Maali, MahyarAltundag, MuratCinar, Nurullah2026-03-262026-03-2620252352-012410.1016/j.istruc.2025.1089682-s2.0-105002900449https://doi.org/10.1016/j.istruc.2025.108968https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14901/2780Çinar, Nurulah/0009-0006-5067-5761This study investigates the shear strength of 36 different test specimens of cold-formed steel (CFS) beams and columns joined using self-tapping screws. The gusset plates used in the study were designed with varying thicknesses (1.2 mm, 1.5 mm, 2.0 mm, and 2.5 mm), depths (100 mm, 150 mm, and 180 mm), and lengths (65 mm, 95 mm, and 125 mm). Four-point bending tests were conducted, revealing that the thickness of the clipangle plates and their aspect ratio (L/D) significantly influenced their shear performance. Specimens with an L/D ratio below 0.2 exhibited column screw stripping, while those with ratios between 0.2 and 0.40 showed one screw stripping in the beam. Specimens with L/D ratios greater than 0.40 experienced more than one screw stripping. It was observed that the base plate connections of all columns remained intact, but buckling occurred in the gusset plates. The study proposed a design shear limit of lambda max= 0.27 and a dimensionless slenderness limit of Vexp=0.239Vy for lightweight steel gusset plates joined with self-tapping screws. Resistance and safety factors were calculated as 0.67, 0.545, and 2.389 for the LRFD, LSD, and ASD methods, respectively. These findings highlight that using self-tapping screws enables more modular connections and that optimizing the gusset plate thickness and aspect ratio can maximize shear performance. The results also facilitated the development of a new shear strength equation that enhances existing design approaches.eninfo:eu-repo/semantics/closedAccessCold-Formed Steel Structure (CFS)Angle ConnectionColumn-Beam JointShear BehaviorSelf-Tapping ScrewsArticle