i have been doing some internet research on reinforcing gussets, design and theory. But i am not finding much, anyone know of some good solid info?
Help? Thanks in advance, John

 

What are you trying to re-enforce?

 

Seems like there right and not so right ways to do most things, and a reinforcing gusset in the wrong place and/or poor design can actually cause problems or at the very least be of no value.
I want to add gussets to the suspension crossmember i just made, but i want them to do the job and not just be along for the ride.
Sure i can just overbuild them, but that still doesnt satisfy my curiosity for optimum design and performance. John

 

2 basic things to remember, gussets are to keep a joint/angle from collapsing, one direction or another. Triangulate the piece and place it at the weakest area of the joint. Create a gusset that spreads the stress over a larger area than the leverage that works against it. That may sound simplistic but for what we are doing, it really isn't that complicated. If you want the mathematical formulas for it a college level physics book will explain it pretty well. Hope that helps, LOL

 

For your situation this has some good advice

Using gussets and other stiffeners correctly

 

good stuff!

 

Good link! As it says, a gusset stiffens a joint and/or spreads the forces over a larger area. They should not add a stress point. One needs to analyze the forces stressing the joint, and the gusset should be placed to resist those forces. For example your situation: The potential damaging forces on the rear pivot would be towards the rear and a levered rotational component with the pivot point around the front control arm pivot. I see the weakest point being diagonally across the rounded corner thru the oval holes. A gusset would be best at the rear that would be face welded to a boxing plate or the vertical face rather than the edge directly to the frame unless it was directly under the vertical face of the frame. The crossmember end should be placed so it does not form a stressed location such as to a flexible portion of the construction.

 

Thanks for your input guys, i know i might have been a little pedantic about this but i like to get things right where possible. LOL
Ax, your thinking is pretty much where i am at,the gusset inline with the vertical face of the boxing plate. John