Behaviour of Block Shear Failure in Different Connections

In 1978, the block shear failure mode was first observed in the coped beams while investigating the bearing capacity of bolted shear connections. Later, this mode of failure was also observed in several bolted as well as welded connections, including tension member connection in angles and tees, and gusset plates. Subsequently, design provisions for block shear failure were implemented in the AISC specification. In this paper, a total of 78 coped beams, 75 angles and tees, 14 flange-connected tees, and 182 gusset plate specimens which failed in block shear are evaluated and comparison has been made against the present design standards. American, Indian, European, Canadian, Japanese and Saudi Arabian design provisions are used for comparative study. A compatible relation between test-to-predicted ratio for these specimens is obtained from a wide range of geometries, steel grade, and connection type. In addition, the comparative evaluation is made for the one-bolt line as well as two-bolt line connection which failed in block shear only. These design standards provide a conservative prediction for one-bolt line connection except Canadian standard; however, for two-bolt line connection, these standards provide a significantly conservative prediction.