Experimental Verification of a New Single Plate Shear Connection Design Model Kirsten A. Baldwin Metzger Thesis submitted to the Faculty of Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Civil Engineering Thomas M. Murray, Chair W. Samuel Easterling Elisa D. Sotelino May 4, 2006 Blacksburg, VA Keywords: Steel, Connections, Shear Tab, Bolts Copyright 2005, Kirsten A. Baldwin Metzger