An experimental study of end plate shear connections

Abstract

The shear behaviour of both conventional end plate connections and clipped end plate connections, in which the upper corner of the end plate was removed, was examined in a laboratory investigation of 29 full-scale test specimens. The study included connections of varying geometry, bolt diameter, and end plate depth. The majority of the connections failed in one of two modes: a failure of the bolt group component or a web-tear failure. For connections failing through the bolt group, the ratio of the shear capacity of the clipped connection to that of the conventional connection is the ratio of the number of bolts in the clipped and conventional connections. Even when failure is not through the bolt group, the shear capacity of an end plate connection is reduced when the upper corner of the end plate is clipped. The experimentally determined shear capacities are compared with the calculated resistances determined using the resistance equations in CAN3-S16.1 in conjunction with the assumptions of load transfer mechanisms and stress distributions embodied in the design aid for end plate connections in the Handbook of Steel Construction. Key words: beams, connections, bolts, end plates, shear strength.