Double-angle shear connections with short outstanding legs

Abstract

This paper describes an experimental study on double-angle shear connections with a narrow outstanding leg width from 31 to 37 mm. When connection angles are welded to a supporting column with a face width less than 152 mm, a common practice is either to weld the angles to the column by flare bevel groove welds or shorten the outstanding legs to accommodate fillet welds. This practice reduces the rotational capacity of the connections; and therefore confirmation of this practice is required. Three groups, comprising 12 full-scale connection specimens, were tested. Each group consisted of four specimens having three, four, five, and six bolts, respectively. Group A used 9.5 mm thick angles and fillet welds, group B used 6.4 mm thick angles and fillet welds, and group C used 9.5 mm thick angles and flare bevel groove welds. The test results demonstrated that both rotational and shear capacities of the connections are satisfactory when either of the two details are used.