Compressive behavior of gusset plate connections for the bracing members

Braces, as one of the most important lateral-load resisting members in braced frames, are commonly connected to beams and columns by gusset plates. The appropriate performance of braced frames largely depends on the performance of gusset plates. To research the compressive behavior of gusset plates, a series of elasto-plastic buckling analyses are conducted by the finite element program ABAQUS. Besides the thickness of the gusset plate (t_g) and the brace angle (β), there are two new design parameters presented in this research to determine the dimensions of gusset plates. The first one is the ratio of the distance between the end of brace and the edge of gusset plate to the Whitmore width (L/b_E). Another one is the width used for splice members beside the brace (w). The two buckling modes, global drift buckling and free edge buckling, are derived from the nonlinear analyses. The ultimate strengths of the gusset plates are also investigated with the design parameters. Base on the summarized results of loading capacity, an instructive formula for the calculation of effective length factors in the design of compressed gusset plates is put forward.