Gusset Plates 2per

AISC Live Webinar Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models
April 1, 2021
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T.R. Higgins Lecture

Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models
April 1, 2021
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© The American Institute of Steel Construction 2021
The information presented herein is based on recognized engineering principles and is for general
information only. While it is believed to be accurate, this information should not be applied to any specific
application without competent professional examination and verification by a licensed professional
engineer. Anyone making use of this information assumes all liability arising from such use.
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Course Description Submitted for AIA CE Credit
Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models
April 1, 2021
In the design of steel structures, each member is isolated and evaluated using the appropriate AISC
Specification requirements. Similarly, gusset plate connections can be complex structural systems
that are separated into several elements for design purposes. The behavior of these gusset plate
elements can be captured with simple design models, where portions of the plate are treated as
structural members with well-documented and predictable behavior. This webinar will provide a
brief history of gusset plate design methods and their evolution over the last century. It will cover
current design provisions where column and beam models are used to predict the strength of
gusset plates in various configurations, including wrap-around gusset plates.
The session will wrap up with a preview of a new method to predict the
compression strength of gusset plates using notional loads.
AISC Live Webinars

Learning Objectives Submitted for AIA CE Credit
• Gain an historical perspective on gusset plate design.
• List current design methods for gusset plates in various configurations.
• Identify recent research developments and new design methods for gusset plates.
• Explain the behavior of gusset plates as it relates to stability, and how stability is ensured
through the design methods.
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Introduction
INTRODUCTION
Vertical Bracing
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INTRODUCTION
Trusses
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INTRODUCTION
Horizontal Bracing
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INTRODUCTION
Design Zones
For design, gusset plates are separated into zones that are
treated independently.
• Whitmore zone
• Edge interfaces
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INTRODUCTION
Whitmore Zone
Whitmore Zone
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INTRODUCTION
Edge Interfaces
Gusset-to-Column
Interface
Gusset-to-Beam
Interface
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INTRODUCTION
Presentation Topics
• Design models
• Whitmore zone
• Wrap-around gusset plates
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Design Models
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DESIGN MODELS
For design, connections are separated into independent
elements. Each element is modeled as a member with
predictable behavior.
Flexural Elements Axial Elements

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DESIGN MODELS
The equations in AISC Specification Chapters D, E, F, G and H
were developed for members.
Can these equations be used for connection elements?
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Design Models
Geometric Imperfections
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DESIGN MODELS: GEOMETRIC IMPERFECTIONS

Member Geometric Imperfections
2016 AISC Code of Standard Practice for compression members:
out-of-straightness tolerance = L/1,000
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Plate Geometric Imperfections
• Plate out-of-flatness ratios are greater than member out-of-
straightness ratios
• The ASTM A6 plate tolerance is approximately equivalent to a
permissible out-of-flatness of L/480
• ASTM A6 is applicable only to manufacturing tolerances and
does not address fabrication and erection effects
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They’re flat now, but just wait

till they get to the field.
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Alan Wood Iron & Steel Company. Philadelphia, PA. (pre-1920)
Design Models
Buckling
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DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING
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Design Model Development
• Identify the primary buckling mode that best fits the buckled
shape
• Base the design model on the primary buckling mode
• If needed, consider the effect of secondary buckling modes
with empirical factors
• Rectangular connection elements
- Compression: flexural buckling
- Flexure: lateral-torsional buckling
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Flexural Buckling
The AISC column curve was developed using various shapes
Reidar
Bjorhovde
[1987]
Bjorhovde, R. (1972), Deterministic and probabilistic approaches to the strength of steel columns, Ph.D. dissertation, Lehigh University.
31

Tests on rectangular plate columns compare well with the AISC
column curve
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Lateral-Torsional Buckling
Cheng et al. (1984) developed design equations for the local
strength of double-coped beams by modeling the coped region
as a rectangular beam.
Joseph Yura
[1974]
Cheng, J.J., Yura, J.A., and Johnson, C.P. (1984), “Design and Behavior of Coped Beam,” Ferguson Lab Report, The University of Texas at Austin.
33

The primary buckled shape is characterized by lateral translation
and torsional rotation, which is indicative of lateral-torsional
buckling.
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Whitmore Zone
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Whitmore Zone
Stress Trajectories
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WHITMORE ZONE: STRESS TRAJECTORIES

Whitmore (1952)
• Warren truss joint
• 1/4-scale model
• Experimental/strain gage data
• 1/8 in. thick aluminum plates
• 30° stress trajectory
Whitmore, R.E. (1952), “Experimental Investigation of Stresses in Gusset Plates,” University of Tennessee Engineering Experiment Station Bulletin No. 16. 37
WHITMORE ZONE: STRESS TRAJECTORIES

Design: AISC Manual Part 9
The effective width, lw, is based on the Whitmore Section, which
is defined by a 30° stress trajectory
Bolted Welded
lw lw
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Whitmore Zone
Stability
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WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

Equivalent Column Model (Thornton, 1984)
• The gusset plate is modeled as
a rectangular column
• The column width is defined by
the Whitmore Section
• Column curve in AISC
Specification Section E3
William Thornton
[1995]
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Thornton, W.A. (1984), “Bracing Connections for Heavy Construction,” Engineering Journal, AISC.
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White et al. (2013)
• Inelastic FE models
• Yielding at the Whitmore zone
Donald White
[2009]
White, D.W., Leon, R.T., Kim, Y.D., Mentes, Y. and Bhuiyan, M.T.R. (2013), Finite Element Simulation and Assessment of the Strength Behavior of
Riveted and Bolted Gusset-Plate Connections in Steel Truss Bridges, Final Report Prepared for FHA and NCHRP TRB.
41

Factors Affecting Stability at the Whitmore Zone
• Stress is non-uniform across the Whitmore section
• Frame action forces are neglected
• The Poisson effect is neglected
• The AISC column curve was not developed for plates
• The stress trajectory angle increases with inelastic potential
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• The out-of-plane restraint provided by the portions of the
plate outside the boundaries of the effective width is
neglected
lw
l1
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• The stress continues to spread out beyond the last fastener
lw
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That’s a lotta stuff.

Can all of that be addressed
with the effective length?
Alan Wood Iron & Steel Company. Philadelphia, PA. (pre-1920) 45

Effective Length
lw
Lc = KL
K = effective length factor = ?

L = unbraced length = ?
?
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Unbraced Length Definitions
l2 lw
lw
l3
l1 l1
L = l1 L = lavg = (l1 + l2 + l3)/3

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Effective Length Factors
For columns, effective length
factors are selected based on
the buckled shape considering
the end conditions
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For gusset plates, effective length factors are:
• Dependent on the definition of L
• Dependent on the gusset plate geometry
• Calibrated with the AISC/AASHTO column curve
• Dependent on 
- Calibrated to a target reliability index, , of 4.0 (AISC) or 4.5
(AASHTO)
- Calibrated at a live-to-dead load ratio, LL/DL, of 3.0 (AISC) or
6.0 (AASHTO)
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For Corner Gusset Plates
Effective lengths
Reference L K  a
Thornton (1984) lavg 0.65 0.85 3.60
Gross and Cheok (1989) lavg 0.50 0.85 3.18
White et al. (2013) l1 0.35 0.75 3.92
AASHTO (2017) l1 0.50 0.75 4.76
Current Statistical Analysis l1 0.50 0.90 4.01
aBased on LL/DL = 3
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For Other Gusset Plate Shapes
Muir and Thornton Dowswell

(2014) (2006, 2012)
Larry Muir [2014]

William Thornton
[1995]
Dowswell, B. (2006), “Effective Length Factors for Gusset Plate Buckling,” Engineering Journal, AISC.
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Dowswell, B. (2012), “Effective Length Factors for Chevron Gusset Plates,” Engineering Journal, AISC.
Wrap-Around Gusset Plates
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WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES
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Design
• Each leg is modeled independently
• Rectangular beam model
Leg
• Limit states
- Shear (AISC Spec. Section J4.2)
- Flexure (AISC Spec. Section F11)
Leg
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Required Loads
• Legs are subject to shear
and flexure
• Linearly-varying moment
diagram
• Maximum moments occur
at the reentrant corner
Figure drawn by Eric Bolin

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• For Leg 1:
Mr1 = Pr1e2
• For Leg 2:
Mr2 = Pr2e1
Pr1, Pr2 = force components

e1, e2 = cutout dimensions
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Stability
The primary buckled shape is
characterized by lateral
translation and torsional
rotation, which is indicative of
lateral-torsional buckling.
Design for flexural yielding and

lateral-torsional buckling per
AISC Spec. Section F11.
Specimen 7C
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That’s a nice idea, but what
should we use for Cb? Yeah—and while
you’re at it, you might
as well give us Lb.
Otis Steel. Cleveland, OH. H. Grendzinski and Steven Roth 58
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Brace Compression Loads
d2 d1
Lb1  e2  Lb2  e1 
2 2
Cb = 1.00 d1
e1
Lb e2 d2
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CONCLUSIONS
• Connections can be separated into zones that are designed
independently
• Each connection element is modeled as a member with
predictable behavior
• Buckling design models for rectangular connection elements
are based on the primary buckling mode
- Compression: flexural buckling
- Flexure: lateral-torsional buckling
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QUESTIONS?
Inland Steel Company
Indiana Harbor Works
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PDH Certificates
• Reporting site (URL will be provided in the forthcoming email).
• Username: Same as AISC website username.
• Password: Same as AISC website password.
Copyright © 2021
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April 1, 2021
AISC | Thank you
Copyright © 2021
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AISC Live Webinar Gusset Plates: The Evolution of Simplified Design Models

AISC Live Webinars

T.R. Higgins Lecture

AISC Live Webinars

Please type any questions or comments in the Q&A window.

AISC Live Webinars

AISC Live Webinars

© The American Institute of Steel Construction 2021

AISC Live Webinars

AISC Live Webinars

Flexural Elements Axial Elements

Can these equations be used for connection elements?

DESIGN MODELS: GEOMETRIC IMPERFECTIONS

DESIGN MODELS: GEOMETRIC IMPERFECTIONS

DESIGN MODELS: GEOMETRIC IMPERFECTIONS

They’re flat now, but just wait

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

DESIGN MODELS: BUCKLING

WHITMORE ZONE: STRESS TRAJECTORIES

WHITMORE ZONE: STRESS TRAJECTORIES

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

That’s a lotta stuff.

Alan Wood Iron & Steel Company. Philadelphia, PA. (pre-1920) 45

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

K = effective length factor = ?

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

L = l1 L = lavg = (l1 + l2 + l3)/3

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

WHITMORE ZONE: STABILITY

Muir and Thornton Dowswell

Larry Muir [2014]

Wrap-Around Gusset Plates

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

Figure drawn by Eric Bolin

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

Pr1, Pr2 = force components

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

Design for flexural yielding and

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

Otis Steel. Cleveland, OH. H. Grendzinski and Steven Roth 58

WRAP-AROUND GUSSET PLATES

• Reporting site (URL will be provided in the forthcoming email).

• Username: Same as AISC website username.

• Password: Same as AISC website password.

AISC | Thank you

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