Effective Width of Gusset Plate with Single or Double Bolts in Tension

In this study experimental and numerical investigation to determine the behaviour of gusset plate connections with one and two bolts under quasi-static monotonically increasing tension load was undertaken. The experiments on full-scale gusset plate connections were undertaken in the Structural Engineering Laboratory of the University of Windsor. The numerical modeling and analysis were undertaken using commercially available finite element code, ABAQUS. The results obtained from experimental and numerical methods agree well. The results of the study were also used to determine the strain distribution in the gusset plates connected with one and two bolts. The yield load of gusset plate specimens were used to determine the effective width of gusset plate. It was found that angle of load dispersion for gusset plate with two bolts ranges from 25º to 32º which is approximately half of angle (60º) suggested by Whitmore. It was also found that for gusset plate connections with one bolt, the concept of effective width is not applicable and dispersion of the connection is based on other factors.