I am checking a riveted steel plate girder that has transverse angle stiffeners. When calculating the web shear area Aw should the hole areas in the web at the stiffeners be subtracted from the gross web area to determine shear capacity?
For your shear rupture strength check, yes, I would think so. However, I expect your shear strength to be governed by web shear buckling so it's likely a moot point.
I like to debate structural engineering theory -- a lot. If I challenge you on something, know that I'm doing so because I respect your opinion enough to either change it or adopt it.