Behaviour of Double and Triple Vertical Rows of Bolts Shear Tab Connections and Weld Retrofits

Shear tab connections are one of the most cost efficient and time saving connection methods used throughout the steel industry. The current design procedure for single-plate shear connections of the 2010 CISC Handbook of Steel Construction is based on research conducteddecades ago and is found to be outdated. This method is also not applicable to shear tab connection configurations of multiple vertical rows of bolts. Thus, an updated design method applicable to connections up to three vertical rows of bolts is proposed for use in Canada. A series of ten full-scale experiments were conducted in order to deepen the knowledge and knowhow of the behavior of shear tab connections detailed with double and triple vertical lines of bolts and their welded retrofit counterparts. Eight of these full-scale experiments were double or triple vertical rows of bolt connections, four of each, of which two were carried out on rigid supports and six on flexible supports. The remaining two tests were full-scale weld retrofit shear tab connection specimens without bolts carried out on rigid supports. These tests were performed to examine the ductility of this type of connection and their shear resistance since these are often performed on construction sites.