A total of thirteen full-scale tests were conducted to investigate the compressive behavior and strength of gusset plate connections. The test parameters included gusset plate thickness, size, and brace angle. In addition, the effects of frame action on the compressive behavior of gusset plate connections were also investigated. In general, the gusset plate specimens were failed by sway buckling of the connection since no out-of-plane restraint was provided from the bracing member. The test results indicated that, in general, significant yielding of the gusset plate specimens occurred prior to reaching the ultimate load. However, only limited yielding was observed for the thin specimens with a plate thickness of 6.5 mm. The ultimate load of the specimens increased almost linearly proportional to the gusset plate thickness and decreased with increasing plate size. A slight decrease in the ultimate load of the specimens was observed when a 30° brace angle was used instead of a 45° one. The beam and column moment had only negligible effects on the ultimate load of the specimens; however, yielding of the specimens was detected at a load level significantly lower than that had no framing moment. The numerical simulation provided good agreement with the test results.  2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.