Investigation of staggered block shear failure in a steel tension member utilising minimax optimisation

摘要

In this study we are investigating the staggered block shear failure in steel tension members which are connected with gusset plates by fasteners. Minimax optimisation technique is utilised to determine the critical models involving staggered pattern of block shear failure. The ratio of vertical clearance to horizontal clearance of the end fasteners for the tension member is adopted using finite element method with numerical simulations of ten different cases. Also, the hole diameter is another factor, where five models of hole diameter cases are adopted to predict the staggered block shear failure. The results of the numerical simulations manifested the coupled relation between the utilised two factors to design steel tension members against the staggered block shear failure. Further studies can be continued by extending the approach to include additional ratio factors for both vertical and horizontal distances of internal fasteners.