Rapid Ranking Procedures for Gusset Plate Connections in Existing Steel Truss Bridges
Publication: Journal of Bridge Engineering
Volume 15, Issue 5
Abstract
Evaluation and rating of steel truss bridge connections has become imperative for many transportation agencies after the recent collapse of the I-35W Bridge in Minneapolis. Detailed engineering capacity calculations of gusset plate connections are time consuming and thus expensive. Large numbers of connections are in the national inventory and must be evaluated. A screening process and a simplified rapid screening process are proposed for ranking gusset plate connections in steel truss bridges to help bridge engineers identify possible vulnerable connections and aid field inspections. The procedures consider member demands relative to the connection geometric proportions for four different parameters: fasteners, plate tension, plate compression, and overall horizontal shear. The methods are demonstrated for two bridges, including the collapsed I35W Bridge, and clearly identify connections U10 and L11 as vulnerable for three of the four parameter types (fasteners were not identified as vulnerable for these connections). The ranking approach is not proposed as a substitute for thorough, detailed, and expert assessment of the connections, but rather allows rating engineers to more quickly prioritize detailed evaluations in an ordered systematic way from the most likely vulnerable connections to the least likely vulnerable connections. This technique may be considered analogous to performing screening tests on a new patient to indicate the likely medical condition prior to conducting more sophisticated and costly investigations.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
AASHTO. (1985). Guide specifications for strength design of truss bridges, Washington, D.C.
AASHTO-LRFD. (2004). LRFD bridge design specifications, 3rd Ed. with interims, Washington, D.C.
AASHTO-LRFD. (2007). LRFD bridge design specifications, 4th Ed. with interims, Washington, D.C.
American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO). (1961). Standard specifications for highway bridges, 8th Ed., Washington, D.C.
Bleich, F. (1952). Buckling strength of metal structures, McGraw-Hill, New York.
Cheng, J. J. R., Yam, M. C. H., and Hu, S. Z. (1994). “Elastic buckling strength of gusset plate connections.” J. Struct. Eng., 120(2), 538–559.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center. (2008). “Adequacy of the U10 and L11 gusset plate design for the Minnesota Bridge No. 9340 (I-35W over the Mississippi River).” ⟨http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2008/H08_1_Design_Adequacy_Report.pdf⟩ (April 2008).
Gaylord, E. H., Gaylord, C. N., and Stallmeyer, J. E. (1992). Design of steel structures, 3rd Ed., McGraw-Hill, New York.
Gross, J. L. (1990). “Experimental study of gusseted connections.” AISC Engineering J., 27(3), 89–97.
Hardash, S. G., and Bjorhovde, R. (1985). “New design criteria for gusset plates in tension.” AISC Engineering J., 22(2), 77–94.
Huns, B. B. S., Grondin, G. Y., and Driver, R. G. (2006). “Tension and shear block failure of bolted gusset plates.” Can. J. Civ. Eng., 33(4), 395–408.
Kulak, G. L., Fisher, J. W., and Struik, J. A. H. (1987). Guide to design criteria for bolted and riveted joints, 2nd Ed., Wiley, New York.
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). (2008). “National Transportation Safety Board safety recommendation (2008).” ⟨http://www.ntsb.gov/Recs/letters/2008/H08_1.pdf⟩ (April 2008).
Thornton, W. A. (1984). “Bracing connection for heavy construction.” AISC Engineering J., 21(3), 139–148.
Walbridge, S. S., Grondin, G. Y., and Cheng, J. J. R. (2005). “Gusset plate connections under monotonic and cyclic loading.” Can. J. Civ. Eng., 32, 981–995.
Wald, M. L., and Davey, M. (2008). “States advised to check for a bridge design flaw.” New York Times, ⟨http://www.nytimes.com/2008/01/16/washington/16bridge.html⟩ (March 2008).
Whitmore, R. E. (1952). “Experimental investigation of stresses in gusset plates.” Bulletin No. 16, Engineering Experiment Station, Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, Tenn.
Yam, M. C. H., and Cheng, J. J. R. (2002). “Behavior and design of gusset plate connections in compression.” J. Constr. Steel Res., 58(5–8), 1143–1159.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Copyright
© 2010 ASCE.
History
Received: Aug 28, 2008
Accepted: Nov 10, 2009
Published online: Nov 11, 2009
Published in print: Sep 2010
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.