Evaluation of Existing Methods for Predicting Tension Resistance of Gusset Plates with Short Edge Distances

This study experimentally investigates the tension resistance of gusset plates with different shapes. The yielding and rupture strengths measured from tests were compared with those obtained from existing strength formula suggested by several researchers. The results showed that the existing method overestimated the tension resistance of specimens with short edge distance, which is attributed to the difference in geometries of the target specimens inducing different tensile behavior and stress distribution from gusset plate targeted by existing method. Based on the observations, the influence of the acting moment on the gusset plate should be considered in the prediction of the tension resistance of the gusset plate having a Whitmore section that is restricted to the shape of gusset plate due to short edge distance.