Steel tension members, such as angles, tee-sections and channels, are usually utilized in the structures. In this case only parts of the member sections are connected to other structural members. Therefore, non-uniform stress distributions are developing across the cross-section because of combined effects of shear lag effects, connection eccentricities and stress concentrations in local connected region resulting in the premature fracture. Many researchers devoted extensive efforts to interpret the behaviors of shear lag effects on bolted connections using both experimental and analytical methods. Consequently, American specification employs the connected length and the eccentricity to describe the efficiency of ultimate loads of tension members in practical designs, based mostly on the above research and stipulates that it is also valid for the welded connection. This paper presents the experimental testing of totally 22 single angle and tee-section members with welded connection to investigate the potential effects of different arrangements on the above mentioned effects. Comparisons with the American specification (LRFD 2005) showed that it was over-conservative for short leg connection, especially in the case of balanced welds.
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