Net Section Tension Capacity of Equal Angle Braces Bolted at Different Legs

Abstract

This paper points out that, in practice, the two connected ends of an angle brace or bracket may be bolted at different legs due to constructional constraints. However, no design equation for determining the net section tension capacity of such a connection exists, and neither do published laboratory test results. This paper presents a series of laboratory tensile test results involving equal angle braces bolted at different legs, with legs ranging from 50 to 75 mm and tension distances ranging from 100 to 300 mm. The specimens were composed of 3.0-mm G450 sheet steel, which is among those that have the lowest ductility for which the nominal tensile strength is permitted to be fully utilized in structural design calculations by cold-formed steel design codes. Based on a modification to the equation derived for angle braces bolted at one leg, a design equation is presented for determining the net section tension capacity of a cold-formed steel angle bracket bolted at different legs.