AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
(OP)
Looking for some insight into a matter. Looking at 'Design Guide 24-Hollow Structural Section Connections' (which is readily available online), section 5.2 talks about the procedure for checking buckling strength of a tee stem. Eq. 5-1 and 5-2 show the generic formula for members subject to axial and bending forces. Eq. 5-3 and 5-4 are manipulated to provide the maximum axial force on the basis that the moment, M = P*e/2. This suggests that the moments at each end are equal (as shown in Figure 5-5) and that each plate is required to resist 1/2 of the moment induced due to the eccentricity. In the event that the lapping plate thicknesses are not equal to one another,could Eq. 5-1 and 5-2 be manipulated to reflect the rigidity of each plate?... meaning the thicker plate resists a greater percentage of the moment induced by the eccentricity. Aside from the need to derive the maximum axial force equation from Eq. 5-1 and 5-2 and checking it against the respective plate, it seems this would a more efficient approach to better reflect how the plates resist bending (when the thicknesses vary).
As an generic example, if a 1" gusset plate joined with a 1/4" plate, could the 1" gusset resists P*(3/4*e) and the 1/4" plate resist P*(1/4*e) (the fractions listed are made up, not to reflect the rigidity each plate would have relative to the other). The design guide (and any other literature I've found) provides examples which assume the lapping plates are equal in thickness (not very representative of real life connections)
Many thanks for any input on the subject.
As an generic example, if a 1" gusset plate joined with a 1/4" plate, could the 1" gusset resists P*(3/4*e) and the 1/4" plate resist P*(1/4*e) (the fractions listed are made up, not to reflect the rigidity each plate would have relative to the other). The design guide (and any other literature I've found) provides examples which assume the lapping plates are equal in thickness (not very representative of real life connections)
Many thanks for any input on the subject.





RE: AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
Also, I'm curious what is causing your plates to be unequal thickness. I would have assumed the equal thickness assumption to be pretty good (for new design at least, maybe not retrofit).
RE: AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
Unequal plate thickness may results from a few sources. In the case of using a WT section connected to the end of an HSS brace, the web of the WT may differ from the adjoining gusset thickness.
RE: AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
The examples may not consider different plate thickness but the method does. The method, by virtue of the definitions of Lc & K, treats the combination of both plates as a single compression member based on the thickness of the thinner part. See the highlighted portion of the snippet below. In this respect the method is, admittedly, conservative.
I agree with your logic so long as you:
a) revamp the method to deal with each plate separately rather than as a combined unit and;
b) somehow account for the rather complex interaction of the two plates over the overlap length.
I'm not really sure how to go about dealing with (b). That, in itself, would send me back to the design guide method unless it was an existing situation and I were desperate.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.
RE: AISC - Lapping Plates subject to Bending and Axial Force
This is my thought process at the moment...welcoming any opinions or constructive criticisms on the matter.