Looking for some help interpreting a section of the AASHTO code. In the section addressing connections for steel members (6.13.1), there is a clause that reads:
“In the case of connections that transfer total member end shear, the gross section shall be taken as the gross section of the connected elements.”
Can anyone explain to me what they may mean by “total member end shear”? Does this just mean a shear connection? Also, how do we interpret “connected elements”? For example, if you have a wide flange section with a shear connection connected to its web, would the “gross section of the connected element” be the cross-sectional area of the whole W section? Or just the area of the connected web?
Thanks!
“In the case of connections that transfer total member end shear, the gross section shall be taken as the gross section of the connected elements.”
Can anyone explain to me what they may mean by “total member end shear”? Does this just mean a shear connection? Also, how do we interpret “connected elements”? For example, if you have a wide flange section with a shear connection connected to its web, would the “gross section of the connected element” be the cross-sectional area of the whole W section? Or just the area of the connected web?
Thanks!
