Question

A L4x4x1/2 tension member is welded to a gusset plate with two 5/16 inch fillet welds that are 8 inches long each. The weld begins at the front edge of the gusset plate. The fabricator wants to conserve gusset plate material and wants to use the least width gusset plate as possible. Using the Whitmore section width, what is the least width of gusset plate the fabricator can use (round to the nearest ½ inch).

Answer 1

According to whitmore section width , it is the width corresponds to the distance between two lines radiating outwards at angle of 30° from the front edge of gusset plate (the location from where the weld starts) in the gusset to connection's direction along a line running through end of weld, as shown in the attached picture.

The calculation is attached here.