An analysis of the cyclic behaviour of steel gusset plate connections

In the past few years, several test programs have been carried out at the University of Alberta to study the compressive and cyclic behaviour of gusset plate connections. It has been found that an adequately designed gusset plate connection will exhibit a stable post-buckling strength and a well-behaved load-deflection hysteresis. This paper summarizes recent work done at the University of Alberta on the modeling of cyclic loading tests of steel gusset plate connections using the finite element program ABAQUS. Models of four previously tested gusset plate connections have been constructed, incorporating framing members, material yielding, initial imperfections and bolt slip. The following shows that the cyclic behaviour of gusset plate connections can be modeled accurately using the finite element method. This means that the finite element method has the potential to provide an economic means of studying the effects of various parameters on the cyclic behaviour and energy dissipation potential of gusset plate connections including: load sequence, gusset plate dimensions, gusset plate - bracing member interaction, and stiffener design. As an example, a short study of the effects of load sequence will be presented and discussed.