Studying the Behavior of Central Gusset Plate Connections on Inverted V-Braces

In this research, the hysteretic behavior of 14 inverted-V braces and their gusset plate connections subjected to inelastic cyclic loading is examined through analytical simulations. It was modeled in ABAQUS software and the analysis type was static nonlinear analysis. Gusset plates with a constant thickness but with different sizes and shapes were used. To verify the correctness of the analysis, hysteretic behavior of gusset plates obtained from analysis was compared with experimental results. This comparison showed the exactness of the modeling. Then 14 samples of more important gusset plates in terms of ductility and strength were compared. The final result is that although stiffener in the gusset plates increase the strength of connections, they reduce ductility; so, numerous and indiscriminate addition of stiffeners in gusset plates are not recommended.