A Strength Prediction of Wire and Arc Additive Manufactured joints

Anticipating the benefits and potential of using Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing (WAAM) in the construction field for structural connections to enhance automation, energy efficiency, and material utilization rate, the process to provide a reliable and efficient prediction for the strength of WAAM components is the focus of this thesis....

Design, analysis and application of innovative connections for optimized steel trusses: Structural behavior of innovative joints based on snap-fit connections

Steel trusses are the preferred structures when large distances are required to span due to its lightweight, the reduced deflection and its load bearing capacity. Although nowadays with the help of computational tools more efficient designs can be achieved, the geometrical shape of trusses has barely changed. This is mainly due to the ease of the...

Component Characterization of T-plug Bending Around Weak Axis: Experiment design and numerical study of a new type plug-and-play joint

Explicit rules for safety verification of open cold-formed lightweight beam-to-tubular column joints are missing in the current EC3-1-8. By developing economical detailing, with design guidance based on Eurocodes, the market share for new buildings, renovation and for additional storeys on existing buildings will increase. Within the...

The behaviour of steel bonded joints under creep and hygrothermal loadings

This thesis takes an initial step in the research on the long term behaviour of composite-to-metal bonds that are loaded under hygrothermal conditions. It focuses on the response and behaviour of the adhesive in these bonds under moisture and loading. The thesis is inconclusive on the effect of loading on the water uptake. The load level and...

Validation of the Calculation Models and Design Tools for Steel Beam-Column Joints by Experiments and FEA

New technologies (like 3D printing) and the increasing use of no conventional materials (like Fiber Reinforcement Polymer - FRP) are changing the construction industry. More effective and efficient structures are needed in order to achieve sustainable projects. Steel construction industry is not outside this modifications and advances. To keep...

Calculation Methods for Steel Joints: Comparative Study of European Design Regulations and Partial Finite Element Analyses

Traditionally, steel joints are calculated by the calculation rules described in the Eurocode 3: NEN-EN 1993-1-8. Effective lengths are important parameters to determine the different resistances of the components in the steel joint. Finite Element Analyses (FEA)...