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Spliced Axially-Loaded Single-Angle Members in Compression
Spliced Axially-Loaded Single-Angle Members in Compression
Spliced Axially-Loaded Single-Angle Members in Compression
in Compression
SHERIEF S. S. SAKLA, YOHANNA M. F. WAHBA, and MURTY K. S. MADUGULA
SUMMARY different tower sections. These tower legs are usually de-
Due to construction and transportation considerations, an- signed as concentrically-loaded members since the angle
gles used as leg members in latticed towers are often is connected by both legs. In the panel where the legs of
joined together in the field using bolted splice plates. In the tower are spliced, questions arise as to the effect of
many instances, the centroid of the angle cross section splicing on the compressive ultimate load carrying capac-
does not coincide with centroid of the splice plates used ity and on the behavior of the angle legs. These leg mem-
to connect the angles. It is not known what effect such a bers are usually of slenderness ratio that can be classified
splice has on the compressive ultimate load carrying ca- as stocky. A survey revealed that no research results are
pacity of the single-angle member. Research results on available in the published literature on the effect of splic-
spliced axially-loaded single-angle struts are not avail- ing on the compressive resistance of axially-loaded single-
able in the literature. Results of compression tests on five angle struts.
spliced angle specimens of low slenderness ratio (fab-
ricated according to the communication tower industry
practice) and one reference specimen of the same size
4x4x3/8 in. angle
and length are reported herein and compared with AISC-
LRFD Specification. It is shown that the ultimate load car- r11 r h
rying capacity of spliced specimens was, on the average,
8% less than that of the reference specimen.
&1 ft 3 / 8 in. splice plate
1
l ^i JJT |j-
INTRODUCTION JJ-
Single angles are widely used in many structural appli-
cations. One important use of these structural members
fl (12) 5 / 8 " A325 bolts
2.5"
1- 1
2" .&
<f>
2"
<t>
2.5" 12.71
i 2"
*
z
r\
i \
_ 3/8 i
splice plate
Test Procedure
All the tests were carried out using a 200 kip capacity
test frame in the Structures Laboratory at the University hydraulic jack
of Windsor. Details of the test setup are shown in Figure
3 and 4. Hinged end conditions were created at the ends
of the specimens. Ball and socket joints at the ends of the
base and top plates were used to facilitate transfer of con-
centric axial load to the angles being tested. These end
fixtures were designed to permit rotations about the three Fig. 3. Test setup
t i
t
t
L L
I
1
1
i
!
1
i
1
D -r
I CM
I
I J
Sec. I- Sec. I l - I
Fig. 4. Test setup for Specimen S-6 Fig. 5. Location of strain gages
Table 1.
Maximum Compressive Load Carrying Capacity of Angle Test
Specimens
Maximum Compressive
Load Carrying Capacity Average Ratio with Respect to a
Test Specimen I.D. (kips) (kips) Non-Spliced Angle
(1) (2) (3) (4)
S-1 117.7
S-3 122.3
S-5 115.0
Fig. 7. Close-up view of outer splice plates (Specimen S-l) Fig. 8. Crack pattern at the top of Specimen S-6
IU.U
0.0
o.o
-10 0
V)
-20.0
iff
-30.0 A
-10.0 \
-40.0
-15.0 \
beam theory A f beam theory
-50.0
O Stresses in Face 1 Stresses in Face 1
A Stresses in Face 2 H A Stresses in Face 2
_j ^v ) I
- l | 1 1 I | I | I 1 1
I ' I ' I 1 1 '
0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5 0.0 0.5 1.0 1.5 2.0 2.5
Distance (in.) Distance (in.)
Fig. 10. Stress distribution at mid-length of splice plates at a load Fig. 11. Stress distribution at mid-length of splice plates at a load
level of 20 kips. level of 60 kips.