Beam Shear Connections

Abstract

Web side plate (WSP) connections consist of a WSP bolted to the web of a beam. The WSP and the beam web not lying in the same vertical plane cause a load eccentricity under shear or axial loading. However, common design practices in New Zealand do not explicitly consider the effects of this load eccentricity. Therefore, the purpose of this research paper was to investigate the effect this load eccentricity can have on the capacity of a WSP connection when it is subjected to shear loading alone. To do this, a finite element model was developed to predict the behaviour and performance of WSP connections under monotonic shear loading. Via the use of experimental data gathered from previous research into web side plate connections the performance of the model could be validated. It was shown that the finite element model could replicate the behaviour and performance of WSP connections well. Using the validated model procedure two different standard WSP connections were modelled and subjected to various parametric studies. It was found that for some typical NZ configurations the failure modes were identified to be bearing failure of the WSP or beam web and bolt tear out. The failure modes most susceptible to eccentric effects were considered to be bearing of the WSP and bolt shear failure. In general the effects of the eccentricity was considered to not be significant, however, there was one exception. The strength of the WSP connection was seen to decrease by 24% when the WSP was extended. It was concluded that the current design practices were appropriate for all WSP connections investigated except for those with extended WSPs. For extended WSP connections additional guidance was developed. Thus, considering the additional guidance in conjunction with current design practices will result in good behaviour for extended WSP connections.