What are the best practices for designing and detailing shear tabs and stiffeners?

1 Shear tab types

There are two main types of shear tabs: single-plate and double-plate. Single-plate shear tabs are simpler and more economical, but they have lower shear capacity and higher eccentricity than double-plate shear tabs. Double-plate shear tabs have higher shear capacity and lower eccentricity, but they require more welding and fabrication. The choice of shear tab type depends on the design requirements, the available space, and the connection preferences.

2 Shear tab design

The design of shear tabs involves checking the shear strength, the bearing strength, the block shear strength, and the weld strength of the plates and the connected members. The design equations and procedures are given in the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 360) and the AISC Steel Construction Manual. The design should also consider the effects of shear lag, prying action, and bending moment on the shear tabs and the connected members.

3 Shear tab detailing

The detailing of shear tabs involves specifying the dimensions, the locations, the welds, the bolts, and the edge distances of the plates and the connected members. The detailing should follow the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (AISC 303) and the AISC Detailing for Steel Construction Manual. The detailing should also ensure adequate clearance, alignment, and tolerances for the fabrication and erection of the shear tabs and the connected members.

4 Stiffener types

There are two main types of stiffeners: web stiffeners and flange stiffeners. Web stiffeners are plates that are welded or bolted to the web of a beam or a girder to increase its shear resistance or to prevent web buckling. Flange stiffeners are plates that are welded or bolted to the flange of a beam or a girder to increase its flexural resistance or to prevent flange local buckling.

5 Stiffener design

The design of stiffeners involves checking the shear strength, the buckling strength, and the weld strength of the plates and the connected members. The design equations and procedures are given in the AISC Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (AISC 360) and the AISC Steel Construction Manual. The design should also consider the effects of torsion, shear flow, and interaction on the stiffeners and the connected members.

6 Stiffener detailing

The detailing of stiffeners involves specifying the dimensions, the locations, the welds, and the edge distances of the plates and the connected members. The detailing should follow the AISC Code of Standard Practice for Steel Buildings and Bridges (AISC 303) and the AISC Detailing for Steel Construction Manual. The detailing should also ensure adequate clearance, alignment, and tolerances for the fabrication and erection of the stiffeners and the connected members.

7 Here’s what else to consider

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