Numerical Study on Alternate Block Shear Failure Mode of Structural Tee Section Loaded in Tension

Abstract

Block shear is a limit state that should be accounted for during the design of steel tension members. Experimental test results for structural tees in tension, bolted to connections only through the flanges showed a block shear failure path termed as alternate path block shear failure (ABS). This study reports numerical study using finite element method in predicting the strength of structural tee in tension, which is connected through its flange and investigates that ABS might be indicated. Non-linear time history analyses were used in this study. The strengths resulted from the finite element analyses (FEA) were compared with experimental results, AISC predictions, and analytical predictions based on modified block shear equations for ABS mode. The strengths predicted by the finite element analyses were in good accuracy with experimental test results. Stress distribution paths resulting from finite element analyses depicted the indication of the occurrence of ABS.