Structural performance and design of stainless steel gusset plate connections

• Main Author: Khine Myint Myat Thein
• Other Authors: Zhao Ou
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Nanyang Technological University 2022
• Subjects: Engineering::Civil engineering::Structures and design
• Online Access: https://hdl.handle.net/10356/158757
• Institution: Nanyang Technological University

A numerical study on stainless steel open sections connected to gusset plate has been conducted and presented in this report. An experimental study using 16 test specimens for angle-to-gusset plate connection and 16 specimens for channel-to-gusset plate were observed as a benchmark for this research. The specimens consisted of varying stainless steel section sizes, connection lengths L0, number of bolts and different bolt sizes. The test results of the experiment were then validated to evaluate the accuracy of the software ABAQUS in producing the exact results as the experimental tests. This is achieved by applying numerical modelling with the same set of 32 specimens on the software and both sets of results will be compared and analysed to observe if there is a match in the results. This is accomplished by comparing the finite element (FE) models’ failure mode, failure load quantities and the load-elongation curves of the models against the experimental data for validation purposes. After a proper validation study using numerical modelling, more FE models were constructed on ABAQUS to conduct the parametric study. A total of 270 stainless steel open-section specimens were modelled. This includes 70 equal leg stainless steel angles, 69 unequal leg stainless steel angles, 59 stainless steel channels bolted in flange and 72 stainless steel channels bolted in web. The varying factors for this analysis include variation in section sizes of the stainless steel open-sections, number of bolts connected and the different bolt sizes. The results of the parametric study were examined and presented, while comparing the effects of out-of-plane eccentricity x and the connection length L0 on the design load of the models were analysed. From the results discussion, it was concluded that high eccentricity leads to a higher secondary bending moment of the stainless steel connection, which triggers a lower resistance of the connection as well. Furthermore, increasing connection length L0 allows better rigidity and robustness of the connection which increased the ultimate resistance of the connection. To conclude the study, the results from both the experimental testing and numerical modelling were compared to two international design codes, (i) European Code EN 1993-1-4 and (ii) American Specification AISC 370-21. The conservativeness, reliability and relevance of the design equations for stainless steel angles and channels connected to gusset plate in tension in accordance with the mentioned design codes. After the evaluation, it can be concluded that European Code EN 1993-1-4 provides better conservative design predictions for the stainless steel open-section connections as compared to the American Specification AISC 370-21 which provides less conservative design predictions for the same stainless steel open-section connections.