| An experimental study has been conducted to determine the combined effect of the weld length and leg size on the capacity of steel plate tension members. The specimens consisted of single and double plate (flat bar) being welded longitudinally only along two parallel edges to the gusset plates. Six weld configurations with the combination of weld length to plate width ratios (L/w) of 0.5, 1.0, 1.5 and 2.0, and the weld leg size to plate thickness ratios (s/t) of 0.63 and 1.0 were considered. Compared to the test results, provisions in the current Canadian and American design specifications were found to significantly underestimate the capacity at an L/w ratio less than 1.0 and slightly overestimate the capacity at an L/w ratio greater than or equal to 2.0 of the full weld size specimens. The maximum capacity of the full weld size specimens was achieved at a L/w ratio slightly above 1.0, but the full efficiency of the specimen was not achieved even at an L/w ratio of 2.0. However, design provisions for tension members overestimate the capacity of the partial weld size specimens since only the effect of the L/w ratio has been considered.;Along with the experimental study, a finite element analysis parametric study was also conducted for a wide range L/w and s/t ratios that take into account the combined effect of the weld length and leg size. Results of the finite element analyses were used in developing the equations to predict the capacity of welded plate tension members after being calibrated with the test data. |
