Experimental investigation of block shear failure in coped steel beams

Abstract

Relatively few tests have been conducted to determine the block shear capacity and behaviour of coped steel beam connections. Furthermore, design standards are inconsistent in the way they treat this failure mode and may predict capacities significantly higher than those determined experimentally. To address these issues, 17 full-scale tests were conducted on coped wide-flange beams. Parameters considered in the study include beam end rotation, end and edge distances, and bolt layout. Many of these parameters had not been systematically investigated prior to this research, and the effect of end rotation, i.e., the rotation at the connection due to flexural beam action, had not been examined. It is found that few of these parameters significantly affect the connection capacity, apart from the associated changes in net tension and gross shear areas. Following the laboratory tests, capacity design equations outlined in Canadian, American, European, and Japanese standards were examined. Tests-to-predicted ratios for each standard were calculated and compared. It was found that none of these standards accurately and consistently predict block shear capacity, especially when considering two-line connections.Key words: beams, block shear, bolts, connections, end rotation, rupture, shear, steel, tension, yield.