Remaining compressive ultimate strength of corroded gusset plate connection in steel truss bridge

Abstract

In this paper, a compressive loading test of a severely corroded gusset plate connection cut out from a demolished truss bridge was conducted to clarify the failure mode and remaining ultimate strength. Also, FE analyses were conducted to assess the effects of section loss and examine the method of modeling of a gusset plate with uneven section loss. The failure mode was the local buckling of the gusset plates. The compressive behavior of the gusset plates was properly evaluated by a shell element model in consideration of the average section loss.