Research Projects

This project conducted during 1988-1991 period had four distinct but interrelated phases. In each phase, a certain type of shear tab connection was studied, their behavior established through full-scale testing and design procedures were developed and proposed. The design procedures form the basis of current AISC Manual procedures and tables for design of shear tab connections. The four phases were:

1. Shear tab connections with standard holes welded to column flange (A. Astaneh-Asl, K. McMullin, S. Call).
2. Shear tab connections with slotted holes welded to column flange(A. Astaneh-Asl, K. Porter).
3. Shear tab connections with standard holes connected to beam web. (A. Astaneh-Asl and A. Shaw).
4. Shear tab connections with standard or slotted holes connected to column web side (A. Astaneh-Asl).

A series of 17 full scale tests of shear tab connections to columns or web of beams were conducted at the University of California, Berkeley (1988-91). The test specimens had shear tabs with standard or short slotted holes connected to the flange or web side of columns or to the web of girders. Shear tabs with 3, 5,7 and 9 bolts in one row were tested. The specimens were placed in a setup shown below and subjected to realistic ever-increasing shear force and corresponding rotations. The results of monotonic the tests were used to develop a performance-based design procedure that will ensure that the connection not only has the shear strength to carry the applied load but also has sufficient ductility to accommodate the rotational demand on the connection by the beam's end.
The results can be found in the publications on this project listed below.

PUBLICATIONS

Publications in the following list that have their title underlined, can be viewed, sent to an e-mail address or printed, free of charge, by clicking on the underlined title of the publication.
To purchase a copy of the reports in the following list (with their title NOT underlined) you can mail a cashier check ( or a check drafted in a US Bank) for $40.00 US Dollars, payable to "The Regents of the University of California" to: A. Astaneh, 781 Davis Hall, University of California, Berkeley, CA, 94720-1710, USA. Please write the title of the requested report on your check or cover letter. In 3-4 weeks an offset print, a Xerox copy or a PDF version (on CD) of the report (whichever is available) will be mailed to you. The requested report will be mailed to US addresses using airmail and to addresses outside the US using ground mail. If you like more information on obtaining the reports or would like expedited delivery, please send an e-mail to astaneh@ce.berkeley.edu.

10-Astaneh-Asl,A., Liu, J. and McMullin, K. M. (2002), "Behavior and Design of Single Plate Shear Connections", Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 58, (2002) pp.1121-1141.
09-Astaneh-Asl, A. (1992) "Design of Column Web Single Plate Shear Connections", Manuscript, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of California, Berkeley.
08-Shaw, A. L. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1992). "Experimental study of single-plate steel beam-to-girder connections." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 92/13, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, May.
07-Porter, K. A. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1990). "Design of single plate shear connections with snug-tight bolts in short slotted holes." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 90/23, Department of Civil Engineering, Univ. of California, Berkeley, April.
06-Astaneh-Asl, A., Call, S.M. and McMullin, K.M. (1990) "Design of Single Plate Shear Connections", Steel TIPS Report, Structural Steel Educational Council, Moraga, CA.
05-Astaneh-Asl, A., Call, S.M., and McMullin, K.M. (1989), "Design of Single Plate Shear Connections," Engineering Journal AISC, Vol. 26, 1st Quarter, pp. 21-32.
04-Astaneh-Asl, A., (1989), "Demand and Supply of Ductility in Steel Shear Connections," Journal of Constructional Steel Research, 14, (1989).
03-Astaneh, A. (1989). "New concepts in design of single plate shear connections." Proceedings, National Steel Construction Conf., AISC, Nashville.
02-Call, S.M. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1989). "Behavior of single plate shear connections with A325 and A490 bolts." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 89/04, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, April.
01-Astaneh-Asl, A., McMullin, K. M., Call, S. M.(1988). "Design of single-plate framing connections." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 88/12, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, July.
00- Astaneh-Asl, A. (1988) "Tests of Shear Tabs and Development of Design Procedures", Proposal submitted to the AISC.(this publication is not in public domain).

RESEARCH TEAM AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

The study reported here was supported by the American Institute of Steel Construction and by the Research Council on Structural Connections. The primary research team consisted of Abolhassan Astaneh-Asl (Professor and Principal Investigator) and Kurt M. McMullin, Steven Call, Keith Porter and Alison Shaw (all graduate students at UC-Berkeley). The support and technical input received from the AISC and RCSC engineers, particularly from Robert O. Disque and Ted Winneberger were very useful, essential to success of this project and are sincerely appreciated.
The tests reported here were conducted in Davis Hall, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of University of California at Berkeley with the participation of Roy Stevens, William Mac Cracken, Chris Moy, Larry Baker and Richard Parsons all staff of Department laboratories. Marwan Nader and Ines Ho, graduate and undergraduate students were involved in various aspects of this large scale testing. W& W Steel Company and Cives Steel donated the shear tabs. Their assistance is appreciated.

SPONSORS

The research reported herein was conducted in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering of the University of California, Berkeley and was supported by the AISC and RCSC. Additional support was also provided by the Deaprtment of Civil and Environmental Engineeering. The opinions expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the University of California, Berkeley, the Sponsors or other agencies and individuals whose names appear here.

DISCLAIMER

The information presented here has been prepared in accordance with recognized engineering principles and is for general information only. While it is believed to be accurate, this information should not be used or relied upon for any specific application without competent professional examination and verification of its accuracy, suitability, and applicability by a licensed professional engineer, designer or architect. The publication of the material contained herein is not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of any person or agency named herein, that this information is suitable for any general or particular use or of freedom from infringement of any patent or patents. Anyone making use of this information assumes all liability arising from such use. Caution must be exercised when relying upon specifications and codes developed by others and incorporated by reference herein since such material may be modified or amended from time to time subsequent to the posting of this material. The authors bear no responsibility for such material other than to refer to it and incorporate it by reference at the time of the initial posting of this document.

FINAL REPORTS

( to purchase a copy of these reports, please see above note under "Publications").
-Shaw, A. L. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1992). "Experimental study of single-plate steel beam-to-girder connections." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 92/13, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, May.
-Porter, K. A. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1990). "Design of single plate shear connections with snug-tight bolts in short slotted holes." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 90/23, Department of Civil Engineering, Univ. of California, Berkeley, April.
-Call, S.M. and Astaneh-Asl, A.(1989). "Behavior of single plate shear connections with A325 and A490 bolts." Report No. UCB/SEMM - 89/04, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, April.
-Astaneh-Asl, A., McMullin, K. M., Call, S. M.(1988). "Design of single-plate framing connections." Report No. UCB/SEMM- 88/12, Department of Civil Engineering, University of California, Berkeley, July.

STEEL TIPS REPORT

06-Astaneh-Asl, A., Call, S.M. and McMullin, K.M. (1990) "Design of Single Plate Shear Connections", Steel TIPS Report, Structural Steel Educational Council, Moraga, CA. (a copy of this report can be downloaded for personal used free of charge from aisc web site: www.aisc.org

[ Back To Main Page ] [ Back to Top of the Page]