Compressive Behavior of Gusset Plates Connected with Single-Angle Members

Abstract

Gusset plate connections with single-angle steel members are commonly used in power transmission towers. However, little research has been carried out with regard to the compressive behavior and design of gusset plates connected with single-angle members. Due to the complexity of the connections and load eccentricity, it is difficult to predict the compressive strength of the gusset plates. In this study, two full-scale experimental tests and a numerical parametric study were conducted to investigate the compressive behavior of such gusset plate connections. In the tests, the buckling failure mode and lateral-torsional deformation were observed. Finite-element (FE) models were then established and validated through comparison against the test results. In the parametric study, the effects of gusset plate thickness, unbraced length, distance to bending line, and load on the adjacent bracing member were examined. On the basis of the findings of this study and currently available design methods, two design methods were proposed for predicting the compressive strength of gusset plates connected with single-angle members. Good agreements were observed between the FE and design results in terms of the compressive strength and it was found that one method based on plate buckling gave a better prediction of the strength of gusset plates connected with single-angle members than the other based on effective column.