Shear Lag Effect in Welded Single Angle Tension Member

Abstract

The typical failure of a welded single angle tension member is a gross section failure. The rupture strength of the single angle tension member is affected by the effect of shear lag. Full-scale tests on twenty-seven single angle specimens reported in this paper. Four different angle sections with four different section types were used in the test. The test parameter includes the steel's grade, length of the connection, the eccentricity of the connection, and balanced and unbalanced weld arrangement. Twenty-three specimens failed by fracture of the gross section area, one failed in mixed mode (angle tear and the weld failure), and the remaining three failed in the weld. To interpret the experimental results, finite element analysis was performed on the specimen’s model. The finite element model well represents the welded single-angle tension member's behaviour, and finite element results show exemplary test results. The ultimate strengths of the test specimens were also evaluated by using the current design standards (IS 800, AISC, CSA, AS 4100, and EC-3), the (1− x̅/L) rule, and Kulak and Wu’s equation. In general, IS 800 provides a good prediction of test results, AISC and AS 4100 provide a slightly conservative forecast; however, CSA and EC-3 provide a slightly un-conservative prediction. For a balanced weld arrangement, the specimen's ultimate strength increased with an increase in connection length; however, an increase in connection length does not increase the specimen's ultimate strength for an unbalanced weld arrangement. The angle specimen's efficiency decreased significantly with an increase in eccentricity. The rupture strength predicted by assuming the ultimate strength of the connected leg and the strength contributed by the outstanding leg at the critical section shows a good prediction of the strength over the (1− x̅/L) rule.