Analysis and Design Procedure of Corner Gusset Plate Connection in BRBFs

In order to achieve the post buckling strength of BRB member, AISC seismic design provisions require that gusset plate axial capacity exceed ultimate compressive load of the BRB. The AISC code also requires that the gusset plate instability be considered because recent full scale tests demonstrated that out of plane buckling of a gusset plate occurs prior to BRB ultimate load. In this paper an analytical investigation is used to investigate inelastic compressive behavior and strength of gusset plates in BRBFs by finite element software considering plates of different dimensions. In order to verify analytical results one full scale tests was carried out on a simplified gusset plate connection. Also to increase gusset plate buckling strength and improve its energy absorption behavior, effects of adding free edge stiffeners at different sizes have been investigated and the results are presented. Finally, a design method accompanied by some design charts for rectangular type gusset plates subject to compression is proposed based on an inelastic plate buckling equation.