Analysis of the Shear Lag Factor for Slotted Rectangular HSS Members

Rectangular HSS tension members are often connected by slotting two opposite walls and welding the slotted walls to a gusset plate. Due to a nonuniform stress distribution in these connections, the tensile rupture strength of the member is dependent on a shear lag factor. The accuracy of the 2016 AISC Specification provisions for the tensile rupture strength of slotted HSS tension members was evaluated using existing data from five previous research projects. The results revealed that the current equations are excessively conservative. The accuracy can be improved by replacing the existing equation for the connection eccentricity with the equation proposed in this paper.