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Topkaya2004 PDF
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Abstract
Block shear is a limit state that should be accounted for during the design of steel tension
members. Current design equations are not based on analytical findings and fail to predict
failure modes of tested specimens. A study has been conducted to develop simple block
shear load capacity prediction equations that are based on finite element analysis. Over a
thousand nonlinear analyses were performed to identify the important parameters that influ-
ence block shear capacity. In addition, the effects of eccentric loading were investigated.
Based on the parametric study block shear load capacity prediction equations were
developed. The predictions of the developed equations were compared with the experimental
findings and were found to provide estimates with acceptable accuracy.
# 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
1. Introduction
Tension members with bolted ends are frequently encountered as principal struc-
tural members in trusses and lateral bracing systems. Design of these members
should ensure that yield of gross area, rupture of the net section and block shear
failure are precluded during the lifetime of the structure.
Block shear is a limit state that combines a tension failure on one plane and a
shear failure on a perpendicular plane. The AISC-ASD [1] and LRFD [2] specifica-
tions present equations to predict the block shear rupture strength. In the AISC-
ASD [1] procedure, failure is assumed to occur by simultaneous rupture of the net
Tel.: +90-312-210-5462; fax: +90-312-210-1262.
E-mail address: ctopkaya@metu.edu.tr (C. Topkaya).
0143-974X/$ - see front matter # 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
doi:10.1016/j.jcsr.2004.03.006
1616 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
tension and shear planes. The service load capacity is predicted by a single equa-
tion that incorporates a factor of safety of 2.0. The ASD [1] nominal load capacity
without the factor of safety is given in Eq. (1)
Rn ¼ Fu Ant þ 0:6Fu Anv ð1Þ
where Anv is the net area subject to shear; Ant is the net area subject to tension and
Fu is the tensile strength of steel.
On the other hand the AISC–LRFD specification [2] has a more elaborate treat-
ment. The LRFD [2] procedure assumes that when one plane, either the tension or
shear, reaches ultimate strength the other plane develops full yield. This assump-
tion results in two possible failure mechanisms in which the controlling mode is the
one having a larger fracture strength term. In the first mechanism, it is assumed
that failure load is reached when rupture occurs along the net tension plane and
full yield is developed along the gross shear plane. On the contrary, the second fail-
ure mechanism assumes that rupture occurs along the net shear plane while full
yield is developing at the gross tension plane. The nominal load capacity per
AISC–LRFD [2] is calculated as follows:When Fu Ant 0:6Fu Anv
Rn ¼ 0:6Fy Agv þ Fu Ant ½0:6Fu Anv þ Fu Ant ð2Þ
When Fu Ant < 0:6Fu Anv
Rn ¼ 0:6Fu Anv þ Fy Agt ½0:6Fu Anv þ Fu Ant ð3Þ
where Agv is the gross area subject to shear; Agt is the gross area subject to tension
and Fy is the yield stress of steel.
The LRFD [2] procedure has an upper limit on the nominal strength such that
its value could not exceed the value determined by considering the simultaneous
fracture at the net shear and tension planes. In order to calculate the design
strength, the nominal strength is further multiplied by a / factor which is equal to
0.75.
Both the ASD [1] and LRFD [2] procedures provide a reasonable level of accu-
racy in predicting load capacities while exhibiting a wide variation in experimental-
to-predicted capacity ratios [3]. In addition, there are differences between the
observed and predicted failure modes [3]. In majority of the experiments performed
so far ductile rupture of the tension plane preceded by significant necking was
observed [3]. Rupture of the tension plane is accompanied by inelastic deforma-
tions along the gross shear plane. Displacement of a block of material was seen
only when the experiment was continued until the parts separate.
Both the ASD [1] and LRFD [2] block shear predictions have drawbacks in
terms of the anticipated failure mode. It is evident from the test results [3] that ten-
sion and shear planes do not rupture simultaneously as assumed by the ASD speci-
fication [1]. In LRFD [2] typically the equation (Eq. (3)) with shear fracture term
governs, while experiments tend to exhibit a failure mode similar to that described
by the equation (Eq. (2)) with tensile fracture term. The current code equations
are based on simple models that do not depend on principles of mechanics. The
C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635 1617
objective of this study is to develop simple block shear prediction equations based
on numerical modeling of physical systems. In this paper the use of finite element
analysis in predicting block shear capacity of tension members is presented. The
comparisons between finite element predictions and experimental findings are given
for gusset plates, angle and tee sections with nonstaggered bolted connections. A
finite element parametric study was conducted to identify the important parameters
that influence the block shear capacity. Based on the parametric study simple equa-
tions to predict block shear were developed and are presented herein.
et al. [7] was employed. A general purpose finite element program ANSYS [8] was
used to perform the analyses.
In this methodology, gusset plates are modeled using six node triangular plane
stress elements. On the other hand, angles and tee sections are modeled using 10-
node tetrahedral elements. These element types are capable of representing large
deformation geometric and material nonlinearities. The nonlinear stress–strain
behavior of steel is modeled using von Mises yield criterion with isotropic harden-
ing. A generic true-stress true-strain response is used in all analyses. In this generic
response the material behaves elastic until the yield point. A yield plateau follows
the elastic portion. Strain hardening commences at a true strain value of 0.02 and
varies linearly until the true ultimate stress is reached. The true-strain at true ulti-
mate stress is assumed to be 0.1. After the true ultimate stress is reached there is a
constant stress plateau until the material is assumed to break at a true strain of 0.3.
The generic true-stress true-strain curve is given in Fig. 1.
Usually half length of the specimens is modeled if specimens possess a symmetry
plane along the length. Similarly, for cross sections that possess a symmetry plane
like the tees, only half of the cross section is modeled. In an effort to reduce the
computational cost, end connection details which are used to apply loading are not
modeled. In order to simulate the end reactions, nodes that lie on the half circum-
ference of each hole where bolts come into contact are restrained against displace-
ment in two perpendicular directions in the plane of the plate. A longitudinal
displacement boundary condition is applied at the opposite end of the member.
Throughout the analysis the Newton–Raphson method is used to trace the entire
nonlinear load–deflection response. The failure load is assumed to be the maximum
load reached during the loading history. In most of the experiments failure was
triggered by significant necking of the tension plane. In the finite element analysis
substantial amount of necking is observed near the vicinity of the leading bolt hole
Fig. 2. Representative finite element analysis of a gusset plate. (a) Model of half plate and (b) typical
load–displacement responses.
The prediction of block shear capacity using finite element analysis was assessed
by making comparisons with the experimental findings. Block shear test results
1620 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
[9–11] reported on gusset plates, angles and tees by three independent research
teams were considered. Following is an overview of the properties of the specimens
tested by the research groups.
3.1. Previous experimental studies
For all of the above-mentioned specimens a finite element mesh was prepared.
These meshes were analyzed using the same procedure explained before. Ultimate
load value was documented for every analysis. Fig. 3 shows representative
deformed finite element meshes for a gusset plate and an angle specimen. The dis-
placement of a block of material could be easily seen in the half plate model
(Fig. 3a). In addition, the necking behavior of the tension plane is displayed in the
angle model (Fig. 3b).
C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635 1621
Fig. 3. Representative deformed shapes. (a) Half gusset plate model and (b) angle section.
The finite element analysis predictions are presented in Fig. 4 for the 53 speci-
mens analyzed. In Fig. 4 experimental failure loads are plotted against the finite
element analysis predictions. Data points appearing below the diagonal line indi-
cate tests for which the finite element analysis predictions are unconservative (load
capacity is overestimated) while points above the line indicate conservative load
predictions. For statistical analysis a professional factor (experimental load divided
by the predicted load) was calculated for every test. A perfect agreement between
the predicted and experimental failure loads are expressed by a professional factor
of unity. Factors less than unity and greater than unity represent underestimate
and overestimate of the failure load, respectively. The statistical analyses of the
predictions are presented in Table 1. It is evident from Fig. 4 and Table 1 that the
finite element method provides excellent load capacity predictions.
Similar type of comparisons were performed for the LRFD and ASD load
capacity predictions. In calculating the LRFD and ASD failure loads bolt hole
sizes were taken as 2 mm (1/16 in.) greater than the nominal bolt hole diameter.
LRFD and ASD load capacity predictions are presented in Figs. 5 and 6, and the
statistical measures of the predictions are given in Table 1. It is worthwhile to note
that in almost all of the 53 tests considered, fracture occurred at the net tension
plane. On the other hand, in all of the LRFD predictions except three cases, the
equation with the shear fracture term governed. It is obvious from this discussion
that LRFD predictions do not capture the failure mode of the specimens.
Based on the tests considered both LRFD and ASD procedures offer on average
a conservative estimate of the failure load. On the other hand, the finite element
1622 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
Table 1
Professional factor statistics for finite element analysis–LRFD–ASD predictions
Professional factor
Finite element AISC–LRFD AISC–ASD
Mean 0.990 1.174 1.150
Standard deviation 0.068 0.138 0.128
Maximum 1.123 1.458 1.458
Minimum 0.840 0.925 0.925
analysis predictions give much closer results with less scatter compared to the code
equations. The finite element procedure explained earlier is promising in terms of
estimating the failure loads. This procedure will be employed for the rest of this
study to develop simple block shear load capacity prediction equations.
4. Parametric study
stress (Fy), ultimate strength (Fu), bolt diameter and edge boundary conditions
were considered as the prime variables. In order to reduce the computational cost
two-dimensional plane stress models were analyzed. Two typical edge boundary
conditions were considered in the analysis namely, boundary condition 1 (BC1)
and boundary condition 2 (BC2) (Fig. 7). Boundary condition 1 (BC1) represents
the case of a gusset plate where half of the member is modeled and rollers are
placed along the side which is close to the bolt holes. On the other hand, BC2
represents the case of a splice plate used to join the flanges of W-shapes. Since the
bolts are symmetrically placed on both sides, only half of the plate is modeled and
rollers are placed along the side which is farther away from the bolt holes. The pri-
mary difference between the two boundary conditions is, in the case of a gusset
plate, fracture of tension plane is between two bolt holes and in the case of a splice
plate, the fracture of the tension plane is between a bolt hole and a free edge.
A total of 504 nonlinear finite element analyses were performed in which the
cases for two boundary conditions had equal share. For all analyses connections
with single line of bolts in the half plate model were considered. The analyzed spe-
cimens had an end distance of 25 (1 in.), 38 (1.5 in.), 50 (2 in.) and 64 mm (2.5 in.)
and an edge distance of 25 (1 in.), 38 (1.5 in.), 50 (2 in.), 64 (2.5 in.) and 76 mm
(3 in.). Plates connected with two, three or four bolts were modeled in which
14 (0.56 in.) and 27 mm (1.06 mm) diameter bolt holes were considered. In all
models a bolt pitch greater than or equal to three times the bolt diameter was
chosen to satisfy the minimum hole spacing provisions. Bolt pitch values of 38
(1.5 in.), 50 (2 in.), 64 (2.5 in.) and 76 mm (3 in.) were used. The resulting geome-
tries have connection lengths from 64 (2.5 in.) to 292 mm (11.5 in.). For these 504
cases the ultimate strength of the plate material was held constant at a value of
352 MPa (50.4 ksi). Yield stress values of 210 (30 ksi), 252 (36 ksi), and 293 MPa
(42 ksi) were considered. The combinations of the variables considered in the study
are given in Table 2.
Table 2
Combinations of the variables used in parametric study
End distance Edge distance Pitch distance Fu/Fy
Hole diameter (14 mm)
2 bolt case
25 25/38 38/50/64 1.68/1.4/1.2
38 25/38 38/50 1.68/1.4/1.2
50 25/38 38 1.68/1.4/1.2
3 bolt case
25 25/50 38/50/64 1.68/1.4/1.2
38 25/50 38/50/64 1.68/1.4/1.2
50 25/50 38/50/64 1.68/1.4/1.2
4 bolt case
25 25/50/76 38/50/64/76 1.68/1.4/1.2
38 25/50/76 38/50/64/76 1.68/1.4/1.2
50 25/50/76 38/50/64/76 1.68/1.4/1.2
Total number of cases 198
Total number of 396
cases for two BC
Hole diameter (27 mm)
2 bolt case
50 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
64 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
3 bolt case
50 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
64 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
4 bolt case
50 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
64 50/64/76 76 1.68/1.4/1.2
Total number of cases 54
Total number of 108
cases for two BC
All dimensions are in mm.
In all finite element analyses the net tension plane reached ultimate stress at fail-
ure load while there were significant amounts of yielding at the gross shear plane.
These observations are in agreement with the experimental findings [3] and suggest
that there should be a single equation to predict the block shear load capacity. The
prediction equation should consider the contributions of the tension and shear
planes and should be based on the premise that the net tension plane reaches ulti-
mate stress at failure. Based on this discussion the only unknown would be the
effective shear stress developing at the gross shear plane. If this effective shear
stress could be determined from the parametric study then a simplified equation
based on numerical analysis could be found.
1626 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
Effective shear stress values were calculated for each analysis case using the ulti-
mate load values. A careful examination of the data reveals that the effective shear
stress does not depend much on the end and edge distances for centric loading.
However, the dependence is much more pronounced when connection length,
boundary conditions and ultimate-to-yield ratio are considered. In Fig. 8 a generic
plot for the dependence of effective shear stress normalized by yield stress
(Fy ¼ 252 MPa ð36 ksiÞ) is given as a function of the connection length. Similar
type of plots could be obtained if other yield stress values are considered. It is evi-
dent from Fig. 8 that the effective shear stress decreases as the connection length
increases. This phenomenon was pointed out by Hardash and Bjorhovde [9] earlier.
It is interesting to note that the slope of this decreasing trend is different for two
boundary conditions. For the case of gusset plates represented by the BC1 the
decrease in effective shear stress is much more pronounced than the case of splice
plates which were represented by the BC2. This observation initially suggests that
there should be different prediction equations for each structural member type.
Although it is possible to derive such equations based on the analysis results, it is
not necessary for practical purposes. The difference in effective shear stress between
two boundary conditions stays below 10%. This observation suggests that the effect
of the difference between boundary conditions could be ignored and the two
boundary conditions could be used together to represent the general variation as a
function of connection length and ultimate-to-yield ratio.
The variation of effective shear stress as a function of connection length and ulti-
mate-to-yield ratio is presented in Fig. 9. In this figure data points that belong to
both boundary conditions are included. The decrease in effective shear stress with
connection length is observed for all three yield stress values. However, it is worth-
while to note that the slope of the trendlines for three sets of data are different. For
high ultimate-to-yield ratio the decrease in effective shear stress with connection
length is much more pronounced than the low ultimate-to-yield ratio. In addition,
according to Fig. 9 the effective shear stress on gross area varies with the ultimate-
to-yield ratio. For a given connection length the effective shear stress developing is
a function of the yield stress. A single value (0.6 Fy) like the one used in the LRFD
specification could not be used if more accurate predictions are required.
For the 504 previously mentioned finite element analyses the ultimate strength of
the material was kept constant and the yield stress was varied to get ultimate-to-
yield values of 1.68, 1.4 and 1.2. In order to investigate the validity of previous
observations for other ultimate strength values a set of additional analyses were
conducted. The ultimate strength of the material was taken as 472 MPa (68.4 ksi).
Yield stress values of 279 (40.5 ksi) and 393 MPa (57 ksi) that produce an ulti-
mate-to-yield ratio of 1.68 and 1.2, respectively were considered. A total of 216
analyses were performed for the two boundary conditions. Examination of the
results revealed that the variation in effective shear stress with connection length is
the same for materials possessing the same ultimate-to-yield ratio. The findings
presented so far will be used in developing block shear prediction equations that
are functions of ultimate-to-yield ratio and connection length.
Fig. 9. Variation of effective shear stress with connection length and ultimate-to-yield ratio.
1628 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
Examination of the data gathered from this additional analyses revealed that for
some connections presence of eccentricity reduces the block shear load capacity.
The amount of reduction in the capacity is mostly influenced by the connection
length. The amount of eccentricity, other geometric and material properties do not
significantly affect the loss of capacity. Fig. 10b presents the nominal block shear
load capacity of 198 eccentrically loaded connections normalized by their capacity
under centric loading as a function of the connection length. Fig. 10b shows that
there is no reduction in capacity for connections less than 150 mm (6 in.) in length.
For some very short connections the eccentricity seems to increase the strength by
2%. This might be attributable to the numerical details adopted and may not hap-
pen in practice. For connections longer than 150 mm (6 in.) reductions up to 15%
could be obtained. Since the reduction is applied to longer connections and most
of the reduction values stayed below 10%, the effects of in-plane eccentricity was
not studied further. During the design stage the block shear capacity can be
reduced by 10% for longer connections if desired.
sion, hole diameters were increased by 2 mm (1/16 in.) to account for damage
allowance. The comparisons of load predictions and test results are presented in
Figs. 12–14 and the statistical measures of the predictions are given in Table 3.
It is evident from the figures and the statistical measures that the developed
equations predict block shear load capacities with acceptable accuracy. The aver-
age professional factor for all three equations is close to unity and the standard
deviation is close to 10%. According to the maximum and minimum professional
factors, predictions of 25% understrength and overstrength are possible. Examin-
ation of the predictions show that maximum understrength is associated with a
gusset plate specimen with a very short connection length (66 mm (2.6 in.)). Predic-
tion equations fail to provide better estimates for this particular specimen. The
data point related with this specimen was discarded by Hardash and Bjorhovde [9]
in developing a block shear capacity prediction equation for gusset plates. If this
data point is discarded from the data set then the maximum understrength predic-
tion would stay below 17% for the three equations.
Figs. 12–14 suggest that all three equations have unconservative estimates for the
angle specimens tested by Gross et al. [10]. In addition, the maximum overstrength
prediction belongs to this set of specimens. The reason of this discrepancy was
investigated further by examining the stress patterns at failure through finite
element analysis. This detailed investigation suggested that some of the failures in
the angle specimens were due to a combination of net section and block shear fail-
ure. Gross et al. [10] also observed that for some of the specimens tearing
continued at an angle from the shear plane after the tension plane rupture. This
observation strengthens the assertion that some of these specimens experienced a
combined failure mode in which the developed equations fail to predict.
1632 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
Table 3
Professional factor statistics for developed equations
Professional factor
Eq. (4) Eq. (5) Eq. (6)
Mean 0.997 0.988 1.009
Standard 0.100 0.106 0.102
deviation
Maximum 1.219 1.250 1.269
Minimum 0.786 0.754 0.789
Several factors that were not considered in this study require further investi-
gation. These can be summarized as follows:
. This study focused on block shear failure of tension members with nonstaggered
holes. Further research is needed to determine the applicability of these findings
to block shear failure of beams and of connections having staggered holes and
multiple bolt lines.
. Only block shear failure type was considered. However, as mentioned before
failures due to a combination of net section and block shear failure were
observed in the tests [10]. Future research should focus on developing capacity
prediction equations for this type of failure mode, which is usually termed as
1634 C. Topkaya / Journal of Constructional Steel Research 60 (2004) 1615–1635
partial net section rupture [7]. The detailed modeling technique presented by
Barth et al. [7] could be used to study this behavior.
. For gusset plates the loading was assumed to be parallel to one of the principal
axes of the plate. Additional studies are required to find out the behavior of
these members under inclined loading.
. The study was based on an assumed yield criterion and a generic stress–strain
curve. The effect of using a different yield criterion such as Tresca criterion needs
further investigation. In addition, the effects of stress–strain behavior, parti-
cularly the differences in the yield plateau and strain hardening regions, need to
be studied.
. In this study, the failure was quantified by the ultimate load reached during the
analysis. Other failure measures based on local strains could be used to quantify
ultimate loads and eventually to develop similar load capacity prediction expres-
sions.
7. Conclusions
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