FHWA Full-Scale Testing of Steel Truss Bridge Gusset Plate Connections

摘要

Following the collapse of the Interstate 35W Bridge, the Federal Highway Administration has stronglyrecommended bridge owners include gussets in all future load ratings. To assist with this task, FHWA publishedgusset plate load rating guidance document. At the time, there were certain criticisms of the document, particularlyfor shear and buckling. A full-scale experimental study was initiated to validate the resistance equations.This paper will outline the results of twelve full-scale gusset plate connection tests to failure.