Experimental Research on Hysteretic Behaviors of Square Tubular T-joint

Abstract

In order to study the failure modes and hysteretic behaviors of square tubular T-joints, three specimens were made to conduct the cyclic loading test. The test stimulated the constrain condition with hinge connection of both ends of chord member, and the brace was subjected to axial cyclic loading. Based on the experiment, the specimen consisting of small-geometry brace showed a good ductility compared with the big one, and the obvious plastic deformation occurred at the intersection between chord and brace member, finally the welding was failure. However, the specimen consisting large-size brace appeared a large deformation on the side wall of chord member. In addition, due to the poor ductility of welding on the plates contained in chord member, the welding fracture on the intersection between upper flange and web plates leaded to test end for all the specimens.