Open-to-Circular Hollow Section (CHS) connections are highly encouraged nowadays in modern multistoried structures due to the extensive resistance provided by the CHS columns against high compression, tension as well as flexure in all directions, combined with their exceptional aesthetics. However, using more and more gusset plates or stiffeners to strengthen a conventional open-to-CHS connection causes economic disadvantage due to excessive welding quantities and substantial CHS chord yielding further limits any opportunity to exploit the full advantages offered by the open sections therefore minimizing its frequent application. However, if designed efficiently, the CHS connection can offer an extensive range of solutions which makes it an impeccable choice for the modern multi-storey structures. To that purpose, a "LASTEICON" solution is proposed in this paper investigating a "passing-through" concept, which is obtained by using laser cutting technology (LCT). Initially, a suitable moment resisting Plate-to-CHS-column connection is characterized through a detailed understanding of the relevant parameters, where the primary beams are connected at either side of the CHS column by two transverse and one longitudinal plate passing through the CHS column via laser cut slots. A detailed parametric study is conducted based on multiple Finite Element (FE) models primarily calibrated from an experimental campaign to understand the effect of each parameter and further verify and therefore establish the analytical assumptions to calculate the ultimate resistance of such connections. Finally a comprehensive design procedure is proposed to design such "passing-through" Plateto-CHS column connections. A short comparison study is also made with the conventional (direct weld) joints to highlight the advantages offered by this LASTEICON solution.

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The residual stress distribution influences substantially the stability behavior of steel members. Its shape, directly impacted by the fabrication process, is very different in hot‐rolled and welded members. Among welded members, flame‐cut flanges and hot‐rolled flanges are commonly employed in practice. However, buckling curves of Eurocode 3 are based on experimental tests and numerical simulations performed on welded members having hot‐rolled flanges only and lead to conservative results comparatively to the previous French design standards but also to hot‐rolled members. Investigations are strongly needed to adapt the existing buckling curves to welded members using flame‐cut flanges and a first step is to estimate the residual stress distribution in such members. The results available in the literature dealing with residual stresses measurements in welded members with flame‐cut flanges investigate stocky profiles that can be far from common practice, welded members being preferably slender sections. This paper presents the results of an experimental campaign on residual stresses performed on eight slender welded members varying the flange width and thickness as well as the flange type : hot‐rolled or flame‐cut. The measurements were performed using the sectioning method. A new model for residual stress distribution in welded I‐section members with flame‐cut flanges is then proposed based on these tests results and existing data from the literature.