Background: In steel connections, transverse stiffeners are utilized to increase the web and flange capacity against local instabilities induced by concentrated loads. This paper investigates the effect of bearing length on the capacity of transverse stiffeners subjected to double concentrated compression loading. Existing design provisions for determining the compressive capacity of transverse stiffeners do not account for the bearing length variable, and limited information is available regarding the local instability of steel sections under concentrated loads with varying bearing lengths.

Methodology: Initially, a finite element model was created in ABAQUS to investigate the local instability phenomenon, and its accuracy was validated against experimental data. To evaluate the buckling behavior of the specimens, a Static Riks analysis was performed, incorporating geometric non-linearity and an initial geometric imperfection equal to 0.001% of the first buckling mode shape. C3D8R solid elements were assigned to the steel member and loading plates, while S4 shell elements were used for the transverse stiffeners. The welded connections of the stiffeners were modeled using the Embedded Region constraint. Subsequently, a parametric study comprising 54 numerical models was conducted to evaluate their behavior under double concentrated compression loading.

Findings: Results from the finite element analysis demonstrated that increasing the bearing length enhances both web capacity and transverse stiffener capacity. Additionally, the compressive capacity of the transverse stiffeners was evaluated using AISC 360-22 provisions and compared with the numerical results. The effective capacity of these components under double compression loading ranged from 35% to 96% of the theoretical values predicted by the specification. Consequently, a modified equation and recommendations were proposed for determining the capacity of transverse stiffeners.

Conclusion: The results of this research indicated that bearing length is a governing parameter influencing the capacity of transverse stiffeners. In addition, existing specification provisions are unconservative in predicting the capacity of these components. By using the proposed equation, the actual capacity of transverse stiffeners can be estimated with higher accuracy. The engineering application of these research findings lies in the optimization of steel connection design.