Ultimate Strength Formulation For Axially Loaded CHS Uniplanar T-joints

Abstract

As presented by Van der Vegte in 1995, the strength of axially loaded uniplanar T-joints is governed by a combination of (local) joint failure and failure due to (global) chord in-plane bending moments. The current study, which is more rigorous compared to the research in 1995, presents the effect of chord length, boundary conditions and chord end conditions on the strength of uniplanar T-joints. Comparisons are made with the new T-joint strength formulations developed by API (2003) and ISO (2004). Finally, a simple ultimate strength equation is proposed for uniplanar Tjoints with compensating chord end moments. An interaction contour is established to describe the effect of chord in-plane bending moments on the strength of uniplanar T-joints.