Behaviour of a single angle tension member welded at single leg and both legs: Fid-Bau Portal

Behaviour of a single angle tension member welded at single leg and both legs

Dhanuskar, Jagdish R. / Gupta, Laxmikant M.

The typical failure mode of a welded single-angle tension member is a gross section failure. The rupture strength of the single angle tension member affected by the effect of shear lag. A full-scale test program on the welded single-angle specimens' rupture strength is reported in this paper. A total of twelve tests was performed on a single-angle specimen with a welded end connection. Eight specimens were welded to the gusset plate using one leg, while both legs connected the remaining four. All the specimens failed by fracture of the gross section area. The test parameters included the grade of steel, weld arrangement (balanced and unbalanced), length of the connection, and eccentricity of the connection. To interpret the experimental results, finite element analysis was performed on the specimen’s model. The finite element model well represents the welded single-angle tension member's behavior, and finite element results show exemplary test results. The ultimate strengths of the test specimens were also evaluated by using the current design standards IS 800, AISC, CSA, AS 4100, and EC-3, and the (1- x̅/L) rule. In general, the design equation present in the standard shows an un-conservative prediction of the single angle specimen's rupture strength. None of the standards provides a conservative forecast of test results. AS 4100 provides a slightly conservative prediction; IS 800 and AISC show moderately con-conservative prediction; however, CSA and EC-3 provide a considerably un-conservative prediction for one leg connected specimen. All the standards provide significantly un-conservative predictions for angle connected with both the leg arrangement.