DESIGN OF GUSSET PLATE

Gusset Plate
Gusset plates are provided to make connections at the
places where more than one member is to be joined,
e.g., joints of truss, truss girders etc. The line of action
of the members meeting at a joint should coincide as
shown in below figure.
Design of Gusset Plates

 The shape and size of a gusset plate is decided on the

basis of direction of members meeting at the joint.
 The plate size is decided to meet the specification of pitch
and edge distance for the bolts to connect the members
meeting at the joint.
 Gusset plates are designed to resist the shear, direct and
flexural stresses acting on the critical sections.
 It is a usual practice to provide thickness of gusset plate
equal to or slightly higher than the members that are to be
connected by the gusset plates.
Example 2: Design the gusset plate of thickness 12 mm at
the joint O of a lower chord of truss as shown in the figure
below. Use M20 grade 4.6 bolts.

180 kN
140 kN C
ISA 90x60x8 ISA 100x65x6
B

D
300 kN 200 kN
A O 2-ISA 100x75x8
Solution:
Forces on members OA, OB, OC and OD are:
FOA = 300 kN
FOB = 140 kN
FOC = 180 kN
FOD = 200 kN
Shear strength of M20 bolts in single shear
𝑓𝑢𝑏
𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑏 :𝑛𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑏 (400/√3)×(1×245)
3
= = = 45.3 kN
𝛾𝑚𝑏 1.25

Shear strength of M20 bolts in double shear = 45.3 × 2

= 90.6 kN.
Assume pitch as 60 mm and edge distance as 40 mm.
Member OB:
kb = 40/(3 × 22), 60/(3 × 22) - 0.25, 400/410, 1 = 0.606
Bearing strength of bolts on 8 mm thick angles,
= 2.5 × d × t × kb × fub/γmb
= 2.5 × 20 × 8 × 0.606 × 400/1.25 = 77.57 × 103 N = 77.57 kN
Strength of angle per pitch length
0.9×𝑓𝑢 ×𝐴𝑛 0.9×410×[ 60;22 ×8]
= 𝑇𝑑𝑛 = =
𝛾𝑚1 1.25

= 89.74 kN
So the bolt value = 45.3 kN (lesser of 45.3, 77.57 and 89.74)
No. of bolt required = 140/45.3 = 3.1 ≈ 4
The length of gusset plate = 3 × 60 + 2 × 40 = 260 mm
Member OC:
Here, the value of kb will be same as derived for member OB as
pitch and edge are same. Bearing strength of bolts on 6 mm thick
angles = 2.5 × d × t × kb × fub/γmb
= 2.5 × 20 × 6 × 0.606 × 400/1.25 = 58.18 kN
Strength of angle per pitch length
0.9×𝑓𝑢 ×𝐴𝑛 0.9×410×[ 60;22 ×6]
= 𝑇𝑑𝑛 = =
𝛾𝑚1 1.25

= 67.31 × 103 N = 67.31 kN

So the bolt value = 45.3 kN (lesser of 45.3, 58.18 and 67.31)
No. of bolt required = 180/45.3 = 3.97 ≈ 4
Length of gusset plate = 3×60 + 2×40 = 260 mm
Member AD:
Net force in member AD = 300 – 200 = 100 kN
Bearing strength of bolts on 12 mm thick gusset plate
= 2.5 × d × t × kb × fub/γmb
= 2.5 × 20 × 12 × 0.606 × 400/1.25 = 96.9 × 103 N = 116.4 kN
0.9×𝑓𝑢 ×𝐴𝑛
Strength of angle per pitch length = 𝑇𝑑𝑛 =
𝛾𝑚1
0.9×410×[ 60;22 ×16]
= = 179.5 × 103 N = 179.5 kN
1.25
So the bolt value = 90.6 kN (i.e., lesser of 90.6 kN, 116.4 kN and
179.5 kN)
No. of bolts required = 100/90.6 = 1.1 ≈ 2
Length of gusset plate = 60 + 2 × 40 = 140 mm
Bolt arrangements are shown in following figure.
LUG ANGLES
 Lug Angles

 For a tension member subjected to a very large loading, the number

of bolts or the length of weld required to make its connection with
other members may often become large. Therefore, the size of
gusset plates becomes very large which will be uneconomical.
 The lug angle is a short length of an angle section used at a joint to
connect the outstanding leg of the member, thereby reducing the
length of the joint.
 For effective sharing of loads, the lug angle is provided at the
beginning of the joint.
 Lug angle is connected to outstanding leg of the main angle.
 Lug Angles

 Thus, the gusset plate material can be saved by the use of lug
angles. However, extra material is necessary for the use of lug
angles and their connections. Also, lug angles are not very
efficient in transmitting the load.
 Moreover, an eccentricity develops between the load and the
c.g. of the bolt group; thereby the use of lug angles is generally
avoided.
 Lug angles may be avoided by the use of unequal angle section
with the larger leg as the connected leg and using two rows of
staggered bolts.
 Design of Lug Angles
Cl. 10.12, IS 800:2007 provides the general procedure for design of
lug angles.
1. In the case of main member being an angle section:
• Lug angle is connected to the outstanding leg of the main angle.
• When an unequal angle is used, the load gets distributed in the
ratio of gross area of the connected leg and the outstanding leg.
• Lug angle and their connection to gusset or other supporting
member shall be capable of developing strength not less than 20%
in excess of force in the outstanding leg of main member.
• The attachment of lug angle to the main angle shall be capable of
developing strength of not less than 40% in excess of the force in
the outstanding leg of the angle.
Design of Lug Angles

2. In the case of main member being channel like section:

• The lug angle, as far as possible, should be disposed
symmetrically with respect to the section of the member.
• Lug angle and their connection to gusset or other supporting
member shall be capable of developing strength of not less
than 10% in excess of the force in the flange of the channel.
• Attachment of the lug angle to the member shall be capable
of developing strength of not less than 20% in excess of that
force.
 Design of Lug Angles

3. In no case fewer than two bolts, rivets or equivalent weld length

be used for attaching lug angle to gusset or other supporting
member.

4. The effective connection of the lug angle shall as far as possible

terminate at the end of the member connected.

5. The fastening of lug angle to the member shall preferably start in

advance of direct connection of the member to gusset or other
supporting member.
Example
A tension member carrying a factored tensile load of 180 kN has to
convert through a gusset plate of 10 mm thick using 16 mm diameter
of ordinary bolt of grade 4.6. The available length of the gusset plate
for making connection is 250 mm. Design the member & its
connection. Also design the lug angle if required.
Solution:
𝑇 180×103
Gross area required = = = 792 mm2
𝑓𝑦 /𝛾𝑚0 250/1.1

Select angle ISA 75 × 75 × 6 with Ag = 866 mm2 and rmin = 14.6 mm

Anc = (75 - 6/2 - 18) × 6 = 324 mm2
Ago = (75 - 6/2) × 6 = 432 mm2
An = 324 + 432 = 756 mm2
Strength governed due to rupture of net section
𝛼×𝐴𝑛 ×𝑓𝑢 0.8×756×410
𝑇𝑑𝑛 = = =198.4 × 103 N = 198.4 kN > 180 kN
𝛾𝑚1 1.25

Hence, the chosen section is safe.

End connection
Strength of M16 bolts in single shear,
𝑓𝑢
𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑏 +𝑛𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑏 (400/√3)×(1×157)
3
= = = 29 × 103 N = 29.0 kN
𝛾𝑚𝑏 1.25

Assume pitch as 40 mm and edge distance as 30 mm.

kb = least of [30/(3 × 18), 40/(3 × 18) - 0.25, 400/410, 1]= 0.49
Bearing strength of bolts on 8 mm thick angles,
= 2.5 × d × t × kb × fub/γmb
= 2.5 × 16 × 6 × 0.49 × 400/1.25 = 37.63 × 103 N = 37.63 kN
Therefore, bolt value = 29.0 kN
No. of bolts required = 180/29.0 = 6.2 ≈ 7
Length of gusset plate = 6 × 40 + 2 × 30 = 300 mm > 250 mm,
therefore lug angle should be used.
Lug Angle
Gross area of connected leg, Agc = (75 - 6/2) × 6 = 432 mm2
Gross area of outstanding leg, Ago = (75 - 6/2) × 6 = 432 mm2
Load on outstanding leg of main angle = 180 × 432/(432 + 432)
= 90 kN
Load on lug angle = 1.2×90 kN = 108 kN [Cl. 10.12.2, IS 800-
2007]
𝑇 108×103
Net area required for the lug angle = = = 475 mm2
𝑓𝑦 /𝛾𝑚0 250/1.1

Select ISA 60 × 60 × 5 as lug angle with Ag = 575 mm2

Let assume that the section is weakened by one row of 16 mm
diameter bolt.
So, the net area available = 575 – 16×5 = 495 mm2
Connection of lug angle with gusset plate
No. of bolts required = 108/29.0 = 3.72 ≈ 4
Length of gusset plate = 3 × 40 + 2 × 30 = 180 mm
Connection of main angle with gusset plate
Load on connected leg = 90 kN
No. of bolts required = 90/29.0 = 3.1 ≈ 4
Length of gusset plate = 3 × 40 + 2 × 30 = 180 mm

Connection of lug angle to main angle

No. of bolts required to connect outstanding leg of two angles
=1.4× 90/29.0 = 4.34 ≈ 5
Length of gusset plate = 4 × 40 + 2 × 30 = 220 mm.
The arrangement of bolts for connecting lug angle is shown in
following Figure
 SPLICES
IN TENSION MEMBERS
 Splices
Splices are introduced if the available length is less than the
required length of a tension member. If a single piece of requisite
length is not available, tension members are spliced to transmit the
necessary tension from one member to another. Various types of
splices are shown below.
Design of splices
 The strength of the splice plate and the bolts which are joining
them should be able to develop strength equal to the design load.
 When tension members of dissimilar thicknesses are to be
connected, packing/filler plates are introduced.
 The design shear capacity of bolts carrying shear through a packing
or filler plate in excess of 6 mm shall be decreased by a factor as
given below (Cl. 10.3.3.3, IS 800:2007).
βpkg = 1 – 0.0125tpk
Where, tpk = thickness of the packing plate in mm.
• As per IS specification, the splice connection should be designed
for a force of at least 0.3 times the member design capacity in
tension or the design action, which ever is more.
Example: Design a tension splice to connect two tension
member plates of size 200  10 and 220  12. The member is
subjected to a factored tensile force of 280 kN. Use M20
grade 4.6 ordinary bolts for the connection.
Solution:

Splice will be provided in both sides of the tension members.

Therefore, bolt value needs to be calculated for double shear.
Shear strength of M20 bolts in double shear
𝑓𝑢
𝑛𝑛 𝐴𝑛𝑏 :𝑛𝑠 𝐴𝑠𝑏 (400/√3)×(2×245)
3
= = = 90.6 × 103 N = 90.6 kN
𝛾𝑚𝑏 1.25

Assume pitch as 50 mm and edge distance as 30 mm.

kb = 30/(3 × 22), 50/(3 × 22) - 0.25, 400/410, 1 = 0.454
Bearing strength of bolts on 10 mm thick plate = 2.5 × d × t × kb
× fub/γmb = 2.5 × 20 × 10 × 0.454 × 400/1.25 = 72.64 × 103 N
= 72.64 kN
So the bolt value = 72.64 kN
No. of bolts required = 280/72.64 = 3.85 ≈ 4
Thickness of packing required = 12 – 10 = 2 mm
Since the thickness of packing is less than 6 mm, no additional
bolt will be necessary to connect it with the plate.
Thus, 4 nos. of bolts will be required on the splice with a pitch of
50 mm as shown in the figure below.
 2 mm
10 mm packing 12 mm

20 mm ф bolt @ 50 mm c/c

200 mm 220 mm

20 mm ф bolt @ 50 mm c/c
Check for strength at critical section:
Strength of main plate at critical section
0.9×𝑓𝑢 ×𝐴𝑛 0.9×410×[ 200;22×2 ×10]
= 𝑇𝑑𝑛 = = = 460.5 × 103 N =
𝛾𝑚1 1.25
460.5 kN > 280 kN
Thus the section is OK.
Design strength due to yielding of gross section:
𝑓𝑦 ×𝐴𝑔 250×200×10
𝑇𝑑𝑔 = = = 454.5 × 103 N = 454.5 kN > 280 kN.
𝛾𝑚0 1.1

So the design tensile strength of the member will be 454.5 kN.

Thickness of splice plate:
Let the thickness of splice plate is t.
Thus the strength of splice plate will be:
0.9×410×[ 200;22×2 ×𝑡×2]
= 92.1024t × 103 N = 92.1024t kN
1.25
The splice will be designed for 0.3 × 454.5 kN = 136 kN or the
factored tensile load of 280 kN which ever is more.
Thus the thickness of the splice plate will be:
280
𝑡= = 3.04 mm
92.1024
Let use 4 mm thick splice plate on both side of the member.
 4 mm splice
2 mm
10 mm packing 12 mm

4 mm splice
20 mm ф bolt @ 50 mm c/c

200 mm 220 mm

20 mm ф bolt @ 50 mm c/c
COMPRESSION MEMBERS
Definition:- A structural member which is straight and is
subjected to compressive forces along its axis is termed as a
compression member.

Various types of compression members

• The vertical compressive member in RCC buildings is

generally termed as column where as for steel building it
is called stanchion.

• The compressive member in a roof truss or bracing is

called as strut.

• The principal compression in a crane is called boom.

 MODES OF FAILURE OF COLUMN

1. Squashing
2. Local buckling
2. Overall flexural buckling
4. Torsional buckling
5. Flexural-torsional buckling

1. Squashing:
If the length of the compression member is relatively small then
the column will be able to attain its full strength or ‘squash
load’. Squash load = yield strength × cross sectional area.

2. Local buckling:
The individual elements of a compressive member such as
web, flange etc. may buckle locally.
3. Overall flexural buckling:
Failure due to flexural buckling occurs due to excessive
deflection of the member in its plane of weaker principle axis.

4. Torsional buckling:
Torsional buckling failure occurs due to torsional moment. The
member gets twisted about the shear center in the longitudinal
axis.

5. Flexural-torsional buckling
The flexural-torsional buckling occurs when the member bends
and twists simultaneously. Such type of failure happens with
unsymmetrical cross sections
 Classifications of Compression Member
depending on the length

 Short compression member: The failure stress will be equal

to the yield stress and buckling will not occur.

 Long compression member: Stress will occur due to

buckling of the member.

 Intermediate compression member: Failure will occur due

to the combined effect of crushing and buckling.
 ELASTIC BUCKLING OF EULER COLUMN

The theory of column buckling was first originated by Euler.

Euler considered an ideal column with the following
features.

 Material is homogenous and isotropic

 Material is perfectly elastic
 No imperfections (member is perfectly straight at its
initial state)
 No eccentricity of loading
 Column ends are hinged
 Column has no flaw
 ELASTIC BUCKLING OF EULER COLUMN

The governing differential equation is

Pcr 𝑑2𝑦 𝑃𝑐𝑟
+ 𝑦=0
𝑑𝑥 2 𝐸𝐼
The lowest value of the critical load
l 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝑃𝑐𝑟 = 2
y
𝑙
x
𝑃𝑐𝑟 𝜋 2 𝐸𝐼
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = =
𝐴 𝐴𝑙2
𝜋 2 𝐸𝑟 2 𝜋 2𝐸 𝜋 2𝐸
𝜎𝑐𝑟 = 2
= 2
= 2
𝑙 𝑙/𝑟 𝜆
Thus, the critical stress is inversely proportional to slenderness
ratio (𝜆)
 STRENGTH CURVE FOR AN IDEAL STRUT
(Axially loaded initially straight pin-ended column)

Column fails when the compressive stress is greater than or equal to the
values defined by ACB.
AC  Failure by yielding (Low slenderness ratios)
CB  Failure by bucking (  c )
𝑓𝑐 B'
Plastic yield defined by 𝑓𝑐 = 𝑓𝑦

For 𝑓𝑐 = 𝜎𝑐𝑟 = 𝑓𝑦 = 250 MPa;

𝐸
C Elastic buckling (𝜎𝑐𝑟 ),
𝑓𝑦 A A'
𝜆𝑐 = 𝜋 = 88.85 𝜋2 𝐸
𝑓𝑦 defined by
𝜆2

𝜆𝑐 𝜆 = 𝑙/𝑟

8
STRENGTH CURVE FOR AN IDEAL STRUT

fc/fy Plastic yield

1.0 Elastic buckling

1.0  = (fy / scr )1/2

Strength curve in a non-dimensional form

9
Factors affecting strength of a compressive member

 Material property of the member

 Length of the member
 Cross sectional configuration
 Support conditions
 Imperfections
 Residual stresses

The imperfections include the following:

• The material not being isotropic and homogenous
• Geometric variations of columns
• Eccentricity of load
 Cross Section Shapes for
Rolled Steel Compression Members

(a) Single Angle (b) Double Angle (c) Tee

(d) Channel (e) Hollow Circular (f) Rectangular Hollow

Section (CHS) Section (RHS)
 Cross Section Shapes for Built - up or
fabricated Compression Members

(a) Chanel (b) Chanel (f) Built-up Box Section

face to face Back to back

(d) Plated I Section (e) Built - up I Section

Effective Length Factor for Centrally Loaded Columns
with various End (Table 11 of IS 800 2007)

Theoretical K IS-800
End Conditions
value provisions
Columns with both ends pinned 1.0 1.0

Columns with both ends fixed 0.5 0.65

Columns with one end fixed and
0.7 0.8
other end pinned
Columns with one end fixed and
2.0 2.0
other end free
Columns partially restrained at
1.0 1.2
each end
Columns with one end
unrestrained and other end 2.0 2.0
rotation partially restrained
Effective Length of Compression Member (Table 11 IS 800 :2007)
 Effective length of column in frames
ANNEX D (clause 7.2.2) – IS 800 :2007

IS 800, gives the following equations for the effective length

factor k, based on Wood’s curve:
 For non-sway frames (braced frames):

1+0.145 𝛽1 +𝛽2 − 0.265 𝛽1 𝛽2

K= (D-1 IS 800:2007)
2−0.364 𝛽1 +𝛽2 − 0.247 𝛽1 𝛽2

 For sway frames (moment – resisting frames):

1 – 0.2 𝛽1 +𝛽2 − 0.12 𝛽1 𝛽2 0.5
K= (D-1 IS 800:2007)
1−0.8 𝛽1 +𝛽2 + 0.6 𝛽1 𝛽2
𝐾
Where 𝛽1 , 𝛽2 are given, 𝛽 =
𝐾𝑐 + 𝐾𝑏
Kc and Kb are the effective flexural stiffness of the columns or
beams meeting at the joint at the ends of the columns and rigidly
connected at the joints.
 DESIGN STRENGTH OF
COMPRESSION MEMBERS
 Multiple column design curves

Following four basic approaches were adopted to establish

column design formulae or curves.

i) Formula based on maximum strength

ii) Formula based on the yield limit sate (i.e., Perry-Robertson
formula)
iii) Formula based on tangent modulus theory
iv) Empirical formula such as Merchant-Rankine formula

The Indian code (IS 800 :2007) has adopted the multiple column
curves which is based on the Perry-Robertson theory and is
shown in the figure. This is similar to British Code BS 5950
(part-1) 2000.
 Merchant-Rankine formula The Indian code (IS 800 :1984)
1 1 1 𝑓𝑒 ×𝑓𝑦
= + 𝑛 Or , 𝑓 = 1
𝑓 𝑛 𝑓𝑒 𝑛 𝑓𝑦 𝑛 𝑛
𝑓𝑒 𝑛 + 𝑓𝑦

𝜋2 𝐸
Here, 𝑓𝑒 is the elastic critical stress in compression = 𝑓𝑐𝑐 =
𝜆2
n is a factor as 1.4

The allowable compressive stress will be

𝑓𝑐𝑐 × 𝑓𝑦
𝜎𝑎𝑐 = 0.6 1
𝑛 𝑛 𝑛
𝑓𝑐𝑐 + 𝑓𝑦
 𝑓𝑦
𝜆=
𝑓𝑐𝑟

Based on Perry-Robertson theory

Table 7, IS 800 :2007

Buckling Class a b c d
𝛼 (imperfection
0.21 0.34 0.49 0.76
factor)
 Buckling Class of Cross Sections (Table 10 IS 800 :2007)……
Cross Section Limits Buckling about Axis Buckling Class
Rolled I Section h/bf > 1.2 : z-z a
tf ≤ 40 mm y-y b
40 mm ≤ tf ≤ 100 z-z b
mm y-y c
h/bf ≤ 1,2 ; z-z b
tf ≤ 100 mm y-y c
z-z d
tf > 100 mm
y-y d
Welded I Section
z-z b
tf ≤ 40 mm
y-y c

z-z c
tf > 40mm
y-y d
Hollow Section
hot rolled any a

cold formed any b

 Buckling Class of Cross Sections (Table 10 IS 800 :2007)
Cross Section Limits Buckling about Axis Buckling Class

Welded Box Section Generally

any b
(except as
below)
thick welds z-z c
and
b/tf < 30
y-y c
h/tw < 30
Channel, Angle, T and Solid Sections

any c

Built-up Member

any c
 DESIGN STRENGTH:

The design compressive strength Pd, of a members is given by

(Cl. 7.1.2 IS 800 :2007):
𝑃 < 𝑃𝑑
Where 𝑃𝑑 = 𝐴𝑒 𝑓𝑐𝑑
𝐴𝑒 = effective sectional area ( cl. 7.3.2 IS 800)
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = design compressive stress of axially
loaded compressive members
as per clause 7.1.2.1 of IS 800 :2007
𝑓𝑦 /𝛾𝑚0 𝑓𝑦 𝑓𝑦
𝑓𝑐𝑑 = =𝜒 ≤
𝜙+[𝜙2 −𝜆2 ]0.5 𝛾𝑚0 𝛾𝑚0

Where 𝜙 = 0.5[1 + 𝛼 𝜆 − 0.2 + 𝜆2 ]

𝐾𝐿 2
𝜆= 𝑓𝑦 /𝑓𝑐𝑐 = 𝑓𝑦 /(𝜋 2 𝐸)
𝑟
 𝐾𝐿 2
fcc = Euler buckling stress = 𝜋 2 𝐸/
𝑟

Where 𝐾𝐿/𝑟 = effective slenderness ratio or ratio of

effective length KL, to appropriate radius of
gyration r
α = imperfection factor as given in Table 7, IS
800 :2007
𝜒 = stress reduction factor for different buckling
class, slenderness ratio, and yield stress
1
𝜒=
[𝜙+ 𝜙2 −𝜆2 0.5 ]

𝛾 m0 = partial safety factor for material strength

The stress reduction factor 𝝌 for different buckling classes a,
b, c and d is given in Table 8(a-d) of IS 800 :2007.
The design compressive stress fcd for various buckling classes
can be found in Table 9(a-d) of IS 800-2007.
 Allowable slenderness ratio of compression members:
(Table 3 IS 800:2007)

Type of Member KL/r

Carrying loads resulting from DL & superimposed loads 180
Carrying loads resulting from wind & seismic loads provided 250
the deformation of such a member does not adversely
affect the stress in any part of the structure
Normally acting as a tie in a roof truss or a bracing member 350
which is not considered effective when subjected to
reversal of stress resulting from the action of wind or
earthquake forces
Lacing bars in columns 145
Elements (components) in built-up section 50