Experimental Investigation of Block Shear Failure in a Single Angle Tension Member

Abstract

A limited test data are available for double-bolt line connection in a single angle tension member, which failed in block shear. To address this, twelve single angle tension members with a double bolt-line connection was reported in this paper, considering the block aspect ratio and connection length as the test parameters. All the tested specimens were failed in block shear. For the tested specimens, numerical analysis was performed, which shows good agreement with experimental results. Experimental outcomes were then compared with the current design provisions present in the IS 800, AISC, CSA, AIJ, EC 3, SBC, and with other existing proposed models. These standards and models show some discrepancies with regard to the experimental results. This discrepancy was due to the shear failure plane position as assumed in the design standards. Those shear planes were specified in the standards as net and gross shear planes. However, the experimental and numerical investigation shows that between the gross shear plane and the net shear plane lies the actual shear failure plane. Based on this, the block shear mechanism was modified and proposed a rational equation that provides a more exact prediction of block shear capacity than the current design standards and the other existing models. The proposed block shear equation shows the precise forecast for both single and double-bolt line connections used in a single angle tension member.