BEHAVIOR OF GUSSET PLATES UNDER DIFFERENT LOADS

Abstract

This research is focused on studying the behavior of gusset plate connecting steel elements in trusses using finite element modeling. The truss joints considered in this study were the ones in the lower-chord that are consisted of four truss members connected together. Eleven different truss models were created on SAP2000 [38] FE software in order to obtain different cases of load distribution in truss joints and select critical ones among them. With considering dead load and live load on truss structure as the applied loads. Critical joints were selected from truss models and were modeled in details using ANSYS [39] FE software considering bearing type connection between gusset plate and truss members. 57 detailed models were created for this study. Modelling of ANSYS [39] was verified with experimental study from literature. Finite element results obtained from ANSYS were used to investigate the gusset plate considering its thickness and its geometry as parameters.