Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

FHWA Guidance for

Load Rating Evaluation of
Gusset Plates in Truss Bridges

Firas I. Sheikh Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E.

Senior Codes & Specifications Engineer

Office of Bridge Technology

Federal Highway Administration
Washington, DC

Acceptable
Load Rating Methodologies

Part A – LRFR (All bridges)

Part B – LFR (Bridges prior to 2010)

Part C – ASR (Non-

(Non-NHS bridges rated prior to 94)

Part A - LRFR

The evaluation of gusset connections

shall include the evaluation of
connecting plates and fasteners.

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598
Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

THE RESISTANCE OF
FASTENERS
The fasteners shall be evaluated to prevent
fasteners shear and plate bearing failures

THE RESISTANCE OF
FASTENERS
The axial load in each connected member
may be distributed equally to all fasteners

THE RESISTANCE OF
GUSSET PLATES
The resistance of a Gusset plate shall be
determined as its least resistance in
shear,, tension including block shear,,
combined flexural and axial loads,, and
compression..

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598
Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

GUSSET PLATES IN
TENSION
Gusset plates subjected to axial tension
shall be investigated for three conditions:

• Yield on the gross section,

• Fracture on the net section, and
• Block shear rupture

GUSSET PLATES IN TENSION – GSY/NSF

• Yield on the gross section

• Fracture on the net section

Whitmore – Effective Width in Tension

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598
Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

Block Shear Rupture Resistance

GUSSET PLATES IN SHEAR

GUSSET PLATES IN
COMPRESSION
May be investigated as idealized columns

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598
Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

GUSSET PLATES IN
COMPRESSION
K may be taken as K = 1 or K = 2, depending on the anticipated
anticipated
buckled shape

GUSSET PLATES UNDER COMBINED

FLEXURAL AND AXIAL LOADS
The maximum elastic stress maybe taken as φfFy

Schedule
Guidance:
Part A – LRFR – 100% complete
Part B – LFR – In progress
Part C – ASR – to follow

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598
Introduction to LRFD 5/17/2008

THANK YOU!

Firas I. Sheikh Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E.

Senior Codes & Specifications Engineer

Office of Bridge Technology

Federal Highway Administration
Washington, DC

Firas I. Sheikh-Ibrahim, Ph.D., P.E., Federal Highway

Administration, Washington, DC 20590, Tel: (202) 366-
4598