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Investigating and Understanding the Behavior of a Titanium Alloy Gusset Plate Under Block Shear

Hurtuk, Therese M.

Abstract Details

2011, Master of Science in Engineering, University of Akron, Civil Engineering.
The need for infrastructure improvements is an increasing problem in the United States that cannot be ignored. Devastating events, such as the Minnesota I-35W bridge collapse in 2007, increased nationwide public concern of highway bridges and other infrastructure. Titanium is a non-corrosive metal stronger than industry steels and present in an increasing amount of applications. Substitution of this high-performance metal at structural joints or other critical regions on bridges could mitigate future disasters. However, prior to replacing existing steel gusset plates with titanium, the behavior under the specific condition must be understood. The reaction of a titanium member to both bridge-like loads and environment must be investigated, tested and analyzed to understand the response. The current research addresses one possible behavior due to loading conditions. The mechanical response of a gusset plate due to a tensile load under specifically designed geometric conditions that induce the block shear failure mode. Nine bolted gusset plates made of a titanium alloy were tested to failure. Experimental load-strain data was collected and compared with a non-linear material static finite element analysis. Once the analysis was verified through this comparison, the analysis output was used to understand the approximate stress distributions along the tension and shear failure planes present in block shear. Once the stress distribution was known, an equation could be developed to predict the block shear capacity of the titanium alloy gusset plate. To provide guidance in formulating an equation, a thorough literature review was conducted on steel bolted connections and steel block shear history. Then a parametric analysis of the current steel design equation was conducted to understand both the geometric and material variables within the equation. Finally, the basic material response of Ti-6 and general titanium properties were reviewed and discussed. To collectively understand the overall titanium connection behavior, the following objectives were formulated: 1. Revise the steel design block shear equation for gusset plates to apply to the titanium alloy. 2. Observe intermediate mechanical behavior. 3. Is the titanium alloy a worthwhile steel gusset plate replacement? 4. Recommendations for future research.
Craig Menzemer, PhD (Advisor)
Anil Patnaik, Dr. (Advisor)
T.S. Srivatsan, Dr. (Advisor)
205 p.

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Hurtuk, T. M. (2011). Investigating and Understanding the Behavior of a Titanium Alloy Gusset Plate Under Block Shear [Master's thesis, University of Akron]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1312858731

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Hurtuk, Therese. Investigating and Understanding the Behavior of a Titanium Alloy Gusset Plate Under Block Shear. 2011. University of Akron, Master's thesis. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1312858731.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Hurtuk, Therese. "Investigating and Understanding the Behavior of a Titanium Alloy Gusset Plate Under Block Shear." Master's thesis, University of Akron, 2011. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=akron1312858731

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)