Beam Web Shear Connections: An Experimental Study

Bolted shear web connections were tested to evaluate the 1978 AISC Specification provisions concerning edge distance, end distance, and bearing stresses. Tests were performed on beams with both standard holes and also slotted holes; single row and double rows of bolts were considered. Both coped and uncoped beams were used in the test. The results of each test are compared with the allowable service loads. For each test a plot of the connection reaction versus the deformation is presented along with a description of the behavior. Results of the tests indicate that design methods of connections which develop the full depth of the web are conservative; connections with two rows of bolts which were concentrated in the upper half of the web gave lower factors of safety than desired. Also, connections with slotted holes had less capacity than those with standard holes when edge distance was critical.