Gusset plate

Gusset plate

Gusset plate used on the I-35W Mississippi River bridge
Material	steel, copper, or aluminum
Uses	Bridges, buildings, and other structures
Connection Methods	Welding, bolts, or rivets

Gusset plates are thick sheets of steel that are used to connect beams and girders to columns or to connect truss members. A gusset plate can be fastened to a permanent member either by bolts, rivets or welding or a combination of the three. Gusset plates not only serve as a method of joining steel members together but they also strengthen the joint. They are used in bridges and buildings as well as other structures.

Gusset plates are usually either made from cold rolled or galvanized steel based upon their use. Galvanized steel offers more protection from rust, so this is usually used when the gusset plate is exposed to the elements. The gusset plate is usually painted to match nearby steel and fixtures and to give it an extra layer of protection.

Occasionally gusset plates will be made from copper or aluminum, but only with small structures that do not require much support. The copper and aluminum gusset plates also provide a more attractive finish for exposed structures.

Gusset plates are used for various structures. Gusset plates are used to connect beams and columns together or to connect truss members. They can be either the only way of connecting the beam and columns or they can be used with bolts and welds.

Gusset plates are therefore used in most metal weight bearing structures, but the material and size of the gusset plate varies based on the structure. Bridges usually require thick sheets of steel for their gusset plates, but trusses sometimes only require small sheets of aluminium for their gusset plate.

The size and strength of the gusset plate depends on size and the function of the structure. The larger the force on the connecting members, the larger the size of the gusset plate. Gusset plates provide an easy way to retrofit structures that can no longer safely support the applied loads.

Gusset plates can be made into a variety of shapes and sizes and from a range of materials. These calculations are made based upon the forces and loads applied to the gusset plate through the nearby steel components. A gusset plate can be either the only connection method or it can be used in conjunction with bolts or welds.