Experimental and numerical study of one-sided branch plate-to-circular hollow section connections

Abstract

Connections to circular hollow steel sections (CHS) are considered one of the most complex and time consuming connections in steel construction. Such connections are usually composed of gusset plates welded to the outside of the steel tube or penetrating the steel tube. Design guides, accounting for the effect of connection configuration on the strength of the connection, are not present. This study aims to investigate, through experimental testing and a parametric study, the influence of connection configuration on the strength of one sided branch plate-to-CHS members. A notable effect was observed on the behavior of the connections due to its detailing changes with respect to capacity, failure mode, ductility, and stress distribution. A parametric study is performed using the calibrated analytical model to include a wider range of parameters. The study involves 26 numerical analyses of finite element models including parameters of the diameter-to-thickness (D/t) ratio, length of gusset plate, and connection configuration. Accordingly, a modification to the formulas provided by the current design recommendations was suggested to include connection configuration effects for the one sided branch plate-to-CHS members.

Tension Strength Prediction of Transverse Branch Plate-to-Rectangular Joint with Concrete Filling

“…In this paper, based on the previous hollow joint research, a formula is constructed as Eqn. (6). For CBPRH joint, Pu has only the first term P1 in Eqn.…”

“…For CBPRH joint, Pu has only the first term P1 in Eqn. (6) , which evolves from FM1 to stand for chord plastification; the second term P 2 in Eqn. (6) representing FM2 is null.…”

“…(6) , which evolves from FM1 to stand for chord plastification; the second term P 2 in Eqn. (6) representing FM2 is null. For CBPRH joint with PBR, the design strength is a combination of P1 and P2, which are expressed as Eqn.…”

“…The function of Eqn. (6) has been constructed in MATLAB with given parameters, the ultimate capacity data and other geometric parameters have been input. Nonlinear regression has been made.…”

“…The tension strength calculation of BPRH in B CIDECT provision was mainly derived from the experiments and FEM analysis [4][5]. For branch plate-to-circular hollow section, various literatures have been reported [6][7][8]. Recently, concrete-filled chord has been a prevailed technical practice in the tubular structure [9][10][11].…”