Discussion: Design for Local Member Shear at Brace and Diagonal-Member Connections: Full-Height and Chevron Gusset

Abstract

The paper “Design for Local Member Shear at Brace and Diagonal-Member Connections: Full-Height and Chevron Gusset” (Sabelli and Saxey, 2021) develops equations for checking local member shear demands using a Concentrated Stress Method (CSM) and presents a design example. This discussion presents results from a finite element (FE) model, based on the design example in the paper, to quantify the accuracy of the proposed design equations in predicting beam yielding. The FE model confirmed that the beam yielding state would not have occurred for the example frame under the design forces but would have occurred for forces about 4% higher. The stress and strain distributions observed in the FE model were consistent with those assumed in the CSM, although two points for potential refinement were noted. If beam yielding in a concentrically braced frame is forced, through oversized braces, the plastic mechanism would be like an eccentrically braced frame (EBF) but with higher yield force, and higher beam inelastic rotations and strains for the same inelastic story drift.