - Similarly to the STA, maximum flexibility - Useful for on-site modifications - Minimum off-cuts | - High [load capacity](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/easy-access-to-load-capacity-data?hsLang=en) often utilized for large skid frames - Saves installation time thanks to beam section and base plate supplied as a single component |

## Time to balance PROS & CONS: which components to choose?

In summary, requirements vary between flexibility, speed and strength and Sikla developed products to cover all of them. Designers should consider the following pros and cons of AK and TKO compared to their alternatives – STA and WBD:

| **CONS** | **PROS** |
| --- | --- |
| - Standard beam section lengths limited to 400, 600, 800 and 1200mm depending on type - Shortening the beam section to designed length means short off-cuts with low usability - Extending the beam section length requires using a new component | - Significantly **higher loading capacity** - **Halving installation time** as the number of connections is reduced from 2 to 1 - **Less self-weight** thanks to omitting inserts |

 

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Written by [Sikla UK Oceania](https://blog.sikla.co.uk/author/sikla-uk-oceania)

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