Connection Screen — Whitmore Section Width
Whitmore Section Width — a screening-level structural check.
Brace force doesn't use the whole gusset — it spreads at 30° from the connection's first fastener to its last, and the Whitmore width is what that spread engages. Everything outside the trapezoid is decoration; gusset yields and buckles are checked on this width.
Formula
Note: Screening only — NOT a connection design. All capacities must be verified by a licensed engineer against the governing code, including the limit states this simplified check omits.
Whitmore Section Width — a screening-level structural check. A free structural steel delivery & erection tool — no sign-up, no upload, instant results in your browser.
About Connection Screen — Whitmore Section Width
Connection Screen — Whitmore Section Width computes the governing relationship w = group width + 2·L·tan30° live as you type. Brace force doesn't use the whole gusset — it spreads at 30° from the connection's first fastener to its last, and the Whitmore width is what that spread engages. Everything outside the trapezoid is decoration; gusset yields and buckles are checked on this width. Defaults are pre-filled with realistic values for this exact scenario, and the worked example substitutes your numbers step by step so the math is never a black box.
How to use Connection Screen — Whitmore Section Width
- 1Enter your values — Length of bolt/weld group, Distance to last fastener line (sensible defaults are pre-filled).
- 2Read the live results: Whitmore width.
- 3Check the "with your numbers" line to see w = group width + 2·L·tan30° substituted step by step.
- 4Adjust inputs until the scenario matches yours, then copy or share the result.
Why use Connection Screen — Whitmore Section Width?
- ✓Instant, free and private — every calculation runs client-side in your browser; nothing is uploaded
- ✓Built on the stated formula w = group width + 2·L·tan30° with authoritative sources cited on the page (AISC 360 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings; RCSC — Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts)
- ✓Brace force doesn't use the whole gusset — it spreads at 30° from the connection's first fastener to its last, and the Whitmore width is what that spread engages.
- ✓Niche-specific defaults give a meaningful worked answer the moment the page loads
Frequently asked questions
What formula does the connection screen — whitmore section width use?+
It evaluates w = group width + 2·L·tan30°, exactly as published. Sources: AISC 360 — Specification for Structural Steel Buildings; RCSC — Specification for Structural Joints Using High-Strength Bolts. The substituted worked example on the page lets you verify every step against the textbook.
How should I read the result — and how far can I trust it?+
Brace force doesn't use the whole gusset — it spreads at 30° from the connection's first fastener to its last, and the Whitmore width is what that spread engages. Screening only — NOT a connection design. All capacities must be verified by a licensed engineer against the governing code, including the limit states this simplified check omits.
When is this calculator the right tool for the job?+
Whitmore Section Width. Everything outside the trapezoid is decoration; gusset yields and buckles are checked on this width. For neighbouring scenarios, the related tools below cover the same engine with different presets.
Do I need to install anything or create an account?+
No. The tool is pure client-side JavaScript: open the page and it works, offline once loaded, with no account, no quota and no data leaving your device.
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