Yield line approaches for design of end plate tension connections for square and rectangular HSS members using end plate tensile strength

Abstract

End plates, which are sometimes called flange plates, are a common way to treat HSS members loaded in tension. In this application, prying action must be considered in the design of the plate and bolts. This paper demonstrates that the prying action model can use the end plate minimum tensile strength rather than the yield strength to achieve satisfactory designs. Only connections with bolts on all four sides of the HSS are considered here.